This island is the second largest in the Hawaiian archipelago. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Maui has a population of 117,644 inhabitants. It is known for its beautiful and diverse beaches and a crater that surfaces from the ocean and is home to a large variety of marine life. Maui has all the features that make it an amazing destination, its beautiful landscapes can be observed while traveling one of the most iconic roads in the world. The turns, tunnels and waterfalls that embellish the Hana Highway and surround the island, are something to behold.
Lahaina is the capital of Maui, formerly the capital of the entire archipelago and until 1845 it was the most famous whaling port in the Pacific. Now, the port can be visited and the historic district is filled with renovated buildings, museums and more.
The island of Maui is also a perfect place to practice aquatic sports like surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkeling. On top of that, golf is a big deal as well and the many cultural outings and terrific restaurants make Maui the perfect place to relax and vacation.
Multi-colored beaches.
Maui’s beaches are quite diverse when it comes to marine vegetation, sea life and colorful sands in white, green and black. Waianapanapa State Park is home to one of the black sand beaches while Kapalua beach has golden sand and Kaihalulu displays sands of a reddish variety. This phenomenon occurs due to volcanic eruptions that mix small lava particles with sand and because of the rapid cooling of the lava by the ocean water, while green sand occurs because of volcanic crystals and minerals that are separated by erosion. The colorful beaches are a marvel seldom seen anywhere else in the world. The strategic location of the volcanic activity of Hawaii is responsible for these wonderful sights.
Places to visit in Maui
Haleakala
This is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful natural parks. It extends all the way from the south coast to the east and it sits at 3,055 meters above sea level. The park is a huge volcano covered in lush vegetation that provides visitors with the most amazing sights. The tip of Haleakala Crater is the tallest spot in all of Maui, sitting at 10,023 feet above sea level. Visiting the top is one of the most amazing experiences you can live in Maui, getting the chance to witness all the botanical diversity and the post-card quality landscapes of all colors and sunsets to die for. Excursions and walking trails in Haleakala are activities mainly geared towards tourist. You can find all information about routes, prices and tours, available in one of the three visitor centers located at the entrance to the park. The national park has an area of over 30,000 acres full of diverse sights like tall green forests, waterfalls and desert among others.
Image courtesy of dronepicr at Flickr.com
Kaanapali Beach
Is this beach, you may engage in all kinds of aquatic sports like snorkeling, submarine rides, scuba and others. The main appeal of this beach is the chance to actually see humpback whales passing by. This place is quite important due to being so large and different from the rest of Maui’s beaches. The beautiful white sand and the crystal clear water make this beach one of the most beautiful places to see in all of Hawaii.
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery
A modern and innovative idea was born at this farm when a family had the idea of combining organic sugar cane with mineral-rich seawater in order to create vodka. The place is located on the western hills close to the Haleakala volcano. The place is perfect for lovers of fine spirits and those interested in tasting this exotic type of vodka. Here you will find a dedicated guide that will give you all the information about the distillery and how their extraction processes have evolved over the years: and of course, a chance to try their famous drink.
Lahaina City.
Lahania is the most important city in the island and used to be one of the most important harbors in the whole archipelago back when it was Hawaii’s capital. The town has a population of 10,000 inhabitants and thanks to the tourism and agriculture; Lahaina has thrived and became a popular destination for travelers.
One of the main attractions people can find here, is a historic trail that goes through the whole city. The path is full of information posted on helpful signs that talk about the history of Lahaina from its beginning in the kingdom of Hawaii and before the land was even known for its harbor.
For more information about beautiful islands, visit our Royal Holiday Cruises blog.
