#mauiactivities

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7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You've Probably Never Heard About

7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You’ve Never Heard About

All the guide books tell us about the most popular Maui activities such as the Road to Hana, Snorkel Tours, Whale Watching and Biking Down A Volcano but have you heard that you can be a Mermaid For A Day?  How about Rappelling down a Waterfall or Jungle Wall? 

Today we explore 7 Of The Best Maui Adventures You’ve Never Heard About.

  1. Rappel A Waterfall! 

Get your helmet on and be brave! Take a tour with Rappel Maui and see what it’s like to “walk down walls of water and rock on Maui, one of the most remote places on Earth, it’s an activity that engages all the senses.”

From their website;

About Rappel Maui Imagine the beauty, the wonder, the magic of Hawaii’s tropical rainforest and waterfalls. Now you can experience it all in the most intimate, thrilling way: Cruising down jungle canyon cliffs and natural waterfalls by way of rappelling. What is rappelling? It’s a practice used in the outdoor adventure sport of canyoneering to explore vertical terrain using fixed or anchored ropes and other equipment.

More info here: https://www.rappelmaui.com

                2. Make your own souvenir at Moana Glass Blowing.  Imagine making and taking home your own hand blown glass starfish, bowl, ornament or fish!  This is truly a great (5 Yelp Stars) and unique activity! 

More info here: https://www.blowglasshawaii.com/

  3. Paddle with a local canoe club.

Kihei Canoe Club offers a visitor paddling program which includes an introduction to Hawaiian Culture, instruction in outrigger canoe paddling, and discussion of the local sea life. Paddling sessions usually begin with E Ala E, a traditional chant to welcome the rising sun. This is followed by paddling instruction. Canoes launch about 8:00am and return approximately 9:00am. Depending on conditions, we may paddle to an outer reef to see large sea turtles, venture out to observe whales or head north toward Kealia Pond and Sugar Beach. After returning we end the program with a Mahalo chant to give thanks to the land, the sea and to Hawaiian deities such as na kupuna (ancestors) and na aumakua (family gods.) 

The visitor program is offered on Tuesday and Thursday year round, conditions permitting. Adults and children over the age of 9 are welcome to paddle with experienced club members in single or double hull outrigger canoes. We do not take reservations, so plan to be at the club early. Sign-in begins at 7:00am. This is a very popular activity and is strictly first-come, first-served. No previous experience required.

A tax deductible donation of $40 per adult is suggested and is used to support the various education and paddling programs the club offers.

More info here: http://www.kiheicanoeclub.com

  4. Be a Mermaid for a day. 

Mermaid tails are all the rage and for good reason- they are a fun and exciting way to explore the ocean! With Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, learn to swim like a mermaid while creating great memories on your Maui vacation.

Your swim instructors are certified lifeguards with years of experience. They will keep everyone safe while capturing great web-quality photos too. No extra charge!

We had a blast mermaidung with @travelchannel! . #Repost @travelchannel with @get_repost ・・・ Become the mermaid you always knew you were when you visit @hawaiimermaidadventures! 🧜‍♀️💦🧜‍♂️ #TravelChannel #ExploreYourWorld #MermaidLife #Maui

A post shared by Hawaii Mermaid (@hawaiimermaidadventures) on May 8, 2018 at 2:10pm PDT

More info here: https://hawaiimermaidadventures.com

  5. Track the stars on a Volcano Summit. “Guided Sunset & Stargazing Tours at Haleakala Summit. Join Maui Stargazing for a stunning sunset at Haleakala Summit followed by a science-based, 60 to 90-minute guided telescope tour of the cosmos. Observe the most deep-sky objects through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala. Stay warm in our winter jacket and snowboard pants in sizes from toddler to 4-XL. This Haleakala National Park astronomy tour spans five hours.”

“Start with a breathtaking sunset at the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s 10,000′ dormant volcano. Before darkness settles, we move to a family-friendly observing site for a fascinating laser-guided tour of the constellations and unparalleled views in the field setting. You’re treated to telescope views of the visible planets and deep-sky objects of the Milky Way, including nebulae, star clusters, and the galaxies beyond through a 12-inch aperture Dobsonian telescope! Maui Stargazing supplies all the necessary warm clothing to keep you comfortable throughout the stargazing session.”

