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When visiting an island, it’s only natural to spend time by the water. Lucky for you, Maui is full of water-based activities and attractions to explore. If you’re used to enjoying these water activities or are looking for a new experience to have out on the water, this blog can help you! Learn all about the top attractions and water activities on Maui so that you can fill up your Maui itinerary in the best way.
Being able to swim and see amazing ocean creatures swimming alongside you is an experience you won’t forget. Check out these areas for the best snorkeling on Maui.
The coral reefs on Kaanapali Beach are stunning, full of colorful fish and intricate reef systems. This is a great spot to come if you’re new to snorkeling or even advanced. The waters are calm, and the surroundings are beautiful. Coming to snorkel at Kaanapali Beach makes for a relaxing time on the water.
Snorkeling in a volcanic crater is a water activity that definitely gives you bragging rights! Molokini a protected area, great for snorkeling and seeing a variety of fish and other marine creatures. Reserve a guided tour boat to get you there so that your snorkeling adventures can begin.
As the name suggests, Turtle Town is renowned for its frequent sea turtle sightings. Here you can snorkel with the chance to see these large yet gentle animals gliding right before your eyes.
If you like to get a little deeper than snorkeling on the surface, these are the spots you need to visit for excellent scuba diving. If you’re new to the activity or just need a refresher, some of the scuba diving companies on Maui offer refresher courses to get you used to wearing the gear again.
Black Rock was made by lava rocks on the shores of Kaanapali. Diving off this shore is accessible, and puts you close to a variety of marine life. Throughout your guided dive, you can explore underwater ledges and coral reefs teeming with animals like eels, octopus, lobsters, crabs, reef sharks and more!
At Molokini, you must be a certified scuba diver to dive here. There are two popular spots to scuba at Molokini which are the back end and the reef. The back end of Molokini drops to a depth of 360 feet. It’s suggested that only experienced divers dive on the back end of Molokini. There is also an activity done at Molokini Crater called snuba diving, which is like a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving.
Accessible via boat from Maui, is the small neighbor island of Lanai. Lanai is home to the Cathedrals, a popular dive site that features volcanic lava tubes and arches that create a mesmerizing underwater experience. Divers often describe the experience as surreal, as you swim through the Cathedral caverns, where peeks of sunlight come through the shimmering waters.
Come experience the unique waves and surf culture of Maui at the top locations.
A premier spot for surfing is Honolua Bay. This bay is loved for its consistent waves and clear waters. Experienced surfers appreciate the challenges of these waves, where the rides are most thrilling during the winter. This is the time of year when north swells are in full effect.
This has been a haven for surfers since 1930! Come to Hookipa for excellent waves perfect for windsurfing and regular surfing. The conditions are ideal, with consistent waves and powerful winds.
For a more relaxing water activity, try kayaking. You get to go at your own pace and take in the sights from the Maui coast.
Book an eco-tour at this sheltered bay offers. The waters are calm, and a guide can take you along the coast where the waters are calm and refreshing.
To see the Olowalu reef, also known “Coral Gardens,” you can come here for a kayaking eco-tour. What you’re able to see from your kayak is incredible! The area is known for its high visibility, abundant marine life, and sea turtles. Coming here allows you to combine two excursions in one: kayaking and snorkeling!
This isn’t one of your typical water-based activity, but we couldn’t leave it out! If your trip to Maui happens to fall between November to April, you’ll be able to see majestic humpback whales in their annual migration. Lahaina Harbor is a popular departure point for whale-watching tours, where you can go out a little further to see these amazing creatures up close.
To make the most of your water activities on Maui, consider staying with Quam Properties! Our vacation rentals are located near the best water activity spots on Maui. Staying with us allows you to be close to beaches, harbors, and tour departure spots.
Take your pick from our selection of oceanfront and ocean view properties. You can bask in the beach views each day of your stay. When you feel like being on the beach, just walk out from your rental onto the sand. Each rental features a fully equipped kitchen, where you can make your own meals and dine from the comforts of your rental.
