10 Best Activities Hawaii Has To Offer

by: Stephanie Coburn

Hawaii Vacations: 10 Great Adventures

by: Donna Monday

21 Exciting Maui Activities
By Scott Grover

There are a multitude of reasons to choose Maui for your next vacation destination. It could be to enjoy its 30 plus world-class beaches, experience its breath-taking vistas including incredible sunrises and sunsets, discover a tropical paradise, or to just relax and get away from it all. Part of Maui's lure is that it offers such a wide variety of activities, many family-oriented. Below I've summarized 21 exciting Maui activities available to its visitors in no particular order.

1. Sunrise at Haleakala Crater. There's only one way to see the sunrise and that's at Haleakala Crater in Maui. It's an experience that is truly difficult to describe because of its stunning beauty. You begin to sense the magnitude of it when you see a photograph, but it's something that you have to experience to really appreciate.

2. Biking Down Haleakala. We have seen two wonderful sunrises at Haleakala on two separate trips to Maui. Both times we drove (up and) back in our rental vehicles. Unfortunately, biking down Haleakala has never made it into our agenda. So we have now officially added it to our Maui Activities Wish List.

3. The Road to Hana. The drive on the Road to Hana is an experience of a lifetime. Along the way on this 60 mile winding trek you will see some of the world's most beautiful rain forests, water falls, and enjoy some of the most gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

4. The Seven Sacred Pools (formally called Ohea Gulch). Almost everyone who takes the Road to Hana ends up at the Seven Sacred Pools. Waterfalls connect each pool, and the last pool's waterfall empties into the Pacific Ocean. Legend has it that swimming in each pool (in order from one to seven) will bring the swimmer good luck.

5. Snorkeling in Maui. Change your view of the island to an underwater perspective by snorkeling in Maui. There are countless places to snorkel here with amazing views of marine life of all kinds.

6. Sugar Cane Train. If you (or your kids) love trains this inexpensive Maui activity is a must! Circling from Lahaina to Puukolii and back, a ride on the Sugar Cane Train will show you all the beauty of Maui from the coach car of an unforgettable real working historic steam engine. The conductor is more than knowledgeable. He's practically a one man show complete with ukulele and musical repertoire!

7. Maui Ocean Center. This was a great day activity to do with your kids. The Maui Ocean Center offers many hands-on activities that our kids loved. The three-acre marine park hosts more than 60 interactive exhibits, an outdoor central courtyard, two restaurants and the Maui Ocean Center Store.

8. Sightseeing on Front Street. A shopper's paradise! Quaint shops, restaurants and historical spots line Front Street in "Old Lahaina." Our favorite discovery was the Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shop and Restaurant.

9. Sandcastle Contest Day. An activity the whole family can participate in is a Sandcastle Contest Day on Kaanapali Beach. Our kids have a ball building tunnels and mountains and the adults take the challenge very seriously!

10. Horseback Riding. You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy some of the best horseback riding you'll ever experience. You're in Maui - which means you are riding in the some of the most beautiful countryside that you can imagine. Our ride took us through pineapple fields and a rainforest.

11. Parasailing. If you can handle being a human kite and enjoy the silence and peacefulness of gliding 500 feet above the ocean (except for the whisper of a light breeze), parasailing is a must-do Maui activity for you.

12. Scuba Diving. If you are looking for an experience of a lifetime and you want to experience a side of Maui many people miss, Maui Scuba Diving is the way to go. It is not uncommon, on a Maui scuba diving experience, to have water visibility around 100 feet, and it is sometimes better than 150 feet!

13. Golfing. Whether you're the casual golfer that hits the links three or four times a year or the avid golfer that never misses a weekend, you simply will not be disappointed with your morning (or afternoon) of Maui golf. There are over 180 courses in Maui to choose from -- besides the fact that you'll be playing in arguably one of the most scenic places in the world.

14. Helicopter Tours. Several companies offer a variety of Maui helicopter tours that can include viewing some or all of the following: the West Maui Mountains, the island of Molokai (just west of Maui), waterfalls and beaches of East Maui including the Seven Sacred Pools and Haleakala Crater. A bird's eye view of Maui is nothing less than spectacular.

15. ATV/Quad Tours. Not only can you hike parts of Haleakala Crater, you can also now take an ATV/quad tour of this scenic place.