More info here: https://www.mauistargazing.com

  6. Learn to play the Ukulele with Locals! Ever wanted to learn to play the Ukulele? It’s one of the top items in our Maui Bucket List. So why not take a free class with 808UkuJams?

We’ve covered this adventure in another blog post here, on Thursday evenings the Keolahou Hawaiian Congregational Church hosts 808Uke Jam, a wonderful class of ukulele enthusiast of all different levels hosted and taught by Jared Delos Santos.  It begins promptly at 7pm and ends at 9pm. This is open to those who love the ukulele and want to learn (or even if you just want to check it out).  Ukulele’s are available to rent – arrive early (give yourself at least 20 minutes to get a Ukulele, song book and music stand.)

Check out Google for some basic chords before arriving – it helps if you familiarize yourself a little.

More info here: http://808ukejams.com/

  7.  Learn about exotic fruits on a local Farm Tour.  Maui has numerous farms and many give tours. Here’s a list of Maui’s farms that showcase exotic and tropical fruits, nuts and vegetables that you might not ever find on the US Mainland.

O’o Farm’s Coffee tour – website link

Our Seed to Cup tour beings in the misting forest of Waipoli in Upcountry Maui where you will find O’o Farm. You’ll be greeted with french press coffee to start your day up on top of our farm. You will also discover with us as we take an inside look at the transformation from the fruit of a scraggly bush into the World’s second most sought after commodity. Participants connect with both agriculture history of coffee and the “seed to cup” process by strolling through our orchard and experiencing sight, sounds and smells a real roasting operation.

  Hana Gold’s Cacao Farm Tour – website link

Made in Hana, Maui – from branch to bar. Ideally situated on the Hana Coast of Maui, Hana Gold is one of Hawaii’s first cacao plantations. The unique climate and fertile volcanic soil of Hawaii gives Hana Gold Cacao a rich and complex flavor that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Call ahead and take our plantation tour! $25 per adult, kids 14 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tour Time Is 2pm.

  Ono Organic Exotic Tropical Fruit, Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Adventure – website link

Enjoy a fruit-filled “Garden of Eden.” Our Exotic Tropical Fruit Tasting Adventure includes samples of ten to twelve in-season fruits, our “ONO-licious” home grown coffee and home grown and roasted chocolate beans. Tours take place every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Same day reservations may be available if reserved prior to 12:30 p.m. HST.

  Maui’s Only Dragonfruit Farm – website link

We blogged about this Lahaina farm recently.

Guided Farm Tours – “Our family friendly guided walking farm tour takes about one hour. You begin with a fruit tasting in the bamboo gazebo where you will taste exotic fresh picked fruit as seasonally available. Our main dragon fruit season is July to November. Our main pineapple season is June to July. Dragon fruit, pineapple, banana, papaya, sugar cane, passion fruit and more all grow at the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm.

After the tasting, our knowledgeable guides will take you on a stroll. You will get a closer look at the plants producing this excellent fruit. See first hand how dragon fruit, pineapple, sugar cane and papaya are grown here in Hawaii and learn about the organic practices that help the fruit taste so delicious! Discover some of the plants the Hawaiian people brought with them when they first came to these islands. All this while enjoying breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains.”

  Punakea Palms Working Coconut farm tours -website link

Check out our blog post about Punakea Palms to read more. Coconut Farm Tasting Tour – With Aloha we welcome you to tour our farm. Experience the sights and tastes of a working coconut farm. Learn the usefulness of the coconut tree and discover how to extract its bounty. Participate in all the stages of coconut cultivation and consumption, all while basking in the natural beauty of our farm. Take home fresh, hand-made coconut products from a truly authentic experience. Pre-Booked Reservations Required

  Have a great, yet hardly known Maui activity or adventure? Let us know in the comments below so we can share with our readers! Mahalo!

  Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/of-the-best-rainy-day-activities-on-maui/

25 Of The Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

The Best Rainy Day Activities On Maui

You come to Maui for the ocean, beautiful scenery, fantastic restaurants, relaxing atmosphere, amazing activities and to have a relaxing vacation. You most likely don’t expect it to rain!  But sometimes it does!  During this 2018 winter season, Maui has seen an unusual amount of rain. That much rain can put a hitch in your ‘sunny beach time‘ giddyup!  Not to worry, we’ve put together the most extensive Best Rainy Day Activities on Maui guide to help you find something wonderful to do while it’s raining!

