Maui
Road to Hana - Maui, Hawaii
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Maui
Maui is a truly magical place and Hawaii's most popular island. Once a thriving whaling center, today it offers extraordinary vacation activities. Maui was voted the world's best island by readers of Conde Naste Traveler for eight years in a row. Maui is the number one destination for Hawaii honeymooners. The island has a rich culture, activities that appeal to both the adventurous and the laid back, an exceptional collection of accommodations and restaurants ranging from luxurious to affordable, and warm and friendly residents.
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Highlights
Choose from more than 15 golf courses, or snorkel at lovely Ulua Beach near Wailea. Scuba dive at Molokini, a submerged crater off the coast, or hike the easy trails in Iao Valley State Park. Explore Lahaina's whaling history on a walking tour of the town that is also the center of Maui's nightlife. Drive Upcountry and ride horseback on the slopes of Haleakala volcano, where ranches, farms, and small cowboy towns like Makawao, home to Hawaii's largest rodeo, offer a rural counterpoint to sand and saltwater.
Maui's beaches are legendary, including a black-sand strand at Waianapanapa State Park, and a swath of red sand at a hidden beach near Hana. You could choose Kapalua, with its calm, wind-protected waters, or the three miles of golden sand at Kaanapali. Then there's the Wailea combo - great sand, plus whale-watching and sunsets supreme. And Makena's rock-free Big Beach has long been a favorite local bodysurfing break, though it's not for water novices. On Maui, the best beach is the one nearest to you.
Geography/Environment
Maui features 120 miles of coastline and 42 miles of beaches. Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the stereotypical Hawai'i of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. There are no large cities or overcrowding, with even the larger communities referred to as 'towns.' The island is dominated by two volcanoes: Kahalawai with it's ancient extinct Pu'u Kukui (Candlenut Hill) which forms the West Maui Mountains, and the towering Haleakala (House of the Sun) of East Maui, the world's largest dormant volcano. The large fertile isthmus that connects the two together gave rise to the nickname of "The Valley Isle."
Activities
Ocean adventures including snorkeling, diving, cruises, parasailing, and surfing. Play golf at a world renowned course. Spend an afternoon at Pearl Harbor. Go on an eco-cultural excursion and attend luau.
Climate and Weather
Although Hawaii's busiest tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping cold winters back home. You don't find much nicer weather anywhere in the world. Near the coasts, which you almost always are, average highs are a pleasant 80ºF (27ºC), and the difference between summer and winter temperatures is only 10 degrees. The rainiest period is between December and March. It also matters on which side of the islands you are. In general, the driest, sunniest conditions and the calmest waters are on the southwestern side of the islands. The northeastern side of the islands receives decent rainfalls.
Other Important Information
Destination Wedding Information
Getting married in Hawaii is easy.
Maui Reviews
Maui's Kaanapali Beach remains a wonderful honeymoon and destination wedding site. Incredible views, a great long walking beach (or paved path up above beach), great caliber hotels, good bodysurfing, and the ever present "aloha" spirit of the...
Maui is a beautiful jewel in the Hawaiian Island chain. I'm sure you've read that before but I am here to tell you that it's absolutely true. I have helped plan weddings and honeymoons on this island and it's just beautiful. My area of expertise lies...
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