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In case you’ve by no means been to Maui in Hawaii earlier than, you’re about to be dazzled! Maui is among the finest islands in Hawaii to go to in your first time in Hawaii as a result of it presents all the pieces that Hawaii is thought for – volcanoes, jungles, seashores, wildlife in abundance, and that aloha spirit that may solely be present in Polynesian tradition.
Evidently, there’s a plethora of issues to do in Maui to get you accustomed to Hawaiian tradition, study its historical past, and witness its unspoiled magnificence. You received’t need to miss any of them.
In case you’re about to embark in your first journey to Maui however undecided what to do, listed here are some actions and sights you can not miss to have the complete Maui expertise.
1. Go snorkeling
Maui is among the finest locations to go snorkeling in all of the Hawaiian islands.
There are a number of locations the place you may wish to go snorkelling on the island, such because the marine conservation district of Molokini Crater the place reef fish rule the waters, or the coastal areas of Turtle City, Honolua Bay, and Coral Gardens, the place you’ll be able to benefit from the clear heat waters teeming with colourful coral and Hawaiian inexperienced sea turtles.
In case you’re basing your self in Kaanapi Seashore, within the West Maui Mountains, or Wailuku in South Maui, then you’ll be able to go for a snorkeling tour which supply journeys to common snorkel spots through a ship cruise. It is a nice option to snorkel for households, seniors, and people on a brief go to.
Snorkeling excursions on Maui usually embody breakfast, a barbecue lunch, and even an open bar.
Ideas for snorkeling in Maui:
- If in case you have jet lag, a Molokini snorkeling tour the day after may also help you shake off the jet lag.
- E-book SCUBA and snorkel journeys earlier than you arrive to make certain of a spot, as they usually get booked up.
- Go for one of many humpback whale watching excursions / snorkeling combo in the course of the months of January to March (December being the most effective month).
2. Drive the street to Hana
The drive to Hana is a well-liked scenic drive which takes you from the South to North on the Valley Isle.
The drive takes a full day, and takes you down slim one-lane roads, previous cliff-hugging scenic magnificence, via tropical rainforests, and to get a glimpse of a parade of dazzling waterfalls.
The drive is over 50 miles and has 600 curves and 59 bridges (if you happen to get automobile sick, make sure you put together for this).
Nevertheless, the surroundings alongside the best way is awe-inspiring. Uncover a terraformed peninsula, black sand seashores, lava tubes, and a lot extra.
When hiring a rental automobile, contemplate getting a jeep wrangler or 4X4 as there are some unsealed roads you’ll be able to take as a detour. In addition they look so cool with the street to Hana surroundings.
Learn our full information on driving the Highway to Hana for extra ideas.
Ideas for the drive to Hana
- Begin early – you don’t need to be driving this street at nighttime.
- Let a professional drive – this street has been identified to get folks carsick and pissed off however a professional is aware of the methods to seeing all of it.
- Plan for a picnic – there are extra picnic spots than locations to purchase meals. Relying on the day and the ocean swell, all the pieces or nothing will likely be open.
- At all times begin with a full tank – gasoline economic system will likely be poor with no bargains and restricted sources for gasoline in Hana.
- Convey money – slightly bit of money will make sampling from roadside stands alongside the street simpler.
3. Surf, kayak, outrigger canoe, or SUP
Hawaii is all about hanging on the seaside. These beach-launched ocean actions are among the best issues to do whereas in Maui.
One can lease and be taught on the whim in locations like Ka’anapali, Kihei, and Kapalua Bay.
Nothing is extra ego-boosting and fulfilling than getting out on the ocean and studying a brand new talent, or making use of expertise to a brand new locale. Those that choose to take formal classes or guided excursions can actually guide prematurely.
Hawaiian Paddle Sports activities is a one-stop-shop for all of those actions.
4. Attend an Previous Lahaina Luau on Maui
A Luau is a conventional Hawaiian feast, paired with dancing, leisure, and music. They’re a manner for residents to have fun and are available collectively.
