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If you happen to’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 on your first time in Hawaii as a result of it affords the whole lot 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 wish to miss any of them.
If you happen to’re about to embark in your first journey to Maui however unsure what to do, listed here are some actions and points of interest 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 would possibly prefer 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.
If you happen to’re basing your self in Kaanapi Seaside, 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 in style snorkel spots through a ship cruise. It is a nice solution 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:
- When you have jet lag, a Molokini snorkeling tour the day after might help you shake off the jet lag.
- Guide SCUBA and snorkel journeys earlier than you arrive to make sure of a spot, as they usually get booked up.
- Go for one of many humpback whale watching excursions / snorkeling combo through the months of January to March (December being the very best month).
2. Drive the highway 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 (for those who get automotive sick, you should definitely 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 automotive, take into account 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 highway to Hana surroundings.
Learn our full information on driving the Street to Hana for extra suggestions.
Ideas for the drive to Hana
- Begin early – you don’t wish to be driving this highway at midnight.
- Let a professional drive – this highway has been identified to get individuals carsick and annoyed 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, the whole lot or nothing will likely be open.
- All the time begin with a full tank – gasoline economic system will likely be poor with no bargains and restricted sources for gasoline in Hana.
- Carry money – a bit of bit of money will make sampling from roadside stands alongside the highway simpler.
3. Surf, kayak, outrigger canoe, or SUP
Hawaii is all about hanging on the seashore. These beach-launched ocean actions are a number of the best issues to do whereas in Maui.
One can hire and study on the whim in locations like Ka’anapali, Kihei, and Kapalua Bay.
Nothing is extra ego-boosting and gratifying than getting out on the ocean and studying a brand new talent, or making use of abilities to a brand new locale. Those that desire to take formal classes or guided excursions can definitely guide upfront.
Hawaiian Paddle Sports activities is a one-stop-shop for all of those actions.
4. Attend an Outdated Lahaina Luau on Maui
A Luau is a standard Hawaiian feast, paired with dancing, leisure, and music. They’re a method for residents to rejoice and are available collectively.
Nobody denies that this expertise is way from the normal yard feasts that locals take pleasure in for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and different household gatherings.
Nevertheless, the Luau ritual is a novel a part of Hawaiian tradition, and you may all the time discover one taking place, particularly for vacationers.
It’s a solution to collect for a night of fine meals, drink, and leisure that ranges from candy and sluggish to fierce and flaming.
There are a lot of methods to Luau, they usually vary in value, so choose one which meets your wants and needs.
Laua’s at resorts are in style with those that don’t wish to wander far for the night’s leisure and might supply something from the straightforward to extravagant. Whereas the extra conventional ones supply a particular locale for an evening out.
All supply an excellent night beneath the celebs with a beautiful sundown backdrop and a balmy breeze together with the roasted pork and poi.
Sure, as soon as in a lifetime is likely to be sufficient, however that one time is definitely 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 method across the island is among the extra fascinating and gratifying pursuits on Maui, and might vary from the fast consuming snacks and cheap to the opulent and romantic.
Nevertheless, there are various distinctive tastes on Maui that shouldn’t be handed up.
Attempt these totally different Maui dishes for a culinary journey into Maui tradition:
- Poke – spiced and seasoned uncooked tuna.
- Guri Guri – milky frozen sherbet good for after the seashore.
- 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 recent seafood delicacies or hit our favourite native spots for an on a regular basis tackle these fascinating dishes.
Mama’s Fish Home will get a point out as a result of it’s a world well-known restaurant serving recent seafood purchased from the fishermen every day.
Why not strive a Maui meals tasting tour? It is a nice solution to expertise the true style of Maui via tradition and historical past with a neighborhood professional. They have an inclination 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 domestically 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 very best and by far essentially the most raucous is Halloween.
Individuals collect alongside Entrance Road in Lahaina for a night of kiddie parades, costume watching, and bar hopping together with plenty 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. Right this moment it has grow to be extra of a household affair with adults lingering later into the night.
A number of the extra frequent occasions embody Wailuku’s First Friday occasion each month that features eating places, galleries, arts and crafts together with leisure.
Obon Pageant runs via summer time together with the Outrigger Canoe Regatta season. All are value consideration for many who love tradition.
Some extra in style annual occasions on Maui are:
- July 4th weekend: Annual Makawao Rodeo.
- Third week in September: Maui County Honest in Kahului.
- September: Maui Festivals of Aloha.
- Entrance Road Halloween in Lahaina.
7. Windsurf at Ho’okipa Seaside Park
That is one thing you are able to do on the path to Hana! Ho’okipa Seaside Park is taken into account probably the greatest windsurfing seashores on the planet.
It’s not essentially the most stunning seashore, but it surely’s a superb 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.
If you happen to don’t really feel like mountaineering, you’ll be able to drive, however be conscious that it’s 10,023 toes above sea degree so drive slowly to keep away from altitude illness.
The park can also be a sacred web site for the individuals.
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 fireplace, 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 presumably one of many explanation why dawn is so breathtaking right here!
The park can also be house to some uncommon species of endangered animals that are cared for by the park rangers.
Head up for dawn for a memorable sight – see unimaginable 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 seek out dolphins alongside this stretch of coast, or drive alongside the highway and see for those who can spot them from the shore.
10. Black Sand Seaside at Wai’anapanapa State Park
Wai’anapanapa State Park is legendary Pai’iloa Seaside, a small however strikingly stunning seashore with the black sand, surrounded by verdant inexperienced plants, and turquoise waters.
The black sand is the results of volcanic lava move 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 data and make a reservation for Wai’napanapa State Park right here.
There are loop mountaineering trails to take you to sea arches, blowholes, caves, lava tubes and gorgeous view to the East Maui shoreline inside the park.
11. Hike to The Seven Sacred Swimming pools
The Ohe’o Gulch, which interprets to “One thing Particular” is positioned inside 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 can be important as there is no such thing as a signage in any way saying how shut you have 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 gorgeous waterfalls, the spotlight of which is the 200 foot Makahiku Falls which has an “Infinity Pool” on the prime, although it’s not really useful to swim in it.
Discover the path map right here.
Earlier than You Go
This island paradise is at the least a 5-hour jaunt from anyplace apart from the opposite Hawaiian islands, so for those who’re going to make the journey to Maui, it’s worthwhile 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 superb days on this magical island ought to put collectively an itinerary that embraces the entire sights and actions attainable.
Earlier than you go, take into account the very best time to go to Maui earlier than reserving. The perfect time is between mid-Could and mid-June and after Labor Day and earlier than Thanksgiving. At the moment, the costs are extra inexpensive, the crowds are skinny, the bargains are bountiful and particular occasions and festivals are an added bonus.
Another suggestions for visiting Maui are:
- Plan to reach on the island within the early afternoon so you’ll be able to drive within the day gentle. Maui’s roads are two-lane, coastal, and unlighted.
- Guide as many issues upfront as attainable 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 baggage at the least you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the seashore.
- Put an affordable cooler in your rental automotive. Hold it full of drinks/water.
- You’ll want a automotive to get round Maui. Rent a rental automotive right here.
In style Excursions in Maui
Extra Hawaii Journey Ideas
Planning an even bigger trip to Hawaii? Listed here are another useful guides that can assist you plan your journey.
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