Lakes, Rivers, Canals & Beaches

If you're looking for a knowledgeable tour company with plenty of island spirit, contact this one. See the sun rise over Haleakala or take a half-day to tour Kahakuloa Valley. The Hana tour is a smart way to avoid driving the terrifying Hana Highway. The package includes continental breakfast and lunch. It hits all the major stops on the Hana Highway, including a black sand beach, lava flows, Upcountry Maui and more. Tours are offered daily. Call for more information.

Hana Highway may sound fairly non-threatening - after all, it is only 55 miles long - but once you've driven the road, you understand exactly how long 55 miles can be. As one of Maui's major attractions, tourists from around the globe make the wild and wooly drive daily, but most people miss the majority of the attractions. For that reason, it's wise to purchase the guided-tour tapes or CDs, available through this company for USD20. Some of the highlights of the drive include hidden pools and waterfalls, hiking trails, exotic fauna and Waianapanapa State Park, with its amazing black sand beach.

The first sight of Ho'okipa is likely to make a visitor pull the car over and stare. From the vantage point of the highway or the parking lot, one can appreciate the spectacle: a seemingly endless expanse of deep blue water, white rock and crashing waves. This beach has been called the windsurfing capital of the world and is popular with daredevil surfers as well. However, it is not recommended that you swim here. The surf is as perilous as it is beautiful, and sharp coral reefs lurk below the waves.

Whether you prefer a morning snorkel excursion to Molokini or a Maui sunset by sea, this tour operator can accommodate you. It runs a whole fleet of large luxury cruisers: the Island Princess, Maui Princess, Lahaina Princess and Molokai Princess. It offers a variety of cruise options, including whale watches and an inter-island cruise to Moloka'i. Trips depart daily from Lahaina Harbor. All equipment is provided, as well as sodas and snacks. Call for more information or reservations.

Along with Wailea, this is the resort hotspot of the island. Ka'anapali is Maui's equivalent of Waikiki Beach, although it comes nowhere close to being that big or busy. The entire beach is open to the public. Access is available through resort grounds, as are public restrooms and showers. Plenty of shops and restaurants are located right along the strip. The sands are warm and gold; the water is clear and flat. A major Ka'anapali landmark is Black Rock. Once known as soul's leap, this rock is still a popular jumping point for locals and particularly brave visitors.

Kaihalulu Beach is popularly known as the "red sand beach" and this unique feature makes it quite a hit among travelers and locals alike. Its challenging location amidst steep hills and winding roads attracts the adventurous hearts and the free spirits. The view here is exceptionally breathtaking.

The "Kams," as they are known, span about a mile along the coast of South Kihei. On sunny days, the Kams fill up with adults, kids and entire groups of all ages. Frisbees sail, stereos blast, and tiny children splash in the equally tiny waves. The small waves create an easy spot to launch from for ocean kayaking fun. While these beaches are often disparaged as being too crowded or too dirty, they are head and shoulders above any mainland beach. The grass is green, the sand is soft and the sun is seemingly always out.

Located behind the Mana Kai Maui Hotel on the border of Wailea and Kihei, this beach is small but still fairly popular. It offers spectacular sunning and great facilities. Beach parking is available. The half-grass, half-sand beach is less than a minute's distance from the parking lot. As far as swimming goes, this is a good place to get refreshed, but not particularly good for water sports. There's a great deal of lava rock just below the surface, and although the waves tend to be small, getting knocked against the rock is still a danger.

The French explorer La Perouse discovered this historical landmark after Haleakala's last eruption in 1788. The eruption had recently destroyed the settlement of Keoneoio. Parts of the village remain intact today, and a strip of lava running through the bay has changed the shoreline permanently. The lava rock and desolate surroundings make for an eerie atmosphere. The bay is at the end of Makena Alanui. The terrain is really only appropriate for a four-wheel drive, and the beach is made up mostly of lava rock. It offers prime scuba and snorkel conditions, and can be a good surf spot as well, but it is not a great spot for picnics or suntanning.

Located on the west side of Maui just outside of Lahaina Town, this beach is great for families, sunbathers, laid-back vacationers and anyone else who's longing to relax. Visitors can park their blankets on grass or sand, according to preference. The waves near the shore are gentle; snorkeling is good in the mornings. Much further out you can often see some surfers. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues and restrooms. Note: As with all Hawaiian beaches, conditions are changeable. Always use caution when entering the water.

With its seemingly endless expanse of golden sand beach and perfect bodysurfing waves, this beach is a must-see. Big Beach is the number one spot for sunbathing and swimming. Little Beach, a five-minute hike up and over rocks, is a world-famous nude beach. It also has the best boogie-boarding and bodysurfing on the island; hence the large numbers of young local boys dispersed amongst the nudists. Always watch the weather reports and posted signs. Makena can get rough, and the shallow break makes it easy to get bumped around in the waves.

The beauty of vacationing on Maui is that your trip can be as cushy or as rugged as you want it to be. Companies like this one appeal to the adventure seeker. The concept is simple: Join a group of up to seven people to tour the back roads of the island. Several different tours are available, including a Haleakala hiking tour, a fishing tour, a Hana tour and a camping tour. Tour costs are inclusive of equipment and meals. Call pricing for information.

One of the most magical natural wonders in the world, this destination is also known as The Seven Sacred Pools. It is located about three hours along the twisting Hana Highway, past tiny Hana town, sits a one-lane bridge. Oheo Gulch is made up of many waterfalls and pools, one leading into the other. Conditions allowing, it can be a fantastic place to swim. The pools are of varying sizes and elevations, and lead straight out to the ocean. Note: Do not swim in the pool nearest the ocean. Admission is free.

This is an excellent beach for families. It is located just a mile down from South Kihei Road. Mornings here offer ideal snorkeling conditions, while afternoons are good for sunning and evenings feature gorgeous Maui sunsets. The beach itself is fairly small and tends to be crowded. However, it offers excellent facilities and easy access to a midday snack. As with many Maui beaches, be careful what you leave locked in your car; break-ins are common after dark.