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.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Caribbean Vacation Travel Cruise
- Vacation Traveler’s Guide to Bed Bugs
- Costa Rica Vacation Travel Information
- Airline and Vacation Travel Tips - Ultimate Travel Checklist
- Costa Rica Vacation: Travel By Horseback, Canoe And Hot-air Balloon
- Vacation Travel Benefits
- Egypt Vacations Travel Guide connecting Tourist Destinations in Egypt
- Vacation Travel Savings Too Good To Pass Up




Villas With Pools Are Vacant Now
By: Jamie Shenton | 14/11/2009Are you the kind of person that looks forward to a holiday every year, knowing you are going to finally get away from it all and sit back and relax? Perhaps you're a hot weather follower and you cannot wait to get to the seaside. There are only so many times during the year that you can take your vacation, though. Many times, the pricings for transportation and hotels change and you may not be able to hit upon cheap travel bargains.
Polo school & Polo vacation in Argentina
By: Palo Alto Polo | 14/11/2009Palo Alto Polo Vacations & school provides a world class experience to both polo players and their non-playing guests. Our facilities are ideally located in the pampas, the town of Open Door Argentina, the heart of the Polo world, just 40 minutes outside of Buenos Aires. Our focus is to provide a fun, safe environment for people to improve their game while giving them a true taste of life in Argentina.
An Unforgettable Trip
By: rwssolution | 14/11/2009Are you a travel freak person and have the passion of exploring new places? Someone who loves to travel different places of the world should deal with a vacation provider that has multiple vacationing places at different parts of the world.
America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain
By: Paul | 14/11/2009The next America's Cup now looks set to take place in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Valencia in February 2009, after more than two years of legal wrangling over the conditions and venue for yachting's most prestigious sporting event.
Alaska's Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge
By: Alaska's Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge | 14/11/2009One of Kachemak Bay's finest Wilderness Lodges in Halibut Cove, Alaska, across the Bay from Homer, Alaska.
Canary Wharf Has One of Europe's Biggest Concentration of Skyscrapers
By: Chow Siew | 13/11/2009The transformation of Canary Wharf from a London dock to what it is today is truly remarkable. It has broght about a pleasant change in the landscape with skyscrappers and has rejuvenated the economic structure of the area.
Animals of Barcelona in History
By: David Brydon | 13/11/2009Now you might think that this is an article all about the Barcelona, zoo, in which case you’d be a little far off – let’s look at the animals in Barcelona Folklore up to the present time.
A Synopsis of Disney Theme Parks
By: Shelby | 13/11/2009Going to Disneyland or another Disney Theme Park? This guide will help you with the basics so you can choose the attractions that are right for you and your family.
King Quotes Garner Inspiration
By: Bob Freer | 14/02/2006 | ReligionThese noble men and women are working towards that precious freedom without hate and without physical conflict.
Deep Waters, Sunny Skies--Marlin Fishing in Hawaii
By: Bob Freer | 13/02/2006 | TravelThe Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii is renowned for Pacific blue marlin fishing. Considered the marlin capital of the world, it is home to the blue marlin, a spectacular sword-billed fighting fish.
Hawaii Volcanoes--Entering the Caldera of Fire
By: Bob Freer | 13/02/2006 | DestinationsHawaii volcanoes are known as "shield" volcanoes, gently sloping mountains produced from a lot of very wet, fast-moving lava flows.
The Push to Learn Chinese in Our Schools
By: Bob Freer | 15/01/2006 | EducationThere is no heart in the word 'love' in simplified Chinese.
Six Possible Ways to Prevent or Fight Cancer
By: Bob Freer | 15/01/2006 | HealthAntioxidants can reduce the amount of free radicals in the body. Many scientists consider that the actions of free radicals in your body may lead to cancer.
Two Reasons Why You Might Want a Second Opinion
By: Bob Freer | 14/01/2006 | HealthMaybe there is something about a new house, wedding and honeymoon that leads to fuzzy diagnosis.
Hawaii's Living Volcanoes--Exploring Life in the Caldera of Fire
By: Bob Freer | 03/01/2006 | DestinationsHawaii volcanoes are known as "shield" volcanoes, gently sloping mountains produced from a lot of very wet, fast-moving lava flows.
Hawaii Whale-Watching
By: Bob Freer | 24/12/2005 | DestinationsHawaii whale-watching is truly a memorable experience. In this article, we will focus on whale-watching off the island of Maui.