Town of Lahaina



The charming seaside town of Lahaina Maui is the State's only town with its own unique attractions. Once a whaling port, the architecture of Lahaina is distinctly colonial with wooden buildings proudly displaying their date of origin and the old stone walls of the much frequented jail still standing - several classical inns still operate. The attractive Lahaina Harbour is the departing point for many day tours as well as the daily ferry service to the nearby islands of Molokai and Lanai. The heart of town is the massive banyan tree which spreads for a hundred yards and is over a century-old. Lahaina has over 40 restaurants, many hosting with top international chefs and as many fine art galleries. Here you can see (and buy) work by Dali and Picasso, lyrics written by John Lennon and movie scripts signed by Brando. The shoreline street comes alive at dusk with the seawall a popular sunset spot and the lively bars slowly filling up through the night. Sailing charters from Lahaina Harbour cruise up the west coast offering lovely sunset views of the small offshore islands of Lanai and Molokai and looking back as the sun enriches the rolling West Maui Mountains. Day sailing cruises to Lanai and Molokai are available from Lahaina Harbour.

Activity Cruises

 
The best way in which to get involved in water-related activities on the island is to join an activity cruise. While on the island of Maui, vacationers will be able to take whale watching cruises, fishing cruises and even scenic sightseeing cruises. Not only will individuals on the vast variety of cruises be able to gain valuable information about the island from the cruise staff but it also may be a great opportunity to meet other tourists as well while on the cruise.







Sugar Cane Train in Kaanapali


 
If one who visits Maui wishes to take a trip back into time, venturing over to the town of Kaanapali to ride on the Sugar Cane Train is highly recommended. The train ride goes from Lahaina to Kaanapali and provides a scenic trip and informative overview about the local area. Once a train that transported sugar cane between the towns, the Sugar Cane Train is now a highly recommended tourist attraction for those who wish to view the area as it once was long ago.






Snorkeling



Maui is renowned for its snorkelling. The most popular destination is the tiny curved collapsed crater of Molokini off the south west coast of Maui with its colourful and rich endemic marine life and fantastic visibility.

Small boat charters shuttle tourists here throughout the day departing from all along the west coast. The island of Molokai also has excellent snorkelling and day charters depart Lahaina Town in Maui.

The best snorkelling spots on the main island of Maui are off the west coast. Mornings have generally better visibility before the afternoon trade winds pick up, particularly around Kihei and Wailua.

Accessible from the shoreline are at Honokahua where some fine coral reefs can be seen and at La Perouse Bay near Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve. Both areas are quite isolated and are therefore free from crowds although both are popular with day cruises. La Perouse is an excellent place to view spinner dolphins, turtles and an unusual pinnacle that rises 65-feet almost to the surface.

Several popular resort areas have good snorkelling, notably the rocky prominence around Wailua in the south, Kaanapali in West Maui and the small cove bays of the Napili Coastline a little to the north.

Big Island snorkelling is also excellent in the protected bays off the west coast, in particular at Honaunau Bay and Kealakekua Bay on the South Kona Coast and around the popular Kahaluu Beach Park just south of Kailua Town. Almost all dive sights in Hawaii are close to the shoreline making snorkelling an attractive alternative. Snorkelling right off the coast is best around Captain Cook on the Big Island, Honolua Bay on Maui and Hanauma Bay on Oahu.
 
Excellent snorkelling is also available further out on the reef and tour activities shuttle tourists to the best spots throughout the day. The best of these is Molokini Island, a short boat ride from the west coast of Maui and Oahu has excellent snorkelling right off the coastline.

Favourites sites include Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head, both east of Waikiki along the south shore, Rabbit Island on the east coast and at Sharks Cove on the north shore (summer only). The best snorkelling beaches on Kauai are on the north coast around Haena and Ke'e when the sea is calm and also around Hanalei Bay which is more protected.

Other good snorkelling areas include the reefs along the north east coast around Anahola. Beginners will enjoy the gentle waters around Poipu on the south coast.






Haleakala Crater Tour



The desert landscape of Haleakala National Park is an eerie abut spellbinding region in the heart of Maui. Haleakala is the worlds largest dormant volcano, last erupting in the late 1800's. Standing almost 10,000 feet high, Haleakala offers fantastic views of its 3000 feet deep cinder with several other volcanic peaks within its crater.

Most people arrive very early in the morning to watch the stunning sun rises over the west maui mountains, but the best way to experience this landscape is camping in the park headquarters.

There are miles upon miles of open trails within the park which make for excellent trekking absorbing the serenity of the surreal landscape and observing some unique fauna including the impressive tall Silversword plant and the nene or Hawaiian wild goose.

Haleakala has an alpine climate and early mornings can be very cold, so warm winter clothes are essential, and a good sleeping bag if you plan to camp overnight.

