Hello and welcome back to Nomad Dad Life! If you didn’t read the last post about the Maui Death Highway, please do so here. Today we continue our Maui vacation with a lot less stress and a lot more relaxing! No Sunday drives on the Maui Death Highway, just enjoying some of the best beaches in the world. Of course, that doesn’t make for a very interesting story. So we will focus on the other highlights of our trip. The island does have a lot more than just beaches to offer. We got to see a lot of it from the land and the ocean. So, let’s dive into some of the things we did while in Maui!
Road to Hana
I know what you are thinking that we just had our little adventure on the Maui Death Highway and we are taking another road trip? Yep, that’s exactly what we did! This drive was a lot easier. The road it Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului, but it takes about 2.5 hours. The road has approximately 620 curves in those 52 miles and passes over 59 bridges. 46 of the bridges are one lane. The road to Hana was easy compared to what we drove on before. No 7 mile stretches of one-lane road for two-way traffic. Just 46 bridges with plenty of visibility to see if traffic is coming from the other direction.
The trip will actually take you longer than 2.5 hours as you are going to want to stop at some of the many scenic areas along the road. Waterfalls are abundant, and the first one you come to is one of the most popular. Twin falls has a large swimming area, and it is easy access from the road. Twin falls also has locals with stands set up selling smoothies, banana bread, and other local favorites.
Kaumahina State Wayside Park boasts a lookout point with a beautiful view of Maui’s North coast. Garden of Eden Arboretum has an entrance fee, but it is worth paying to enjoy walking the grounds, and there are numerous opportunities for photos. They have a 100 year-old mango tree, bamboo trees, ocean views, and Puohokamoa Falls.
Pua’a Kaa State Wayside Park is a rest stop that offers a quick hike to a waterfall that falls into a nice relaxing pool that is perfect for a swim to cool off. Hana Lava Tube is a massive lava tube that offers self guided tours that last about 40 minutes. The tube has about a third of mile that is open to the public with the rest being off limits. Wai’anapanapa State Park is famous for its black sand at Pa’iloa Beach. You do need to get a permit ahead of time to get into the park (something we didn’t know at the time so we weren’t able to make the stop.)
Haleakala National Park
This park is divided into two sections, and we went to both while we were in Maui. The coastal section is towards the end of the road to Hana, and the Summit section which includes the summit of a volcano. We spent more time in the coastal section of the park, as it had hiking trails, and it was rainy and windy the day we went to the summit section. Both sections are unique and beautiful. The coastal section is a tropical rainforest that features more than two dozen pools along Palikea Stream. Visitors can swim in these pools on their hike to Waimoku Falls. The hike takes you through a lush rain forest, bamboo forest, and a giant banyan tree.
The Pipiwai trail, which is the trail that leads to Waimoku Falls, is a 4-mile round trip route. You will want to be prepared for this hike, as it is hot and humid. We were used to hiking in cooler climates and this hike kicked our butts. It was worth it though. The experience of walking through a bamboo forest when the wind knocks the tree together is something amazing. Hearing the wild hogs crashing into them was also a very memorable experience! The banyan tree is also incredible to see in person and the destination of the trail, Waimoku Falls, is well worth the trip.
The summit section hosts Haleakala Crater, the summit of the volcano, and the area surrounding the summit. Visitors frequently come to the summit to watch the sunrise or sunset. Haleakala is one of the best places in the United States for astronomy, as it has unusually clear views of the night sky.
Beaches
Of course, most people go to Hawaii to soak up the sun on some of the best beaches in the world, so what kind of post would it be if I didn’t talk about some of the beaches we were able to check out?
If you go to Maui with kids, Lahaina Baby Beach is a must visit. It isn’t as nice of beach as the ones just north in Ka’anapali. This means it isn’t as crowded so it’s easier to keep an eye on your kids, and it is protected by a stretch of reef that creates a calm, shallow area, making it perfect for small kids to play in the ocean without being knocked down by a big wave.
Speaking of Ka’anapali beach, it was the beach our resort was on, and the one we spent the most time on. It is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. Sea turtles and whales were a common sight for us while gazing over the crystal blue water from the beach. We did see people enjoying a lot of water sports as well such as kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing, and windsurfing.
Honolua Bay and Beach isn’t going to be at the top of anyone’s list if they want to lie out on the beach and enjoy a relaxing day in the Hawaii sun. The beach is extremely rocky, and the walk to it is farther than most. It is one of the favorite for locals, though. It’s located in a conservation district so there is no fishing or taking of any natural resources or even rocks (this lead to two sad children that they couldn’t add to their rock collection. . .) Because there is no fishing, you are always guaranteed to see lots of fish, turtles, and coral not far from shore.
Cruise
We booked a sunset cruise while we were in Maui and it was one of, if not our favorite, part of the trip. The water was so calm and peaceful the night we went out. The only ripples were from whales breaching, which we got to see a couple of times from a fairly close distance! The cruise offered food and beverages and a chance to see Maui from a different perspective.
Arkyn, of course, had many questions about the boat and how everything worked. He talked to the captain, and she let him drive for a little while, and that was the highlight of his vacation! The cruise stayed mostly in the bay by Lahaina, but we did get to go close to the island of Lanai, which is only about 10 miles from Maui.
That will wrap up the highlights of our Maui vacation our next post will continue with our Alaskan adventures. Please follow our journey on social media by clicking one of the links below!
BJ Rylander
January 5, 2024 — 8:45 pm
Wish I was there right now!!!!