Maui is the proper Hawaiian island to go to with children of all ages. It isn’t as crowded as Oahu, however there are extra issues to do on Maui with children than on different islands like Kauai or The Big Island of Hawaii. On our Hawaiian trip, we break up our time between Kona on the Big Island and the Kā’anapali space of Maui.
If you might be visiting Maui with children, you’ll want to divide your time between enjoyable on the seaside, having fun with native water sports activities, and different enjoyable issues to do on Maui. During our 5 days on the island of Maui, these have been our favourite issues to do on Maui with children.
5 Things to Do on Maui with Kids
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1. Snorkeling by Molokini
While you possibly can usually snorkel off the seaside, the waves is usually a bit tough for a newbie. For a real Hawaiian snorkeling expertise, take a snorkel cruise out to Molokini Crater. This volcanic atoll varieties a crescent off the coast of Maui and its clear waters function a house to protected chook and ocean life. There are a number of firms that supply snorkeling excursions to Molokini.
The boat journey takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and the water is usually a bit uneven so if you’re liable to seasickness, take some Dramamine earlier than you go. Luckily, the waters off Molokini are calmer and you’ll be able to see many lovely tropical fish.
The good factor about snorkeling with children at Molokini is that a number of the tour operators supply floats for newcomers, that are like boogie boards with a porthole for viewing underwater and handles to assist keep afloat. This was an ideal approach for our six-year-old to “get her feet wet” (pun supposed). After some time, she ditched the prop and went proper in.
The solely disadvantage is that the water was chilly (I choose snorkeling within the Caribbean) and it obtained crowded as soon as a number of snorkel boats arrived on the identical spot, so it is advisable be careful that you simply don’t get kicked within the head by somebody swimming by.
2. Tour of the Stars on the Hyatt
Since we didn’t get to go to the highest of Mauna Kea on the Big Island, I promised our toddler a have a look at the celebs. The Hyatt in Ka’anapali gives a Tour of the Stars rooftop astronomy program. The Hyatt has been named the World’s Top Hotel for Stargazing, providing astronomy packages on Thursdays by means of Mondays at both 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm (reservations are beneficial).
The Director of Astronomy and NASA Solar System Ambassador makes use of a pc to pick out an agenda, and find and determine 1,000 objects within the sky together with stars, planets, galaxies, and nebulae. We have been in a position to get a close-up have a look at the moon, in addition to check out Mars and Saturn by means of their telescopes.
Who is aware of, perhaps this program was a part of why she developed a lifelong love for astronomy.
3. Watch the Sunset Ceremony at Black Rock
If you might be staying in Ka’anapali, you need to take a stroll as much as Black Rock at sundown for the cliff diving ceremony on the Sheraton Maui. This conventional ceremony begins with the blowing of a horn and males with torches run up the rock, current an providing to the ocean, after which dive off the cliff into the ocean. It is sort of an incredible spectacle and a style of native tradition that’s usually ignored.
During the day, it is usually enjoyable to look at locals and vacationers climb Black Rock and dive off the cliffs. My husband tried it, however the climb was a bit of an excessive amount of. Of course, I’m an excessive amount of of a hen to even try it however simply swimming within the waters across the cliffs you possibly can see sea turtles and different wildlife.
4. Driving the highway to Hana
Driving the highway to Hana is among the “to-do” issues if you will Maui. For these of you that don’t know, the Hana Highway is a stretch of winding, slender highway between Kahalui and Hana on the east coast of Maui. The drive just isn’t about attending to Hana, which isn’t presupposed to be something superb, however extra concerning the sights you will note alongside the way in which.
If you’re going with children, don’t be afraid to name it quits earlier than you get to Hana…you gained’t be the one one. You’ll wish to get began early and plan to spend an entire day on the highway. Remember, you need to come again the way in which you went, so until you might be staying in a single day in Hana, you might wish to head again earlier than late afternoon so that you aren’t making an attempt these curves in the dead of night.
Before you permit, you may wish to make a dinner reservation at Mama’s Fish House for the way in which again, simply carry a change of garments or one thing to clean up since this is among the finest eating places on the island.
On our drive to Hana, we stopped in Paia to choose up a picnic lunch on the Hana Picnic Lunch Company. We began off with some scrumptious tropical smoothies, then ordered some field lunches, which they packed up in a useful, reusable cooler bag for the highway.
Our first cease was at Twin Falls, a extremely popular (and subsequently crowded) pitstop alongside the way in which. It is situated simply previous mile marker 2 after the Jaws General Store. While the falls should not spectacular, I used to be in a position to fulfill my dream of swimming in a waterfall and strolling behind the falls.