Nobody denies that this expertise is much from the normal yard feasts that locals get pleasure from for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and different household gatherings.
Nevertheless, the Luau ritual is a novel a part of Hawaiian tradition, and you’ll at all times discover one occurring, particularly for vacationers.
It’s a option to collect for a night of excellent meals, drink, and leisure that ranges from candy and gradual to fierce and flaming.
There are lots of methods to Luau, and so they vary in value, so choose one which meets your wants and wishes.
Laua’s at resorts are common with those that don’t need to wander far for the night’s leisure and might provide something from the easy to extravagant. Whereas the extra conventional ones provide a particular locale for an evening out.
All provide a wonderful night beneath the celebs with a stunning sundown backdrop and a balmy breeze together with the roasted pork and poi.
Sure, as soon as in a lifetime may be sufficient, however that one time is actually to not be missed.
5. Eat the native meals in Maui
The number of cultures and cuisines in Hawaii make it a foodie paradise. Tasting your manner across the island is among the extra attention-grabbing and fulfilling pursuits on Maui, and might vary from the fast consuming snacks and cheap to the opulent and romantic.
Nevertheless, there are a lot of distinctive tastes on Maui that shouldn’t be handed up.
Attempt these completely different Maui dishes for a culinary journey into Maui tradition:
- Poke – spiced and seasoned uncooked tuna.
- Guri Guri – milky frozen sherbet excellent for after the seaside.
- Okazuya – all SPAM musubi is okazuya however not all okazuya is SPAM musubi
- Manju – little pastry pies with candy fillings.
- Saimin – noodles in clear broth topped with inexperienced onions, candy and bitter pork and extra.
- Shave ice – a desert of shaved ice with fruit, flavored syrups, and different toppings which originated from Japan.
Go to a few of Maui’s prime eating places to savor the contemporary seafood delicacies or hit our favourite native spots for an on a regular basis tackle these attention-grabbing dishes.
Mama’s Fish Home will get a point out as a result of it’s a world well-known restaurant serving contemporary seafood purchased from the fishermen every day.
Why not strive a Maui meals tasting tour? It is a nice option to expertise the true style of Maui via tradition and historical past with an area skilled. They have a tendency to go to 7 native eating places within the coronary heart of Wailuku, and provide you with an opportunity to pattern 17 genuine Hawaiian dishes and native specialities as you style regionally brewed beers.
6. Expertise a Maui Halloween
Out of all of Maui’s festivals and celebrations occurring on the attractive island of Maui every year, the most effective and by far essentially the most raucous is Halloween.
Folks collect alongside Entrance Avenue in Lahaina for a night of kiddie parades, costume watching, and bar hopping together with a number of frivolity each October thirty first.
It’s a grass roots celebration that has been rising like a juggernaut by phrase of mouth for over 25 years. As we speak it has turn out to be extra of a household affair with adults lingering later into the night.
Among the extra frequent occasions embody Wailuku’s First Friday occasion each month that features eating places, galleries, arts and crafts together with leisure.
Obon Competition runs via summer season together with the Outrigger Canoe Regatta season. All are price consideration for individuals who love tradition.
Some extra common annual occasions on Maui are:
- July 4th weekend: Annual Makawao Rodeo.
- Third week in September: Maui County Truthful in Kahului.
- September: Maui Festivals of Aloha.
- Entrance Avenue Halloween in Lahaina.
7. Windsurf at Ho’okipa Seashore Park
That is one thing you are able to do on the path to Hana! Ho’okipa Seashore Park is taken into account among the finest windsurfing seashores on this planet.
It’s not essentially the most lovely seaside, nevertheless it’s place to wind surf or look out for Hawaiian Inexperienced Sea Turtles.
8. Hike the Haleakala Summit, Haleakalā Nationwide Park
Hike as much as see the summit of Haleakala, a dormant volcano in Haleakala Nationwide Park and discover its huge crater with previous lava flows and views of the Iao Valley.
In case you don’t really feel like mountain climbing, you’ll be able to drive, however be aware that it’s 10,023 toes above sea degree so drive slowly to keep away from altitude illness.
