Maui For Thrill Seekers:
10 Adventure Activities on Maui
For some visitors, Maui is a luxe escape. For others, the island is a healing retreat. And for others still, it’s a place for heart-pumping Maui adventure activities.
If you identify with the latter – and the thought of relaxing by the pool for the duration of your vacation sounds like a miserable idea – then you’ve come to the right place.
From epic off-road ATV trips to deep sea scuba dives, here are ten activities adventure lovers can’t miss while on Maui.
1. Off-Road ATV Excursion
Hop in the driver’s seat for a rambling adventure up the slopes of the West Maui Mountains.
On this off-road ATV tour, you’ll speed along switchbacking trails through untouched forest and grassland to an elevation of 2,000 feet – where you can soak in rarely-seen panoramic views of Molokai, Lanai, and the West Maui coastline.
This speedy adventure comes with one catch: red dirt. The trails are made up of Maui’s famous red dirt – which has a way of sticking to you, whether dry and dusty or wet and muddy. Don’t come dressed in your Sunday best, and be prepared to get dirty.
Tours are open to ages seven and up. Drivers must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license.
2. Adventure Raft Whale Watch
Whale watches come in many forms – whether you’re aboard a tour boat or gazing at the ocean from the hotel balcony.
However, few whale watches are what one would consider an adventure— unless you go with Redline Rafting.
Ditch the crowded catamaran and opt for a small group rafting tour instead. Redline’s speedy 35-foot raft offers an exciting ocean ride (so exciting, in fact, that it’s not ideal for pregnant women or those with back problems).
Humpbacks are curious creatures and tend to be less intimidated by smaller vessels. While nothing is guaranteed, sometimes humpbacks will cruise right up to Redline’s boat. Plus, a naturalist is on board to detail any whale behaviors you might witness.
Before you go, check out these Maui whale watching tips!
3. Luxury Private Sailing Trip
Few things exude a sense of adventure more than being on the open seas with the sails at your back and the wind in your hair, en-route to a remote snorkeling spot.
And sure, you could hop on any old sailing tour and make this vision a reality. But when you book with Maui Custom Charters, this experience is served to you on a silver platter.
This locally-owned charter company offers a variety of private sailing and snorkeling tours. The crew is on hand to ensure you have an epic day, so if it’s an adventure you want, it’s an adventure you’ll get.
Whether you want to try your luck at fishing, learn to sail, or discover remote reefs, Maui Custom Charters offers a day to remember.
4. Go Scuba Diving
Leave the land-lubbers behind and explore the realm of the deep on a scuba diving adventure.
While Maui is usually touted as a snorkelers paradise, there are just as many diving opportunities – regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Kaanapali Beach is one of the most popular places for scuba diving on Maui. Easy beach access coupled with a thriving coral reef and variety of sea life make this an excellent place for divers of all skill levels.
5. Fly High On A Zipline
One of the most accessible thrills on Maui? Ziplines.
Ziplines are everywhere on Maui, from the east Maui jungles to the slopes of Haleakala to the foothills of the West Maui Mountains.
One of the most heart-stopping ziplines on the island is the Kapalua Zipline. This course soars over deep valleys and offers a whopping two miles of total zipping. Be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart.
Alternatively, Maui Zipline at the Maui Tropical Plantation is a bit more mellow than some of Maui’s other zipline offerings. Rather than zipping from valley to valley, you’ll zip at lower heights from wooden platforms. This is a great option for keiki, as this course was specifically designed with families in mind.
6. Snorkel at Molokini
Snorkeling is an exciting activity in itself. But what if you could snorkel inside a half-submerged ancient volcano?
Enter Molokini Crater, one of the most popular snorkeling destinations in Hawaii. Once an active volcanic caldera, Molokini is now a marine protected area with a thriving coral reef.
Molokini’s unparalleled setting is only half the allure. The islet boasts an incredible variety of marine life and remarkable visibility. You can often see 100 feet or more underwater.
Located two miles offshore, Molokini is only accessible by boat. There are a ton of tours to choose from, but one of the top is Kai Kanani Sailing. Kai Kanani is often the first boat to arrive at Molokini in the morning, and their service is exceptional.
7. Sunrise at Haleakala
If you’re up for a pre-dawn adventure, you can’t go wrong with watching the sunrise from Haleakala Summit. Dubbed the “house of the sun,” Haleakala rises to 10,023 feet and offers some of the most enchanting sunrise views in Hawaii – if not in the world. Mark Twain even called sunrise here the “sublimest spectacle” he had ever seen.
One problem. Reservations are required to access Haleakala Summit between 3 am and 7 am. And nearly every one of Maui’s three million annual visitors is chomping at the bit to watch a Haleakala sunrise.
In turn, reservations are incredibly hard to secure.
If you can’t get a reservation, your only alternative is to book a tour. Fortunately, there are some great options out there, like Haleakala EcoTours. In addition to being picked up and getting to the summit on time, you’ll get a comprehensive Haleakala van tour from a knowledgeable guide.
8. Explore the Road to Hana
The twisting and turning road to Hana is a nightmare to some and an adventure to many.
For those who choose to drive the entire 50-mile route, the road to Hana is an all-day affair. Along the way, there are a plethora of activities, including swimming in waterfall-fed ponds, exploring cavernous lava tubes, hiking through bamboo forests, and digging into the best banana bread on the planet.
Some people opt to drive themselves, but others choose to take a guided Road to Hana tour.
9. Go Horseback Riding
Horseback riding doesn’t often come to mind when one thinks of Maui. Yet the Valley Isle is home to a flourishing cowboy culture – with several sprawling, century-plus old ranches.
Visitors can tune in to Maui’s paniolo lifestyle during a morning trail ride at Circle M Ranch in Waihee. You’ll trot along red dirt trails in the West Maui Mountains while you soak in beautiful views of Maui’s windward shores – from Wailuku to Paia.
The route takes you through a scenic valley and down to a remote coastline before returning to the Circle M Ranch corral. Totaling two hours, this is a great activity for any adventurous traveler or a visitor looking to try something off the trodden tourist path.
10. Road Trip In A Classic Car
From the long, winding road to Hana to scenic Upcountry, Maui is home to several epic road trips.
Why not swap the rental sedan for something more sophisticated? A 1957 Porsche, perhaps?
Maui Roadsters has a fleet of professionally reproduced 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster convertibles available for rent. The Speedsters are manual transmission and in immaculate condition. Regardless of what Maui road trip you choose, you’ll cruise from the mountain to the sea in style.
