Lubna If you enjoyed reading Part 1 of our Maui adventures, then read on to see what other memorable activities it has to offer!
Haleakala National Park
Where can you find the shortest distance from sea-level to 10,000 feet? Of course, at the Haleakala National Park. A short, windy drive takes you through wide-open vistas where you get ample glimpses of the ocean, all the way to the top of the volcano. The visitor center is right in front of the parking lot, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Tip: It does get very windy at the top, and the temperature falls quite a bit, so make sure that you pack light jackets. Many visitors choose to come early morning to see the spectacular sunrise over the ocean. You have to reserve a spot for this and pay a small, extra fee. It’s remarkable to be able to see the entire island north-south and east-west from the very top. You can even spot the pineapple farms and see the entire lay of the land. Additionally, the chain of islands that make up Hawaii, especially Big Island that neighbors Maui to the north, are also visible.
The National Park stretches from the ocean to the mountains. We decided to explore the Summit district. A short distance from the visitor center, you can park in another parking lot and do a mile long hike to a spectacular overlook. There are other longer hiking routes also. Make sure you come well-prepared for the hikes. For more information, visit their official site.
Whale watching and snorkeling:
Our first whale watching encounter was while eating lunch at The hula Grill at the Whalers Village in Kaanapali. The ocean was just an arm’s stretch away, and sitting under the tikki huts, sipping our guava juices, we suddenly spotted a whale breaching in the distance. What an experience! The real deal, however, was going on a dedicated whale watching tour. We used the Pacific Whale Foundation . I would highly recommend them because they are not your regular for-profit tours. They spend a huge amount on research, in education and conservation of the environment. Their guides are knowledgable and friendly.
Turtle Beach and Molokini
Our first stop was for snorkeling just off the Turtle Beach. This was our first time ever, and the thought of swimming in open waters was intimidating to say the least. Azfar and Taimoor are both good swimmers, but I can only float for so long before panic sets in. But, once I got used to the breathing with the snorkels, it was pretty smooth sailing. It is such a glorious sight to see giant sea-turtles brush past you, and the plethora of vibrant sea-creatures existing in harmony, is humbling to say the least. We were explicitly instructed to not touch any underwater sea creatures since it is such a fragile eco-system and even the seeping SPF from your body can cause an imbalance to the reefs. You can also snorkel here by accessing it from the beach, instead of coming by boat. For more info, look here.
Our second stop was at Molokini, where there was an even diverse array of sea life. The waters were crystal clear and you can see the sea-floor (which I tried not to do because it started freaking me out to think how deep I could actually sink!) Haaris had to return to the boat since his asthma started kicking in from the in-out breathing of the snorkels. Bad luck but at least he got to see some of the marvels under the sea! Tip: Invest in a cheap underwater camera. I truly regret not keeping one and have to rely on memory to revisit those beautiful sights!
Nature’s Escorts
I thought that the snorkeling was the limit. Little did I know that the best was yet to come. Tip: If you are within whale watching season, it’s a better idea to opt for a snorkeling cruise and chances are that you will get to see whales on the way to and from the snorkeling site. This is how we lucked out. On our way back, the guides simply stopped as they saw a mother whale and her calf approaching. Everyone held their breaths as the duo made their way directly under the boat, surfaced a few feet away, and breached. It felt like something out of a Hollywood movie, so well enacted and perfect timing! Nature never ceases to amaze. We learned that very close by was a male sperm whale that serving as the escort to this mother and calf as they made their way into open oceans. How chivalrous! Our whale watching adventures continued even after returning to shore. Often, we would sit at the shore waiting for the perfect sunset, and would catch glimpses of whales in the distance.
Road to Hana
I would dedicate a full day to this excursion. Hana is on the east side of Maui, and boasts a spectacular rainforest. Tip: If anyone accompanying you tends to get motion sickness, you need to be prepared with meds and frequent stops. The road is extremely windy for most of the drive, and there are numerous places where the switch-backs between oncoming traffic are tricky and dangerous. I would not recommend doing this drive after dark. We made a stop to see giant rainbow eucalyptus and hiked a bit. We also stopped at a few waterfalls where we saw locals diving and showing off cool tricks. We never made it all the way to Hana, mainly because the boys preferred swimming in one of the waterfalls rather than sitting in a car, and we had not come prepared for an overnight in Hana. So about halfway through we turned back.
Fauna and Flora
Observing the diverse fauna and flora was definitely a sight for sore eyes. It was lovely to see abundant Flame of the Forest trees, again one of those childhood memories since we had one in our front yard in Lahore that fell after a rainstorm, and that was the last we saw of it. The bright orange flecks of tree peeked through the dense green foliage. I have to admit, after a while the drive to Hana does start to feel long, but nature breaks the monotony with breathtaking glimpses of the ocean vista. If you are lucky, you might even see some sea lions basking. If you are a surfer, the east coast of Maui, definitely provides some amazing surf. Be careful of the riptides, though. The currents are strong and can easily take you under. The eastern coast is also rockier, which is why the western coast has most of the posh resorts and relaxing beaches. For more info on the drive to Hana, look here.
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens
We chanced upon this literally by accident. Located in central Maui, it was about a 20 minute drive from the airport. Since we had a few hours to spare before we had to check in at the airport, we decided to check it out. We had gone in search of the Iao Monument, but realized that that would take us much longer if we decided to stay and hike. These Heritage Gardens happened to be on the way to the Monument so we were intrigued to check it out. The landscape changes dramatically.
Check out our other adventures. Portland was particularly fun. Check it out!
