Moon Maui: Outdoor Adventures, Local Tips, Best Beaches

by Greg Archer

Overview

Endless stretches of golden sand, legendary surf, and epic outdoor experiences: Discover the spirit of aloha with Moon Maui. Inside you'll find:

• Flexible itineraries, from your best day in each region to a week-long Maui adventure, with coverage of neighboring islands Moloka'i and Lana'i
• Strategic advice for backpackers, beach-lovers, adventurers, honeymooners, families, wellness-seekers, and more
• Outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, and scuba-diving, plus the best beaches for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling
• Top activities and unique experiences: Drive the famous 30-mile Road to Hana or bike through misty hidden valleys. Hike through thick bamboo forests to thundering waterfalls or to the top of a dormant volcano. Snorkel with giant green sea turtles, learn how to catch the perfect wave, or embark on a whale-watching tour. Soak up the electric energy of Front Street in Lahaina, unwind at a luxurious spa, or relax on the sand and watch the sunset with a mai tai in hand
• The best local flavors: Chow down on fresh fish tacos from a food truck, savor Polynesian cuisine, or try handcrafted pineapple vodka at a local distillery
• Expert insight from Maui local Greg Archer on how to experience the island like an insider, support local and sustainable businesses, avoid crowds, and respectfully engage with the culture
• Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Background information on Maui's landscape, wildlife, history, festivals, and cultural customs
• Handy tools including a Hawaiian phrasebook, packing suggestions, health and safety information, and travel tips for travelers with disabilities, LGBTQ travelers, travelers of color, and families with kids

With Moon's practical tips and local know-how, you can experience the best of Maui.

 
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640496712
Publisher:	Avalon Publishing
Publication date:	11/22/2022
Series:	Travel Guide
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Greg Archer is a freelance writer who has lived on Maui since 2015. He's had the privilege of getting to know his adopted home inside and out; he loves that in just a 20- or 30-minute drive, he can go from a small-town hub to a lush rainforest or the top of a dormant volcano overlooking the entire island. On any given day, you can find him enjoying the island's kaleidoscope of adventures, from kayaking and snorkeling to ziplining and paddle boarding, or seeking out the next best sunset view. The way he sees it, there's something unmistakably magical in the air, the water, the land, and (perhaps especially) the people that trickles down to every experience on the island.

He has written about Maui in a number of media outlets, including the Huffington Post and Jetset Extra, and was an editor for luxury travel magazines such as GuestLife Monterey Bay and Canada South Magazine. His travel writing can be found in AAA's Via Magazine and DRIFT, among others.

Table of Contents

Discover Maui 6

11 Top Experiences 8

Planning Your Trip 16

Best of Maui 19

Best Beaches 21

Best Snorkeling and Diving 23

Best Surfing 25

Best Hikes 26

Best Historical and Cultural Sites 29

Best family Outings 31

Lahaina and West Maui 33

Sights 37

Beaches 48

Snorkeling 53

Scuba Diving 64

Surfing 68

Stand-Up Paddling 72

Kayaking and Canoeing 74

Other Water Activities 75

Hiking and Biking 81

Adventure Sports 85

Golf 85

Spas 87

Shopping 88

Entertainment 90

Food 94

Getting There and Around 102

Central Maui 105

Sights 109

Beaches 118

Surfing 119

Hiking and Biking 121

Horseback Riding and Bird-Watching 125

Adventure Sports 126

Golf 128

Shopping 129

Entertainment 130

Food 132

Getting There and Around 136

Kihei and South Maui 137

Sights 141

Beaches 146

Snorkeling 154

Scuba Diving 164

Surfing 168

Stand-Up Paddling 171

Kayaking and Canoeing 172

Fishing 173

Hiking and Biking 173

Golf 176

Spas 177

Horseback Riding and Bird-Watching 178

Shopping 179

Entertainment 181

Food 185

Getting There and Around 190

Haleakala and Upcountry 192

Sights 196

Hiking and Biking 209

Horseback Riding and Bird-Watching 216

Adventure Sports 218

Other Recreation 218

Shopping 219

Food 223

Getting There and Around 227

East Maui: The Road to Hana 228

Driving the Road to Hana 233

Beaches 248

Surfing 252

Hiking and Biking 255

Adventure Sports 260

Shopping and Entertainment 262

Food 264

Getting There and Around 267

Where to Stay 269

West Maui 271

Central Maui 275

South Maui 277

Upcountry 281

East Maui 285

Lana'i 289

Sights 293

Beaches 298

Snorkeling and Diving 302

Surfing 304

Hiking and Biking 305

Golf 308

Shopping 309

Food 309

Where to Stay 311

Getting There and Around 314

Moloka'i 315

Sights 317

Beaches 324

Snorkeling and Diving 327

Surfing, Paddling, and Kayaking 328

Hiking and Biking 329

Other Recreation 333

Shopping and Entertainment 334

Food 335

Where to Stay 338

Getting There and Around 340

Background 342

The Landscape 342

Plants and Animals 348

History of Maui 351

Government and Economy 359

People and Culture 361

Festivals and Events 367

Essentials 370

Transportation 370

Travel Tips 374

Health and Safety 377

Information and Services 380

Resources 383

Glossary 383

Internet Resources 388

Index 390

List of Maps 396

Editorial Reviews

"Moon handbooks are always a pleasure to read. The writing is crisp, the research impressive, and the recommendations practical and down to earth."—Chicago Tribune

“The books are more easily readable than other guides. The main attractions are also marked with a special icon and sidebars and boxes highlight special information, making the Moon handbooks one of the most user-friendly guides in terms of visual appeal and organization…the quality is uniformly excellent."—Transitions Abroad

"Far from narrow minded, each Moon travel guide gives itinerary options for a variety of travelers’ budgets—from frugal to lavish. They make books catering to those who love the outdoors, those who have limited time, those staying exclusively in cities and those who’ve fully committed to living abroad. In all, they have hundreds of titles, ranging Bermuda to Budapest, that’ll teach you to embrace a new culture."—Gear Patrol, “The Best Travel Guidebooks for Every Journey”

"Moon handbooks have become known as well-written and exceptionally informative guides."—The New York Times

"Moon guides are perfect for the relaxed road tripper or outdoor explorer."—No Small Plan

"Moon handbooks are known for cannily combining logistical information with cultural background of a country or state."—Los Angeles Times

From the Publisher