Hawaii Travel Maui
From LoveToKnow Travel
When it comes to Hawaii travel, Maui is the second most popular destination on the islands, behind Honolulu. It's also the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands and home to a diverse mixture of history, Hawaiian culture, natural beauty, and long, uncrowded, white sand beaches. History buffs will enjoy the restored 19th century houses in the former whaling village of Lahaina. Beach lovers will enjoy the sparkling sea waters and the long stretch of beach at Kaanapali, and adventure enthusiasts won’t want to miss the breathtaking sunrise from the top of Mt. Haleakala. Let our brief travel guide to Maui Hawaii send you to the must-see hits of this little bit of paradise.
Kaanapali
Hawaii’s first master-planned destination resort is still one the loveliest. Dozens of resorts and condo developments dot the three miles of white sand beach here, and visitors can enjoy all kinds of watersports: windsurfing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, and surfing, among others. For non-swimmers, there are championship golf courses, resort shopping, interesting restaurants, and, of course, those beautiful Hawaiian sunsets.
Mt. Haleakala
Mt. Haleakala, at a little over 10,000 feet, is the highest point on Maui. This extinct volcano is preserved in the 30,000 acre Mt. Haleakala National Park. Most of the land here is wilderness land, and the park is an excellent place to hike, enjoy a picnic, or go for a bike ride. Adventure lovers will enjoy an early morning trip to the top of the crater for one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world. Most operators take you to the top via bus and allow you to bike down the mountain as the sky gets brighter and brighter. Visitor centers throughout the park tell the story of the volcano and the land surrounding it.
Lahaina
Just south of Kaanapali is former whaling village of Lahaina. Many of the city’s 19th century houses and structures have survived and have been carefully restored. These buildings give visitors a glimpse at life on the islands almost 200 years ago. Restaurants of all sorts line the waterfront, and the lanais that line the ocean are a favorite spot to watch the stunning Maui sunset. Lahaina is also home to one of the best luaus on the island. Visit Old Lahaina for a feast of pork, poi, pineapple, and other island delights, followed by traditional Hawaiian music and dancing.
Hana
The road to Hana, on the southeast side of the island, has as many thrills as it has hairpin turns – and there are 617 of them. The 52-mile trip from the airport along this curving road can take up to four hours, depending on how often you stop to take pictures. One of the least developed areas of Maui, Hana has just 700 permanent residents. Hana is home to some of the best beaches on the island, including a black sand beach, as well as hundreds of rain-fed waterfalls and a spectacular craggy shoreline. James Michener was a frequent visitor as was Charles Lindbergh, who is buried in the town’s small cemetery. There are few accommodations at Hana and most are low-rise and low-key, such as the luxury Hana-Maui Resort. Outdoors lovers can ride horses along the beach, hike into the woods, and explore lava rock canyons. Visiting Hana is an authentic Hawaii travel experience.
Whale Watching in Maui
No Hawaii travel itinerary should be without a whale watching trip and Maui offers visitors some of the best vantage points in the world. Over 3000 humpback whales call the straits just off the coast of Maui their summer home each year. That’s almost 40 percent of the humpbacks in the world! Each November, the whales return to these waters and stay until mid-June, with the best viewing between January and April. Plenty of whales can be spotted from the shore, but for a closer look, take one of the many whale watching cruises.
West Maui Ocean Center
The West Maui Ocean Center is a state-of-the art, 350-acre marine park, and a must-see Hawaii travel destination. The park, consistently ranked as one of the top family attractions in Hawaii, lets visitors observe marine life in its natural habitat. View spectacular live coral displays, enjoy the playful Hawaiian green sea turtles, wonder at colorful wrasses, and watch sharks, eels, rays, and more. For a really unique experience at the Maui Ocean Center, sleepover packages are offered for small groups on a limited basis. This must-see aquarium is located on the west shore of Maui, between Lahaina and Wailea.
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