Heading to Maui with my kids (6 and 11) - best adventures?

[twobone]

Hi,

I'm heading to Maui with my wife and two boys (aged 6 and 11). We are staying for 10 days in kaanapali. I want to squeeze in the best adventures in Maui.

The kinds of stuff we like are zip-lining, waterfall hikes, snorkelling, wildlife parks, whales, dolphins, awesome beaches, etc...

Can you send me your best ideas. Stuff that the kids will remember and crazy Dad will love!

Thanks

[Cajundaddy]

Road to Hana/7 pools rainforest hike. See about 20 waterfalls in one very full day adventure. (Bring mosquito repellent and rain gear.)

Snorkel the reefs of Kehei and Makena. Each one is different and they are filled with fish and turtles. Very calm clear water in the morning with easy beach access.

Bike ride down Haleakala. I'm not sure if a 6yr old is up for this. I didn't think It would be all that fun (wifey's idea) but it was a really great adventure with breathtaking views and photo ops.

Iao Valley Rainforest Hike. Pretty easy and very scenic. Go early as it does get crowded, especially on weekends. 'Iao Valley Rainforest Hike, Maui - Hiking trip | EveryTrail

Things I tend to pass on: Heli rides and cattle boat tours to Molokini. We did these on our first visit there and many still like em but they are expensive and underwhelming imo.

[chocolatelab]

If the kids and wife get car sick the road to hana can be painful.

There is a waterfall hike near the beginning of the road that is pretty amazing if the drive is too much.

[andrew15]

Road to Hana for one day - rent a Jeep for it and run with the top down. It's low speed and the top down gives everyone a great view. A hiking trail at 7 pools will take you through some good varied terrain to a tall waterfall - can't remember the name.

Do a hiking trail at the top of Haleakala - crazy moon-like landscape and pretty lonely as most people just drive up and bike down. Take water and warm clothes

Maui Ocean Center - Nice aquarium focusing on local aqua life. Some Hawaiian history, background on whales, etc. They also have a nice tank with larger fish / sharks. The weekly price is about $35 vs $25 for a one day pass - saved us on a couple of rainly days last visit.

I liked the snorkelling near Makena on the south side quite a bit - lots of fish and turtles. The dive trip to Molokini was a bit of a disappointment - just fish I'd already seen and lots of urchins.

Eat at Hula Grill (bar side) at Whalers village - Good family place with a nice location, tables on the sand and live local music most nights. Bring the receipt back on your next visit for a free dessert - a huge brownie with ice cream that my wife loved.

Eat at 'Da Kitchen' in Kihei - Great local fare. In a hole in the wall location in a strip mall. Huge portions - Get a couple of plate lunchs and share between the family - Not calorie conscious, but the chicken katsu, tempura mahi mahi and the kalua pork were all great

We found each day was more like 2 days - Wth the time change we were up early and often found ourselves first at the beach, quite roads, etc. We usually spent the morning snorkelling while the water was calm and clear and then spent the afternoon exploring other things

Have fun!
AM

[madmmac]

We like snorkeling at Honolua Bay, it is just North of Kaanapali. Keep going further and you arrive at the Nakalele Blowhole. Hike on down, just don't get too close.

We like the Skyline Eco Zipline company. One of their locations is at Kaanapali and you zipline up by the L for Lahaina on the side of the mountains.

The magic show in Lahaina is great. Don't pay up for all the food and drinks. Just pay as you go. Maui Comedy Magic Dinner Show | Warren & Annabelle's in Lahaina, Maui

Molokini cruise for snorkeling, scuba or Snuba diving. You don't need to be certified to Snuba dive. We like Maui Snorkeling Trips | Maui’s Best Molokini Snorkel Tour

Go deep sea fishing out of Lahaina.

Eat at Mama's Fish House.

The whales are in now....take a tour.

Don't make it a job to do everything you think you want to do. Remember you are on vacation.

