Vacation Rentals in Maui

If Oahu is where you go to take in the sun and surf, Maui is where you go for rest and relaxation, to take in the incredible mountain and oceanviews. There is a calming sensation to the 2nd largest Hawaiian Island that visitors just can’t get enough of. The ialnd is lush with greenery and forest reserves such as the West Maui Forest Reserve, the Hana Forest Reserve and the Kula Forest Reserve, just to name a few. The island also has a large part of its land taken up by the natural beauty of the Haleakala National Park.

Maui is every naturalist’s dream. It has a diverse geography full of iron-rich rocks, volcanic craters and mountain peaks. The largest of these volcanoes, Haleakalā, is also one of the world’s tallest mountains in the world. In the winter, travellers and nature enthusiasts venture from all over the world to watch Humpback whales sheltered in the Au’au Channel. Most of them leave by the end of April so watchers get a long period for observation. Maui’s beaches, of course, house a large collection of sea life: coral reefs, tropical fishes, turtles and dolphins.

Getting around Maui is best with a rental car, at least part of the time. It can make traversing the island and reaching otherwise hard to reach spots easy for travellers, especially if they plan to leave the Wailea-Makena area and make their way to Hana or the famed Haleakalā crater. For visitors who are staying for a prolonged period of time, Maui has a public bus system that keeps in the island’s center. Fares for commuter lines are $1.00 in each direction and a pass for unlimited trips is just $25. Of course, there are plenty of curio shops, boutiques, and galleries to visit if you’d like to take in the town for a few days.

There is no other place on Earth quite like Maui. If you’re a nature-goer and you’ve already been wooed by the natural beauty of some of the world’s most beautiful mountains and volcanoes in India, South America and North America, you’ll still be completely mesmerized by Maui. Set your alarms for early in the morning and head to the The Haleakala Crater at Haleakala National Park. Catching the sunrise above the misty clouds is a sight that is unparalleled. Or else, take in the sparkling blue beaches at Ka’napali Beach. If you’re on the road to Hana, stop at the Wai'anapanapa State Park for a glimpse of black sand beaches and lava caves.

If you’re hopping around the Hawaiian Islands and you’ve been in the region for a while, rent a car to explore the island’s beauty and stay at a condo in Lahaina Town. The Lahaina shores are picturesque and relaxing and the whole town has a sleepy and calm vibe to it. Lahaina has its own express shuttle that transports you to West Maui for some great shopping and the Whalers Village shopping mall in Ka’anapali. Finish your stay with a few days at Wailea-Makena for some surfing, sandy beaches and thronging social life, hosted by the area’s many resorts.

For families, Maui is a haven. You can start with a Molokini Snorkel Tour with Pride of Maui. Take in the abundant sea life in its natural habitat and play with spinner dolphins and sea turtles underwater. You can also book a spot on the Atlantis submarine, a 48-passenger, air-conditioned vessel which will take you below the surface of the vast Pacific Ocean. Then, expose your little ones to the best of Hawaiian culture at the Old Hawaiian Luau, where you can enjoy traditional foods, ceremonies, crafts and evening hula dances. And if your little ones are brave, why not start them early with a surf lesson with Hawaiian Paddle Sports that specializes in teaching the little ones?

The easy pace and fun shops of Lahaina Town attracts more than a million visitors every year. Besides the slow island life and cute boutique shops, you will find a 115 year old Banyan Tree in front of the Wharf Cinema Centre and more than 50 shops and restaurants within the center itself. Finish the day off by dining at an oceanfront restaurant next to the Lahaina Shores Hotel.

Visit the Iao Valley State Park for a day hike. Here, you’ll find many tours that focus on the natural reserve’s status as a cultural landmark, pivotal in Hawaiian history. Of course, this is besides all the incredibly beautiful mini waterfalls, small and secluded pools on the trails and the chance to picnic in the sun.

If you’re in Maui, you won’t want to miss ‘Ulalena, a world-renowned show that attracts thousands of visitors every year. It tells the story of Hawaiian culture and mythology in a bright and rich theatrical production.

UFO Parasailing on Wailea-Makena is the place to go if you’re looking to get a bird’s eye view of the islands gorgeous beaches. You can go solo, if that’s your thing or ride tandem in groups of three.

Maui may be small but, to a kid, it’s a veritable jungle of exploration. Engage them (and yourself!) un an island-wide treasure hunt. It begins at Kahului in Central Maui at 8.45 am. The trip provides a backpack, snacks and bottled water and ends at 1 pm. Make sure to come armed with mosquito repellent and bring a waterproof bag just in case. It’s bound to get muddy out there!

Even though it’s a small island, it’s unique natural geography of mountain ranges and forests gives Maui distinct “micro” climates that vary from coast to coast. There is a blend of warm sunshine and varying degrees of humidity, depending on where you are on the island. Central Maui, for example, consists of Kahului and Wailuku and while it can get muggy at times, is usually relatively dry and breezy. The windward side includes Paia and Haiku and this area gets heavy rainfalls throughout the year. Meanwhile, Upcountry Maui (named for its high elevation) experiences cool evenings and very mild heat, relative to the rest of the island. Upper Kula, for example, can get as cold as 40F in the early morning hours.

No stay in Maui is complete without witnessing at least one of the island’s festivals. With such lush beauty around them and a rich history around, it’s no wonder that locals will celebrate any chance they get. Don’t miss the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival occurring in June in Central Maui, with performances by local artists who are skilled practitioners of this special art form. Foodies, there’s something for you, too: in May, you can eat your way thorugh the island at the Maui Onion Festival and the Kapaula Wine & Food Festival in June. Here, top chefs, sommeliers and winemakers will be serving up their best so bring your appetites!