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Maui is among the top vacation destinations in Hawaii, and for good reason. The island offers countless activities for tourists, both indoors and out, as well as spectacular views from nearly anywhere on the island. Maui boasts over 120 miles of coastline with sparkling blue waters, as well as many unique inland environments. This popular vacation spot offers something for everyone, from romantic getaways to family vacations.
On Maui, one of the most popular tourist activities is the luau. The largest hotels in Maui offer a weekly luau to give tourists a taste of life in Hawaii. A Hawaiian feast, luaus offer traditional Hawaiian dishes and unique new takes on exotic tropical cuisine, in addition to breathtaking entertainment, often including fire dancers and hula dancing. The delicious buffet found at a luau nearly always includes Palua Pork, which is sometimes cooked in the traditional manner of utilizing an underground oven to cook an entire pig.
When visiting Maui, or any other Hawaiian island, do not forget to leave time for the beach. Maui is known for its beautiful sands and sparkling blue waters. If you want to sneak a peek at the underwater life, including coral, tropical fish, and manta rays, try scuba diving or snorkeling. To see the marine life without getting wet, schedule a submarine tour. There are many other ways to enjoy the waves, too, including surfing, jetski rentals, and of course, swimming. A number of specialty tours and cruises offer unique views of the island and the waters surrounding it. Whale watching is a particularly popular cruise between December and April.
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There are plenty of unique environments to explore away from the water. Maui is home to two volcanoes, which have created a mountainous region known for its unique ecosystem. Explore this area by Jeep or by helicopter. Visit the Oheo Gulch or Seven Sacred Pools area to swim in a series of waterfalls and pools emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Local legend claims that swimming all seven from start to finish will bring you luck for a year.
The island of Maui is easy to explore thanks to the Hana Highway, running along the eastern coast of the island. There are countless lookout points offering amazing views along this highway. Other vantage points can be found by hiking or biking one of Maui’s many trails, which also offers you the opportunity to spot the unique plants and animals that call Maui home. The environments on the island range from lowlands to forests to rainforests, each filled with a diverse range of exotic species.
For the most part, the best views are said to be along the coastline. However, there are inarguably thousands of amazing views available all across the island. The best sunrise view is said to be the view from Haleakala crater. This crater was caused by the eruption of Haleakala; this volcano last erupted in 1790, and you can still see the lava flows from this eruptions. One of the highest mountains in the world, it measures five miles from seafloor to the summit, towering 10,000 feet above the sea. For sunset, make your way to Lahaina, a wharf offering a street of shops and restaurants and frequent whale watching and sunset cruises.