Maui - The Best Activities
Written: Oct 29 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Haleakala, Paia, Atlantis sub, Hana
Cons: Maui tends to be pricey
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| rag47's Full Review: Maui |
Here is a rundown of our favorite things to do on Maui. We've always enjoyed our trips to this beautiful and tranquil Hawaiian island. There are many activities to enjoy here, and this review is a rundown of our favorite ones.
Let's start in the west with Lahaina town. This old whaling station is now ground zero for those staying at one of the resorts on Ka'anapali Beach. In the center of town right by the wharf is a huge banyan tree. This enormous single tree covers an entire park, providing shade and something for kids to climb. Often there are Hawaiian dances or craft fairs or other activities held here. A beautiful spot - and it's free too.
From the wharf in Lahaina, you can go on various marine outings. The Atlantis submarine is fascinating. It's a real submarine that goes down over 100 feet underwater to see a reef and beautiful reef fish. They give you a little guide to the fish that looks disturbingly like a sushi menu. Really a unique experience, although it is a little pricey.
During January and February, the humpback whales appear in the shallow waters off Lahaina. This is a not-to-be-missed sight! You can see them from the shore, but it's better close up. There are quite a few whale-watching boats at the wharf, any of them will work fine. You have a fair chance of seeing whales in December and March, too. But during the rest of the year the odds are not good and it's not worth going. They may offer you a guarantee that you'll see whales, but this is just a certificate entitling to go out once again the next day.
There are also boats that will take you out to the islet of Molokini for snorkeling. This tiny island has a lagoon with a sunken ship and a great many brilliantly colored fish - even a few harmless reef sharks. Very enjoyable and easy too - you don't have to be athletic.
In the west-central part of Maui is the Iao Valley and the "needle." The needle is a near vertical spire of rock amid the misty and atmospheric Iao valley. There is a lot of rainfall here and the plants grow profusely. Plants that you are used to seeing as houseplants grow to enormous sizes here outdoors.
If you're looking to hear some Hawaiian music, all the hotels offer lounge acts, but they tend to be disappointing. The drinkers and diners are for the most part not interested and the performers seem to be discouraged. A much better bet is to see a show at the Maui Arts and Cultural center in Kahului. Give them a call at 808-242-7469 to see what's scheduled.
All the beaches on Maui are beautiful, but my favorite is Kahana Beach state park, just north of the airport. The expanse of sand, the palm trees, the ocean and the gorgeous Maui sunlight all combine to a wonderful effect. It's the most beautiful beach I know of in the world. And it's a free public beach.
The dormant volcano Haleakala dominates the center of the island. The view at the top is spectacular! You will also see the peculiar silversword plant which grows nowhere else in the world. Getting to the top of Haleakala is a must-see on Maui, but it's a long drive up and a long drive down, with heavy traffic. My suggestion is to try Maui Downhill. These folks drive you up there early in the morning in a van, and then you bicycle downhill, which is fun and easy. A breakfast is included at the end of the ride. They give you a helmet and protective clothing, because sometimes people crash and hurt themselves, but if you are reasonably coordinated you'll be OK. You only have to pedal a few hundred yards near the end.
Paia, at the beginning of the road to Hana, is a fun little arts and crafts town. Don't miss the Maui Crafts Guild here. This is a co-op owned by local artists and is an excellent place to buy local artwork.
The drive to Hana is a famous experience. It twists and turns along the coast, with even more gigantic houseplants growing roadside, with waterfalls and ocean vistas galore. It'll take you all day to drive to Hana and back, so start in the morning. Hana town itself is nothing special, so continue a few miles past it to Oheo Gulch, aka the Seven Sacred Pools. This is a park with beautiful pools and waterfalls. You'll find locals offering to make you baskets and such right on the spot, and it's worth it - prices are low and it's fun seeing them make the basket. You can also buy locally grown exotic fruit - delicious.
Official activities, like whale watching or Maui Downhill, can be booked at your hotel's activity desk, or from one of the discount brokers in town. You may get a somewhat lower price from the brokers (like $10 less per person), but don't agree to go hear a time-share pitch. Some folks choose to be tortured in this way to save more, but to me it's a hard way to make money.
Enjoy your trip to beautiful Maui - mahalow!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rag47
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Location: Issaquah, WA
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 12 members
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