Plan Your Trip
On the Land
Adventures here aren’t limited to the sea; there is a plethora of things to do on land. Maui’s hiking and horse trails traverse some of the most unique ecosystems on earth. And if knocking around a little white ball is your thing, would-be pros can stalk the very greens where the professionals play.
Ancient Hawaii's Extreme Sports
Never let it be said that ancient Hawaiians didn't know how to play. Every male ruler had to prove his prowess in sports – to demonstrate mana (spiritual essence) – and the greater the danger, the better. No contest topped the hōlua – an ancient sled just a little wider than a book, on which Hawaiians raced down mountains at speeds of up to 50mph. Not every sport was potentially deadly, though many involved gambling – like foot and canoe racing, wrestling and ʻulu maika (stone bowling). Annual makahiki harvest celebrations featured four months of feasting, hula dancing, religious ceremonies and sports competitions.
Golf
Surrounded by scenic ocean vistas and emerald mountain slopes, golfing just doesn’t get much better. The most prestigious of Maui’s courses is the Plantation course in Kapalua, which kicks off the year for the PGA tour. Only slightly less elite are the championship greens at Wailea and Kaʻanapali.
At the other end of the spectrum, you can enjoy a fun round at the friendly Waiehu Municipal Golf Course and at lesser-known country clubs elsewhere around the island.
A good resource, with course reviews, is Maui Golf (www.golf-maui.com).
Helicopter Tours
Helicopters go into amazing places that you otherwise might not experience. When you book, ask about seat guarantees, and let it be known you want a seat by a window, not a middle seat. On Maui, winds pick up by midday and carry clouds up the mountains with them. For the clearest skies and calmest ride, book a morning flight. There are four main tours:
West Maui tour (30 minutes) Takes in tropical rainforest, remote waterfalls and ʻIao Valley – this is Maui’s prettiest face.
East Maui tour (45 minutes) Spotlights Hana, Haleakalā Crater and ʻOheʻo Gulch. Keep in mind this is the rainiest side of Maui. The good news: waterfalls galore stream down the mountainsides if you hit clear weather after a rainstorm. The bad news: it can be socked in with clouds.
Circle Island tour (one hour) Combines the West and East Maui tours.
West Maui & Molokaʻi tour (one hour) Includes the drama of West Maui as well as a zip along the spectacular coastal cliffs of Molokaʻi. Definitely the Big Kahuna of knockout photo ops!
All operate out of the Kahului Heliport, at the southeast side of Kahului Airport. Discounts off the list prices are common; ask when you book or look for coupons online or in the free tourist magazines.
Horseback Riding
With its abundant ranchland and vibrant cowboy culture, Maui offers some of Hawaii’s best riding experiences. Choose a ride based on the landscape you’d like to see, since all are friendly, reputable outfitters. Most rides last a few hours and often include lunch or a snack. Many outfitters also offer sunset rides.
Makena Stables (
GOOGLE MAP
; 
%808-879-0244; www.makenastables.com; 8299 Makena Rd; 90min trail rides $155-175; 
h8am-6pm) takes riders along the volcanic slopes that overlook pristine La Perouse Bay, while Mendes Ranch offers rides along the cliffs of the Kahekili Hwy. Families will like the easy trips at Thompson Ranch (
GOOGLE MAP
; %808-878-1910; www.thompsonranchmaui.com; cnr Middle & Polipoli Rds; morning/sunset/picnic rides $150/175/200; htour 10am; 
c) in Keokea. Families with older kids and riders with a sense of adventure can explore lava fields in the volcanic Kaʻnaio region, with longer rides leading to a remote beach. You won’t see many other people! The folks at long-running Piʻiholo Ranch Stables are now offering a Cowboy for a Day experience, allowing guests to help round up cattle. Traditional horseback rides across its Upcountry ranch, with mountain and valley views, are also offered.
Spas
Hawaiian spa treatments may sound a bit whimsical, but they’re based on herbal traditions. Popular body wraps and ‘cocoons’ use seaweed to nourish; ginger, papaya and healing plants are applied as moisturizers. Other tropical treatments sound good enough to eat: coconut-milk baths and coffee-chocolate scrubs…mmm.
Most spas are in the large resort hotels, such as the Travaasa Hana, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa and the spa at Montage Kapalua Bay. You can enjoy a massage in an oceanside hale – a thatched hut – at the spa at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea. But if you prefer a more traditional setting away from the resorts, consider the Luana Spa, which offers treatments under a thatched hut in Hana.
Tennis
Singles? Doubles? Or perhaps a lesson? Take your pick at the world-class facilities at Wailea Tennis Club, Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch in Kaʻanapali and Kapalua Tennis Garden. At Kapalua, they'll match you with another player if you need an opponent. If you just want to knock a ball around, many hotels have tennis courts for their guests and the county maintains free tennis courts at many public parks.
Ziplining
Click in. Grab tight. Thumbs up. And whooooosh…you’re off. Quick as a flash, Maui’s ziplines let you soar freestyle on a series of cables over gulches, woods and waterfalls while strapped into a harness. The hardest part is stepping off the platform for the first zip – the rest is pure exhilaration!
The 3600ft-long line at the Flyin Hawaiian Zipline is impressing riders while the Piʻiholo Ranch Stables zipline in Makawao is winning rave reviews with its 2800ft final line. It also offers side-by-side ziplines, allowing you to swoop the course alongside up to three of your friends. First on the Maui scene was Skyline Eco-Adventures' Haleakalā tour, which often books out months in advance. The company has opened a second zipline in the hills above the Kaʻanapali Resort; this one is pricier but easier to book. In Kapalua, the Kapalua Ziplines course offers side-by-side zipping on dual lines as well as moonlight rides. If you have younger kids or are wary about ziplining, try the low-key Maui Zipline in Waikapu.
