HIKING

 

In regards to Hikes, you can either do them on your own or for a level of safety Guided Hiking tours

are also available. 

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Please read our "Please Be Aware Advisory Below" 

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Here are a few of our favorite Hikes and the reasons why below:  

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Pipiwai Trail - If you are in Hana for the day this is a beautiful hike and considered one of the best on the island. As the Pipiwai Trail passes through diverse scenery and culminates at the base of an absolutely spectacular waterfall, offering some of the best hiking views of East Maui. Pipiwai Trail is 4 miles round trip and gains 650 ft. of elevation. It takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike; depending on how much nature-loving you do.

 

Waihee Ridge Trail - Click Here for More Info

Considered a Moderate Hike in hiking terms. 5-mile round trip. Can be intense at times, especially at the very beginning. But it's a great exercise as the whole hike is pretty much at an incline. Once at the top (2,563 ft. up) you are rewarded with Gorgeous mountain and ocean views from the peak of the trail on a clear day. Located across the street from Mendes Ranch in Waihee.

 

Twin Falls - Is located on the Road to Hana but more towards the beginning. It is the most easily accessible string of waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana. If you wanted to see just one waterfall on the hike it's about a half a mile in and to get to the second waterfall is about a little less than one more mile of hiking in. 2.5 miles round trip. Most of the hike is on an easy walking trail.

Please Be Aware: Flash Flooding does occur, especially during the winter season here in Maui, but it could happen at any time. Since most hikes on Maui are at the base of a 10,000′ mountain, it collects an unfathomable amount of rain. This makes it so that it can be raining over hundreds of square miles upstream from where you’re playing, and the water can come down at a rapid pace. Idyllic streams flood quickly and unexpectedly – even when it’s sunny where you are. 

 

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PLEASE BE AWARE
Please always be aware of your surroundings. Check for flash flood warnings before you go out. If stream flow is already swollen or brown, stay out. If you hear the water coming (it often sounds like strong wind – coming from upstream) get out and move to higher ground. Any time you play in these streams, take a couple of seconds to notice which direction takes you to higher ground.

 

BOTANICAL GARDENS

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1. Maui Tropical Plantation - Click Here for More Info

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2. Kula Botanical Gardens - Click Here for More

 

3. Alii Lavender Farm - Click Here for More Info

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TASTING DISTILLERIES

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1. Hali'imaile Distilling Company - Click Here for More Info

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2. Ocean Vodka - Click Here for More Info

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3. Maui Wine - Click Here for More Info

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SIGHTSEEING AROUND MAUI

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Road to Hana - Click Here for More Info

An Excellent way to see Maui's gorgeous coastline is on the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana is a scenic highway that twists through lush forests and cascading waterfalls. If you've come to see the beauty of Hawaii you Road to Hana is a must. Things to keep in mind.. The drive to Hana is about 55 miles one way. With over 300 turns and limited to driving about 5-10 mph, it's a full-day excursion. Click our link above for our Road to Hana tips. 

 

 

Haleakala Crater - Click Here for More Info

Visit Haleakala Crater for Sunrise or Sunset. Haleakala is most known for its sunrises, as its name means “House of the Rising Sun”. If you are visiting Haleakala for sunrise or between the hours of 3am and 7am.

The cost to make an online reservation is $1.00 per car, and the day of your choice has to be reserved in advance. An additional entrance fee of $12 per person is also charged upon entering the park. 

 

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Walk around in Lahaina Town - Click Here for Pics
Go to Lahaina on Front Street and have Lunch or Dinner overlooking the ocean. Walk around and check out the strip of shops, town scenery, famous Lahaina Banyan tree, and a great selection of eateries on Front Street.

 

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Hookipa Beach to See Turtles  

Go See the Turtles at Hookipa Beach in the Evening just before Sunset.  Hookipa Beach is a great place to go and see turtles. An exposed reef runs along most of the shore break, and frequently Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) can be seen bobbing just on the other side. If that’s not close enough, at the very least a couple of turtles can be found lazing onshore at the far end of the beach most days (hint: look close to the lookout cliff.) At first, most folks don’t realize that they are even there because they look just like the scattered boulders in the same area. Typically as sunset approaches, many Honu (and their admirers) will begin popping up on the shore break to beach themselves for community sunset rest/admiration. 

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Makena State Park aka "Big Beach" for Sunset - Click for More Info

Visit Big Beach in Makena. One of the most outstanding beaches in Maui. Big Beach is well over half a mile long and is also uncharacteristically wide by Maui standards. That means loads of real estate to stake out your claim, and this beach, while always drawing lots of people – is never so crowded as to be packed. Big Beach has a significant on-shore break that can be downright brutal when there is a large south swell. When the surf is up, you’ll also be front-row to the most extreme boogie boarding you’re likely to see during your visit. Which is fun to watch.

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Check out the Surf & Paia Town

Located on the North shore, Paia started as a plantation town with the opening of Paia store in 1896 to serve the needs of the multicultural plantation workers of Paia Sugar Mill. Today, the wooden buildings of this quaint little town are still reminiscent of the plantation era but now house some of the best shopping and dining on the island. Paia town's main drag is also just a stone's throw away from one of the best windsurfing spots in the world, Hookipa, and the surf lifestyle has definitely had an influence. Casual and laid back in feel, Paia is a great day trip for some shopping and lunch, followed by a gelato or latte.

