Maui Parks and Recreation

No discussion of places of interest across west Maui would be complete without mentioning Haleakala National Park. Covering 33,000 acres, the Haleakala National Park averages over 1.4million visitors per year and provides stunning insights into the geology that makes up the island of Maui. The most famous feature of the park is undoubtedly the Haleakala Crater, which is the summit of a now dormant volcano and spans over 6.99 miles in size.  The morning sunrise over the Haleakala Crater is truly something to behold. And for this reason, many visitors plan their trips around the early mornings and early evenings in order to capture that lasting image of the sun rising and falling behind the serene mountain landscape. A visit to the Haleakala National Park is recommended for the entire family. Although those without full mobility may find some of the walking trails a challenge, there are areas where driving is permitted to achieve that great vantage point overlooking the scenery.

There are several state parks located on Maui.  Poli Poli State Park provides amazing views from Upcountry, Makena State Park on the South Shore is home to Big Beach, Iao Valley State Park which is one of the wettest places in the world, and Ho'okipa State Park on the North Shore is surfing and windsurfing paradise.  Check out the full list at www.hawaiistateparks.org.

With Maui's diverse climates and terrain, there is no shortage of recreational activities.  Close the water is surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddling, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving and much more.  Maui has three harbors, Kihei, Maalaea, and Lahaina that offer sailing, fishing and snorkeling excursions. The unspoiled parks and recreational areas offer trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike. 

You can't mention Maui Recreation without talking about golf.  Maui offers several championship courses that are as challenging as they are beautiful.  Golf is big on Maui and there is a choice of courses for every skill level.