There is nothing like taking a vacation in Hawaii, especially on Maui. An endless amount of marine life, beautiful island sunsets, and more activities that you can complete during a short vacation await your adventurous spirit. You want to make the most of your time in Maui and spend as much of that time outdoors as you can. Take this opportunity to soak in some island sun by enjoying these five Maui outdoor activities, as recommended by luxury real estate professional Jeff Onderko.
Snorkeling and scuba diving
A large variety of marine wildlife makes Maui a popular destination for visiting snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts and owners of Lahaina homes alike. There are a number of beaches across Maui that offer snorkeling and scuba diving adventures.
Located 3-miles off of the coast of Maui, Molokini is a small island with coral reefs and more than 250 tropical fish species. Only accessible by tour, this Marine Life Conservation District and Bird Sanctuary is a must-see adventure for the early morning hours. The island rises 160 feet above the waters and stretches out over 16 acres.
If you want to check out an abundance of sea turtles while snorkeling, you don’t want to miss out on a trip to Turtle Town. Turtle Town is the second-longest continuous reef in Maui and even features a turtle cleaning station. Take your time while snorkeling and scuba diving by making small, smooth movements. Turtles have been known to approach adventurers. Just be sure not to touch or harm the turtles – they have been a federally protected species since 1978.
Whale watching cruise
If you’re in Maui during the winter months, you won’t want to miss your chance to see whales up close. Many whales swim down to Hawaii for warmer waters than their feeding grounds in Alaska. A whale-watching cruise is a perfect way to experience the excitement of seeing the whales while learning about them from captain and crew commentary. This is the perfect outdoor adventure in Maui, with plenty of opportunities to see marine life and take photos.
Save some extra time for parking, as the tour departs from a popular tourist destination and is surrounded by plenty of Lahaina real estate. While it can’t be guaranteed that you will see whales during the cruise, they do guarantee a free second trip if you don’t.
Helicopter tour
After getting the up-close views of marine life snorkeling and whale watching, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to see Maui from above. Helicopter tours have different durations and destinations depending on what you want to see in Maui. Some of the sights include dormant volcanoes, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, and coral reefs. You’ll even get a spectacular view that the locals miss out on – the opportunity to view beautiful Lahaina homes from above.
For the best unobstructed view from above, you can book a tour with the helicopter doors off. But don’t worry, if looking directly out of the helicopter to the sights below doesn’t sound appealing, there are plenty of door-on options.
Road to Hana driving tour
If you prefer a self-guided tour of the scenic route through Maui, you don’t want to miss the Road to Hana tour. This tour will lead you on a 64-mile journey down the coast of the island and includes stops at many can’t miss destinations. Some of the top stops include waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and hiking locations.
Historic Lahaina walking tour
After spending a day on a driving tour of the Maui coast, take a break with a walking tour of historic Lahaina. Once the capital of Hawaii, Lahaina is now a popular tourist destination. For more than 30 years, locals have worked hard to preserve the history of Lahaina. There are many different spots on the walking tour that will give you a taste of the bustling population center that Lahaina once was and give you a great look at some Lahaina homes. Here are just a few of the spots you will stop at on your walking tour.
Built in 1901, Pioneer Inn was Lahaina’s first hotel. In fact, it was the only hotel in Lahaina until the 1950s. The restored Pioneer Inn is one of the hotel options you can still choose today.
Malu Ulu Olele Park was once a sacred location to Hawaiians that included a pond that was home to a sacred spirit that took the form of a lizard. King Kamehameha I claimed this spot as his own after conquering Hawaii and lived there with his two sons. In 1918, the pond was drained to make room for a park in the name of progress.
In the early 1800s, sailors who refused to return to their boats at night were often arrested and taken to the old fort. In 1851, the Kingdom of Hawaii was informed that forcing prisoners to sleep on the ground was costing them a lot of money in health treatments. The government used the prisoners to build a prison from the coral block of the old fort. You can make a stop at the Old Lahaina Prison, though it is more of an event space today.
These are just three of the more than 20 locations that you will have the chance to visit during your historic Lahaina walking tour.
Looking for Lahaina real estate for sale?
While you’re in Maui, consider stepping off the beaten path and taking in the views of beautiful Lahaina homes. After taking in the tourist sites and catching a glimpse of local Lahaina real estate, you may just decide you can’t wait to own your own home here. When you’re ready to work with a passionate real estate agent who has lived in Maui for 20 years, reach out to luxury real estate professional Jeff Onderko to start the journey to purchasing your own home in Lahaina.