 

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Nakalele Blowhole

The Nakalele Blowhole is a super cool Maui attraction near Kapalua that is a must-see! If the surf will put on a grand show, spouting high in the air against a backdrop of violent surf and dramatic lava rock. Head northeast past Kapalua on the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30) for a short drive of about 15 or 20 minutes in total. By the time you get to mile marker 33, a little ways past Honolua Bay, the road will be climbing up and around gorgeous cliffs. By mile marker 34, the road starts to remind you of driving the Road to Hana, except there is way less traffic. The similarities are cinched by the banana bread stand you will see just before mile marker 35! Finally, about halfway between mile markers 38 and 39, you'll see a very large dirt pullout on your left, bordered by boulders. You'll need sturdy runners or hiking shoes for your trek to the Nakalele Blowhole since the trail can be steep and there are lots of loose rocks to clamber over. From the parking lot, walk across the open area and start picking your way down the rocks. There is no sure trail here for much of the journey - just chose the easiest route you can find, while heading down and a bit to your left towards the blowhole the entire way. If you go too far to your right, you'll know it - there is a long drop down off the cliffs into the violently crashing surf below. Eventually, the rocky terrain flattens out and you'll see a large wet area surrounding the blowhole. Please be VERY CAREFUL while visiting, the surf can come up unexpectedly and without warning. Always be aware of the water and never turn your back to the ocean. 

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SNORKELING

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Below are some of our favorite snorkeling spots from shore. If you would like to go to Molokini Crater, that can only be reached by boat tour. For more information on Molokini and other Snorkel Boat tours please contact us.

 

Please read our "Please Be Aware Advisory Below" 

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Here are a few of our favorite snorkeling spots from shore and the reasons why below:

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SOUTHSIDE OF MAUI (Wailea & Makena)

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Ulua/Mokapu  - Great for seeing ocean life along the reefs with an easy beach entry. The north end of Wailea beach and the south end of Keawakapu beach is 2 connected beaches: Ulua Beach and Mokapu Beach. A rocky reef formation separates the 2 beaches. Along this reef can be found all kinds of coral and ocean life. If you're adventurous and have the ability to snorkel at depths, about 30 feet down you'll find a turtle cleaning station along the second reef. When water clarity is high, you can see it from the surface. Amenities include outdoor shower and indoor bathrooms.

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Makena Landing - Makena Landing is a great place to snorkel on Maui. The waves are gentle, and the ocean bottom at entry is made of soft coral sand, so getting in the water is easy. On the right hand side of the bay, the tumbling coral reef extends quite far, and it houses fabulous and varied marine life. As you move around the point, the water depth is consistently thirty to forty feet. Amenities include outdoor shower and indoor bathrooms.

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La Perouse - One of the furthest southern spots you can visit on the island of Maui, La Perouse's volcanic landscape is something from another world. As you drive south on Makena Road, you'll pass the last houses then drive for miles through a very-rugged lava field. When you get to the end of the road, you'll find a dirt parking lot on your right with a rocky bay. This bay has some amazing ocean life, and it's known to be the site where a pod of spinner dolphins likes to spend time. If you see the dolphins, give them space and keep your distance. Do everything you can to not affect their normal swimming route. Also, take care when entering and exiting the ocean here. The rocks are sharp, and during the summer there might be south swells making the water rougher than normal. 

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Ahihi Bay -  Just past the last entrances of Makena Beach (Big Beach) is a little cove called Ahihi Bay. It's the last little Bay before the last houses (Sugarman's Estate) when driving south. If you keep driving, you'll see lava fields and you'll know you've gone too far. There are just a few spots for parking, and it often has at least a few people there. When you enter the water, make sure you do so only at the northern end where there's a little bit of sand. You'll feel a concrete slab under the water at the very entrance. Any other area of access is forbidden and dangerous for you and the reef. Ahihi Bay is part of the protected Ahihi Hinau Natural Area Reserve, which protects the ocean life from fishing. There are lots of fish and vibrant coral reefs here.

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WEST SIDE OF MAUI (Ka'anapali, Kapalua & Napili)

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Oluwalu Beach - Olowalu at Mile Marker 14 is super easy to get to. Pull off the highway (Hwy 30) at Mile Marker 14. Park right next to the house with the red roof on the ocean side of the road. You can snorkel out a good little way from shore and not have much variation in depth great for viewing the coral up close!

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Black Rock on Ka'anapali Beach - Black Rock is the large rock hill at the north end of Ka'anapali Beach. This is a great spot because of the easy access and protection that the rocky cliffs often give from northerly swell activity. Kaanapali Beach has many high-end resorts along the beach, so walking to Black Rock is easy from here. Otherwise, you can drive along the Honoapi'ilani Highway (30) and turn on Kaanapali Parkway or Kekae Dr towards the ocean. When snorkeling, make sure to stay clear of cliff divers. Amenities include outdoor shower and indoor bathrooms.

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Kapalua Bay - Click Here for More Info - Kapalua Bay has a public parking lot off of the Lower Honoapiilani Highway. It's often crowded, but the snorkeling in the bay is great. Just south of Kapalua Bay is the Napili area, which has all kinds of nooks and crannies to explore. Parking isn't all that easy to find, but there is a little bit of parking near Napili Bay. Both sides of the bay have great snorkeling and lots of turtles. Occasionally, you'll see a monk seal on the beach (keep your distance.) Amenities include outdoor shower and indoor bathrooms.

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PLEASE BE AWARE

When in the ocean anywhere in Maui County, there are many dangers you should be aware of. We are not liable for any loss or damage that may occur when entering the ocean. Never turn your back on the ocean. Be careful of waves, sharp coral reefs, sharp rocks, dangerous ocean life, vessels, other people, your own ability, and any and all things that could be dangerous.