Maui locals will tell you that nothing is native to Maui. Fruit, trees, plants and more were brought in to thrive under the Maui sun including pineapples (not native!). There is lots to explore on this tropical island that is half desert and half rain forest. Stay in a Maui timeshare and explore the top 5 things to do in Maui, HI:
1. Go Hiking: Frolic in a rain forest, swim beneath waterfalls, cliff jump into the deep water, and along the way as you hike learn from a local guide how to identify various fruits that are edible from the ice cream pod to apple bananas and more. Plus get the scoop on all the non-native trees in the forest including the Cook Pine. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes as this is a rain forest so it rains a lot. Your knowledgeable guide (guide Kate knows the terrain well!) will supply you with a backpack, a rain poncho, and bottled water (and lunch). Choose from half day or full day excursions. Insider Tip: Put bug spray on before you go! Web: Hike Maui. Location: Intersection of Highways 350 & 380.
2. Go Tasting: Feed your five senses with a Hawaii Tasting Tour in Lahaina. Your local guide, Gigi, will take you on a culinary journey to several Lahaina restaurants where you will get to try the best of the best from local fish to the best Mai Tai on the island and even the best shave ice at Breakwall. Insider Tip: Come hungry, this tour offers quite the feast! And while you dine you learn about Maui’s history and your guide, Gigi, will snap photos of you along the way. Gigi will email the photos to you after the tour, a nice memento from an exquisite culinary journey. Web: Hawaii Tasting Tours. Location: Downtown, Lahaina, HI.
3. Go Snorkeling: Maui locals will tell you the best place to snorkel is Black Rock. Along the three mile stretch of white sand is an underground playground of sea life with easy in and out snorkel access right off the beach. Insider Tip: Public parking at Black Rock is located at ground level at the Sheraton Maui Resort. For those who like a more challenging snorkel experience head over to Honalua Bay and carefully navigate over the slippery rocks to the right where the coral is underwater. Be careful entering the water as the seashore is rimmed with sea urchins. Insider Tip: Don’t be alarmed by the murky water, visibility gets better as you near the coral. And keep an eye out for local sea turtle, Nugget. P.S. If you want to snorkel at Honalua Bay by boat hitch a ride with Terilani Sailing and snorkel right off the boat! Locations: Black Rock: 2606 Kaanapali Pkwy. Honalua Bay: Mile Marker: #32 (Honoapi’ilani Hwy aka Hwy 30).
4. Go Driving: Hop in your rental vehicle and visit the Nakalele Blowhole. Park out front and hike half a mile to the right down the ravine and then get your camera ready for the Nakalele Blowhole show! This is nature at its most powerful. Then hop back in your vehicle and venture down the hairpin turns of highway 340. This 13-mile stretch is narrow (drive slow!) and the sweeping views are jaw dropping. Insider Tip: Keep an eye out for Julia’s Best Banana Bread along the way. Web: Nakalele blowhole. Locations: Here’s a map.
5. Go Shopping: Lahaina offers a beach-inspired row of stores off the main drag including the best place to buy affordable Hawaiian gifts at the ABC Store. New to the area is Maui’s first ever outlet mall, which is set to open on November 21, 2013. The outlets will house 35 retail shops including Coach, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors and many more. Several new restaurants are at the outlets including Hard Rock Cafe and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse with others to come. Web: Maui Outlets. Location: Corner of Papalaua and Front Streets in Lahaina, HI.
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