Maui truly is a paradise on earth. Crystal clear waters that hover between 72 and 80 degrees, soft trade winds to cool you, heavenly scents, and exotic colors everywhere will fill your senses the moment you step on the shore. You will want to taste and experience all the great things to do in Maui, all at once.
HIKE TO A WATERFALL
Hiking is great exercise and the miles and miles of beautiful trails you will find in Maui's wilderness cover almost half of the island. Hike as you never have before in rain-forests, volcanic craters, cloud forests, lava coastlines, mountain ridges, extravagant vegetation and roaring waterfalls. Somewhere on you will find a trail to match your level of hiking ability.
HORSEBACK TOURING
Maui's remote areas beg to be explored. If you are not into hiking, then consider one of many guided horseback tours. You can pick your way to a crater floor, visit a cattle ranch and see the endangered state bird of Hawaii, the nene goose. Experience beautiful vistas only reached by horseback or hiking.
ATV TOURING
Another way to tour, up close and personal, is on an all terrain vehicles. The ATVs have automatic transmissions and require no experience. On a guided tour, you will have access to parts of Maui that no one else can see, take a short hike through the Ohia Rain Forest and see vegetation unchanged for thousands of years.
ZIPLINING
This is the latest in extreme touring. On a zipline, you will fly through the trees and have not only a bird's eye view of the landscape but a thrill while you view it. You can also zipline over canyons and gulches and down mountainsides. Ziplining was designed to minimize impact to the natural environment, so, while you are having fun and learning about the history and the Flora of Maui, you are helping to keep it as it is.
SWIM IN A MOUNTAIN POOL
Take a dip in the crystal clear mountain pools of Oheo Gulch, located off Route 31 about 10 miles past Hana in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. These pools are fed by the Oheo Stream and were once thought to be The Seven Sacred Pools. Waterfalls and cascades feed them and they are a cooling delight after a short hike.
THREE WAYS TO SURF
You can surf in the sea at Maui in the traditional way or you can windsurf for an extra thrill. Instructions are available and windsurf boards are rented at several beach locations. For those who aren't ready to take on a big wave or a burst of speed, there is long paddle surfing. In this sport, you stand on the surfboard and using a long paddle, propel yourself through the water. Anyway you do it, surfing is fun, fun, fun.
SNORKELING
With the sun almost always shining and the waters crystal clear, Maui is a natural place for snorkeling at any age. There are many great sites depending on your ability as a swimmer. You can explore the coral reefs at most sites, but especially at Olowalu, and swim with sea turtles at Kaanapali. The fish and coral seem to vie for the title of brightest colors and you will be delighted whichever spot you choose for snorkeling.
SCUBA DIVING
Because water visibility can exceed 100 feet in the crystal clear waters surrounding Maui, the view below the surface is magnificent! The living coral reefs, sea caves, large varieties of exotic fish, sea turtles, eels and sea caves beckon divers from around the world. Water temperature ranges from 72 degrees to the low 80s. Check out Malakini, which is a submerged volcano that is shaped like a crescent moon. Awesome diving!
PLACES OF INTEREST
Lahaina is a must see. It is a historic harbor village that was once a bawdy whaling port. Eventually all the visitors to Maui (2 million a year) find their why here for fun and entertainment. Visit an old church, a whaling vessel Carthaginian, a mission and the Baldwin House for some real history.
The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley is Hawaii's natural history in a museum setting and in the natural environment. You'll visit a rain forest and walk away with a much better understanding of nature's role in the creation of the Islands
Charles Lindbergh's gravesite. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic.
Kahanu Garden is a 123-acre garden, where you will see the world's largest collection of breadfruit as well as an unusual collection of coconut and kava. An ancient Hawaiian temple, called Hale o Piilani Heiau, built between the 13th and 16th century is in the garden. The stone platform is 570 feet by 290 feet and the front wall rises over 50 feet. The temple covers almost 4 acres and represents an engineering feat unrivaled anywhere in Hawaii at the time.
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a 700-acre refuge, established in 1992. Located on the island's south shore, it's home to 31 species of birds and migrant waterfowl such as the Pacific golden plover.
Kula Botanical Gardens, located on Hwy. 377 is a collection of native plants such as orchids, proteas, bromeliads, poisonous plants and Hawaiian native fauna, some of which are on the endangered list.
The Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Science Center, located in Maalaea, looks out over Maalaea Bay, where humpback whales mate and give birth during the winter. In the museum, you will find artifacts such as whale baleen, barnacles and whale lice, and tune into the sounds of live whales singing.
OTHER GREAT THING TO DO IN MAUI
See the whales or the volcanoes from a helicopter
Tour a 120-year old Sugar Mill at Kahului only ten minutes from the airport
Visit Banyan Tree Park and see traditionally make canoes and much more.
See the rarest plant, a Silversword, that only grows in Hawaii
Ride the Sugar Train on a 30-minute learning experience
Visit Bailey's Missionary-Era Museum
Go to a luau and eat the foods Hawaiians have loved for centuries.
Learn to hula or make a lei.
Dine at the many fine restaurants or take a Dinner Cruise under the stars.
Lie in the sand and be kissed by the sun at the many beaches of Maui.
Take a star gazing sail at night with Maui astronomer Harriett Witt.
Whatever your interests are, you will find something fun, educational, exhilarating and memorable in Maui. I lived there for a year in 2003 for twelve glorious months and I still hear its call because, once you have been there, you will never forget and you will hear Maui calling to you in the breezes where ever you are.