Things to Do in Hawaii-Maui
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Day-time summer high temperatures range from an average of 85°-88°F, with night-time lows an average of 66°-70°. Winter day-time highs range from an average of 81°-85°, with night average lows of 63°-67°. |
Many places claim the power to create memories that will last a lifetime, but few fulfill the promise like the Island of Maui. If it’s relaxation you're after, we've got it, with near-perfect weather, great places to stay, uncrowded beaches and a setting that inspires awe and a sense of wonder. If you are looking for adventure and new experiences, we've got that too. Discover Maui, where whale-filled seas meet heavenly beaches. A place where the sun warms tropical trade winds that will blow your troubles away. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters or play golf on world-class courses of green, velvet perfection. Aloha and welcome to Maui, the Magic Isle.
Maui No Ka 'Oi (Maui is the best) is what the locals say, and visitors couldn't agree more. The island weaves a spell over the more than 2 million people who visit its shores each year, and many visitors decide to return for good.
The island was formed by two volcanos that erupted long ago -- the extinct 5,788-ft Pu'u Kukui and the dormant 10,023-ft Haleakala (now the centerpiece of a national park). The resulting depression between the two is what gives Maui its nickname, the Valley Isle. Maui's volcanic history gives it much of its beauty. The roads around the island are lined with rich red soil, Central Maui is still carpeted with grassy green, and the deep blue of ocean and sky mingles with the red and green of Maui's topography. And the three planned resort communities along Maui's lee shore -- Kapalua, Ka'anapali, and Wailea -- offer self-contained environments of such luxury and beauty that the effect is almost surreal.
From brilliant pearl white, to stark volcanic black, the sands of Maui beaches are as varied as the people who come from around the world to enjoy them. And here you will definitely find a beach that suits you perfectly‣hes are so small and tucked away you’ll need an experienced guide to help you find them, while others, like famous Kaanapali or Wailea, are ranked among the best beaches in the country.
And when you’ve had enough fun in the sand, a world of water activities awaits you. As you might expect, you can enjoy just about any ocean activity imaginable here, including snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, skim boarding, jet-skiing, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing and charters of every kind. Rental equipment is readily available at various locations across the island. Of course, whatever you choose to do, be sure to bring your sunscreen‼
From the timeless grandeur of Haleakala crater to the historic charm of 19th century Lahaina, Maui offers a wealth of historic and cultural attractions that will captivate your imagination and reveal the extraordinary traditions of this magical isle.
The town of Lahaina is in fact a National Historic District, supplementing timeless charm with a variety of important historic sites and lovely period museums that take one back to the days when the town served as an important whaling port. History buffs will also find that the Lahaina-Kaanapali and Pacific Railroads provide an unforgettable journey into the area's romantic plantation past.
Of course Lahaina is but one base for your exploration of all that Maui has to offer. No matter where you travel on Maui you are sure to find points of historic and cultural significance. Add to this a year-round schedule of cultural events and traditional celebrations, including a thrilling line up of performances at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului.
While famous around the world as an unforgettable honeymoon destination, Maui also offers an abundance of family-friendly attractions for couples who wish to share the magic of Maui with their children. In fact, many hotels and resorts offer special family rates that often include free accommodations and meals for children under 12.
And there is so much magic to experience. Take a trek through a bamboo forest and scout for rare tropical birds. Spend each day on a different beach. Hike down an ancient path, or straight up a volcano. Take a road trip to the other side of the island, or take a glass-bottom boat ride to a whole new world. And be sure to check out one of Maui's many family-friendly attractions, including the wonderful Maui Ocean Center - featuring a massive, 600,000 gallon open-ocean tank with a walk-through acrylic tube.
Additionally, several of the larger resort hotels provide supervised activity programs that offer young guests a chance to experience Hawaii's unique culture.
For many visitors, a simple stroll down one of Maui's majestic beaches is enough to replenish the spirit and set the mind at ease.
For those requiring a more aggressive pursuit of relaxation, Maui's many spas and wellness centers are very well adept at treating whatever ails you.
Hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, massage therapy, whatever therapy you desire. Maui is home to some of the world's premier health spas. Several day spas can be found along the sunny southern shore of the island, and many resort hotels offer spa and fitness facilities to rival the best in the world.
While you're here, be sure to try a true Hawaii original - the lomi lomi massage. The authentic technique uses long, rhythmic strokes to relax muscles, and often incorporates local ingredients like macadamia nut oil laced with coffee or honey. For a delightful variation, try the lomi lomi pohaku, in which steamed lava rocks are used to melt away tension.
We had struggled for five hours, straight up through dense undergrowth, ohia forests and vast colonies of bamboo. Green, in all its millions of tones and inflections, was the only color we had seen until we reached the top of the ridge where we emerged into a white so thick and featureless it left us dizzy and disoriented. Just in time, the cloud blew over the ridge line and was gone, leaving us gasping at the view that suddenly appeared revealing the sheer, 3,000-foot drop at our feet. It was magic.
The lure of adventure is strong in man and nowhere in the world does it find greater expression than here in the Hawaiian Islands. Is hang-gliding your thing? Do you long to leap from the heights at Makapu'u and, soaring high above the beach, make lazy circles for an afternoon? Perhaps you'd like the heart-pounding intensity of the big winter surf at Waimea. Or the thrill of sailing down the Molokai Channel. Or the skiier's rocket ride down the slope of sometimes snow-capped Mauna Loa; palm trees in the distance, hard lava coming up.
Or maybe a safer, less terrifying adventure would suit you better. Something like a bicycle ride down Haleakala or a hike inside its moonscape crater. Or riding a very sensible mule-who's made the trip a thousand times-down the cliffside to Kalapapa and back again. Or taking a glider ride or a parasail. Because of Hawaii's benign year-round climate, just being outdoors is an adventure to folks fleeing winter. Adventure, after all, like art, is in the eye of the beholder and for every urge there is an outfitter.
For many modern people, ecotourism is a green way to enjoy the great Hawaiian outdoors and learn about something bigger than themselves. But whatever the call to action, the numbers of people participating in outdoor adventure are increasing rapidly. They've been there, done that and the wild places in Hawaii are seductively inviting.
As millions of awestruck visitors will attest, there's just something special about Maui. The trade winds just feel a little softer here. The flowers a little more fragrant. And the nights a little more lively. Maui is more than just beautiful, it's magical. Mysterious. And incomparably romantic.
No matter where you choose to stay, you'll find you're never far from the things that make Maui the ultimate destination for lovers from around the world. Everything you imagine the perfect romantic escape to be, is here... the candlelit dinners by the ocean, the long walks in the surf, the hidden coves surrounded by glittering waterfalls, the sunset cruises, and the endless nights exploring a legendary nightlife.
So whether you're seeking the ultimate wedding location, a dream honeymoon, or simply a romantic escape far from the ordinary - come discover for yourself why there's no place like Maui to make some magic.