Downhill bicycle tours are extremely popular and pass through several climatic zones as you whistle down the winding slopes through rural upcountry Maui and the historical town of Makawao all the way down to the coast - that's some 10,000 feet trip!

 



Hana Highway



 
The winding road to Hana is one of Maui's most popular day tours. The best way to really enjoy this region is by spending at least one night in Hana. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy the most spectacular sights in the early morning with the best light and least crowds. The alternative is to take a small group tour with one of the sightseeing companies and sit back and enjoy the scenery.



The slow road to Hana starts about 30 miles north of Hana Village and winds its way up and around a succession of verdant tropical valleys. Along the way are several scenic lookouts and waterfalls but most of the beauty along this stretch is the winding road itself. If you enjoy driving and can afford a convertible, hire one - this road is for you!
 
Hana Village has several of its own attractions if the weather is nice, including a red sand beach and the rugged coast and black sand beach of Waianapanapa State Park. But the greatest attractions lie to the south of Hana around Kipahulu Reserve.

Here, several outstanding waterfalls cascade right alongside the road including Wailua Falls (as featured in Jurassic Park) and the seven pools of Ohea gulch. Inland from Oheo gulch is an enchanting trail into the rainforest culminating in a stroll through the whispering bamboo forests.

Although it is possible to drive on along the remote south coast, there is no access to the south coast resorts of Makena or Kihei so few do so, instead returning along the scenic road home from Hana.







Visit a Waterfall




Waterfalls are located in various spots throughout Maui. It is highly recommended for vacationers, especially those whose first trip it is to Maui, to visit some of these beautiful scenic spots and view the crystal clear falls. There are a number of these beautiful spots in the town of Hana and individuals may be amazed at the beauty that surrounds these waterfalls.




Experience a Fire Dance



 
Perhaps one of the most sought after activities vacationers like to get involved in while visiting Maui is the native fire dance demonstrations. The various dances that originated in Hawaii are ones which are displayed in shows throughout Maui. One in particular that individuals should attend is a fire dance display. This will not only impress but also amaze all who attend.

There is so much to see and do while spending a vacation in Maui. The question for vacationers to ask is not what to do while in Maui but how to fit everything in during a single vacation. Vacationers of all types and tastes are sure to have a fantastic and entertaining time during their visit to Maui and will leave the island with wonderful memories.




Maui Vacations

Maui has an incredible vacation landscape. People love coming to Maui because of the resort areas of Kapalua and Wailea for golf and beaches. They also like to take a drive down the Hana Highway for a romantic stay at Hotel Hana Maui.

There are three airports on Maui, Kahului Airport, Kapalua Airport, and Hana Airport, so getting there is not a problem.

Hotel Hana-Maui does everything right to make you feel welcome, relaxed and in touch with nature. Room service was quick and efficient.

Grand Wailea Resort The hotel has one of the top beaches in the world, fabulous pools, and a great golf course with spectacular views of the ocean and Mt. Haleakala.

The Fairmont Kea Lani is a great place for honeymooners and family vacationers. Situated on 22 landscaped acres facing Polo Beach, The Fairmont Kea Lani is a luxury all-suite and villa resort.
 
There are also several places that you can stay in Maui, such as vacation homes, condos and more. Accommodations are never heard to find. Most reasonably prices as well.

Taking a scenic drive is one of the more popular Maui activities. The island has an abundance of scenic views, ranging from tropical plants and waterfalls on the eastern end of Maui to desert-like landscape inside the Haleakala Crater.
 
Maui is famous for its golf courses, which offer scenic ocean views and well-maintained fairways. Kapalua on West Maui offers three championship golf courses, including the Plantation Course where Mercedes Championships are held every year.

Numerous companies based in Lahaina on West Maui offer boat tours, such as glass-bottom boat tours, whale watching, fishing and snorkeling and scuba diving. You can usually find information about these activities through your hotel once you get to Maui. On the other hand, visit the historic town of Lahaina and sign up in person in the Lahaina Harbor.

Maui offers beautiful scenery, coastal trails, and mountain hikes. You can sign up for a guided hike through your hotel, or explore the island on your own.

For more information, visit The Maui Info Center For an island in the middle of the ocean, Maui manages to cram in a lot of sightseeing potential. Visit old plantation towns, tour the historic preservation district of Lahaina, see the biggest Buddha outside Asia, stop at old Hawaiian churches (don't miss the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Kula with its magnificent altar shipped around the Horn by the king and queen of Portugal), walk into a huge dormant volcanic crater, see whaling museums, and marvel at natural wonders such as `Iao Needle, the pools of 'Oheo Gulch, a forest of giant redwood trees, the geysers of Hobbitland, the rainbow-haunted West Maui mountains, and just miles and miles of some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.