12 Greatest Issues To Do In Maui For First Timers…

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Should you’ve by no means been to Maui in Hawaii earlier than, you might be about to be dazzled! Maui is without doubt one of the greatest islands in Hawaii to go to on your first time in Hawaii as a result of it provides every little thing that Hawaii is thought for – volcanoes, jungles, seashores, wildlife in abundance, and that aloha spirit that may solely be present in Polynesian tradition.

Evidently, there’s a plethora of issues to do in Maui to get you conversant in Hawaiian tradition, find out about its historical past, and witness its unspoiled magnificence. You received’t need to miss any of them.

lounge chairs on Kaanapali Beach, Maui
Chilling in Maui

Should you’re about to embark in your first journey to Maui however undecided what to do, listed here are some actions and sights you can’t miss to have the complete Maui expertise.

1. Go snorkeling

Snorkelling turtle Maui Hawaii
Photograph: Shutterstock.com

Maui is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go snorkeling in all of the Hawaiian islands.

There are a number of locations the place you would possibly wish to go snorkelling on the island, such because the marine conservation district of Molokini Crater the place reef fish rule the waters, or the coastal areas of Turtle City, Honolua Bay, and Coral Gardens, the place you’ll be able to benefit from the clear heat waters teeming with colourful coral and Hawaiian inexperienced sea turtles.

Should you’re basing your self in Kaanapi Seaside, within the West Maui Mountains, or Wailuku in South Maui, then you’ll be able to go for a snorkeling tour which supply journeys to well-liked snorkel spots by way of a ship cruise. It is a nice option to snorkel for households, seniors, and people on a brief go to.

Snorkeling excursions on Maui usually embody breakfast, a barbecue lunch, and even an open bar.

Ideas for snorkeling in Maui:

  • You probably have jet lag, a Molokini snorkeling tour the day after will help you shake off the jet lag.
  • E-book SCUBA and snorkel journeys earlier than you arrive to make certain of a spot, as they typically get booked up.
  • Go for one of many humpback whale watching excursions / snorkeling combo throughout the months of January to March (December being the perfect month).

2. Drive the highway to Hana

The road to hana sign on surfboard
Photograph: the highway to Hana

The drive to Hana is a well-liked scenic drive which takes you from the South to North on the Valley Isle.

The drive takes a full day, and takes you down slender one-lane roads, previous cliff-hugging scenic magnificence, by means of tropical rainforests, and to get a glimpse of a parade of dazzling waterfalls.

three bears fall on the road to hana maui hawaii
Photograph: Three Bears Falls

The drive is over 50 miles and has 600 curves and 59 bridges (if you happen to get automobile sick, make sure to put together for this).

Nonetheless, the surroundings alongside the way in which is awe-inspiring. Uncover a terraformed peninsula, black sand seashores, lava tubes, and a lot extra.

When hiring a rental automobile, think about getting a jeep wrangler or 4X4 as there are some unsealed roads you’ll be able to take as a detour. Additionally they look so cool with the highway to Hana surroundings.

Learn our full information on driving the Highway to Hana for extra ideas.

Ideas for the drive to Hana

  • Begin early – you don’t need to be driving this highway at nighttime.
  • Let a professional drive – this highway has been identified to get folks carsick and pissed off however a professional is aware of the tips to seeing all of it.
  • Plan for a picnic – there are extra picnic spots than locations to purchase meals. Relying on the day and the ocean swell, every little thing or nothing will probably be open.
  • All the time begin with a full tank – gas financial system will probably be poor with no bargains and restricted assets for gas in Hana.
  • Deliver money – a bit of bit of money will make sampling from roadside stands alongside the highway simpler.

three. Surf, kayak, outrigger canoe, or SUP

Canoe on beach in Maui Hawaii
Photograph: Shutterstock

Hawaii is all about hanging on the seaside. These beach-launched ocean actions are among the best issues to do whereas in Maui.

One can lease and be taught on the whim in locations like Ka’anapali, Kihei, and Kapalua Bay.

