Outdoorsy Activities on Our Own

Hi Guys,

I%26#39;ll be going to Maui w/ my sister (we%26#39;re both early-mid 20%26#39;s) during the Winter Holiday peak season, and we were wondering where we can do all the snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, swimming and lounging on our own? Our parents are joining us later, so we want to do as much of the outdoorsy stuff before they arrive.

I searched TA and found lots of tours, but not a lot of recommendations for rentals or things we can do on our own. (We%26#39;ll have a car rental).

Kayaking: We%26#39;re both paddlers, so we can probably deal w/ some strenuous kayaking (just nothing too strenuous that would leave us sore for the rest of the trip!). Where can we get rentals and what would be a great place to kayak along? I%26#39;ve read either West or South Maui.

Snorkeling: Kayak to snorkeling spots or beach snorkeling?

Hikes: Any ';must-see'; trails? We plan on going to the Haleakala Crater, but don%26#39;t know if we should hike it or bike it...

Beaches: Which are the best beaches (easily accessible, low or no parking fees) to just sit around and enjoy the sun and occasionally whale watch?

Whale Watching Tours: This one we%26#39;d probably need to join a tour, unless we can kayak up to the whales! (Is that safe?).

Anything else to do in Maui? Thanks!!

Outdoorsy Activities on Our Own

I can help with the hikes. Consider the Sliding Sands Trail inside Haleakala%26#39;s crater. Hike as far as you like, just be mindful of how far you have to climb back out. Wouldn%26#39;t try and do this hike and watch the sunrise the same day. Did that once and won%26#39;t dare try it again... too tired after shivering for an hour.

Pipiwai Trail just past Hana in Kipahulu (Oheo) is another must.

I also like Waikamoi on the Road to Hana and really like Waihee Ridge Trail in West Maui (near the Boy Scout camp).

If you haven%26#39;t already... pick up Trailblazer or Mile by Mile for Maui. Should help you with your hiking and/or sightseeing on the Road to Hana.

As for beaches... almost any beach near Ka%26#39;anapali is nice. Big Beach south of Kihei is also a nice stop.

Outdoorsy Activities on Our Own

For paddling, you have come to the right place ... check this out:

www.kiheicanoeclub.com/recreational.html

When it%26#39;s flast in the morning you can paddle from Big Beach in Makena out to Molokini Crater Reef.

For beaches, west and south maui are the places to go. South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena) tends to be better for beginner swimming and paddling (Maalaea Bay) while west Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Honokowai, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua, etc.) for boogie boarding and intermediate surfing. I%26#39;d give the edge to south Maui for snorkeling just because of the sheer number of great places, milder currents and consistency overall. West maui does also have its share of nice snorkeling spots (Black Rock, Honolua Bay, etc.) as well and should not to be missed either.

Best beach, big argument ... west or south ? I like Big Beach in Makena, Keawakapu in Wailea and the Kama%26#39;ole Beach Parks in Kihei.

All of these are in south Maui so there%26#39;s my bias.

I prefer the Pacific Whale Foundation for whale watching tours but you will most likely have the more fulfilling experience out there in a canoe ! No, you are not supposed to approach whales but during peak season, you won%26#39;t need to. Go on out there and you%26#39;ll soon see why ;)

kayak to molokini? can that possibly be safe???? it%26#39;d have to be a LONG paddle, %26amp; aren%26#39;t there some really wicked currents out there around the points?

also, there%26#39;s nowhere to put the kayaks up to snorkel.

I agree with the previous poster... those currents in the north east Alalakeiki Channel can%26#39;t be pretty. I wouldn%26#39;t kayak out to molokini for a million bucks. If you do that take a tour for sure.

Folks do it all of the time, usually setting out from Makena Landing. Your apprehension is well founded but for those with experience and in good health, it%26#39;s no biggie. About an 8 miler round trip. There are even a couple of outfits on island that offer this trip, complete with snorkeling for the stout-hearted ! Picking a good weather day is definitely key ;)

LOL, I guess one could also pick a bad weather day if they want to see the Big Island too.

I%26#39;ll admit I%26#39;m a noob on Kayaking. The wife and I almost gave it a shot on the Big Island this summer, but Kealakekua Bay was restricted to permit-only right before we got there.

That%26#39;s a looong way to kayak; though I%26#39;m sure one heck of an adventure. I think I would just put up the bucks for the tour myself.

well, more power to %26#39;em then! %26amp; ask them to send me a postcard from tahiti LOL

i%26#39;ll be honest...i am a fanatical snorkeler, but i%26#39;ve never even been in a kayak %26amp; as a 57 year old woman i%26#39;m not about to start now. but an old friend of mine%26#39;s stepdaughter was, for awhile, a kayak tour guide on the big island. she %26amp; a senior guide had a group out %26amp; they landed on a rock somewhere...when a big wave came up %26amp; washed them all into the water. she got sucked into an underwater cave, leg ripped to the bone....ended up spending 24 hours down there bleeding, hanging on to a rock to keep her head above water at high tide. her fellow guide had to get the ';customers'; back to safety before looking for her, since no one knew where she was. she was rescued the next day %26amp; lived to tell the tale, but YIKES!

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