Maui is renowned worldwide for many things; its beauty, its atmosphere, its history, and the never ending supply of pristine beaches, waterfalls, Maui tours, landmarks, snorkeling in Maui, and gardens. Maui is a wonderful place for a Hawaii vacation. There aren’t a whole lot of places in the world you can go and experience all you can on the small island of Maui, Hawaii. What’s more, is the fact you can access nearly all of Maui by vehicle. The roads literally skirt the edge of Maui’s coastline all the way around, figuratively speaking in a large sideways “8” shape with each circle of the eight a mountainous volcanic land-form. Many people famously say, “Maui no ka oi” which means, “Maui is the best”.
Maui is an island in the mid-Pacific, part of the Hawaiian island chain and known for its beach resorts, diverse geography and outdoor activities ranging from hiking and biking to windsurfing and snorkeling. Sprawling Haleakala National Park encompasses the island’s highest peak, Mt. Haleakala, as well as the pools and waterfalls of Oheo Gulch, accessed via scenic, winding Hana Highway.
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on Maui. There are over 30 beaches and bays to snorkel at around the island. One of the most popular sports in Hawaii. Ho’okipa Beach Park is one of Maui’s most famous surfing and windsurfing spots. Other famous or frequently surfed areas include Slaughterhouse Beach, Honolua Bay, Pe’ahi, and Fleming Beach. The north side of Maui absorbs the most swell during the winter season and the south and west in the summer time. Due to island blocking, summer south swells tend to be weak and rare. Maui is a well-known destination for windsurfing. Kanaha Beach Park is a very well-known windsurfing spot and may have stand-up paddle boarders or surfers if there are waves and no wind. Windsurfing has evolved on Maui since the early 1980s when it was recognized as an ideal location to test equipment and publicize the sport.
The big tourist spots in Maui include the Hāna Highway, Haleakalā National Park, Iao Valley, and Lahaina. The Hāna Highway runs along the east coast of Maui, curving around mountains and passing by black sand beaches and waterfalls. Haleakalā National Park is home to Haleakalā, a dormant volcano. Lahaina is one of the main attractions on the island with an entire street of shops and restaurants which leads to a wharf where many set out for a sunset cruise or whale watching journey. Snorkeling can be done at almost any beach along the Maui coast. Surfing and windsurfing are also popular on Maui. The main tourist areas are West Maui (Kāʻanapali, Lahaina, Nāpili-Honokōwai, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua) and South Maui (Kīhei, Wailea-Mākena). The main port of call for cruise ships is located in Kahului. There are also smaller ports located at Lahaina Harbor (located in Lahaina) and Maʻalaea Harbor (located between Lahaina and Kihei).