Day Trips & Walks

Day trips to Lana'i and Moloka'i have never been easier. This charter plane and golf excursion company offers quick, fast, regular trips to the two neighboring islands. South and Central Maui residents can fly out of Kahului Airport, while people staying in West Maui can depart from Kapalua. All kinds of golf packages can be arranged. Arrange for a discount on greens fees or free transportation to and from Lana'i airport to the course.

If you like to pedal your bike rather than riding the brakes all day, call this company. The tour begins with a leisurely outdoor breakfast at Kula's Rice Park, and then travels to the Haleakala Crater. Plenty of stops are made, including a visit to a large protea farm. Participants are directed to little backroads, rolling hills and other areas off the beaten path. The tour ends with lunch and wine tasting at Tedeschi winery. This is perfect for the cyclist who likes to stop and smell the flowers, literally. Call for pricing information.

If you want to explore the tiny, peaceful island of Lana'i while visiting Molokai, contact this company. It is highly recommended by locals. The journey each way only takes one hour and the boat departs five times daily from each direction. The fare for the ride alone is USD25 each way. Jeep expeditions and two-hour guided island tours can be arranged. If you prefer to go solo, you can do so. Just make sure to reserve yourself a spot at the return time of your choice. There are also various day tours, golf packages and overnighters available. Call for more information.

With three ships, experienced guides and all the necessary supplies, this company is as enthusiastic about sport fishing as the most avid vacation adventurer. For more than 30 years, this company has held the record for, "Most Marlin Caught on Maui." Boats carry as many as six people. Bring your own food and beverages. Direct bookings are encouraged. Prices start at USD160 for a shared-boat excursion. A six-hour private sail is USD800.

Located just past Mile Marker 10 on the road to Hana (Highway 36) are the verdant tropical gardens where the opening sequence of "Jurassic Park" was filmed. The 26-acre park, designed by Alan Bradbury with the aim of restoring the area's natural ecosystem, contains 500+ trees, plants and flowers native to the Pacific islands. Stroll along Maui's best nature trails and enjoy a leisurely lunch in a lush picnic area. This is a great activity for nature lovers and families with children. Admission: $3 per person.

Escape the bustle of West Maui aboard this small sailing vessel. Relaxed and small, it is the perfect boat to charter for a special event or book a space for a day away. Experience the 'Picnic Snorkel Sail', a four-hour cruise that visits the home of the sea turtles. From December 15 through April 15, there are two whale watches daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A romantic summertime option is the "Champagne Sunset Sail," a two-hour pleasure cruise departing at dusk. The $50 charge per person includes unlimited champagne, Mai Tais and appetizers. Medium-sized groups or large families should definitely consider the private charter option. Excursions depart from Ka'anapali Beach.

A hale kahiko is an archaic Hawaiian thatched-roof house. Each hale was built for a specific function, such as sleeping, cooking or crafts. This replica of a Hawaiian village features three hale filled with ancient implements and furnishings. Beautifully landscaped grounds contain several species of indigenous trees and plants. A free guided tour is available, or for those preferring to set their own agenda, a map is available at no cost. Hula and craft demonstrations are held at random times during the week.

Hana Highway may sound fairly non-threatening - after all, it is only 55 miles long - but once you've driven the road, you understand exactly how long 55 miles can be. As one of Maui's major attractions, tourists from around the globe make the wild and wooly drive daily, but most people miss the majority of the attractions. For that reason, it's wise to purchase the guided-tour tapes or CDs, available through this company for USD20. Some of the highlights of the drive include hidden pools and waterfalls, hiking trails, exotic fauna and Waianapanapa State Park, with its amazing black sand beach.

If you cannot manage to move to the island, arrange a tour through this company. With more than 15 years of experience providing adventure/eco-tours, these people are expert guides. They can take you into the heart of the rain forest, under waterfalls, to the summit of Haleakala and down into the crater. Prices are reasonable for a half-day hike. Call or check the website for more information.

Towering in the sky above Iao Valley, this green-covered mountain peak is one of Maui's most famous sites. It's the first picture that people take upon visiting the valley, even though most of them don't venture any closer than the parking lot. However, the base of the Needle is an excellent spot for picnicking, splashing around or hiking. Bring a lunch and a lot of mosquito repellent, and prepare to spend a few idyllic hours. Hikers, stay in the marked trails and follow basic safety rules at all times.

The focal point of this park is the Iao Needle. A natural rock formation covered in green moss, it towers 2,000 feet over the park. There are several routes to hike to the Needle. There are also clearings, gardens and a spacious picnic area. Iao Valley was the site of a huge, bloody battle hundreds of years ago, and some locals believe that parts of it are still haunted. A much less romantic and more tangible threat comes from the clouds of mosquitoes that lurk near the streams and attack unwary visitors.

These backwoods adventures were designed with the horse lover and nature lover in mind. The farm is set back from civilization, so you will need to catch one of the shuttles to and from the restricted property. Several different excursions are available. All of them are between 90 minutes and two hours. Witness a Maui sunset, or have a picnic in one of the most remote regions of the island. The small groups are always led by an experienced guide. Children under 12 must meet with management approval.

Established in 1952, this park is dedicated to preserving Maui's ethnic heritage, including Hawaiian, Portuguese, Japanese, Caucasian and Filipino cultures. As you stroll the lush tropical gardens, you'll see several thatched-roof Hawaiian huts, a Portuguese villa, a New England "saltbox" and a Japanese garden with a stone pagoda. This is a wonderful location for a family picnic or a "getting-to-know-you" date. It's located just next to the Nature Center in Iao Valley.

