Day trips, beaches and snorkeling spots

All snorkeling, surfing, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), swimming, trips and everything else are done at your own risk.   Maui Dive Shop (next to Maui Brewing Company) and Snorkel Bobs rent snorkel, SUP, and surfing gear.  The dive shops can provide good information on this.  Wear protective shoes, watch the sun, and especially the surf and the rocks.  Always swim or snorkel with a buddy.

Although VERY RARE, there have been shark attacks in Hawaii.  Sharks are attracted to movement in murky water.  You are responsible for you own safety.  Please use common sense.  Always check surf conditions before you go into the water.

• Honoapiilani Beach Park; 100 parking spaces; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Grass; Shade on Beach; swim; snorkel; boardwalk; large sand beach; across from Times Supermarket; Dukes Bar and Grill.

• S- Turns or Pohaku Park; is a short 3-5 minute walk from the condo. Public Parking; Porta Potties; Shade Trees; Grassy areas; Picnic Tables and BBQ; Beach access; spear fishing (regulated); near Kahana.  This is our favorite close place to surf.  The break is a couple of 100 yards out, but it is a good beginner/intermediate surfing spot.

• Airport Beach; down to Times Market, right at the light two lights.  Right turn at Westin and go to public parking by the beach.  Beach, Shade, Snorkeling, Restrooms, BBQ’s, Gazebo,

• Boardwalk to Black Rock; public free parking.  Bring food with you or go get food.

• Honokowai Beach Park: 25 Public Parking; Farmer’s Market; Badass Coffee Café; Shade Trees; Picnic tables; Children’s swing and bars; play gym; BBQ; Restrooms; reefs; tide pools; protected childrens sand area; use reef shoes if swimming; shower; fishing

• DT Fleming Beach: Left off main Highway by Kapalua ; Lifeguard; full grass and tree park; plenty of public parking; restrooms; huge horseshoe beach for swimming and snorkeling; no road noise; best beach in the USA 2006; Shady lower parking lot; picnic tables; BBQ; Grass lawns and shade; Surfing.  Sunny side and shady side to beach. Very close to the Ritz Carlton.

• Napili Beach: Parking on street at Hale Napili; Napili village general Store; Snorkel Bobs; Beach has very little shade, but great place to stay the day, swim and snorkel (there’s one tree for shade!); there’s a restaurant for lunch, wonderful horseshoe beach.

• Black Rock Sheraton, snorkel and beach.  Go to the Sheraton, Kaanapali down by Whaler’s.  There are about 12-15 free public spots (first driveway) in underground parking at Sheraton if you get there early in the morning.  Otherwise, there is pay parking at Sheraton.  Also, you can park at Whaler’s if you buy something and get some free time at Whaler’s parking.  Hula Grill is located there.  Fantastic beach.  Also, great snorkeling at Black Rock at Sheraton.  Mornings are best.  Lots of shopping and food.

• Honolua Bay Preserve:Drive north past Kapalua and you’ll see at the curve to the left in the road cars parked.  Park and bring your towels and snorkel gear only!  Hike down the dirt road through the “primeval forest” to the beach (short hike).  This is a rock beach, not really good to stay all day, no restrooms, but the snorkeling is world class!  There’s a concrete pad to launch off of or to the left, shallow entry into the water.  Always swim or snorkel with a buddy.  Fantastic coral reefs and fish about 200 yards to the left and the right.  Some turtles live there.  Great spot for seeing all the fish.

• 14 mile or Thousand Peaks  Go down toward Lahaina and thru the town to the 14 mile marker.  You’ll see cars parked off to the right and kiawe trees.  There’s a great reef there and it’s usually clear.

• Kapalua Bay by Sea Horse and Napili Kai Park;  Beach access public; down stairs under tunnel walk down path.  Shade is sparse; Merriman’s restaurant (great food and views $$$); shower; swimming; snorkeling; ez waves for kids; bathrooms, good drinking fountain;

• Kapalua Coastal Trail Hiking;76 miles Mahana Ridge Trail; There are four bays in this area, kapalua Bay; Nanalo Bay; Oneloa bay; Honokahua Bay

• Oneloa Bay park on Kapalua coastal Trail; about 15 parking spaces, public access to Bay; shower; long path; coastal sand dunes; boardwalk; NO RESTROOMS; sparse shade; surfing; swimming; very private; tide pools.

• Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine preserves; No facilities; protected preserve;  Honolua side is best snorkeling on island. AMAZING and close!

There are many beaches on the Honoapiilani Road and all the way into Napili.  All the beaches are public.  Sometimes, it’s best to pack some food and drinks, go snorkeling in the morning, and then retire to one of the beaches for morning swim, lunch and a day at the beach.

