The typical family vacation involves 4-5 full days on island - if you have a "red eye" (overnight) flight home, that adds another day to your adventure - leave your suitcases with the front desk, and take the day to enjoy one last Maui No Ka Oi experience ! Here are some of our favorite family adventures.
Day 1:
Finding Nemo, Maui style:
Whether you choose the Atlantis Submarine underwater extravaganza, a trip to the Maui Ocean Center, or a day exploring tidepools (hint, there is a great tidepool in front of the Mana Kai Resort at the north end of Keawakapu Beach) there are many ways to get up close and personal with the varied sea life here in Hawaii !
For lunch, consider oceanside dining at MaLa in Lahaina, or a fresh fish taco at JAWZ in Kihei.
For dinner, try Mama's Fish House - they will tell you all about the fish on the menu, including who caught it that morning.
Day 2:
Soar through the air with the greatest of ease:
Two ways to get a birds eye view of Maui? Maui EcoAdventures Zipline tours - strap on a harness, clip yourself on to the line, and fly ! Or, for something just as extreme, but with a seatbelt, try a helicopter tour of Maui with Sunshine Helicopters. Fun for the whole family !
For lunch, Kula Lodge is located near the zipline, and can offer you more of that gorgeous view !
For dinner, sunset seating at Capische at the Diamond Resort in Wailea or Plantation House in Kapalua are two options for an incredible view with food to match.
Day 3:
A surfing safari:
A day at the beach here can mean more then just soaking up the sun - it is high energy and outrageous surf action at Hookipa Beach Park just outside of Paia. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day watching the pros take on the mighty North Shore waves - bonus: there is a protected area for the little ones to splash without the big waves to cramp their style. If you want to stay closer to your lodgings, you will find less intense surf (along with board rentals and fantastic surf lessons) in Kaanapali and Kihei.
For lunch, keep the sand between your toes, and try the Paia Fishmarket or Moana Cafe for food that will appeal to every beach bum on the North Shore. In Kihei, you can walk to either Surfside or 808 Deli. On the West Side, Gazebo is right on the beach and only open for breakfast and lunch.
For dinner, Longboards at the Marriott on Kaanapali Beach has sand, surf, and sunsets galore. Over on the South side, head to Lulus for a relaxed night of fun and sunset views.
Day 4:
Only in Maui:
The Hawaiian culture is rich with history, song, dance, and traditions. Find a local farmer's or crafter's market, to buy some souvenirs of your time here, and make sure to pick up a "hula girl" outfit of grass skirt, lei, and coconut bra for your next costume party ! One must-see activity here on Maui is a traditional luau. While many resorts offer luaus, there are a few that are heads and shoulders above the rest. See dinner suggestions below.
For lunch:Go local, and find a plate lunch. Embracing the many cultures that have made Maui their home, a plate lunch includes items with Asian, Polynesian, and American influences. Da Kitchen in Kahului and Kihei have big plates at not-so-big prices, and on the West Side, Aloha Mixed Plate has a world-wide following.
For dinner: Going to a hukilau - you won't have to pull in the nets, but you will learn a lot about the Hawaiian culture while enjoying a fabulous buffet - drinks included ! Personal favorites include the Old Lahaina Luau, and Honua'ula at the Wailea Beach Marriott.
Day 5:
Happy Trails to you:
Horseback riding is a fun way to explore Maui, and there are stables island wide - from Hana to Kahana. If you make the drive out to Hana, the horseback riding there takes you right along the oceans edge. The offerings on the West Side and Upcountry are more mountainous, with the coolest weather found up on Haleakala.
For lunch:Hit the BBQ at Fat Daddies in Kihei, or try the island's best kept secret - the ribs on Highway 30 in Waikapu - if you blink, you will miss it !
For dinner: The Sugarcane Train takes you along the Lahaina Coast, and you learn about the history of our island along the way - at the end of the line, a barbecue feast awaits you !
And with a belly full of food, a heart filled with joy, and a memory filled with island snapshots, you can head back to the mainland knowing that you have experienced just a small sample of all Maui has to offer. Aloha !
Vanessa Ghantous is a mom of two small children, and seven year resident of Maui. She works as a travel concierge for McCoy Custom Travel and Cruise, making wholesale travel reservations for clients worldwide. She can be reached at islandtravelgirl@live.com. Read her blog at www.islandtravelgirl.blogspot.com
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