Wandering Publicist

It is no secret that I love beaches; I am living in Hawaii! However, if you would have told me a year ago that I would live on a tropical island and NOT hit up the beach daily, I wouldn’t have believed you.  When you live 5 minutes from the beach, its allure dies down a bit. I still LOVE the beach and swimming in the ocean, but I also enjoy exploring the island by land. Below I have outlined some of my favorite non-beach, outdoor activities to do in Maui.  Let’s get started!

The Road to Hana is undoubtedly the most famous “attraction” in Maui. The Hana Highway, almost 65 miles long, includes an abundance of scenic stops and incredible waterfalls.  You can do this with a tour company, but I suggest driving yourself so you can spend as much, or as little time, at each stop. The ideal way to experience Hana is to stay overnight so you don’t have to rush and can continue exploring the next day as you make your way back.  There are many things to see along the route but here are my favorites as of now.

• Twin Falls – located at mile marker 2, about 25 minutes past the town of Paia, lies this gorgeous waterfall. You can either visit a series of falls that are just a few minutes from the parking lot, or you can hike for about 20 minutes to a waterfall that plunges over a cliff, which is what Tim and I did. The trail is really easy even though you will be greeted by a gate that says this part is for advanced hikers only. That is mainly because you will need to walk across a rushing stream, but it’s not hard. Just go slow with your footing and make sure the rocks aren’t slippery. Once you make it to the top you will be rewarded with this stunning scene.

• Bamboo Forest – located at mile marker 6.7, this hike is a bit more advanced and if it has been raining, will be very muddy. However, it is really cool to see all the bamboo. Don’t forget the bug spray!
• Waikamoi Falls – located at mile marker 10, this cute waterfall is just a short walk from the road. This fall is often cruised by without a glance from tourists, so it shouldn’t be super crowded. There is also a rope swing here.

• Lava Tube – you can blink and miss this cool lava tube located on the right side of the road right after mile marker 23.  There isn’t much to see inside, but it’s a cool experience to walk through it. Make sure you don’t bump your head getting in!
• Upper Frogs Fall – Right around the bend from the lava tube, there is a hike to a gorgeous waterfall. Our local friend showed it to us, and I have had a hard time finding it in any other guides. Once you find the lava tube, drive just around the bend and on the right side of the road, you will see a tiny parking lot with room for about 3 cars. Park there and then you will see a gate leading uphill. Go through that and start the hike. You will have to battle some bushes, but you are going in the right direction. After about 10 minutes you will start to hear the water.  You will need to cross over a narrow metal bridge, and after about 5 minutes you will reach this incredible, secluded waterfall.

The water is freezing, but it is worth a swim!

Haleakala is the volcano that forms most of Maui. Its peak is 10,000 feet! You can camp overnight and watch sunset and sunrise or you can just come for a day trip. Tim and I came up one morning to explore. I highly recommend arriving as early as possible to avoid the imminent clouds that roll in as the day goes on and covers up the stunning view.  From Kihei, the drive takes about an hour to get to the top. The drive through Upcountry Maui is gorgeous in and of itself.  You need to make a reservation if you plan on camping, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, it will cost  $25 per car, or $12 per person if you are brave enough to bike or hike up.

Iao Valley is a great activity to occupy your time for a few hours as you explore this gorgeous island.  Located just west of Wailuku, Iao Valley is home to one of Maui’s most recognizable landmarks, the towering 1,200 foot Iao Needle. This green-mantled rock overlooks the stream and only takes a 5-minute walk to get a better look.

After admiring the structure, Tim and I ventured off for some exploring along the stream. We hiked for a bit and came across this secluded area. Iao Valley is a fun, free activity to do in Maui.

Last but not least, golfing. As many of you know, I am a new golfer. Tim introduced me to it since he is an avid golfer and works part-time in the pro shop at our local golf course, Maui Nui. At first, I just rode in the cart with him and drank while he played, but then he encouraged me to start hitting some balls in the driving range. I did not expect it to be so hard! Now, I play about every other hole, mainly using a driver (my favorite club!) It is really exhilarating to hit a good shot! We love Maui Nui (I just started working part-time as the cart girl!) and play here often. Tim has played at a few other courses like Kapalua, but Maui Nui is definitely the cheapest and always a fun time.

So, there you have it, some great, non-beach activities to do in Maui. If you are planning a trip to Maui and have any questions, please send me a note.

XO,

Sarah