And of course there are the big wave surf spots.  To watch pro surfers in action, head to Honolua Bay or Hookipa Beach near Lower Paia during the big waves of the winter months. East of Hookipa, you’ll find Maui’s most famous surf spot for big wave surfing: Peahi (also known as “Jaws”)

 

AHIHI SNORKEL/MAKENA BEACH/SHOPS AT WAILEA – THE SOUTH TRIP

In early morning, head through Lahaina Town around the Pali and right to Kihei.  Bear left to the Piilani Highway and go almost to the end, right turn down to Wailea.  Left turn through Wailea, past Makena Beach and all the way down to AHIHI Bay, a small bay on your right.  Pass the bay and park on the right.  Make sure the water is calm enough to snorkel; listen to the people who are there.  There is a concrete pad to enter the water.  There are also tide pools.  Wear reef shoes or some protection on the lava.  Dry off and you can go back to Makena or BIG BEACH on the left.  For lunch, try the shops at Wailea.  You can also go up to KIHEI to any of the Kamaole Beach parks or sugar beach.  Find a place with restrooms and parking.

 

WET SIDE OF THE ISLAND – Iao Valley needle – Paia – Haiku – Windsurfers – Makawao

Go thru Lahaina Town around the Pali straight toward the airport.  You can go to Wailuku and head up to the left to the Iao Needle and Iao Valley, a lush garden.  Great for picnics and there’s also a little restaurant up there.  Then head down back through Wailuku to Hana Highway and go to Paia, the Hippie town.  Lots of great shops and places to eat.  Also, gas.  Along that road, check out the beaches for the windsurfers who may be out in force at one of the public beaches.  You can head up towards Haleakala Crater to Haiku and Makawao (cowboy village) with restaurants, shops, art.  Stop at the Komoda Bakery in Makawao for a snack!  Get there early – they run out of donuts and close when they are all out!

HALEAKALA

Many people love to get up very early and go to the crater to watch the sun rise.  It’s a couple of hours to get there, and cold, so bring warm clothing.  Any time, it’s great to see the crater.  It’s beautiful and there are lots of guides there.  We have seen MANY Nene (Hawaiian Geese) up here.

ROAD TO HANA

The Front Door: Hana is a beautiful spot on the bottom (or top) of Maui.  It takes about 3 hours each way or more.  If the waterfalls are running (depending on time of year) it’s especially spectacular and there are rainforests.  However, you don’t have to go ALL THE WAY TO HANA.  There are several spectacular vista beaches and waterfronts as well as rainforest parks and waterfalls along the way. One of the most fabulous hikes is through the bamboo forest at Na’ili’ili-Haele Stream & Waterfalls.  Watch for flood conditions, this area can be VERY dangerous due to flash flooding.

The Back Door: We’ve also driven the back road to Hana.  This is a long trip and takes 5-6 hours.   Unbelievable views, lots to do and one of the best road trips we’ve ever done!  Head towards Haleakala crater towards Kula on the Piilani Highway. Great stuff to stop at on the way; The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, Tedeschi’s Ulupalakua Winery, and our favorite stop at Grandma’s Coffee Shop.  Keep going out the Piilani Highway and you’re going to run into Bully’s Burgers – you’re going to want to stop here!  If you are considering this trip, make sure to get fuel before you go.  There are no facilities on the way.  This is one of those “DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK” type of adventures.  You’ll talk about it for the rest of your life, but you’re going to wonder why more people don’t do this trip about half way to Hana.  You’ll understand if you go.

Kahekili Highway

Also known as State Highway 340 – it’s not really a highway, really just a one lane road that skirts the north side of West Maui.  You’ve heard about the road to Hana, this is much closer to our condo and if you have the time it’s worth the effort.  However, your rental car company probably doesn’t want their car on this road.   We have seen a lot of collisions on this road.  BE VERY CAREFUL!

Start from the condo and head towards Kapalua.  There is an awesome hike out to the Nakalele Blow Hole via the tidal pools along the way.  Kahakuloa Village (near mile marker 14 and 15) about 100 people live here in this picturesque town.  There are a couple of churches, and several roadside stands.  Make sure to get banana bread and passion fruit butter from one of these stands.

Hiking

There are some great hikes and things to see all over the island.  These are some of our favorite places to go.  Best of all they are FREE of charge but require some work to get to.  You should be able to find information about all of these hikes on the internet or check with some of the locals.  Our plumber turned us on to most of these places!  We have heard that there are guide services/tours that do some of these hikes too.