This stables was established in 1983 and has spent the time since then building its reputation as "the best riding stable in Hawai'i." Horses and riders are individually matched, as much in consideration of the animal's comfort as the person's. Several different rides are offered, ranging from a two-hour beginner ride (USD120 per person) to the more challenging, three-hour rides (USD145-195 per person). All rides take place on Ulupalakua Ranch, which overlooks La Perouse Bay and neighboring islands. Group reservations are also available.

This, the oldest company in the downhill bike business, offers five different variations on the Haleakala downhill ride. Starting from Haleakala, participants cruise 30 miles down the mountain, stopping in Paia, Makawao or Kula for a meal and a tour. Of course, a standard Super Sunrise Tour is also offered. Call for reservations or more information. Free hotel pickup is offered in most cases. The company requests that riders have an experience level of intermediate or higher.

Guide Randy shares a wealth of natural history, geological and botanical lore, and island folklore while leading hikers through Maui's magnificent wilderness. Several half-day and full-day hikes are offered, many to areas not usually visited by tourists. The "easy" three-mile Haleakala Waterfall Hike is appropriate for children. Several treks in the West Maui Mountains explore more remote, rugged, rainforest terrain. Snacks and minimal gear is included in tour prices. Discounts are offered for children 13 and younger, groups of six or more, or parties who book two weeks in advance.

While there are many ways to see the legendary sunrise over Haleakala, the downhill bike ride is perhaps the most memorable one. This bike company has been featured in Sunset and Time magazines, and has attracted a number of celebrity passengers. Two tour options are available. The Sunrise Tour picks you up around 2:15a. The Midday Tour will pick you up around 7:00a, too late to catch the sunrise but early enough to avoid the worst of the mid-day heat. The tours last eight hours and include one meal.

This activity broker offers discounts of 20 to 40 percent on many popular island activities. With two Maui locations (the other is in Lahaina, just off Highway 30). Activities include an ocean rafting excursion, a downhill Haleakala journey, a sunset dinner cruise, luaus, dolphin watching trips, snorkeling excursions and more. Call or check the web site for information on activities and current discounts.

The beauty of vacationing on Maui is that your trip can be as cushy or as rugged as you want it to be. Companies like this one appeal to the adventure seeker. The concept is simple: Join a group of up to seven people to tour the back roads of the island. Several different tours are available, including a Haleakala hiking tour, a fishing tour, a Hana tour and a camping tour. Tour costs are inclusive of equipment and meals. Call pricing for information.

For a unique Hawaiian experience, come aboard the Kaulana for a six-hour sail. The boat visits two snorkeling sites as well as the home of Lanai's largest pod of dolphins. Observe these joyful animals as they frolic in the water. While appearances are not guaranteed, with more than 100 dolphins in residence, chances are good that you will see at least a few of them. The craft comes equipped with with toys, boogie boards and a waterslide. Other onboard activities include introductory SCUBA lessons, a delicious lunch and a narrated cruise.

Cost: $79 per person. This is a Club Lanai activity.

If you've spent any time at all on the Hawaiian Islands, the green, pink and blue-striped vans of Polynesian Adventure Tours are probably a familiar sight. These island tours are conducted throughout the state of Hawai'i and offer a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities. Tours conducted on Maui include the Haleakala and Central Maui tour, the Haleakala Sunrise tour, the Haleakala Sunset tour and the ever-popular Hana tour. Excursion prices range from USD56 to USD70.

Bus tours take passengers to all of Maui's major attractions including Mount Haleakala, the Iao Valley, historic Lahaina, Wainapanapa State Park, Hana and Hookipa. A number of different tour combinations are available, departing from locations all over the island.

The full-day Magnificent Maui tour visits Haleakala, Iao, Wailuku and Lahaina. The "House of the Sun" tour is a half-day tour of Mount Haleakala and upcountry Maui. The price includes admission to the park. Other tours are available. Call or visit your hotel tour desk for information and reservations.

Combine a snorkel cruise with a trip to Molokini and a detour at nearby Turtle Town (home of the sea turtles), and you have got an irresistible excursion. This company only takes small groups. It is operated by a Coast Guard Captain with almost 20 years of experience; he and his crew take pride in their ecological awareness. The Seafire is new to South Maui, and is highly recommended by tour guides if you are staying in Kihei or Wailea. Call for prices and to make reservations.

There are six sailing catamarans in this fleet. They depart from Ka'anapali, Lahaina Harbor and the neighbor island of Lana'i. All of the excursions are named "Discover." There is the highly reputed "Discover Lanai," which departs from Lahaina Harbor and sails to breathtaking Hulopo'e Beach, with an afternoon return to Maui. The "Discover Kaanapali" includes five hours of sunning, sailing and snorkeling in the warm waters off the West Maui Coast. "Discover Scuba" caters to novice divers.

It is hard to imagine a more dramatic spectacle than the active Kilauea Volcano. Now visitors to Maui can take this company's helicopter tour over to the Big Island to view the volcano. Tours depart from Kapalua, West Maui Airport and Kahului, Maui. The heli-tour also passes over Maunakea, Hilo and Hana. This is a fantastic way to view a few of Hawaii's most amazing attractions within a two-hour period. Charters are also available. It is recommended that you book tours a few days in advance. Call for pricing information.

Wailea, in South Maui, is one of the most breathtaking resort communities in the world. The air is perfumed with island blossoms, the beaches (all of them public-access) are white sand, and the resorts are architectural wonders. Marvel at the palatial Eastern-themed Fairmont Kea Lani Resort or the understated elegance at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Shopping in this area is decidedly upscale. The best place to go is The Shops at Wailea, which offer high-end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co, to name a few.