16. Submarine Adventures. If you don't like to scuba dive, you don't have to miss the beauty of Maui's oceanscape and marine life when you are in a submarine with a view.

17. Jet Skiing. If you have enjoyed jet skiing anywhere else, just add Maui's unsurpassed beauty to the thrill of the ride and you start to get an idea of how fun it would be to jet ski in Maui.

18. Kayaking. This is an activity that is not only environmentally friendly but will also give you a good cardio workout.

19. Jeep Tour. Rent a jeep or other four wheel drive vehicle for an enjoyable excursion around the southern and western end of Maui. Most visitors to Maui don't take advantage of this scenic tour. You will see two of the most recent Haleakala lava flows that reached the ocean, dating back less than 500 years to 800 years old.

20. Cave Exploration. Explore some of the world's largest lava tubes.

21. Surfing on Maui's North Shore. Surf enthusiasts from all over come here to ride some of the biggest waves in the world.

This is by no means a complete list of Maui activities, but it should give you a good idea why Maui has become our number one vacation destination.

This article was written by Scott Grover who considers himself a "Maui enthusiast" with three vacations to Maui over the past 9 years (1997, 2000, and 2004), and another family vacation planned there for December 2006. You can read about him and his family's Maui adventures at his website http://www.Barefoot-In-Maui.com

Adventure Travel: Maui
By Louise Jones

If you can dream it, you can find and experience it on the exotic and fun-filled island destination, Maui. Lush hiking trails in the wooded highlands or along the lower edges of the waterfalls will wrap you in the sweet perfume of red ginger and plumeria. Your eyes will be dazzled by the verdant greens, yellows, bright oranges, and reds; colors you can't reproduce on a printed page or even online. You just have to experience it! What's your pleasure? Surfing, hang gliding, fishing, jet skiing, scuba diving, golf, whale watching, a swim in the ocean or in the clear waterfall pools? The activities on Maui fit every personality, budget and adventure level.

Cruises, for dinner, sailing, snorkeling tours, or whale watching are the most popular activities people pay for on the island. With good reason too. The clear, placid waters surrounding Maui are unparalleled across the globe.

Haleakala

Did you know the entire island of Manhattan could easily fit inside the crater of Holeakala? Not that we're shipping it there, but what a perspective! For centuries, the three a.m. ascent, in anticipation of the sunrise, to the top of the Holeakala volcano has topped the list of Maui activities as a 'must-do' for visitors from around the world. Mark Twain called it "…the sublimest spectacle I have witnessed." (Be sure to call 808-877-5111 for a weather report before you get on your way.)

The island's best camping is found at the Haleakala National Park. With a three-night maximum, you might mix it up with stays at one or more of the posh resorts on Maui's beaches. Since 1946, the Hotel Hana Maui has retained its reputation as an exclusive hideaway. It is walking distance to Kaihalulu, the only volcanic red-sand beach in the pacific.

Snorkeling on Maui's Coasts

If you love to snorkel, and are traveling with a scuba diving friend, Maui offers great experiences you can do together. Snorkeling cruises include dive locations where you can snorkel at the water's surface, paddling gently with your fins, and be surrounded by colorful fish, coral, and marine life, as you observe the divers exploring the sea below.

Some of the best snorkeling destinations on Maui are located right in front of a beautiful hotel. When that's the case, the hotel may cooperate with a dive shop to provide equipment and local snorkeling guides. Three of these destinations are Kapalua Beach, in front of the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Napili Bay Beach and Wailea Beach, which fronts the Four Seasons. The snorkeling is particularly good in the clear waters near the lava rocks that form the bays at Wailea and Kapalua,. Also, well loved for snorkeling adventures, are the Mokapu and Ulna beaches in Wailea.

The Hard-to Find Snorkeling Destinations

Black Rock at Kaanapali beach is considered by the locals to be the best snorkeling spot on the island. West Maui, a well-loved protected marine-life conservation district; is another 'don't-miss-it' destination for avid Maui snorkelers. Another not-so-well-known location is the spot at Olowalu near mile marker 14; it offers a snorkeling experience you won't forget. But the best-kept secret might be the snorkeling destination at Ahihi Kinau Natural Preserve. Ahihi Bay is difficult to reach, but well worth the trouble. This 2000acre state natural reserve is a rich panorama of color and marine life.