Nothing is extra ego-boosting and satisfying than getting out on the ocean and studying a brand new talent, or making use of abilities to a brand new locale. Those that desire to take formal classes or guided excursions can actually e book prematurely.

Hawaiian Paddle Sports activities is a one-stop-shop for all of those actions.

four. Attend an Outdated Lahaina Luau on Maui

three men on beach throwing flames
Photograph: Luau Maui Hawaii

A Luau is a conventional Hawaiian feast, paired with dancing, leisure, and music. They’re a manner for residents to have fun and are available collectively.

Nobody denies that this expertise is much from the standard yard feasts that locals take pleasure in for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and different household gatherings.

Nonetheless, the Luau ritual is a singular a part of Hawaiian tradition, and you’ll all the time discover one taking place, particularly for vacationers.

It’s a option to collect for a night of fine meals, drink, and leisure that ranges from candy and sluggish to fierce and flaming.

There are various methods to Luau, and so they vary in value, so choose one which meets your wants and wishes.

Laua’s at resorts are well-liked with those that don’t need to wander far for the night’s leisure and may supply something from the easy to extravagant. Whereas the extra conventional ones supply a particular locale for an evening out.

All supply a wonderful night underneath the celebs with a beautiful sundown backdrop and a balmy breeze together with the roasted pork and poi.

Sure, as soon as in a lifetime could be sufficient, however that one time is actually to not be missed.

5. Eat the native meals in Maui

restaurant maui hawaii
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

The number of cultures and cuisines in Hawaii make it a foodie paradise. Tasting your manner across the island is without doubt one of the extra fascinating and satisfying pursuits on Maui, and may vary from the fast consuming snacks and cheap to the opulent and romantic.

Nonetheless, there are lots of distinctive tastes on Maui that shouldn’t be handed up.

Attempt these completely different Maui dishes for a culinary journey into Maui tradition:

  • Poke – spiced and seasoned uncooked tuna.
  • Guri Guri – milky frozen sherbet good for after the seaside.
  • Okazuya – all SPAM musubi is okazuya however not all okazuya is SPAM musubi
  • Manju – little pastry pies with candy fillings.
  • Saimin – noodles in clear broth topped with inexperienced onions, candy and bitter pork and extra.
  • Shave ice – a desert of shaved ice with fruit, flavored syrups, and different toppings which originated from Japan.
close up of a poke
Photograph: Poke

Go to a few of Maui’s prime eating places to savor the recent seafood delicacies or hit our favourite native spots for an on a regular basis tackle these fascinating dishes.

Mama’s Fish Home will get a point out for

Why not strive a Maui meals tasting tour? It is a nice option to expertise the actual style of Maui by means of tradition and historical past with an area knowledgeable. They have an inclination to go to 7 native eating places within the coronary heart of Wailuku, and offer you an opportunity to pattern 17 genuine Hawaiian dishes and native specialities as you style domestically brewed beers.

6. Expertise a Maui Halloween

sunset silhouette of luau dancers
Photograph: Aloha pageant

Out of all of Maui’s festivals and celebrations occurring on the attractive island of Maui annually, the perfect and by far probably the most raucous is Halloween.

Individuals collect alongside Entrance Road in Lahaina for a night of kiddie parades, costume watching, and bar hopping together with plenty of frivolity each October 31st.

It’s a grass roots celebration that has been rising like a juggernaut by phrase of mouth for over 25 years. In the present day it has grow to be extra of a household affair with adults lingering later into the night.

Among the extra frequent occasions embody Wailuku’s First Friday occasion each month that features eating places, galleries, arts and crafts together with leisure.

Obon Pageant runs by means of summer season together with the Outrigger Canoe Regatta season. All are value consideration for individuals who love tradition.

Some extra well-liked annual occasions on Maui are:

  • July fourth weekend: Annual Makawao Rodeo.
  • Third week in September: Maui County Honest in Kahului.
  • September: Maui Festivals of Aloha.
  • Entrance Road Halloween in Lahaina.

7. Windsurf at Ho’okipa Seaside Park

That is one thing you are able to do on the path to Hana! Ho’okipa Seaside Park is taken into account probably the greatest windsurfing seashores on this planet.

