Find Secluded Waterfalls with Maui Hiking Safaris

Many visitors that come to Maui want to see the island from a path less traveled. Maui Hiking Safaris brings its guests to some of the Valley Isle's most incredible, remote locations. Your hiking guide will teach you about the local history, enchanting lore, and information on Maui's plants and animals, unique to the region you are exploring. Most tours will lead you to a secluded river or waterfall pool where guests are welcome to take a dip and enjoy the cool fresh water.

Six different hiking tours are available, ranging from easy half day treks to moderate and strenuous full day adventures. The Haleakala Waterfall Hike ($69 easy half-day, $120 moderate full-day) follows a stream through lush forests of fruit trees and brings into view the incredible sight of waterfalls ranging to 60 feet in height. The West Maui Waterfall Hike ($79 moderate half-day), near our beachfront Ka'anapali rentals, explores the mountainside from 700 to 1,200 feet, bringing guests to a 30 foot waterfall and its cool, freshwater pool. The Maui Rain Forest Hike ($79 moderate half-day) brings hikers deep into the windward side of the West Maui Mountains to observe the breathtaking sight of the volcanic canyon walls, thousands of feet above. The Maui Valley Hike ($79 moderate half-day, $159 strenuous full-day) wends through the West Maui Mountains and provides incredible views of waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. The Maui Mountain Hike ($99 moderate half-day) climbs up the windward side of the West Maui Mountains to a ridge that overlooks the 2,600 foot drop to Waihe'e Valley. Lastly, the Combination Maui Hike ($139 moderate to strenuous full-day) allows you to choose two hikes to embark upon for your own full-day hike. So as you can see, there are plenty of astonishing sights to take in. Keep in mind that a verbal description can't truly do justice to the real beauty you will find in these places.

Maui Hiking Safaris will provide waterproof day packs and rain parkas to all guests, as well as bottled water and snacks on half-day hikes, and picnic lunches for full-day hikes. It is recommended that hikers wear comfortable hiking boots or tennis shoes, shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits. Booking a hike requires at least two guests (with a four guest minimum on full-day hikes). To give every guest the best experience, each hike is limited to 8 guests, maximum. More guests will be considered if booking as a family or large, unified group. If you do decide to book a hike for your family or a large group, Maui Hiking Safaris will provide a discount.

This is a great way to get an intimate view of Maui on your vacation. If you'd like to contact Maui Hiking Safaris to book a hike, or find out which hike would be best for you, call (808) 573- 0168. If you need assistance with your Maui accommodations, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Coast Downhill with Haleakala Bike Company

Many Maui visitors travel across the globe specifically to experience our breathtaking upcountry roads. Haleakala's monumental slopes offer the perfect challenge for experienced uphill cyclists and a gorgeous environment for casual, downhill bikers. Maui is host to several fantastic microclimates that provide many dramatic, breathtaking changes in scenery along these routes. Cyclists love taking in the fresh air and watching Maui's landscape change from Hawaiian brush land, to eucalyptus forest, grassland and jungle.

If downhill biking is something you'd like to add to your Maui vacation itinerary, Haleakala Bike Company comes with scores of fantastic reviews and offers three different bike tour packages.

The Sunrise Special Bike Tour ($101.99 per guest) includes a van tour of Haleakala National Park, an incredible view of Haleakala's famous sunrise, and all the equipment and gear needed for a self guided bike ride down the mountain and back to the shop. If you'd like to take this tour, it's best to call in advance to find out exactly what time the sunrise will be.

The Summit Deluxe Bike Tour ($72.24 per guest) is a daytime version of the Sunrise Special, offering the same narrated van tour to Haleakala summit and downhill bike adventure. With either the Sunrise Special or the Summit Deluxe Bike Tours, Haleakala Bike Company will pick you up from your hotel for an additional $17. If you choose to be picked up, you must conclude your ride by returning to the shop by 11:00am.

The Haleakala Express tour ($59.49 per guest) offers the same bike start zone and gear as the other two tours, but excludes the guided van tour in Haleakala National Park. If you provided your own transportation to Haleakala Bike Company's store, you must return to the store to turn in your bike and gear by 4:00pm.

This company provides some excellent prices and allows you to explore your way down the mountain and back to their shop at your own pace. They also provide general mountain bike rentals and van tours to Haleakala for guests who would prefer not to ride a bike. Haleakala Bike Company is located in Haiku Market Place at 810 Haiku Road #120, Haiku. For the rates listed above, it's best to book your tour online at www.bikemaui.com. To make reservations by phone, call 1-888-922-2453. As for your Maui vacation rental reservations, we can provide you with a beautiful beachfront condo in Kaanapali. You'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page if you need our assistance. Mahalo!

Ocean Fishing with Maui Fun Charters

For many, fishing is a favorite activity that can be both relaxing and exciting. Here on Maui, our fishing trips take us out to the calm blue waters of the ocean where a wealth of incredible (and delicious) fish live below the surface. Maui Fun Charters offers an excellent 4-hour morning Bottom Fishing tour that is suitable for beginners and experienced fishermen and fisherwomen alike. This activity is kid friendly, so bring your keiki (child) along for a memorable fishing experience.

