Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Naturally, visiting Hawaii is a broad and slightly vague statement. Hawaii has plenty of islands, and one of the most beautiful is Maui Island.
Also known as “The Valley Isle”, Maui is a floating paradise in the middle of the ocean that captivates and fascinates tourists every year.
Before packing, you need to understand these 6 useful things about Maui that will do nothing but improve your trip.
1. Rent A Car
Traveling through Maui is no simple task. Sure, it is possible to travel by bus, but the fixed routes of Maui are not numerous, and more often than not, you’ll be waiting too long for the transport to arrive. The bus system should be avoided at all costs.
Instead, rent a car, and forget about stressful public transportation. Not to mention, there is another reason to rent a vehicle on this island: the possibility of meeting every part of it. After all, the bus cannot reach all the areas of Maui island. With a rented car, no route will stop you.
2. Drive In The Road To Hāna
Here’s another reason to rent a car: The Road to Hāna. It’s an appealing highway that leads to Hāna, an isolated part of the isle that attracts tourists with its beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, and ocean view.
As usual, it is not a mere matter of arriving. The joy is on the journey itself. Hundreds of tourists every year prefer reaching Hāna by their own means, driving through its highway and marveling at the rich wildlife that opens at its side.
Although this road seems threatening, it is secure for any experienced driver who respects traffic signs and drives carefully. Be sure to visit this place when landing on Maui.
3. Enjoy The Most Delicious Dishes
Maui is packed with restaurants. Of course, it is packed with not only the average but the top restaurants as well.
There’s a great variety of dishes to try, such as native smoothies, Loco Moco, seafood, and shaved ice. You can enjoy the best breakfast in Maui in the best restaurants and your trips and sightseeing will be enjoyed the most with a satisfied stomach. After all, the way to the man’s (and woman’s) heart is through their stomach.
Experiencing native dishes will enrich your visit. Not to mention, the restaurants themselves are a joy on their own with alluring open-air patios full of palm trees.
4. It’s Not Just A Beach
It’s natural to think about miles of sand, palm trees, and an endless ocean when someone mentions Hawaii. Indeed, Maui Island is filled with these landscapes, and we all know that, if you’re planning to visit this place, you’ll end up sunbathing and swimming on a beautiful beach. But, wait! There’s more.
Believe it or not, Maui has 10 out of 14 different climate zones. This means that you have the chance of getting to know more than a paradisiacal beach. Maui has deserts, mountains, and rainforests (remember the previously mentioned Road to Hāna?). It would be silly to miss out on all these opportunities. So be ready to swim, climb, dive, and walk in just a weekend!
5. Whale-Watching Opportunity
Maui has a rich-wildlife. While dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks are common animals you are most likely expecting to see; this island provides a chance to watch whales. So, if it’s been on your Hawaii bucket list, you’ll be happy to tick it off!
Each winter, North-Pacific humpback whales move from Alaska to Hawaii. So, if you travel between November and May, you won’t like missing such an opportunity. You may take a whale-watching tour on a boat, although whales can be spotted from land easily.
6. Sunrise At Haleakala
We already mentioned there’s more to Maui than just beaches. One of the top areas in Maui is the Haleakala volcano. However, although climbing a volcano is already a worthy experience on its own, tourists conquer this giant because of another reason: the sunrise.
Seeing the sunrise at the top of Haleakala makes everything worth the effort. Words cannot describe the beauty of such an event. A word of advice, though. Carry some jumpers and jackets with you. It gets rather cold on the top of Haleakala in the morning.
Final Thoughts
Having these things in mind will do nothing but perfect your visit to Maui. They will make you take the most out of this wonderful island. Don’t miss these opportunities, and move from beach to mountain within the same day if necessary. Enjoy your trip!