It’s not probably the most lovely seaside, however it’s a great place to wind surf or look out for Hawaiian Inexperienced Sea Turtles.

eight. Hike the Haleakala Summit, Haleakalā Nationwide Park

summit crater maui hawaii
Photograph: crater views from the Summit

Hike as much as see the summit of Haleakala, a dormant volcano in Haleakala Nationwide Park and discover its huge crater with previous lava flows and views of the Iao Valley.

Should you don’t really feel like mountaineering, you’ll be able to drive, however be aware that it’s 10,023 ft above sea stage so drive slowly to keep away from altitude illness.

The park can also be a sacred website for the folks.

In case you didn’t know, Maui was named after the mythological demigod of Polynesia, who is claimed to have raised the heavens, snared the solar and found fireplace, the island of Maui is the second most populated and the second largest island within the Hawaiian Island Chain.

It’s stated that Maui as soon as stood on the prime of the volcano and lassoed the solar from the sky. That is presumably one of many the explanation why dawn is so breathtaking right here!

The park can also be dwelling to some uncommon species of endangered animals that are cared for by the park rangers.

Head up for dawn for a memorable sight – see unimaginable vistas awash in pinks and oranges because the morning solar casts its heat glow on the panorama.

9. Search for dolphins on the Forbidden Coast

The Forbidden Coast extends from Kihei to Wailea and is thought to be a dolphin scorching spot.

For journey lovers, take a raft to search out dolphins alongside this stretch of coast, or drive alongside the highway and see if you happen to can spot them from the shore.

10. Black Sand Seaside at Wai’anapanapa State Park

Wai’anapanapa State Park is known Pai’iloa Seaside, a small however strikingly lovely seaside with the black sand, surrounded by verdant inexperienced plants, and turquoise waters.

The black sand is the results of volcanic lava move which cooled, hardened, and has been damaged into items by the waves over hundreds of years.

people standing on the Black Sand Beach (Pai’iloa Beach)

The interpretation for Wai’anapanapa means “glistening water” or “water flashing rainbow hues”, each of that are correct!

You could find extra in-depth data and make a reservation for Wai’napanapa State Park right here.

There are loop mountaineering trails to take you to sea arches, blowholes, caves, lava tubes and beautiful view to the East Maui shoreline throughout the park.

11. Hike to The Seven Sacred Swimming pools

The Ohe’o Gulch, which interprets to “One thing Particular” is positioned throughout the Haleakala Nationwide Park.

This space is thought for its seven sacred swimming pools, which many are open for swimming.

You could find the swimming pools on the Waimoku Falls path off the Pipiwai Path.

A correct map and information could be important as there is no such thing as a signage in anyway saying how shut you had been to the swimming pools.

12. Hike from Hana to the Bamboo Forests

The bamboo forest is a singular pure panorama not removed from Hana city in a verdant valley.

It’s accessible by way of the Pipiwai Path, the place you’ll be able to flip into the bamboo forest from mile marker 7.

The path additionally passes a number of beautiful waterfalls, the spotlight of which is the 200 foot Makahiku Falls which has an “Infinity Pool” on the prime, although it’s not advisable to swim in it.

Discover the path map right here.

Earlier than You Go

Stand up paddle boarding at Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii

This island paradise is no less than a 5-hour jaunt from wherever aside from the opposite Hawaiian islands, so if you happen to’re going to make the journey to Maui, you must do it proper.

For a lot of vacationers, the Valley Isle is a vacation spot of dreamy proportions. Those that are fortunate to have a number of superb days on this magical island ought to put collectively an itinerary that embraces the entire sights and actions doable.

Earlier than you go, think about the perfect time to go to Maui earlier than reserving. The perfect time is between mid-Could and mid-June and after Labor Day and earlier than Thanksgiving. At the moment, the costs are extra reasonably priced, the crowds are skinny, the bargains are bountiful and particular occasions and festivals are an added bonus.

