Ned Friary - Lonely Planet Discover Maui

This Is Maui

Admit it youre grinning already, even before you step on the plane. It starts with the idea of Mauithe anticipation. Maybe you can hear the twang of a steel guitar and feel the balmy breezes. But it's once you arrive that the real thrill begins.

The beaches themselves would be reason enough for all this excitement. Mauis entire west coast is fringed with golden sands, some backed by resorts, some full of beach towels and boogie boards, others as naked as the day they were born.

Maui boasts world-class conditions for anything that involves a wave. Yet each of its shores has a different temperament. You can ride monster breaks if youre a pro or learn to surf in gentle waves if youre not. Snorkel with sea turtles. Kayak with dolphins. Pin a sail to your board and fly with the wind.

Exploring on land is equally awesome. Strap on a pair of boots and hike the crunchy moonscape surface of the worlds largest dormant volcano. Twist your way along the jungly cliff-hugging Hana Hwy, soaking up waterfalls and swimming holes. Or take it airborne on an adrenaline-charged swoop down Hawaiis longest zipline.

Diversity is a big part of the allure. Mauis resorts are world-renowned. Out of the limelight but equally worthy are the cozy B&Bs, offering the opportunity to experience island life up close. As for the food scene, its proudly locavore from the fresh catch reeled in by Hana fishers to the grass-fed beef raised in Upcountry pastures. Foodies could spend their whole vacation touring farms and dining at chef-driven restaurants.

A harborful of sailboats offers more splashy fun. Take a sunset cruise, sail to a sunken volcano, see humpback whales eye to eye. And just in case your thirst for adventure or quietude is so great that not even Maui can slake it, a quick leap across the channel delivers you into the arms of Mauis smaller siblings, Lanai and Molokai.

Kaanapali Beach ()
ANN CECIL/LONLEY PLANET IMAGES

Mauis Top Experiences

Road to Hana

Ready for an adventure? Of all the heart-stoppingly dramatic drives in Hawaii, this is the Big Kahuna. A roller-coaster of a ride, the Hana Hwy ( ) winds down into jungly valleys and back up towering cliffs, curling around 600 twists and turns along the way. Some 54 one-lane bridges cross nearly as many waterfalls some of them eye-popping torrents and others so gentle they beg a dip. But the rides only half the thrill. Get out and swim in a Zen-like pool, stroll a ginger-scented trail and explore the wonders along the way.

JOHN ELK III/LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Haleakal National Park

Picture yourself huddled at predawn, blanket wrapped around you in the frozen air, surrounded by hundreds of people. Everything seems surreal and theres a sense that something unworldly is about to unfold. Then a soft, orange glow pierces the darkness on the summit. Rich tones of amber and ocher light up on the crater floor below ( ), inviting exploration.

DIANE COOK AND LEN JENSHEL/GETTY IMAGES

If one beach embodies the spirit of Maui, its this aptly named mile-long stretch of sand. ( )

This West Maui resort beach is action central. ( )

Theres no finer place for a sunset swim. ( )

A beautiful beach with calm waters year-round. ( )

Mauis finest black-sand beach. ( )

Hawaii author James Michener waxed lyrical over this unspoiled Hana beach. ( )

Snorkeling at Maluaka Beach

Don your mask and snorkel on the shores of stunning Maluaka Beach ( ) in Makena and start swimming in the direction of the tour boats. Before you get halfway youll likely spot a magnificent green sea turtle nibbling algae on the ocean floor. Welcome to Turtle Beach where the underwater scenery is nothing short of mesmerizing.

MONICA & MICHAEL SWEET/PHOTOLIBRARY