Maui is a land full of adventures designed to bring visitors in close contact with the magic of the island. Visitors can explore the warm beaches, swim in brilliant blue water, or hike lush forests to find hidden waterfalls and freshwater pools. More adventurous visitors to Maui will find that biking, snorkeling and kayaking opportunities await.



The natural beauty of Maui calls to all visitors. A day spent strolling the beaches and dancing with the tide is certain to relax any guest. The lush forests of Maui offer many easy hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.

While a Maui vacation may be all about relaxation, Maui does offer activities to fulfill the passions of even the most adventurous visitor.

Most famous on Maui is downhill-cruising of Haleakala. Equipment and riders are driving to the 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala and given safety instructions. Using special bicycles with heavy-duty brakes, bikers cruise the 38-mile descent.

Riders should dress in layers to accommodate the changing temperatures during the descent from mountain top to tropical beach. This bicycle journey shows Maui from top to bottom in just a few hours. The course is difficult and not for the inexperienced biker, but the exhilaration is unmatched.

Hiking and bicycling are perfect for viewing the Maui landscape up-close, but nothing beats snorkeling to see the undersea wonderland surrounding the Maui coastline. Snorkelers must know how to swim and novices should practice in shallow water. Safety dictates that snorkeling always be done with a buddy.

Among Maui's top snorkeling beaches are Ahihi-Kinau Preserve, Five Needles and Kaupoa. The area of Ka'anapali around Black Rock is also considered a top spot. Many shops on Maui rent fins, masks, snorkels and gear bags. Guided snorkel and scuba dives are available from Trilogy Excursions, the oldest and best operator on Maui, as well as many other tour operators.

Above water, deep-sea fishing, yachting tours and kayaking offer Maui visitors the chance to see the island from another perspective.

Hawaii is well-known for surfing and surfers of all skill levels will find a place to test their skills on Maui. Activities desk and concierges at Maui hotels are the source for finding good rental surfboards. Surfing instruction is available for beginners.

Maui offers many great surfing spots with the best being Honolua Bay during winter months and Lahaina Harbor in the summer. Maalaea and Hookipa Beach are great Maui surfing spots during morning hours but windsurfers take over later in the day as winds pick up.

The least often seen perspective of Maui is a bird's eye view. Hang-gliding above Haleakala Crater is available for beginners and experienced pilots. An instructional course followed by a tandem flight with an instructor creates memories to last a lifetime.

The less adventurous Maui visitor can book a helicopter tour for the same view. Many tours do not guarantee a window seat for all passengers, so it is worthwhile to verify this detail before placing a reservation.

Maui is a diverse island with something for every interest. Journeys through, over, around, and under Maui expose unexpected treasures and create lasting memories.