Maui Fun Charters' Morning Bottom Fishing Tour departs from slip 97, Ma'alaea Harbor, at 7:30am. The tour takes place aboard the Marjorie Ann, a 25 foot Farallon Cabin Cruiser with cutting-edge electronics, fully equipped for Maui Sport Fishing and Maui Bottom Fishing. The Marjorie Ann seats 6 guests so that every tour receives the best, personal service. Bait and tackle are provided on the trip, as well as drinks and snacks.

Guests get to keep their catch, and also have the option to catch and release. If you're staying at one of our Ka'anapali beachfront rentals and you'd like to bring it back for a fresh fish dinner, it's best to bring a cooler along in your car for the return drive. The crew of the Marjorie Ann are likely to have some excellent recipe ideas. If you'd like to keep your fish as a wall trophy, the crew will help coordinate a taxidermist or if you'd prefer to display your trophy fish as art, you may choose to have a fish print made. To see what the fish prints look like, visit www.mauifishprinting.com.

Since it is currently whale season until April, it's likely that your trip will include free whale watching as an added bonus. Dolphins may be seen all year round.

As a charter boat, the Marjorie Ann can be reserved for just about any activity you'd like to try: snorkeling, diving, whale watching, or perhaps just a sunset cruise. Whatever your needs, Maui Fun Charters is happy to accommodate, although you may need to book them in advance for special trips.

This excellent charter company is owned and run by a pair of Maui-born brothers, Captain Kelly and Captain Monroe Bryce, who between them, hold a massive amount of marine knowledge and fishing experience. The Captains are happy to share stories and educate guests about the ocean itself and can tell guests the common, scientific and Hawaiian names of every fish caught. If you are interested in booking a trip, visit www.mauifuncharters.com or call (808) 572-2345. We hope that this is an activity that you will enjoy! If you are still in need of Maui accommodations or a Maui car rental, we'd be happy to assist you. You'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Above Maui with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

If your Maui vacation needs a little something different to make it the trip of a lifetime, then we suggest getting above it all in a cutting-edge aircraft with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. From above, guests can see the lay of the land, and precisely how lava had once flowed to create our beloved island. Learn about Maui's fascinating history and geographical secrets from an experienced pilot and see Maui in a brand new light.

We only recommend the best to the guests of our Ka'anapali beachfront rentals, and in addition to their thousands of 5 star user reviews, National Geographic called Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, "Hawaii's premier helicopter tour company."

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers tours of the lush West Maui Mountains, a combination of West Maui and the neighboring island of Molokai, the breathtaking Hana rainforest coupled with majestic Haleakala, the complete island from one end to the other, and a breathtaking trip between Maui and the Big Island. Their special Maui Spectacular tour includes views of the entire island of Maui, with a brief landing in Ulupalakua for refreshments and the chance to sit down and soak up one of Maui's most incredible island views.

Pricing ranges between $148.50 to $495.00 per guest, depending on the tour and the helicopter you choose. There are two different aircraft to choose from: the A-Star and the Eco-Star. The model of the A-Star (AS350) is the most frequently used tour helicopter in the world and provides an excellent view from every comfortable seat. The Eco-Star (EC130) is slightly larger, with more space for each individual passenger. Both vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art systems and avionics, and are extremely safe. Both, the A-Star and the Eco-Star are fitted with internal and external cameras, and upon landing at the end of your tour, Blue Hawaiian will offer you the opportunity to purchase a one of a kind DVD of your unique adventure.

It's best to book your tour in advance, so that Blue Hawaiian Helicopters can help you choose the best day for flying. All flights depart from Kahului Airport. Reservations can be made by calling (808) 871-8844 or online at www.bluehawaiian.com. We hope you have a spectacular time, and remember, if you need any help with your West Maui vacation accommodations, we'd be happy to assist you. You'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Whale Watch Aboard a Trilogy Sailboat

It's whale watching season and many of the majestic humpbacks have been sighted along Maui's South and West coasts. Seeing these remarkable mammals up close is truly a priceless experience that we recommend to all guests staying at our Ka'anapali beachfront rentals.

Humpback whales make their annual 3,500 mile migratory trip from Alaska to the island-sheltered waters of Hawaii each year, generally sticking around between December and April. These playful whales love our warm winter waters as much as we do, and are known for their aerial acrobatics like breaching, fin and tail slapping. The singing of male humpback whales can carry for miles and if you're lucky, you may even hear it underwater.

Trilogy, a family established sailing company, offers special Whale Watching tours all season long. Guests will climb aboard one of several catamaran sailboats and embark out on the deep blue water for a 2 hour tour. Trilogy limits their capacity to between 35 and 40 guests per boat so that no tour is overcrowded and everyone has a clear view of the ocean and its beautiful residents. In addition to the captain and crew, every ship has a Naturalist who will charm and educate guests about humpback whales and Maui's waters.

Confident in their tours and attentive to the happiness of their guests, Trilogy guarantees whale sightings or your next whale watch tour is free. Trips with Trilogy depart from Ka'anapali, Lahaina and Ma'alaea Harbor. The first two locations are more convenient if you are staying at our West Maui vacation rentals. If you purchase your whale watching tickets online, you'll receive a discounted rate of $35.10 for adults, $29.25 for teens, and $19.50 for children. You can book your whale watching adventure online at: www.sailtrilogy.com. If you need assistance with your Maui accommodations, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!