Rating: In a nutshell: Spectacular views of rugged shoreline, sea arches, black sand beach, and more. Minuses: Swimming is often marginal. Sound-bite: “Sir, you should probably stand back from that blowhole.” (…wait for it…) Note: The park now requires reservations for entry and parking, which can be made here. DETAILS: Simply stated, Wai’anapanapa State Park is among the very best …
Do any of these describe you? – Usually active on vacation – Plan on seeing it all – Love hiking, waterfalls & adventure – Prefer being closer to nature – Seek authenticity in travel – Plan lots of surfing/windsurf/kiteboard – Escape touristy hustle and bustle – Enjoy experiencing how people are living alternative/green/natural lifestyles – Like to get away from …
Rating: In a nutshell: Rugged shoreline, scenic vistas, and cliff-edge driving you’ll never forget. Minuses: If you’re not a confident driver parts of this drive could be your worst nightmare. Sound-bite: “what do you mean back up!?!“ Most visitors will travel in and out of West Maui along its West and South shores through Maalaea. This is definitely the commuter …
Rating: In a nutshell: Dramatic, swimmable tidepools located on barren lava along the ocean’s edge on the back-side of West Maui. Minuses: People die here. Terrain on the short hike is unforgiving to those who are not sure-footed. Sound-bite: “My car got broken into!” Be Very Careful Here People have died here. Many more have been injured. Understand why, and …
Rating: In a nutshell: Blowhole and scenic rugged coastline hike. Minuses: If you’re not sure-footed parts of the trail can be challenging. Sound-bite: [hssssst….BLAST!] Blowhole safety In Maui it has been customary to allow the careless free control over their destiny. But if you come from a place where they would put a barrier around dangers, then they would most …
Rating: In a nutshell: A much loved long sandy beach at the end of South Kihei Road. Minuses: On very windy days can get sandblasting in the afternoons. Sound-bite: “Beware the forbidden cove!” Summary: .7 mile long sandy beach, runs to the end of Kihei, where the road departs from the shoreline. Good for swimming, laying out, boogie boarding, snorkeling …
Rating: In a nutshell: Scenic beach park with much cultural significance. Sand and ocean conditions vary greatly depending on season. Minuses: Currents become dangerously strong and the beach deteriorates for many months of the year. Sound-bite: “Is that Oprah?” Summary Koki Beach changes radically throughout the year. In the summer months, a wide sandy beach is deposited, and surf and …
Rating: In a nutshell: Ho’okipa Beach is a world-renowned windsurfing destination with often dramatic and impressive surf for sightseers as well. Minuses: Marginal for swimming. Sound-bite: “Epic day brah!” Surf Sports Ho’okipa is Mecca to the windsurfing world (and no slouch for board surfing, either.) There are professional windsurfing competitions held here, and on just about any day with wind …
Rating: In a nutshell: Kuau cove is perfect for little ones and anyone that loves to explore tidepool sealife. Minuses: Fully-clothed Mama’s patrons might make shy folks uncomfortable in their itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-polkadot-bikini. Sound-bite: “Honey, how much should we tip the valet?” DETAILS: A wonderfully scenic small white sand cove beach just past Paia, bordered by a coconut grove and chock full …
Rating: In a nutshell: South Kihei Road passes along scenic shoreline with long beaches. Minuses: It’s all relative! Sound-bite: [wind] Summary: North & South Kihei Road hugs the coastline from Ma’alaea through Kihei. The northern end of these beaches seem to have been heaven-made for launching canoes, walking, running and beachcombing. Wind here is often stronger in the afternoon, so …
Rating: In a nutshell: Two mile stretch of rough/raw beaches and tidepools. Frequently used by fishermen and windsurfers. Minuses: Directly in flight path of Kahului Airport. Attracts some “iffy-characters.” Sound-bite: [Roar of jet engines] DETAILS: Actually more than one beach, “Spreckelsville Beach” is the historic name for a two mile stretch of beaches from Baby Beach in Spreckelsville to Kanaha …
A wonderfully scenic small white sand cove beach just past Paia, bordered by a coconut grove and chock full of tidepools. Kuau Cove, which is commonly also called Mama’s Fish House Beach since most visitors experience this beach as a photo op prior to dining at Mama’s Fish House, which sits just back from this beach. Old-timers may also call …
MauiGuidebook.com