Another ideas for visiting Maui are:

  • Plan to reach on the island within the early afternoon so you’ll be able to drive within the day gentle. Maui’s roads are two-lane, coastal, and unlighted.
  • E-book as many issues prematurely as doable as excursions do typically get booked up.
  • island time ought to be leisure time, plan for some days of nothing as properly!
  • By no means put your swimsuit in checked baggage. In the event that they lose your luggage no less than you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the seaside.
  • Put a cheap cooler in your rental automobile. Preserve it stuffed with drinks/water.
  • You’ll want a automobile to get round Maui. Rent a rental automobile right here.

Widespread Excursions in Maui

Extra Hawaii Journey Ideas

Planning an even bigger trip to Hawaii? Listed below are another useful guides that can assist you plan your journey.

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What are you most excited to do in Maui? Tell us within the feedback.

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The 10 Finest Household-Pleasant Resorts in The Fiji Islands…

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Most individuals consider Fiji as a vacation vacation spot 4 or diving fans, but it surely’s additionally a implausible place to take the youngsters on a household vacation. With pristine seashores, cultural immersion experiences, water sports activities, and extremely household pleasant resorts, Fiji is the proper place to spend high quality time collectively as a household with a tropical setting.

In fact, a household vacation means discovering one thing that may make everyone glad, which may be exhausting to do when you’ve got various personalities in your loved ones. It’s particularly exhausting to seek out lodging, since everybody has completely different wants and necessities.

So, that can assist you plan your loved ones vacation, we’ve chosen one of the best household resorts in Fiji, so yow will discover one thing to tick all your loved ones’s containers.

family wading in ocean
Household resorts in Fiji

Whether or not you want resorts with children golf equipment, water sports activities and each day actions, or swim up bars, championship golf programs and indulgent spas for the adults to rejuvinate whereas the youngsters play, these resorts have all the pieces you want.

Finest Household Resorts in Fiji

With so many island resorts to select from, it may be troublesome to resolve the place to remain in Fiji. The next resorts have been organized from finances to luxurious, to make it simpler so that you can discover a place to fit your wants and finances.

1. Plantation Island Resort

palm tree on beach- Plantation Island Resort.
Plantation Island Resort
  • Worth: $$
  • Star Score: Three*
  • Island: Plantation Island
  • High options: beachfront, two swimming swimming pools, household rooms, children membership, mini golf, spa, tour desk

Voted greatest household resort in Fiji for the third consecutive yr by Holidays with Youngsters Journal, Plantation Island Resort is located amid 553 acres of unique gardens and pristine seashore.

Fronting a lush lagoon within the tropical paradise of Malolo Lailai Island within the Mamanucas, youngsters Zero-15 years keep and play freed from cost.

Plus there are extra nanny and baby minding companies obtainable.

For the youngsters

The complimentary Coconut Youngsters Membership and Lairo Membership are a haven for youths and younger adults.

Providing a spread of supervised actions, children can take pleasure in treasure hunts, longboat rides, canoe races, fish feeding, crab searching, seashore video games, pool volleyball, cooking classes and way more.

Instructional, entertaining and age-appropriate – it’s the proper place to make new associates.

For the adults

The resort affords 2 swimming swimming pools in addition to a golf course, day spa and wonder salon.

There are a variety of beach-side bars and eating places to take pleasure in in addition to complimentary snorkelling, kayaking and wind browsing.

For a small charge you too can take part in village excursions, island hopping, browsing, water snowboarding, parasailing and scuba diving.

2. Treasure Island Resort

Fijians in grass skirt
  • Worth: $$
  • Star Score: Three.5*
  • Island: Nakelo Island
  • High options: spa, tiki bar, airport switch, outside swimming pool, child-friendly actions, Three eating places, youngsters’s membership, mini golf, playground, supervised childcare, personal seashore, kayaking, volley ball, boat excursions, snorkeling, tennis courts

Situated within the Mamanuca island group only a 45 minute velocity boat trip from Denarau, Treasure Island Resort is secluded but family-friendly.

Located by itself 14.5 acre coral cay, this Fiji resort is surrounded by tender white sand seashores and glowing crystal clear water.

