Hawaii Vacation--Part 2--Maui

The second in our series of Hawaii vacations, this article focuses on the island of Maui. Maui stands apart from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. It offers adventure in paradise at every corner. If you have only a week to spend in Hawaii, this is one of the best places to be.

Accommodations are widely available on Maui, including many resorts, bed & breakfasts, cottages, inns, and condos, many of which offer spectacular view of the shores. Several world-class golf courses are also found on Maui.

For such a small island, Maui is packed with "leisurely adventures"--and at comfortable temperatures, hovering from 75 at the lowest and the low 90s at the highest. Plus, its waters are warm year-round (varying from 70 to 80 degrees).

With its outstanding beaches and multiple resorts, Maui has many activities. Helicopter tours, golfing, water sports, even submarine rides can be found on Maui.

Its landscape is incredibly diverse. It is often known as the Valley Island because of the large valley that extends between two volcanoes. On the wet, eastern side of the mountains there are acres of rainforest. On the dry,leeward side of the island,resorts and golf courses abound. And in the central valley, located between Haleakala volcano and the West mountains, sugar cane grows abundantly.

Offshore, one can see marine life found nowhere else on earth. The island reef is home to hundreds of species which makes this a paradise for divers and snorkelers. In winter, humpback whales crowd the waters off the southern coast. Maui provides some of the world's best whale-watching activities. Thousands of Humpback whale migrate to the warm waters off the coast of this Hawaii Island between November and April each year.

Many people drive to the top of Mt Haleakala for a view of the spectacular sunrise. You can rent a car or take one of the many tours to the top. It will be cold at the 10,000 foot summit, so bundle up and bring a thermos of hot coffee or tea.

The road to Hana is considered one of the most breath-taking drives in all of the Islands. It is a slow, winding road through a lush paradise.

The island's beaches are not only plentiful, they are varied. From the white sands of Oneloa in West Maui and Palaueau Beach in the South, to the Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) of Hana and the volcanic black sands of Pa'iloa Beach in Wai'anapanapa Park, Maui's beaches offer diversity.

On the North Shore, Ho'okipa Beach Park is perhaps one of the best places in the world to wind surf, body board or kite surf.

Kapalua Beach, located on the west side of the Keanae Peninsula in South Maui, is a golden--sand beach, with a terrific view of Molokai. It is protected from big waves by both coral reefs and lava formations on both sides.

An excellent family beach, Wailea Beach is on the island's sunny south shore.Protected by lava outcroppings it is safe for families with children. Wailea is wide and about 1,000 feet long in a crescent shape.

Palauea Beach is perfect for young children and families because it's sheltered from the winds and the water is shallow. It's also located south of Polo Beach in one of the least developed spots on the island.

One of Maui's best snorkeling locations, Ulua Beach offers an excellent reef about 100 yards offshore. Ulua is between Wailea Beach to the north and Makena Beach to the south.

Oneloa Beach--Referred to by locals as "Big Beach," Oneloa Beach in Makena State Park is more than 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, made up of sugar-white sands that meet a crystalline ocean. This South Maui beach is the island's longest beach.

The islet of Molokini, just off the west shore of Maui, is one of Hawaii's most popular spots for divers and snorkelers. Accessible only by boat, this crescent-shaped crater is a natural sanctuary and marine-life preserve. It provides an an exquisite opportunity to view tropical fish, lobsters, crab and living coral, including black coral.

Finally, if you want to explore other islands, day trips can take you to Lanai or Molokai by ferry. Ferries leave daily from the dock in Lahaina, Maui.

Whatever you do during your time on Maui, this vacation will likely inspire you to return again. In the meantime, you can cherish the memories.