Outdoor Adventure on Maui

Published on April 19, 2024

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Bask in the rejuvenating rays of sunshine in any number of exciting outdoor activities on your next trip to Maui. Whether it is feeling the tropical trade winds blow through your hair, seeing colorful fish glide through the coral, or feeling the strength of the Pacific Ocean push you to shore wave after wave, we have assembled a list of fun outdoor adventures you can try when on the Valley Isle.

Ziplining

Thrill seekers will enjoy flying through the air as they pass through tree canopies and steep mountain ridges. Enjoy a birds-eye-view of Maui’s stunning landscapes as you reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. There are numerous zipline outfitters across the island to choose from.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Rent a paddle board at Boss Frog’s, Auntie Snorkel, The Snorkel Store, and dozens of other ocean activity shops located a block or two from the beach. You can often choose to rent by the hour or half-day/day. Ocean conditions are best during morning hours when the winds haven’t picked up. Patrol the coastline keeping your eyes peeled for Hawaiian sea turtles, dolphins, and spotted eagle rays.

Snorkeling

The Yellow Tang, Teardrop Butterflyfish, Moorish Idol, Spotted Trunkfish, and Humuhumunukunukuapua’a are all reef fish you will become familiar with after snorkeling the Hawaiian reefs. Maui has some fan-favorite snorkeling beaches such as Ulua Beach, Honolua Bay, Old Airport Beach, and Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve that offer different underwater wonderlands to explore.

Coastal Hike

Enjoy unforgettable ocean views as you traverse popular coastline hikes. The Wailea Beach Path is a paved 1.6-mile walkway that will take you past Wailea’s top resorts and beaches. The Kapalua Coastal Trail takes you across scenic boardwalks, rugged rock formations, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai.

Explore a National Park

Visiting Haleakala National Park should absolutely make your travel itinerary. Whether you wake up early to witness the sunrise from atop the 10,000 ft summit, traverse down the face of a dormant crater on the famous Sliding Sands trail, or stop the visitor center and hike the Instagram-worthy Pipiwai trail through a dense bamboo forest,

Bike Down a Volcano

There aren’t too many places in the world that offer bike tours down a volcano. Join other adventure enthusiasts on a shuttle up the winding roads of Haleakala and then form a small peloton of riders (along with guide and vehicle escort) as you weave your way down in elevation to the surf town of Paia. The views along the way will stay with you for a lifetime.

Swim at a Black Sand Beach

Wai’anapanapa State Park is often the destination tourists circle on the map when they plan the road trip out to Hana. The park is famous for its dramatic black sand beach that spills into turquoise waters. Along with the picturesque cove, there are caves, freshwater swimming holes, and a costal hike with views out over the Hana coastline.

Walk Through a Tropical Garden

With year-round sunshine and some pockets of Maui that experience gentle rainfall almost every day, you have the perfect conditions for lush botanical gardens. The Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden on the Road to Hana is a 26-acre treat for the eyes. Surround yourself with plant, flower, and tree species from around the world, many of which are full of bright colors.


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