Youngsters Zero-15 years keep and play freed from cost and babysitting can be obtainable for round AU$13 per hour.

For the youngsters

The complimentary children membership affords each day actions and a weekly ‘Fiji day’. Youngsters can take a brief boat journey to Viti Levu and expertise a day within the lifetime of a Fijian college.

They’ll additionally take pleasure in a standard ‘lovo’ feast, the place they’ll make their very own meals and weave their very own plates.

The day concludes in a night efficiency of conventional Fijian dances and music for his or her mother and father.

For the adults

With an entire island to take pleasure in, there’s loads of area to seek out your personal tranquil little pocket of privateness.

There’s a spectacular Three swimming pool advanced, day spa and boutique in addition to a formidable array of actions if you happen to really feel like getting energetic.

The resort can be surrounded by world class dive websites and the onsite PADI dive store can organize all the pieces, even for newbies.

Three. Castaway Island Fiji

Castaway Island Fijian server with cocktail at pool bar -
  • Worth: $$$$
  • Star Score: 5*
  • Island: Castaway Island (Non-public Island)
  • High options: award-winning restaurant, free non-motorized water sports activities, free children membership, tennis courtroom, seashore volleyball, canoeing, windsurfing, snorkeling, catamarans, spa, personal seashore

Situated within the Mamanucas, Castaway has been voted among the many high 10 greatest resorts within the South Pacific for households.

The personal island boasts a complimentary all-day children membership and heat Fijian hospitality that retains households coming again yr after yr.

Youngsters keep and play free, and children Zero-2 years eat free whereas children Three-12 years obtain discounted meals. Babysitting can be obtainable for round AU$6 per hour.

For the youngsters

Youngsters Three years and up will take pleasure in an entertaining but academic combination of video games and cultural actions whereas being cared for by the Castaway household.

Open from 9am – Four.30pm and 6.30pm – 10pm, children can have the time of their lives making new associates whereas mother and father can take pleasure in a while to themselves.

There may be additionally a supervised, separate youngsters’s dinner from 5 pm – 6.30 pm.

For the adults

A super tropical escape, Castaway Island is dotted with swaying palms, stress-free hammocks, pristine seashores, refreshing sea breezes, lovely calm clear waters and vibrant corals reefs ready so that you can discover.

The snorkelling right here is fabulous and there are a selection of actions on provide together with windsurfing, parasailing and banana boat rides in addition to an indulgent day spa.

Four. Shangri-La Yanuca Island Resort & Spa

Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa
  • Worth: $$$
  • Star Score: 5*
  • Island: Yanuca Island
  • High options: outside pool, health heart, youngsters’s playground, 9-hole golf course, a spa and wellness heart, children membership

One of many Coral Coast’s hottest household resorts in Fiji , the Shangri-La affords a beneficiant baby coverage with children Zero-16 years staying freed from cost with their mother and father.

As much as 2 children aged Zero-11 years additionally take pleasure in free meals when eating with a paying grownup.

There’s additionally a free children membership and babysitting can be obtainable for a charge for at least Three hours and pay by the hour thereafter.

For the youngsters

Open each day, the complimentary Little Chief’s Membership affords quite a lot of enjoyable and supervised each day actions for various age teams.

Youngsters aged Four-7 years, Eight-12 years and 13-17 years will take pleasure in an entertaining array of age-appropriate actions underneath the steering of the resort’s pleasant workers.

There may be additionally a devoted youngsters’s pool, children play areas and an onsite water park for all ages – Fiji household holidays simply sounded even higher!

There’s additionally a mini golf course and many water-sports they’ll take part on.

For the adults

The onsite day spa on the Shangri-La is Fiji’s largest and most luxurious.

With 2 rainforest household bures and Four ocean bures, you may chill out with a spread of massages, facials and physique therapies.

There’s an adults-only part, generally known as the reef Wing, which has an unique infinity pool.

It’s among the best Fiji resorts for golf lovers – there’s a 9-hole govt golf course designed by Australian champion Peter Thompson.

Get adventurous with a spread of actions or relax at one of many many onsite bars.