During your stay, you’ll also have access to amenities like swimming pools and hot tubs, perfect for relaxing after a day full of water activities on Maui.
Book your Maui vacation rental with Quam Properties today and get ready to enjoy the best water activities on the island!
Setting your sights on Maui for summer vacation is always a great idea. Kids will love exploring the tropical areas, soft sandy beaches, and simply being a kid in the summer sun. Fill your days with fun, fresh air, and happy family memories by checking out these top kid-friendly activities on Maui. Staying in a vacation rental from Quam Properties will make your family’s Maui summer vacation even better, giving you the amenities, comforts, and space everyone needs to enjoy themselves.
Maui is home to many great hikes, but they are often strenuous and not the best for small travelers. However, the Iao Valley Needle Trail is just right for little legs, since it’s relatively short and paved. This paved path winds through a rich tropical valley that leads you to the Iao Needle – a large greenstone rock formation that will leave you and your kids amazed. This rock rises 1,200 feet above the valley floor, making you feel tiny in comparison. Walking this trail gives Jurassic Park vibes, since there are little footbridges and shallow streams along the way. It’s just the right length and pace for kids and gives them the opportunity to be jungle explorers this summer!
All-aboard! Take a ride on this open-air train as it chugs along through a working plantation that produces sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, papaya and more! Kids will love being able to hear fun facts about their favorite fruits and have the opportunity to see flowers and animals that are native to Maui. The pace is gentle, the scenery is gorgeous, and the interactive elements will teach kids how their favorite foods are made. Tip: If you’re traveling with kids who are a little older and more adventurous, there is a zipline ride that can take you over the plantation grounds! After all the fun, stop by Café O’lei for some delicious coffee and local foods.
Everyone loves the aquarium! Come learn all about Maui’s marine life this summer at the Maui Ocean Center, where you’ll find interactive exhibits and up close encounters with amazing sea creatures. Your child’s eyes will light up as they walk through the glass tunnel, watching sea turtles, colorful fish, manta rays and sharks swim all around them. Get to learn all about majestic humpback whales through a 3D movie experience and head over to the tide pools to explore sea stars and other animals that make their home in the shallows. With so much to explore in one place, it’s easy to spend one whole summer day here!
If you haven’t noticed already, summer vacations on Maui perfectly combine educational moments with fun. The Butterfly Farm is no exception. Come here for a guided tour where the kids can learn all about the life cycle of the butterfly and walk amongst beautiful colored butterflies as they flutter all around. As you step into the open-air butterfly enclosure, you’ll meet any different butterflies as they make their way to different blooms. This is a relaxing experience that will help your kids have a deeper appreciation for these pollinators and their role in producing food. They’re also just beautiful to look at as they gracefully fly around.
Is it really summer if you don’t go swimming? We think not. You must include days where you take the kids to the beach or hang out by the pool. Kid-friendly beaches on Maui include Napili Bay, Baby Beach and Kamaole Beach Park III. Come here to splash around in the calm surf, boogie board, or snorkel! When you want to be by the water, with just a little less sand, head over to the pool. You’ll get major points with your kids when you book a vacation stay at a rental that has access to the pool (like the ones from Quam Properties!) Lounge by the poolside as the kids swim and play. After a day full of fun in the summer sun, they’ll be good and tired – ready to relax when you are.
It’s easy to have planned (or spontaneous) beach days since many of Quam Properties’ vacation rentals are beachfront or within walking distance to the water. Pool access is another major perk, giving you and your family the chance to swim and play without having to pack up the car or deal with crowded public pools. Full kitchens in your summer rental make it easy to pack up summer snacks and plate lunches to enjoy on the excursions mentioned above. And when it’s time to rest – everyone can have their own bedroom. Tuck the kids in after a full day and relax with a glass of wine, toasting to a great summer vacation on Maui.
Are you ready for an amazing summer? Kids will love the amazing jungle hikes, animal encounters, train rides and beach days during your summer vacation on Maui. Couple this with a vacation rental from Quam Properties and you’ll want to make this a yearly summer recurrence. Book your Maui vacation rental with Quam Properties today!