Maui Activities 

If you are traveling to Maui primarily to participate in kiteboarding, there are other fun activities to do in case the wind takes a break or in the event your body needs a break. To guide you in your search for activities that are certain to make your trip even more memorable, we offer some great suggestions, many of which were featured in Outside magazine a few years ago and are included below.

For the ultimate Maui experience, reserve one of the 3 cabins in Haleakala National Park for up to 3 days and really explore the dormant volcano with its lunar-like surface. Another option is an early morning trip to the volcano summit but keep in mind you would need to leave your Lahaina or Wailea hotel by 3 AM in order to arrive in time for sunrise. For the non-morning vacationer, a sunset visit with a champagne toast may be more civilized. And, if you're traveling to Maui during January and Februrary look for snow on top of our 10,023 foot volcano. Be prepared, though, if you plan on bicycling up to or down the volcano, it can get quite cold and board shorts are not recommended for the ride.

Maui offers some of the best hikes in the world for all levels of experience and endurance. We caution, however, against hiking on private lands without permission and hiking up rivers and streams. Flash floods in streams can occur without any warning, especially on the windward side of Haleakala near the Hana area, so always check weather forecasts before heading off in uncharted areas. A great book to carry with you, Robert Smith's Hiking Maui, describes some of the most exotic self-guided tours on the island. I keep a copy in my vehicle just in case i want to get away for the day or a few hours to experience the grandeur that has kept me on Maui for 21 years.

Most activities that involve ocean and air are best completed in the morning hours when the winds are lighter. Snorkel trips, especially to Molokini, depart in the morning to avoid the afternoon wind swells your boat captain would have to navigate against on the return trip to the harbor. Take a helicopter tour in the morning when the wind driven clouds haven't had a chance to envelope the volcanic mountains to get close up views of areas on Maui inaccessible by boat or foot. And, on those no wind days, wakeboarding is a great watersports activity to improve board skills, which will benefit clients taking kiteboarding lessons.

There are many brilliant attractions that aren't affected by the winds or weather. One of our favorites is the Maui Ocean Center, the nation’s largest tropical reef aquarium, located in the central part of Maui. You can easily spend half of a day touring the aquatic displays, attending lectures, and walking through the 100-foot long acrylic tunnel with manta rays, sharks and numerous species of Hawaiian fish curiously swimming around you and seemingly within reach, all while you stay completely dry and safe. Other great suggestions for the family are Warren and Annabelle's magic act and Ulalena, a spectacular theatrical and musical sensation depicting Hawaii's history.

Other very notable things to do on Maui...

1. Swim at the black sand beach at Wai`anapanapa State Park on your drive to Hana
2. Visit Hana for a day or more and swim in the 7 sacred pools and waterfalls
3. Zip down one of the two suspension cables near Hana and Ka`anapali
3. Ride the historic 1890s Lahaina-Ka`anapali Railroad or Sugar-Cane Train with your kids
4. Night dive at Black Rock off the Ka`anapali coast
5. Fly tandem on a paraglider with an instructor near Haleakala summit
6. Check out the beautiful tropical flowers at the Kula Botanical Garden
7. Taste the pineapple wine at Tedeschi Winery near Kula
8. Bike the Poli Poli Spring State Park
9. Hike around Iao Needle, a 2,250-ft. rock pinnacle, at Iao Valley State Park near Wailuku
10. Snorkel at Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve near Wailea, a spot dolphins frequent 
11. Order the Kobe filet mignon at Duo restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Wailea
12. Visit Big Beach State Park in Makena
13. Surf on a long board or on a stand up paddle board

Visit again for updates and additions to our list of favorite things to do and please write us with your own suggestions.