5. Outrigger Fiji Seashore Resort

kids playing on Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort
  • Worth: $$$
  • Star Score: 5*
  • Island: Viti Levu
  • High options: massive outside swimming pool, day spa, 7 eating places and bars, 24-hour health heart, golf coaching facility, complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear, 40 acres of tropical gardens, Fijian tradition actions

Probably the most cherished household resorts in Fiji, the Outrigger on the Coral Coast, boasts one of the crucial complete youngsters’s applications in Fiji.

Youngsters 12 and underneath keep free and the youngsters membership can be complimentary for youngsters Three-12 years.

There’s additionally a teenagers exercise program for older children and a Mei Mei nanny program for one-on-one care of your youngsters – really one thing for everybody.

For the youngsters

The Little Riggers and Seashore Riggers children golf equipment are free for youngsters Three-7 and Eight-12 years.

For a small charge, the teenager program affords all the pieces from hikes and spear-making to a scholar trade journey to a neighborhood highschool. There’s additionally a coral planting workshop the place they’ll find out about conservation efforts in Fiji and find out how to maintain the marine setting.

The distinctive nanny program contains an intro session to grasp your baby’s wants and a each day temporary in your baby’s actions for round AU$7 per hour.

There’s additionally an inflatable water park and playpark for youths to let off steam on.

For the adults

Set amongst 40 acres of unique gardens on the beachfront, the resort is styled after a standard Fijian village.

The massive freshwater swimming pool is likely one of the largest in the complete Pacific and the onsite Bebe Day Spa is known as one in all Fiji’s best.

Friends may also select to benefit from the VIP Talai butler service which incorporates each day champagne and canapes delivered to your door – positively one of many greatest resorts in Fiji.

6. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort

fijian woman and child on beach
Picture Credit score: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort
  • Worth: $$$
  • Star Score: Four.5*
  • Island: Savusavu Island
  • High options: 4 outside swimming pools together with a youngsters’s pool, personal seashore, bar, spa, fitness center, free breakfast, free return airport shuttle to Nadi Worldwide Airport, tennis courts

One other luxurious resort is Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji, which has a free airport shuttle and free breakfast, so that you solely have to pay for dinners and doing issues.

Friends can take pleasure in one of many villas which comes with a fan, personal lavatory, and a deck overlooking both the backyard or the ocean.

It has its personal personal seashore, with beachfront eating and free seashore cabanas for friends to make use of.

For the youngsters

The Bula Membership is a children golf equipment the place your little ones may be entertained and taken care of by a devoted nanny.

There may be additionally a trampoline and playground, and children can become involved in arts and crafts actions.

For the adults

Adults can take pleasure in time within the day spa the place they’ll take pleasure in physique therapies similar to massages, physique scrubs and manicures/pedicures.

The Jean-Michel Restaurant affords breakfast, lunch, and dinner with ocean views.

Get up every morning and participate in a yoga class on the well being membership or take pleasure in on-site buying.

7. Radisson Blu Resort

Radisson Blu Resort, pool Fiji Denarau Island
Picture Credit score: Radisson Blu Resort, Fiji Denarau Island
  • Worth: $$$
  • Star Score: 5*
  • Island: Denarau Island
  • High options: 18-hole golf course, 4 swimming swimming pools, six eating places, spa, beachfront, children membership, bar

Radisson Blu Resort Fiji on Denarau Island is a beachfront resort with its personal local weather managed lagoon model swimming swimming pools, gardens and 18 gap golf course.

Each room has a non-public balcony or courtyards, and suites include a full kitchen, separate lounge and eating space and laundry.

Relating to eating choices, there are 4 various eating places to select from, in addition to two specialty eating eating places.

For the youngsters

The Blu Bananas children membership affords a spread of actions for youths, and there’s additionally a children pool with a white water tunnel slide.

For the adults

If you wish to escape the youngsters, there may be one lagoon model swimming pool that’s adults solely.

The Concord Retreat Day Spa can be an awesome place to go for rejuvenation, or get energetic on the on-site health heart.

Eight. Vomo Island Resort