Top Ten Maui Adventurous Activities

While many visitors to the islands want a laid back vacation spending time on the beach and enjoying resort amenities, there is certainly no shortage of fun for the more adventurous traveller! Having lived on Maui for so long, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing both first hand. Here are a few of my favorite things to do when the thrill seeker in me is seeking a little fun! Many of these are fine for any level of experience as well, so most people can join in the fun!

1 – Try Rappelling: Explore the most remote jungle areas of paradise with one of the newest tours on the island, Rappel Maui. After your guide does the driving to a 30 acre botanical garden along the Road to Hana, the pros will get you geared up for an exhilarating rappel down a 60 foot jungle wall, followed by a 50 foot and 30 foot waterfall! Once you reach the bottom, enjoy swimming in a freshwater waterfall pool. No experience is necessary, with step-by-step assistance from your professional canyoneering guides along the way. Visit Rappel Maui or call 808.445.6407.

2 – Maui Magic Beyond Molokini: This is not your average Maui snorkeling tour! While we cover some of the same places as other boats, the smaller power catamaran takes fewer passengers than most boats and offers all the amenities, including hot lunch grilled on board, open bar and water slide. This fun trip usually spends about an hour at Molokini Crater then zips off for another 1.5 hours of fun snorkeling with Hawaiian sea turtles, sightseeing up the coast of South Maui and looking for Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins! Call 808.879.8188 to book your tour with a discount!

3 – Scuba Diving: Celebrating over 38 years in business on Maui, you’ll experience Hawaiian diving at its best! With locations including the pristine Molokini Crater, dramatic shipwrecks off  Lanai, awe inspiring Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, the sunken schooner Carthaginian and Turtle Reef in the afternoons aboard our boats the 46′ Dominion and 46′ Dauntless. You’ll experience Hawaiian diving at its best at pristine Molokini Crater, dramatic Lanai, the awe inspiring Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, the sunken schooner Carthaginian and Turtle Reef in the afternoons aboard our boats the 46′ Dominion and 46′ Dauntless. Call 808.667.7496 now!

4 – Explore the Lava Fields: Much of the island’s best scenery is lush and green, but Maui’s lava fields are a source of almost otherworldly beauty. One of the best ways to do that is on horseback and the folks at Makena Stables have been at this for more than 30 years! Because they really love what they do, this shows in the care of the horses and the quality of your experience. Each person is matched to their horse by ability and offer help and lessons as needed by each rider, sharing our insight into the animals that you will be getting to know. Give them a call at 808.879.0244.

5 – Surfing and SUP: From Surf and SUP lessons to kayak and ocean canoe tours, the folks at Hawaiian Paddle Sports provide authentic sustainable eco-tours that empower our guests to discover a deeper appreciation of and connection to Hawaii’s marine environment.provide authentic sustainable eco-tours that empower our guests to discover a deeper appreciation of and connection to Hawaii’s marine environment. Give them a call at 808.442.6436.

6 – Sport Fishing: With a number of options from basic fishing charters on shared boats to high end private charters, there is certainly no shortage of sportfishing from Maui! The folks at Start Me Up offer both private and shared boats and are probably the most budget friendly to be found. Whether you’re a novice or experienced sportfishing enthusiast, you’ll discover that deep sea fishing off Maui Hawaii is unlike any other sportfishing experience you’ve ever had.
Nothing exemplifies the Hawaiian lifestyle like a day on the water. Call 808.667.2774 for info.

7 – Parasailing: Experience floating on air as a custom Parasail vessel pulls you along the Lahaina and Kaanapali coastline. You can choose from two different flights (800 and the 1,200 feet) and even two different locations! The distance off the water is approximately 38 stories for the 800 and 50 stories off the water for the 1,200 to give you breathtaking views of Maui and neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai. Join us at either Lahaina Harbor Slip #15 and Kaanapali Beach just north of Whalers Village or call 808.661.4060 to make reservations.

8 – Hiking: While there are many hiking trails on all islands, going with a guide is always a good idea if unfamiliar with the geography and waterfall patterns. Experience authentic Maui as our experienced guides lead you into lush Rainforests, jump off stunning waterfalls, hike into the silence of Haleakala Volcano, venture through the splendor and romance of the Hana Highway. Hike Maui has been exploring the island of Maui with our guests for over 30 years. Call 808.879.5270 to set up your adventure today!

9 – Go Camping: Camping on Maui can be a lot of fun and won’t break the bank; however, it is a very good idea to get advice from a local expert so you make sure you are in safe and comfortable surroundings with the correct equipment! At Camp Maui you and your family are sure to have a great, safe and fun adventure that will help lessen the impact that humans have on nature and the remarkable impact that it has on us. Contact them at (808) 344-7931 for details!

10 – Horseback Riding: From the moment you arrive on the Mendes Ranch, the feeling of ohana (family) is abundant and the views are astounding. A family owned and operated business, the original Mendes traveled to the island of Maui from the Azores Island, Portugal in 1886. The breathtaking trail ride across an actual working ranch will be a journey that we will never be forgotten! Give them a call at 808.871.5222 to arrange your ride!