After a few days of just relaxing on the beach, the itch to explore the rest of Maui sets in: What's on top of Haleakala, looming in the distance? Is the road to Hana really the tropical jungle everyone raves about? What does the inside of a 19th-century whaling boat look like?
There is far more to the Valley Isle than just sun, sand, and surf. Get out and see for yourself the otherworldly interior of a 10,000-foot volcanic crater, watch endangered sea turtles make their way to nesting sites in a wildlife sanctuary, wander back in time to the days when whalers and missionaries fought for the soul of Lahaina, and feel the energy of a thundering waterfall cascade into a serene mountain pool.
By Air, Land & Sea: Guided Island Adventures
The adventures below aren't cheap. However, each one offers such a wonderful opportunity to see Maui from a unique perspective that, depending on your interests, you might make one of them the highlight of your trip -- it'll be worth every penny.
Flying High; Helicopter Rides -- Only a helicopter can bring you face-to-face with remote sites like Maui's little-known Wall of Tears, near the summit of Puu Kukui in the West Maui Mountains. You'll glide through canyons etched with 1,000-foot waterfalls and over dense rainforests; you'll climb to 10,000 feet, high enough to glimpse the summit of Haleakala, and fly by the dramatic vistas at Molokai.
The first chopper pilots in Hawaii were good ol' boys on their way back from Vietnam -- hard-flying, hard-drinking cowboys who cared more about the ride than the scenery. But not anymore. Today's pilots, like the ones at Blue Hawaiian , are an interesting hybrid: part Hawaiian historian, part DJ, part tour guide, and part amusement-ride operator. As you soar through the clouds, you'll learn about the island's flora, fauna, history, and culture.
Among the many helicopter-tour operators on Maui, the best is Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, at Kahului Airport (tel. 800/745-BLUE or 808/871-8844; www.bluehawaiian.com), which not only takes you on the ride of your life but also entertains, educates, and leaves you with an experience you'll never forget. Blue Hawaiian also is the only helicopter company in the state to have the latest, high-tech, environmentally friendly (and quiet) Eco-Star helicopter, specially designed for air-tour operators. Flights vary from 30 to 100 minutes and range from $159 to $323. A keepsake DVD of your flight is available for $25.
Going Under: Submarine Rides -- Plunge 100 feet under the sea in a state-of-the-art, high-tech submarine and meet swarms of vibrant tropical fish up close and personal as they flutter through the deep blue waters off Lahaina. Atlantis Submarines, 658 Front St., Lahaina (tel. 800/548-6262 or 808/667-7816; www.goatlantis.com), offers five trips per day out of Lahaina Harbor between 9am and 2pm. Trips cost $84 for adults and $42 for children under 12 (children must be at least 3 ft. tall). Book on their website and save 10%. The whole trip takes almost 2 hours; you'll spend about 45 minutes underwater. This is not a good choice if you're claustrophobic.
Eco-tours -- Venture into the lush West Maui Mountains with an experienced guide on one of the numerous hikes offered by Maui Eco-Adventures (tel. 877/661-7720 or 808/661-7720; www.ecomaui.com). After a continental breakfast you'll hike by streams and waterfalls, through native trees and plants, and on to breathtaking vistas. The tour includes a stop for a picnic lunch, a swim in secluded pools, and memorable photo ops. The 6-hour excursion costs $145 per person, including meals, a fanny pack with bottled water, and rain gear if necessary. No children under 13 are allowed. (There's also a shorter, less strenuous jaunt for $80.)
About 1,500 years ago the verdant Kahakuloa Valley was a thriving Hawaiian village. Today only a few hundred people live in this secluded hamlet, but old Hawaii still lives on here. Explore the valley with Ekahi Tours (tel. 888/292-2422 or 808/877-9775; www.ekahi.com). Your guide, a Kahakuloa resident and a Hawaiiana expert, walks you through a taro farm, explains the mystical legends of the valley, and provides you with a peek into ancient Hawaii. The 7 1/2-hour Kahakuloa Valley Tour is $80 for adults, $60 for children under 12; snacks, beverages, and hotel pickup are included.