The park can be a sacred website for the folks.
In case you didn’t know, Maui was named after the mythological demigod of Polynesia, who is claimed to have raised the heavens, snared the solar and found hearth, the island of Maui is the second most populated and the second largest island within the Hawaiian Island Chain.
It’s mentioned that Maui as soon as stood on the prime of the volcano and lassoed the solar from the sky. That is probably one of many explanation why dawn is so breathtaking right here!
The park can be dwelling to some uncommon species of endangered animals that are cared for by the park rangers.
Head up for dawn for a memorable sight – see unbelievable vistas awash in pinks and oranges because the morning solar casts its heat glow on the panorama.
9. Search for dolphins on the Forbidden Coast
The Forbidden Coast extends from Kihei to Wailea and is thought to be a dolphin sizzling spot.
For journey fanatics, take a raft to search out dolphins alongside this stretch of coast, or drive alongside the street and see if you happen to can spot them from the shore.
10. Black Sand Seashore at Wai’anapanapa State Park
Wai’anapanapa State Park is legendary Pai’iloa Seashore, a small however strikingly lovely seaside with the black sand, surrounded by verdant inexperienced vegetation, and turquoise waters.
The black sand is the results of volcanic lava circulation which cooled, hardened, and has been damaged into items by the waves over 1000’s of years.
The interpretation for Wai’anapanapa means “glistening water” or “water flashing rainbow hues”, each of that are correct!
You could find extra in-depth info and make a reservation for Wai’napanapa State Park right here.
There are loop mountain climbing trails to take you to sea arches, blowholes, caves, lava tubes and beautiful view to the East Maui shoreline throughout the park.
11. Hike to The Seven Sacred Swimming pools
The Ohe’o Gulch, which interprets to “One thing Particular” is situated throughout the Haleakala Nationwide Park.
This space is thought for its seven sacred swimming pools, which many are open for swimming.
You could find the swimming pools on the Waimoku Falls path off the Pipiwai Path.
A correct map and information could be important as there isn’t any signage by any means saying how shut you had been to the swimming pools.
12. Hike from Hana to the Bamboo Forests
The bamboo forest is a novel pure panorama not removed from Hana city in a verdant valley.
It’s accessible through the Pipiwai Path, the place you’ll be able to flip into the bamboo forest from mile marker 7.
The path additionally passes a number of beautiful waterfalls, the spotlight of which is the 200 foot Makahiku Falls which has an “Infinity Pool” on the prime, although it’s not advisable to swim in it.
Discover the path map right here.
Earlier than You Go
This island paradise is no less than a 5-hour jaunt from anyplace aside from the opposite Hawaiian islands, so if you happen to’re going to make the journey to Maui, you’ll want to do it proper.
For a lot of vacationers, the Valley Isle is a vacation spot of dreamy proportions. Those that are fortunate to have a number of wonderful days on this magical island ought to put collectively an itinerary that embraces all the sights and actions doable.
Earlier than you go, contemplate the most effective time to go to Maui earlier than reserving. The perfect time is between mid-Might and mid-June and after Labor Day and earlier than Thanksgiving. Presently, the costs are extra inexpensive, the crowds are skinny, the bargains are bountiful and particular occasions and festivals are an added bonus.
Another ideas for visiting Maui are:
- Plan to reach on the island within the early afternoon so you’ll be able to drive within the day mild. Maui’s roads are two-lane, coastal, and unlighted.
- E-book as many issues prematurely as doable as excursions do usually get booked up.
- island time ought to be leisure time, plan for some days of nothing as properly!
- By no means put your swimsuit in checked baggage. In the event that they lose your luggage no less than you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the seaside.
- Put an affordable cooler in your rental automobile. Preserve it stuffed with drinks/water.
- You’ll want a automobile to get round Maui. Rent a rental automobile right here.
Widespread Excursions in Maui
Extra Hawaii Journey Ideas
Planning an even bigger trip to Hawaii? Listed below are another useful guides that can assist you plan your journey.
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