Located in the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is considered the island of the valley due to the low area between two volcanoes. At about 50 miles long and 25 miles wide, Maui is the second largest of the eight Hawaiian islands. Rainforests, pristine beaches, rocky cliffs, and verdant grasslands give Maui a diverse landscape from which to choose your vacation destination. You couldn’t ask for better weather with the typical Maui temperature between 75 and 85 degrees.
West Maui is the largest tourist destination on the island and is home to most of the large resorts. The three cities located in West Maui are Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua.
East Maui is one of the least populated areas on the island and includes Hana, an isolated city on the easternmost tip. The main tourist attraction in this area is probably the Hana Highway. It is a very picturesque road that cuts through the rainforest, past waterfalls, beaches, and one-lane bridges.
South Maui is also a great tourist destination with its beautiful beaches and large resort-style hotels in Kihei, Wailea, and Makena.
The Central Valley of Maui is another more densely populated area. It is home to Kahului, Wailuku, and Hyashi Village and is littered with fields of sugar cane and pineapple. Kahului is the most commercial of these cities incorporating two major shopping centers, the main airport, the main deep-water port, and a host of shopping centers. Just a few miles away, Wailuku is a slower, more historic city with buildings and monuments dating back to the early 20th century.
Upcountry is a ranching area located in the foothills of Haleakala. Makawao is the largest city where you will find many of the largest ranches and farms and Pukalani is the smallest city with a more residential feel. The only winery on Maui, Tdeschi Vineyards, is located in Kula.
There are tons of activities you can do on your Maui vacation, many of them water sports. Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular and easy-to-rent equipment. High visibility in the water can make this a very vivid part of your vacation memory. Then of course there are the obvious water sports like surfing, windsurfing, sailing, jet skiing, and every other water sport you can imagine. In addition to water activities, there are many places for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
No matter what you are doing on your Maui vacation, you are sure to have a good time doing it.