The hike to the principle falls was about 1 mile alongside principally even terrain, however there have been sections that have been bumpy or slippery over rocks so that you’ll wish to take care when going with younger kids. If you might be sporting sneakers for the hike, make certain to carry alongside some water footwear as a result of you have to them for strolling into the water. To get behind the falls you’ll have to stroll by means of knee to thigh-deep water over very slippery and uneven rocks. Quite tough when carrying a bit of one.
After our adventures on the falls, we have been beginning to get hungry so our subsequent cease was the Waikamoi Ridge Trail. From our analysis, we thought we’d take a hike as much as the highest and luxuriate in lunch within the picnic space on the high of the path. What we didn’t understand was that there have been no rest room amenities and the stroll was fairly arduous for the view it afforded. Given the chance to do that once more, we most likely would have skipped the hike and located one other spot for our picnic.
We obtained a greater view (and a rest room) at Kaumahina State Wayside Park, the place a brief stroll gave a sweeping view of the Keanae Peninsula. It regarded so lovely, we determined to take a detour and get a better look. We took the highway right down to the water and spent a while hanging out with some locals fishing and hanging out on the seaside with their households. After taking full benefit of the picture ops, we determined we had come far sufficient.
We truthfully couldn’t image it getting any prettier than that spot and felt we had performed sufficient. We felt full (which is uncommon for me to not thoughts lacking one thing on our record), we swam in waterfalls, hiked by means of bamboo, walked on lava, and noticed some lovely sights. It was concerning the journey.
If you go additional, make sure you cease on the Black Sand Beach in Honokalani in Waianapanapa State Park.
When driving the highway to Hana, make sure you carry alongside the next:
- Dramamine for automotive illness
- Plenty of liquids
- A picnic lunch
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sneakers or climbing boots
- Water footwear or flip-flops/sandals
- Charmin to go (simply in case…there aren’t many restrooms and people aren’t totally stocked)
- Hana Highway audio information or cellular app
- Change of garments, and so forth for dinner in your approach dwelling
5. Sugar Cane Steam Train
Note: this attraction is presently closed, however the web site hints that it’s going to reopen sooner or later. While this attraction could also be a bit boring for adults, if in case you have children into trains, then it’s price spending an hour on an old style steam practice.
Places to Eat On Maui with Kids
These are a few of our favourite locations to eat on Maui with children.
1. Lahaina Grill
Lahaina Grill has been named one of the best restaurant in Maui for 20 years in a row by Honolulu Magazine and I consider it! This was positively our favourite meal. Located in downtown Lahaina, the restaurant is one thing of a shock.
Inside the decor is decidedly upscale with a mix of quaintness (just like the tin ceiling) and trendy (black and white tile ground). The meals is superb and superbly offered. What we appreciated most was their children’ menu. Instead of simply the standard hen fingers and french fries, they provided choices like Grilled Mahi Mahi with rice and greens (our daughter was thrilled!)
Lahaina Grill is situated at 127 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, Maui.
2. Smoothies at Whaler’s Village
We usually walked as much as Whaler’s Village, a procuring space on Ka’anapali Beach, for breakfast and lunch to keep away from the steep costs on the resort. In addition to the fish tacos on the beachside eating places, we cherished getting tropical smoothies as breakfast or a day snack on the Island Vintage Shave Ice. We additionally cherished to poke across the outlets, particularly the Cinnamon Girl boutique.
Whaler’s Village is situated at 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI
3. Roy’s Kaanapali
On our first night time in Maui, we took a drive as much as Roy’s to strive a few of his well-known Hawaiian delicacies. I fell in love with the guava martini!
Roy’s Kaanapali is situated at 2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Suite A, Lahaina, HI
4. Pacific’o on the Beach in Lahaina
As the identify suggests, Pacific’o is situated proper on the seaside in Lahaina and gives a calming environment that could be a step up out of your typical beachside restaurant. We have been in a position to strive some freshly caught Ono fish and take a stroll to dip our toes within the water between programs.
After dinner, we loved a stroll by means of the Shops at 505 Front Street and got here very shut to buying a portray at one of many artwork galleries (I considerably remorse not going by means of with it however the associated fee and carrying a really drained baby pushed me towards the door.)
Pacific’o on the Beach is situated at 505 Front St Suite 114, Lahaina, HI
Need extra ideas on what to do on Maui? Want to know the finest luaus on Maui? If you might be headed to Hawaii, additionally take a look at our ideas for what to do with children on the Big Island! Also, on the lookout for issues to do in Oahu? If you head to Oahu, make sure you take a look at the Disney Aulani.