• Olawalu Petroglyphs –  There is an easy 1.2 mile hike  near the town of Olawalu (behind Leoda’s Pie shop).  The Olowalu Petroglyphs are a easily the most accessible on the island of Maui.  There are about 70 of them and they are estimated to be about 300 years old.  They are made up of geometric designs and human figures, and their meanings are still unknown. To begin the hike, find the open gate and sign that reads Olowalu Petroglyphs. The path is straight and level, ignore the side paths. You’ll cross an irrigation ditch and should be able to spot the metal railing on the hillside on your right. Make your way up to where it levels and find the petroglyphs to the left.

• Mahana Ridge Trail – This is going to seem strange, but to do this hike you have to make a reservation with the Kapalua Adventure Center (808-665-9110) located above the Ritz Carlton. They have a free shuttle and parking area that will take hikers up to the trail head at Maunalei Arboretum.  They will also give you a trail map.  It is a long hike – about 8 miles and the first mile is uphill – but after that the rest is downhill and the views along the way are amazing.   Follow the signs at the trail head for the Honolua Ridge Trail. You hike on this trail until you reach the Mahana Ridge Trail. This hike goes also goes through DT Fleming Beach.  Once you reach the beach, you will likely be muddy, sweaty and tired, but you still need to hike about a half mile back to the Adventure Center through the Ritz Carlton Resort to get back to your car – just remember that when people are looking at you like you just came out of the jungle.  Make sure to take a hat, sunscreen and lots of water for this hike.

• Kapalua Coastal Trail Hike – Start the hike at Napili Kai Beach Resort. Not a long hike, about two miles. It has beautiful views of the ocean, beaches and rocky coastline. You will wind your way through the black lava rock formations to a boardwalk, then through the middle of the Ritz Carlton Resort. Half way through this hike there is a beach with a bar – then you turn around and go back to where you started.  There is no shade so a hat, sunscreen and water are a must!

• The Maui Windmill Hike runs from a point near Maalaea Harbor over Kealaloloa ridge and down to a long, sandy beach at Ukumehame. Ranging in elevation from 100` to 1,600`   Can be difficult, hot and steep.   You gain approximately 1600 feet of elevation in 2.5 miles. The trail from either direction winds up steep rocky hills to the Kealaloloa Ridge. This is a feature you can easily spot from much of Maui because this is where the gigantic wind turbines for Kaheawa wind farm are found. The trail crosses directly through the middle of the wind farm. be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen. This trail is part of an historic around-the-island trail system on Maui that began life as part of King Pi’ilani’s “Ala Loa”, commonly referred to now as, ”The Kings Trail”.   It’s best to have two cars to do this hike – park one at Ukumehame and shuttle back to the trailhead.

• Makamakaole Stream Hike (13 Crossings) – This hike is difficult to find the start of the trailhead – but worth it. Go about 1.5 miles past mile maker 6 on Hwy 340 outside of Kahului.  You have to park your car on the side of the road – there is no parking area.  Look for a hole in a fence on the mountain side of the road just before the road takes a sharp bend.  Go through the hole and almost immediately begin your first stream crossing.    The HOA president at Kahana Reef (Gordon) took us here the first time.   It’s called 13 Crossings because you cross the Makamakaole stream 13 times before you reach a waterfall.   There are actually two sets of waterfalls.  The trail Y’s and if you go left you end at a waterfall.  If you go right you go to a waterfall that has a waterfall above it.   The waterfall above requires some climbing skills and is not for the faint of heart.  You also hike through a bamboo forest.  We have found guava and coffee trees along the trail.  The trail is shady and very pretty. It is not a long hike, maybe three miles round trip.  Not very steep but very wet, muddy and slippery – your feet will be getting wet.   Bring bug spray and water.

• Pipiwai Trail Hike – If you go to Hana you should consider this hike. It is part of the Haleakala National Park system but you go to Hana to get there.   You could go to Hana, the seven sacred Pools and Pipiwai all in one day.  The best part about this hike is the HUGE bamboo forest, Banyan trees and the overlooks on the bridges.  You’ll even get to pretend you’re a giant panda in an amazing bamboo forest.  The hike is about 4 miles and is easy to moderate. It is a muddy trail as you get higher in elevation. You will be hiking uphill through the forest for just a little while; it levels out after the first part. Make sure to check out the overlooks and side trails along the way.   Once past the bamboo forest you will reach the stream bed leading to Waimoku Falls. You will have to scramble over rocks to get to the waterfall.  Take care when you are at the waterfall.  Falling rocks have killed people here. You will see people standing under the waterfall but use your best judgment on that. You will need to bring bug spray, sunscreen, water shoes and a towel for this hike.  AMAZING!