A Great Location for Water Sports
With unsurpassed natural beauty, over 30 miles of pristine ocean coastline, and fresh ocean air, Maui offers an incredible variety of active lifestyle choices. Most beaches and parks are easy access for swimming, snorkeling, scuba-diving, paddle-boarding and walks on soft, sandy beaches. Many beaches are easy to walk into for swimming or snorkeling in shallow or deeper waters to explore rocky areas and see the variety of sea life that live here. Colorful yellow tang’s, rainbow butterfly fish, and trumpet fish are among the many tropical fish seen in Maui’s coastal waters. Night-time scuba dives are best at certain times to observe mana rays in Maui’s ocean waters. When surf’s up, and conditions are right, water enthusiasts take to the ocean to surf, boogie-board, wind-surf and kite surf these beautiful waters. Beginning surfers learn here when ocean swells are gentler, and Maui ocean conditions bring waves for all levels of surfers, including the world-famous big waves at Jaws. Year-round trade winds are perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Even if you’re not a windsurfer, Ho’okipa on Maui’s North Shore is a spectacular place to watch!
Maui’s Honu (turtles) are a protected species, so just remember to stay a short distance away from them, and don’t touch – they’re amazing!
Ocean Activities and Whale Watching
There are 2 main boat harbors on Maui: Ma’alaea and Lahaina, plus a few smaller boat harbors and entry ramps on island. Deep water fishing, sailing and seasonal whale watching are a few boating options here. Humpback whales come here every winter season from December through April to birth their calves and replenish in Maui’s warm waters. Whether on a small craft or a larger one, whales are also a protected species here in Hawai’i, and keeping a safe distance is important. If you’re out on a kayak or boat, enjoy the rare experience if a whale swims up to you! Bottle nose dolphin also swim around Maui and are often seen alongside whale boats or sometimes when you’re swimming along Maui’s South Shore coast. Mahi mahi and Ahi both swim in these waters and are a special catch for fishermen. No worries if boat ownership is not on your bucket list, there are plenty of rental and tour operated boats available on island. Not interested in getting on a boat? You’ll be able to see whales spouting, tail-slapping and breaching from Maui’s South, West and North facing beaches during the season. Ocean paddling on outrigger canoes is a long-standing island tradition in the Hawaiian Islands and Maui is home to several canoe clubs. As the Hawaiian islands are located further away from any other land mass in the world, outrigger clubs teach traditional Hawaiian values of Wa’a (respect) and Ohana (family), and also participate in paddling competitions in Hawaii state.
Golf, Pickleball and Tennis Anyone?
Brad playing at the Wailea Blue Golf Course
With temperature ranges from 65 to 88 degrees, Maui has a perfect climate for outdoor activities including tennis, pickle ball, volleyball and golf throughout the year. Golfers have 14 courses to choose from, located in Central Maui, Upcountry, and on the North, South and West facing shores. Each have varying degrees of difficulty and incredible views from The West Maui Mountains to panoramic ocean views. The Plantation Course in Kapalua hosts the PGA tour during the winter season in early January. The Wailea Golf Club has 3 beautiful courses: Gold, Emerald and Blue courses located in the Wailea Resort, with memorable views. There are both private and public tennis court options to choose from the South Shore to the West Side. As pickleball grows in popularity, so do court locations on Maui: from Kihei and Wailea, to Upcountry and Lahaina.
Brad & Tyler: MacArthur Team Maui pickleball team plays doubles at Wailea Ekahi
World-class Hiking – Catch a jaw-dropping sunrise at Haleakala National Park
Maui is celebrated as one of the most beautiful locations in the world to hike. Haleakala National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails with a range of unique landscapes from Alpine Desert Hikes for the seasoned hiker, to the Pipiwai Trail in Kipahula district with it’s striking bamboo groves. Being aware of the 30 to 65 degree temperature ranges in Haleakala Crater, high-elevation preparations are necessary to see these incredible views. Camping and cabin options are available, weather permitting, with reservations made in advance. Watching the sunrise above the clouds from Haleakala is truly spectacular. There are so many easy day hiking options from Hana oceanside trials to South Maui’s Makena and forest hikes Upcountry, each rich with natural beauty and the unique floral and fauna of Hawaii. Inland waterfall hikes on the North Shore and Haiku areas are amazing, and some have pools to enjoy a swim. There are so many hiking options on Maui, and the Sierra Club schedules group hikes often along historic trails throughout the year.
Best Beach Walks Ever….Yes, the water really is turquoise blue on sunny days!
Maui is famous for extraordinary colorful sunrises and sunsets that fill the sky with saturated colors that beach walkers enjoy ‘year round. Once the sun rises, beach walkers can see the outer islands of Molokini, Lanai and even The Big Island. Clear blue skies reflect the shades of turquoise to deep blue ocean waters Maui is known for. Getting your daily steps in is easy walking these pristine beaches surrounded by fresh ocean air. Gorgeous long soft sandy beaches from Makena and Keawakapu on the South Shores to Kaanapali beach on the West facing shore are just one of the reasons we say “Maui No Ka Oi.” (Maui is the best!)
“If you’d like to learn more about exploring Maui, please give us a call anytime. We’re ‘Kama’aiana’, born and raised here, and happy to ‘talk story’ and share more about Maui’s active lifestyles!” – Brad & Tyler