Maui is the right Hawaiian island to go to with youngsters of all ages. It isn’t as crowded as Oahu, however there are extra issues to do on Maui with youngsters than on different islands like Kauai or The Massive Island of Hawaii. On our Hawaiian trip, we break up our time between Kona on the Massive Island and the Kā’anapali space of Maui.
If you’re visiting Maui with youngsters, you’ll want to divide your time between enjoyable on the seashore, having fun with native water sports activities, and different enjoyable issues to do on Maui. Throughout our 5 days on the island of Maui, these have been our favourite issues to do on Maui with youngsters.
In case you haven’t booked your resort but, take a look at the finest areas to remain on Maui and the finest Maui resorts for households.
5 Issues to Do on Maui with Children
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1. Snorkeling by Molokini
When you can sometimes snorkel off the seashore, 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 kinds a crescent off the coast of Maui and its clear waters function a house to protected hen and ocean life. There are a number of corporations that provide snorkeling excursions to Molokini.
The boat trip takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and the water is usually a bit uneven so in case you are vulnerable to seasickness, take some Dramamine earlier than you go. Fortunately, the waters off Molokini are calmer and you’ll be able to see many lovely tropical fish.
The great factor about snorkeling with youngsters at Molokini is that a number of the tour operators provide floats for rookies, 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 ft moist” (pun meant). After some time, she ditched the prop and went proper in.
The one downside is that the water was chilly (I choose snorkeling within the Caribbean) and it received crowded as soon as a number of snorkel boats arrived on the similar spot, so you could be careful that you just 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 Massive Island, I promised our infant a have a look at the celebs. The Hyatt in Ka’anapali provides a Tour of the Stars rooftop astronomy program. The Hyatt has been named the World’s Prime Lodge for Stargazing, providing astronomy applications on Thursdays via Mondays at both 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm (reservations are advisable).
The Director of Astronomy and NASA Photo voltaic System Ambassador makes use of a pc to pick 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 via their telescopes.
Who is aware of, possibly this program was a part of why she developed a lifelong love for astronomy.
3. Watch the Sundown Ceremony at Black Rock
If you’re staying in Ka’anapali, you have 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’s fairly an incredible spectacle and a style of native tradition that’s typically ignored.
Through the day, it’s also enjoyable to observe locals and vacationers climb Black Rock and dive off the cliffs. My husband tried it, however the climb was somewhat an excessive amount of. After all, I’m an excessive amount of of a rooster 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 street to Hana
Driving the street to Hana is without doubt one of the “to-do” issues if you’re going to Maui. For these of you that don’t know, the Hana Freeway is a stretch of winding, slender street between Kahalui and Hana on the east coast of Maui. The drive will not be about attending to Hana, which isn’t purported to be something superb, however extra in regards to the sights you will notice alongside the best way.
If you’re going with youngsters, 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 a complete day on the street. Bear in mind, it’s important to come again the best way you went, so except you might be staying in a single day in Hana, you could wish to head again earlier than late afternoon so that you aren’t trying these curves at nighttime.
Earlier than you allow, you may wish to make a dinner reservation at Mama’s Fish Home for the best way again, simply carry a change of garments or one thing to clean up since this is without doubt one of the finest eating places on the island.
On our drive to Hana, we stopped in Paia to select up a picnic lunch on the Hana Picnic Lunch Firm. 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 street.
Our first cease was at Twin Falls, one of many finest stops on the street to Hana (and due to this fact crowded) pitstop alongside the best way. It’s positioned simply previous mile marker 2 after the Jaws Common Retailer. Whereas the falls aren’t 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’re sporting sneakers for the hike, be sure that to carry alongside some water sneakers as a result of you will want them for strolling into the water. To get behind the falls you’ll have to stroll via knee to thigh-deep water over very slippery and uneven rocks. Fairly tough when carrying somewhat one.
After our adventures on the falls, we have been beginning to get hungry so our subsequent cease was the Waikamoi Ridge Path. From our analysis, we thought we might 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 toilet services and the stroll was fairly arduous for the view it afforded. Given the chance to do that once more, we in all probability would have skipped the hike and located one other spot for our picnic.
We received 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 seemed so lovely, we determined to take a detour and get a better look. We took the street right down to the water and spent a while hanging out with some locals fishing and hanging out on the seashore 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 achieved sufficient. We felt full (which is uncommon for me to not thoughts lacking one thing on our record), we swam in waterfalls, hiked via bamboo, walked on lava, and noticed some lovely sights. It was in regards to the journey.
In case you go additional, make sure to cease on the Black Sand Seaside in Honokalani in Waianapanapa State Park.
When driving the street to Hana, make sure to carry alongside the next:
- Dramamine for automobile illness
- Loads of liquids
- A picnic lunch
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sneakers or mountaineering boots
- Water sneakers or flip-flops/sandals
- Charmin to go (simply in case…there aren’t many restrooms and people aren’t totally stocked)
- Hana Freeway audio information or cell app
- Change of garments, and many others for dinner in your approach house
5. Sugar Cane Steam Practice
Notice: this attraction is at present closed, however the web site hints that it’ll reopen sooner or later. Whereas this attraction could also be a bit boring for adults, when you’ve got youngsters into trains, then it’s price spending an hour on an old style steam practice.
Locations to Eat On Maui with Children
These are a few of our favourite locations to eat on Maui with youngsters.
1. Lahaina Grill
Lahaina Grill has been named the perfect restaurant in Maui for 20 years in a row by Honolulu Journal and I consider it! This was undoubtedly our favourite meal. Positioned in downtown Lahaina, the restaurant is one thing of a shock.
Contained in the decor is decidedly upscale with a mix of quaintness (just like the tin ceiling) and fashionable (black and white tile flooring). The meals is superb and superbly offered. What we appreciated most was their youngsters’ menu. As a substitute of simply the standard rooster fingers and french fries, they supplied choices like Grilled Mahi Mahi with rice and greens (our daughter was thrilled!)
Lahaina Grill is positioned at 127 Lahainaluna Highway, Lahaina, Maui.
2. Smoothies at Whaler’s Village
We regularly walked as much as Whaler’s Village, a buying space on Ka’anapali Seaside, for breakfast and lunch to keep away from the steep costs on the resort. Along with the fish tacos on the beachside eating places, we cherished getting tropical smoothies as breakfast or a day snack on the Island Classic Shave Ice. We additionally cherished to poke across the retailers, particularly the Cinnamon Woman boutique.
Whaler’s Village is positioned at 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI
3. Roy’s Kaanapali
On our first evening 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 positioned at 2290 Kaanapali Parkway, Suite A, Lahaina, HI
4. Pacific’o on the Seaside in Lahaina
Because the title suggests, Pacific’o is positioned proper on the seashore in Lahaina and provides a soothing ambiance that may 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 via the Outlets at 505 Entrance Road and got here very shut to buying a portray at one of many artwork galleries (I considerably remorse not going via with it however the associated fee and carrying a really drained youngster pushed me towards the door.)
Pacific’o on the Seaside is positioned at 505 Entrance St Suite 114, Lahaina, HI
Want extra solutions on what to do on Maui? Need to know the finest luaus on Maui? If you’re headed to Hawaii, additionally take a look at our solutions for what to do with youngsters on the Massive Island! Additionally, searching for issues to do in Oahu? In case you head to Oahu, make sure to take a look at the Disney Aulani.