We chose to buy our condo on the ‘dry’ side of Maui. Kihei is considered the desert area and though we do get rain, it’s generally short-lived. Even still, this year we saw some torrential downpours and I actually bought an umbrella on Maui for the first time.

It’s hard to rely on the weather forecast because the weather can change in a matter of minutes. You just have to adopt a ‘live in the moment‘ attitude and Ho’o Nanea or go with the flow. 

Parts of Maui get rain every day, or nearly every day. The Hana side is the wettest side of the island and rain is expected over there. Maui is made up of hundreds of micro-climates and if it’s raining in one area, generally speaking one can find sunshine on another part of the island.

  Let’s take a look at all the activities and adventures you can take in when it rains on Maui.  These are, of course, listed in no particular order.

1. Head to a sunnier part of the island.  Well seasoned Maui travelers know that if it’s raining in Lahaina, come to Kihei – it’s probably sunny. If your plan was to lay on the beach and soak up some rays or snorkel and play in the ocean and Mother nature has other ideas, then have a look at some of Maui’s web cams to see if there’s a dryer spot you can lay your towel down and have a swim. (TIP– when you’re homesick for Maui, you can visit the webcams while you plan your next trip!)

2. Take in a Free Hula/Polynesian Show. There are several places that offer free live Island style entertainment, not just hula but other types of free things to do such as Ukulele lessons, crafts etc. Check out these places for free activities Shops At Wailea,  Lahaina Cannery Mall,  Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center (Kahului).

Photo by www.hawaii.com

  3. Shop Till You Drop.  There’s no shortage of shopping to be found on Maui and since we just mentioned three of the largest shopping malls on Maui, you might as well do a little shopping while you’re there. Look specifically for Maui Made products so that you’re supporting the local economy and artists. A few other places to take in some shopping is the open-air Kalama Shopping Market (Kihei), Kahana Gateway Shopping Center  (Lahaina) and Maui Mall (Kahului).

4. Island Art Party in Kihei.  Talk about a custom island souvenir! Get in touch with your inner artist. (From their website) Put on apron…Order a drink…have a seat…it’s time to paint and party! No experience necessary. Just follow along as a Partista ( Party Artist) provides step-by-step instructions in creating the featured painting. More info here.

  5. Take in a movie.  Maui has 3 movie theaters (one in Lahaina and two in Kahului) and one slated to open soon in Kihei.  If you’re like me, you never seem to find time to make it to the movies at home. If it’s raining, go take in a movie and most likely by the time the show is over the rain will have stopped.

6. Visit Maui Ocean Center. Come face-to-face with sharks, stingrays, turtles, and thousands of vibrant tropical fish at Maui Ocean Center – The Aquarium of Hawaii!  Read our post on visiting the Maui Ocean Center.

  7. Check out a live show.  Live entertainment can be a great way to ride out the rain storm.  One of my all time favorites is Ulalena, Ulalena is a world-renowned Hawaiian theater production dedicated to telling the story of Hawaii’s people. Burn’n Love the best Elvis show this side of Las Vegas! The Historic Iao Theater in Wailuku offers live plays and entertainment. If you dig magic, then go see Warren and Annabelle’s Magic Show.

  8. Get the royal treatment at a Spa. Who doesn’t love a massage?  Go ahead and pamper yourself, you’re on vacation. (TIP– Check groupon.com for a coupon)

  9. Try one of Maui’s Escape Rooms. What is an escape room you ask? An escape room is an interactive adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Great activities for families, friends, birthday parties, celebrations and even businesses because they rely on team building exercises. At the time of this posting, there are presently 5 different escape rooms to try on Maui.

10. GlowPutt Golf. The original Glow in the Dark Miniature Golf Course.  A staple in the Hawaii entertainment landscape for more than 10 years. Check it out.

  Maui is made up of hundreds of micro-climates and if it’s raining in one area, generally speaking one can find sunshine on another part of the island.

11. Wine Tasting and Winery Tour.  Head upcountry (drive safely) to Maui Wine and enjoy sipping some island made pineapple wine or try one of their sparkling wines!  We love Maui Winery and have posted about them before.  More info here.