[Geary]

During the winter months, snorkeling may not be good at Honolua or any areas exposed to north & westerly ocean swells. Kihei and Olowalu would be better. You might want to take your ski gear .. my friends tell me Haleakala had snow a few days ago ..

[Neilk]

I will agree with Cajundaddy, Molokini is disappointing. Snorkeling off the beach is just as nice unless you are looking for a boat ride.

On a windy afternoon, I would check out the windsurfers at Hookipa beach.

[McLovin]

The best snorkling for your kids will be at Black Rock, hands down, period, end of story!

Plus, they will have a great time jumping off the rocks.

Plus, it's free.

Plus, if your at Kaanapali, you're already there. It's at the North end of Kaanapali, in front of the Sheraton.



The reason snorkling at Black Rock is so great for kids is because (1) it's easy to get to, (2) there are TON of fish. People feed the fish, so the fish (and amazing huge turtles, etc.) know it's the "place to be." It's almost like snorkling at Sea World. Yeah, Jacques Cousteau or professional scuba divers probably wouldn't like it, but your kids will!

The Road to Hana sucks. Your kids will hate it. It's probably the single most overrated family trip in all of Hawaii, IMO. (Unless your kids like to be bored and enjoy carsickness).

[McLovin]

Mama's Fish House isn't cheap, and is hyped up, but . . . IMO it's worth the money and lives up to the hype (and I don't often say that).

[BeyGon]

take the kids on the submarine ride, they will like it.

[Eric Coffey]

A few threads in the archives here that are probably worth checking out as well. Just search "maui" in OT.

[Hugh R]

The aquarium is pretty cool. A sunset cruise on one of the tour boats is nice also. Bike ride down the volcano is cool. If you can't see the top of the volcano through the clouds, don't bother going to the top. Its really cold, and you can't see your hand in front of your face. Otherwise well worth the drive.

[dennis in se pa]

+1 for the whales. They are there for mating now. Amazing how close to the boats they come.

[p911dad]

There is a sunset cruise on a catamaran that leaves right from Kaanapali beach, we saw lots of whales up close (it was in February).

[5String43]

+1 Bike ride down Haleakala. Not sure a young'un is up for this, though.

[Venetian]

Quote: The Road to Hana sucks. Your kids will hate it. It's probably the single most overrated family trip in all of Hawaii, IMO. (Unless your kids like to be bored and enjoy carsickness).

Agree completely. I was driving and almost got carsick....can't imagine doing it with young kids in the back seat.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Venetian

Quote: The Road to Hana sucks. Your kids will hate it. It's probably the single most overrated family trip in all of Hawaii, IMO. (Unless your kids like to be bored and enjoy carsickness).

Agree completely. I was driving and almost got carsick....can't imagine doing it with young kids in the back seat.

Haha,
I guess it does depend on a family's resistance to motion sickness. The trip to Hana is one of my absolute favorite drives anywhere but I am immune to car sickness. My wife is somewhat less enthusiastic about the drive but agrees that 7 pools waterfall hike is a must-do. Choose wisely knowing your brood.

[Nostril Cheese]

+1 on Black Rock.

Road to Hana does indeed suck.

[JavaBrewer]

+1 on Black Rock. Deep water with a current though so beware. Tiger sharks eat turtles and turtles are a plenty there. Don't keep your back to the ocean for long periods. FYI.

Road to Hana. My family (kids 12 and 10 + wife) loved it. We rented a open top Jeep for the day and stopped at all the sights. One of the most memorable parts of visiting Maui. If you drive it plan a long lunch at the black sand beach just past Hana. Lots of incredible hiking, blow holes, sights, no crowds. Doing it again I would plan to spend the day there.

Plan to snorkel everyday in Maui. Just wonderful.

[chocolatelab]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Mama's Fish House isn't cheap, and is hyped up, but . . . IMO it's worth the money and lives up to the hype (and I don't often say that).

plus 100 for mamas!