Maui’s top outdoor adventures

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This was published 8 years ago

Maui’s top outdoor adventures

By Krisanne Fordham
Updated
Maui's western coast is easily the world's most beautiful backdrop for a SUP session.

Maui's western coast is easily the world's most beautiful backdrop for a SUP session. Credit: iStock

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When it comes to relaxation, Maui's got you covered: it's home to 200 km of pristine coastline and some of the world's best beachfront bars. But if you're after a little more action than just lounging in a hammock with a cocktail in hand, the island's got plenty to offer you, too. From sunrise bike rides down a volcanic crater to exploring Maui's spectacular ocean reefs, we've rounded up the best outdoor activities on the island.

Stand-up paddle boarding in West Maui

Stand-up paddle boarding might be a global craze, but Maui's western coast is easily the world's most beautiful backdrop for a SUP session. Beginners should opt for a guided SUP tour along the Olowalu marine reserve, enjoying picturesque views of the majestic West Maui Mountains and the islands of Kaho'olawe and Lana'i, while more experienced SUPers can head out to deeper waters to paddle amongst the whales (December through April only). If whale watching's what your after, it's advisable to go with a certified SUP guide from Maui Stand Up Paddleboarding—they know the best spots for up-close sightings and will even take GoPro footage of you while you're out on the water.

Bike down Haleakala Crater at sunrise

You'll need to wake up at 3am in order to catch the sunrise from the summit of Maui's most famous volcano—which rises 10,023 feet above sea level—and then bike down. But it's worth the effort: you're rewarded with otherworldly views you won't find anywhere else in Hawaii. The scenic, 27-mile bike ride down to the bottom of Haleakala will take about 1.5 hours without stopping, and though it's not excessively steep, it should be tackled by experienced riders only. Commercial bike tours on Haleakala have been prohibited since 2007, so you'll have to rent your own mountain bikes and sign up for a self-guided tour (Maui Sunriders and the Haleakala Bike Company have a great fleet of bikes and offer excellent guidance).

Outrigger canoeing

The long, banana-shaped Hawaiian outrigger canoes were historically used as fishing vessels, but now, they're used mainly for recreational activities. Most guided canoe tours are equal parts adventurous and educational—an integral part of the outrigger experience is learning Hawaiian history through song, poetry, and chanting. The experience can be as relaxed or as high-impact as you like: you can sign up for an easy glide along the coast, or an exhilarating canoe-surfing experience, where you can actually surf waves. Operators like Hawaiian Outrigger Experience, based in Wailea Beach, allow you to jump off for a refreshing swim in the ocean (keep an eye out for turtles).

Surfing

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It's no secret that Maui's home to some of the world's best surfing, and not just for pros, either—there are surf beaches around the island for every skill level. First-time surfers should stick to the milder swells in Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei, while more experienced surfers can head out to Ho'okipa, Waiehu and La Perouse for a little more action (make sure to be respectful of local surfers). If you're looking for serious waves, though, you can't beat Peahi, also known as "Jaws," the most notorious surf spot in Maui and home to the Red Bull Surf Contest and regular 50 foot-high waves. Don't want to travel with surf gear? No worries: you'll find rental shops like Island Surfboard Rentals at all the island's main beaches, with rentals from as little as $20 a day.

Hiking

Maui may be a water sports playground, but some of the best outdoor adventures on the island are actually found back on land. The 11-kilometre Keonehe'ehe'e-Halemau'u Trail across Haleakala offers surreal views across the crater's ruggedly lunar landscape, while the shorter Waihee Ridge Trail is flanked by lush rainforests and clocks in at an easy five kilometers, round-trip. If you're hiking with kids, the 'Iao Valley State Park offers short, scenic trails that lead to swimming holes, waterfalls and picnic areas.

Snorkelling on Molokoni

There are more snorkel tours to the Molokini Crater than any other spot in Maui, and it's no wonder: the crystal-clear waters surrounding the half-submerged volcanic cinder cone are some of the most richly biodiverse snorkel spots on the island. You can swim amongst around 300 species of reef fish, many of which are endemic to Hawaii, and can even spot manta rays, dolphins, and hawksbill sea turtles. Best of all, Molokini is a convenient 15-minute sail from Makena Beach, making it perfect for a quick snorkel session that won't take the whole day to get to.

Zip-lining through the West Maui Mountains

It doesn't really get more adrenaline-pumping than "flying" across the gulches of the West Maui Mountains at lightning speed, suspended 1,400 feet above sea level. It also doesn't get much more beautiful: you're flanked by lush rainforest canyons, pineapple fields and distant views of the Maui coastline as you hurtle towards the horizon. Kapalua Ziplines boasts one of the longest ziplines in the United States, offering nearly two miles of parallel zipping (so you and a partner can glide alongside one another).

Scuba diving at The Cathedrals

Maui has some of the most spectacular underwater ecosystems in the world, and while snorkeling gives you a glimpse of it, you can only truly appreciate it when you're 40 feet underwater. The Cathedrals is Maui's premier diving destination, named after the soaring lava chambers and pinnacles that protrude from the ocean floor (cut-outs in the rock resemble stained-glass windows when the sunlight beams through). Here, you'll see an incredible amount of marine life, from butterfly fish to spinner dolphins and sometimes even white tip reef sharks. But be warned: with an average depth of 70 feet, this dive site is strictly for experienced divers only. (Beginners are best off diving at Molokini Crater or Wailea Point).

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