I keep reading that the days of travel for travel sake are over. Adventure travel is what we're all looking for now. We want to go and experience first-hand the landscape and terrain of our travel destination. Maybe it's because we're all working so hard, spending long hours in gray office buildings, staring at computer screens and print-outs; some of us not even getting out to explore our local beauty. So when we think 'vacation' now, we think of 'extreme opportunities for fun and adventure.' Well, the activities and opportunities for snorkeling adventures on Maui will not disappoint you. Happy traveling my friend.

Louise Jones, a composer and graphic designer, passionately explores the colors, shapes, sound, and movement in the underwater world around our glove. Come snorkel and play with a growing community of marine adventurers at http://www.GoneSnorkeling.com

Great Maui Attractions for the Adventuresome Tourist
By Bill McKenzie

The beautiful island of Maui in Hawaii is one that provides a number of wonderful tourist attractions. For the adventuresome tourist that visits Maui, there is plenty to do which will fill up the individual's entire visit to the island. From water adventures to land adventures and everywhere in between, those individuals looking for a little excitement are sure to find it on Maui.

Water Adventures

Since Maui is an island, one will surely expect to find quite a bit of water activities to bide their time. This is especially true with regard to those water activities that are a bit adventurous as well. One water adventure which individuals can partake in while on the island of Maui is scuba diving. There are a number of scuba diving companies that provide tours, lessons and equipment for beginners and advanced scuba divers alike. One company in particular that makes these amenities available is Maui Scuba Diving with Turtle Reef Divers. Located in the Lahaina area, this company provides excellent tour guides to provide exciting adventures for scuba divers of all skill levels.

Another great water adventure to be a part of relates to the sport of surfing. The Hawaiian islands are known for their fabulous surfing beaches and if one visiting Maui ever wanted to learn how to surf, there is arguably no better place to do so than Hawaii. There are a variety of surf shops and tour companies that offer surfing lessons with the aid of knowledgeable instructors. One company which offers surfing lessons to the Maui public is Isana Ocean Sports, located in the Lahaina section of Maui. Individuals can retain a surfing instructor to either learn how to surf or improve upon their present surfing skills and abilities. Surfing in Maui is a must for visitors who like to have a little excitement on their vacation.

For those who like to go underwater in a crafty vessel, one should join in on the submarine tours offered by Atlantis Submarines Maui. Also located in the Lahaina section of Maui, one can hop onboard to enjoy the underwater adventures that await them. One who takes part in this tour will be able to see a wide variety of ocean creatures such as rays, eels and turtles living among the beautiful coral reefs. Individuals who do not fear small spaces will love this tour and be sure to talk about it for months to come.

Snorkeling is another adventurous water sport which visitors to the island of Maui may wish to take part in. There are a number of snorkeling tour providers located throughout the island. Perhaps the best way in which to find a snorkeling tour to join in on is to inquire with the concierge at one's hotel or visit the island's tourism department to find out if they have any recommendations with regard to good tour groups to join.

Land Adventures

Maui is known for its wide array of land adventures in addition to the water adventures. One land adventure that is fun and athletic is the biking tours which are provided by various companies on the island. One biking tour in particular is the self-guided downhill bike tour provided by Maui Sunriders Bike Company. The company provides detailed maps, equipment and added extras such as locks, backpacks and more. For those who are interested in taking a bike tour on their own where they can go at their own pace and stop where they like, the Maui Sunriders Bike Company provides this option for riders.

For those who wish to tour various areas of the island on their own two feet, joining in on a hiking tour is a great way to experience a little land adventure while staying in Maui. There are a few different hiking tour companies that provide guided tours in various settings throughout Maui such as rainforests, mountains and waterfalls. One company that provides these options to visitors is Maui Hiking Safaris in Pukalani. This company offers a variety of different tours for the hiking tourist.

Horseback riding is another great land adventure for individuals to take advantage of while staying in Maui. Not only will one get to have a horseback ride but will be able to view wonderful scenery while doing so. One company which provides horseback riding tours is Pony Express Tours. Their Haleakala Horseback Riding tour is a great land adventure to take part in and one can choose to have a crater tour or a ranch tour depending upon one's preference.