12. Watch channel 7 – The Maui Visitor channel on TV.  If you’re the type that never can sit still, embrace the vacation mentality and why not just lay back and watch a little TV. The Maui Visitor Channel always has fantastic,  informative shows. Pour yourself your favorite beverage and kick back! It’s ok to be doing nothing, you’re on vacation!

13. Stay in, Play Games, Enjoy Family Time!  In our crazy-busy lives we don’t often stop to just enjoy family time. There are plenty of games in the TV cabinet so why not pull a few out and have some family play time.  You won’t regret it!

14. Read.  Along that note of staying in and just relaxing, why not pick up a book from our lending library (there’s one available at the lower pool), or from our condo selection of books (take one, leave one) and kick back and relax.  We have several guide books for you to read and you can spend the time planning your next Maui adventure.

15. Try your hand at Glassblowing!  Moana Glass in Lahaina. Wow, here’s a cool activity rain or shine. Check out the finest glass art and glassblowing experiences where you can blow your own glass pieces – now there’s a souvenir!  (TIP– Check groupon.com for a coupon, at the time of this posting there was a $50 off coupon)

16. Makai Glass. Speaking of glass blowing, if you’re upcountry doing one of the other rainy day activities, why not also try Makai Glass studio. They have a cool observation deck where you can watch the action take place below. 



17. Go Museum Hopping.  Maui has lovely museums and a rainy day is the perfect time to go explore them.  Here’s a list of Maui museums and historical houses. Another not listed at that link is the ‘Story of Hawaii‘ Museum located at the Queen Ka’ahumanu shopping center in Kahului. More info on the museum here.

18. Visit Maui’s historic towns. Head upcountry and do some exploring around Maui’s quaint and historic towns. Visit Paia, Makawao, Kula.  Bring your umbrella and don’t worry if you get a little wet. You’re in Maui – and if you’re lucky enough to be in Maui, you’re lucky enough!  These sweet towns offer wonderful opportunities for strolling, shopping, and dining.

It’s raining and the kids are driving you nuts! Get out there and find an adventure. There’s no shortage of things to do on Maui even when it rains!

19. Visit Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center.  If you’re upcountry doing #18 on our list, then you’re just around the corner from the Hui No’eau VAC. Check out their art exhibitions, do a guided tour or pick up a handmade one of a kind piece in their artist’s shop.  Stop in for a visit. More info here.

  20. Explore Front Street Lahaina.  Take your umbrella and head over to Lahaina to walk up and down Front Street.  Lahaina boasts many art galleries, restaurants, shops, museums and of course the Banyan Tree. You’ll find plenty to do even if you do get wet in the process. You won’t be sorry – Maui rains are like a warm shower.

21. Visit Dan’s Greenhouse.  If you’re in Lahaina, hey, why not hit up Dan’s Greenhouse for a live souvenir! Dan’s is located across from the south-east corner of Lahaina’s famous Banyan Tree and sells exotic plants. But the fun comes in the form of parrots and pigs! Dan’s specializes in exotic flora and fauna! More info here.

22. Take a submarine ride adventure. Lahaina is home to Atlantis submarine – if the weather isn’t too bad and just drizzly, then this might be a good option. Not so good if it’s storming.

  23. Try out a new cafe or restaurant.  Maui has no shortage of great cafes and restaurants and a rainy afternoon is a perfect time to venture out and eat. Here’s your chance to go visit a restaurant, either nearby or across the island that you’ve never tried before.

24. Go visit the penguins at the Hyatt Regency.  The Hyatt in Lahaina is host to half a dozen African black-footed penguins and they’re quite a site. Daily penguin feedings happen every morning at 9:30 am in the Penguin Habitat in the Atrium Lobby More info here. 

  25. Chase a Rainbow!  The saying goes ‘No rain, no rainbows’ so why not make the best of the rain and find a rainbow. Maui is know for it’s stellar rainbows and the pot of gold at the end IS the island of Maui!  Go out and chase!

Bonus Activities & Updates

We’re bringing you updates to the list as we find more fun stuff to do while you visit Maui – And.It.Rains!

Bonus #1 – Let the kids (big kids too) bounce off some of that energy at Ultimate Air Trampoline Park. An indoor trampoline bounce-o-rama! More info here.

Do you have a favorite rainy day activity for Maui? Leave us a message in the comments section below and let us know!

    Looking for more Maui vacation ideas? Lots of things to see and do,

come on over and visit our Local Maui Guide or Maui Events Calendar!