Top things to do near Kahului Airport
Enjoy breathtaking views and powerful aromas from way above sea level
Sitting 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above sea level on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm is one Maui’s most revered cultural hotspots. The farm is home to 55,000 lavender plants, including 45 different varieties of the evergreen shrub.
Visit the Lavender Farm and enjoy a stroll through the intricate, beautiful, sweet-smelling gardens and enjoy picture-perfect views of the breathtaking Pacific Ocean, which stretches far out to the West Maui Mountain Range.
Go swimming among cascading waterfalls and natural plunge pools
The Seven Sacred Pools at Ohe'o sit inside a beautiful valley created over thousands of years by rainforest waters. Make a trip there and you will find idyllic waterfalls punctuating the stream as it winds its way through the valley and seven plunge pools that empty into the blue ocean along the ragged coastline.
This natural wonder is a popular destination, so be sure to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. Whether you want to go swimming and cliff-jumping or simply sunbathing amongst the area’s sheer, undiluted beauty, The Seven Sacred Pools offer you an experience to remember.
Learn about Hawaiian ocean ecology
As the only aquarium on the planet whose purpose is to display and preserve Hawaii’s unique marine life, Maui Ocean Center combines fun and education for the whole family.
As you walk along a guided path, you get to see Hawaiian hammerhead sharks and sea turtles up close. You also learn about the lives of whales and the important role that these marine animals play in local culture.
Take a helicopter tour over Maui
Many people experience the beautiful depths of Hawaii's oceans and learn about the local marine life from sea or land. However, there’s nothing quite like the aerial views of the rich, green rainforests, cascading waterfalls, winding valleys, craters, cliffs and rugged mountains that you can see for yourself on a helicopter tour over Maui.
They might not be cheap, but helicopter tours offer you an experience you’ll value forever. There are many local operators offering these tours; Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has received the best online reviews to date.
Surf, snorkel and sunbathe
Once a favorite royal resort, Kaanapali Beach is now one of the most popular stretches of coastline in Maui. Its glistening white sands stretch across three miles (4.8 kilometers) of coastline and the area offers plenty of places to surf, snorkel or sunbathe.
Every evening at sunset, the beach plays host to a diving ceremony on the cliffs of Black Rock. During the ritual, you see a diver lighting torches along the cliff. This whole event retells the story of King Kahekili, a royal renowned for his athletic prowess.
Take a bike ride down a volcano
Cruiser Phil's Volcano Riders offers you the rare chance to cycle your way down the Haleakala Volcano, which stands at 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) tall. As part of the tour, the operator picks you up at your hotel very early in the morning (around 2am) and takes you up to the summit of the volcano.
Before making your way down the volcano, you will get the chance to go to the visitor center to view the sunrise, which is truly a sight to behold at such a high elevation. As you cycle down, you get the uniquely fresh Hawaiian breeze blowing through your hair, which is an experience worth paying for in itself.
Go snorkeling
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or a first-timer, you’ll love Maui Snorkel Tours. With almost 100 per cent positive reviews online, this operator has over three decades of experience in providing tours for locals and visitors alike. During your tour, you will go under the crystal-clear blue waters for views of a wide array of tropical marine life, including parrotfish, Hawaiian sea turtles, 100 types of algae and 35 kinds of coral.
These tours are available for people of all ages, swimming abilities and skill levels, including those with disabilities, making them a fun and unforgettable experience for everyone.
Climb aboard the Tropical Express
You can visit the Maui Tropical Plantation to learn how pineapples and sugarcanes grow on the island. One of the most popular attractions at the plantation is the Tropical Express; you can climb aboard the tram for a tour of the plantation, in which you'll see a number of indigenous plants and fruit trees growing in their natural environment.
Family-friendly zip-line tours are also available. With zip-lines ranging from 300 feet (91.4 meters) to 900 feet (274.3 meters) in length, Maui Tropical Plantation offers the only available zip-line tour for the whole family to enjoy. In fact, it accommodates children as young as five years old.
The plantation is also home to a lovely restaurant, Mill House, which serves food taken directly from the farm on the property. The restaurant offers its famous Maui Chef's Table, a seven-course meal that the chef prepares right in front of you. Such a feast is the ideal way to follow a long walk or an adrenaline-filled day on the zip-line.