Maui is a wonderful spot to visit for land and water adventurers alike as one will surely not be disappointed with the options that wait for them on this great island.

Bill McKenzie is the reservations director for My Hawaiian Holiday, offering a wide selection of Maui Vacation Rentals, personalized airfare and car rental reservation services.

Maui Vacations
By Alison Cole

Maui attracts scores of people each year to relax at its many beaches, go whale watching, explore the jungles, play golf or just take in the Hawaiian culture. This little Pacific Island has two extinct volcanoes that are separated by a valley and this is why it is also known as the Valley Island. The Haleakala volcano towers over 10,000 feet and to watch the sun rise from the sea is one of the most breathtaking and romantic sights you'll ever witness.

Maui is a great destination for a family holiday and there is something for everyone. There are many activities for children that are a lot of fun. Besides the many outdoor activities, you can even learn a bit about Hawaiian culture and tradition. There are several day trips that take you to the highlights of the island. This is perhaps the best way to make sure that you don't miss anything that is important.

The island has 120 miles of coastline that includes over 30 miles of beaches. The crystal-clear blue waters, contrasted by the white sandy beaches, are very inviting. Swimming is safe and most beaches have lifeguards. If you explore the coastline, you will find some secret beaches where you can enjoy the pristine waters in complete solitude. The beaches also have water sport centers, which make arrangements for surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, etc.

If you love to shop, you will be spoiled for choice. You can find anything your heart desires at the many modern malls or small family-run shops that dot the streets. If you collect antiques, you will find many special treasures at the many antique stores you'll find on the island. You will also be able to shop for top international labels here. And if you shop too much, the retailer will ship your purchases to you.

Maui Vacations provides detailed information on Maui Condo Rental Vacations, Maui Family Vacations, Maui Home Rental Vacations, Maui Vacation Packages and more. Maui Vacations is affiliated with Maui Hotels.

A Quick Guide to Making the Most of Your Maui Vacation
By Jeff Linaker

Maui is one of the world's most famous vacation spots because of its beautiful beaches and landscapes. To make the most of your Maui vacation, plan ahead to enjoy some of the many unique attractions the island has to offer.

Try something out of the ordinary - how about a spelunking expedition in a lava tube, followed by a picnic in the Hala region? Several touring agencies in Maui use Limo-Vans, and limit tours to between six and eight people. Expert state guides lead the tours, with a variety of tours available, so there's something for everyone.

This also may sound inviting, try the Maui helicopter tour and have the opportunity and the advantage of viewing the beautiful Garden Island from the air, these helicopter touring agencies offer a variety of tours that cover all the major points in the island of Maui. They can even let you have a quick look of neighboring Molokai if you want.

Boat charters offer great adventures that you can experience in Maui like snorkeling, fishing, and whale watching. One of the destinations preferred by tourists is the Molokini, and the charmingly named Turtle Town. Both of these spots offer some of the world's best snorkeling. Charter boats can also transport you to the waters where the humpback whales swim.

Perhaps you'd like an exciting ride down Mt. Haleakala, a dormant volcano. The route for this adventure is entirely up to you, from 10 to 38 miles long down the mountainside. Professional guides escort you, of course, and the tour company will provide you with the equipment you'll need, including a mountain bike, safety helmet, windbreakers and gloves. And since the ride starts above 10,000 feet, you'll need cold-weather gear, because even paradise on earth can get cold.

Touring Mt. Haleakala via horseback riding is another adventure offered. Your tour guides will tall you all about Haleakala's history and geological makeup, and about the flora and fauna native to Maui. The Kapalaoa Cabin Ride and the Ka Moa O Pele Junction Ride take you miles into the wilderness, providing you with unique experiences all day long.

Or perhaps you'd like to experience Maui's underwater world firsthand. Aboard a 65-foot, fully air-conditioned submarine, you can descend 125 feet to see fascinating exotic fish and other marine life. The sub's crew will explain how the ocean is so much a part of Maui's rich culture.

There are even more exciting adventures that can help you make the most of your Maui vacation. This is just a taste of what's to come.

Jeff Linaker has an interest in Travel & Holidays related topics. To access more information on maui hawaii vacation rental or on maui vacation home, please click on the links.