Maui Attractions

Pricey but worth it, the Blue Hawaiian Helicopters are considered the Rolls Royce of copters because of their comfort and lack of noise. They gently propel you around the magnificent island, where you'll get up-close to Maui's "Wall of Tears," where 17 waterfalls flow; marvel at the summit of Haleakala; and hover over dense rainforests. It's a truly remarkable experience. Kids younger than 2 years, who sit on parents' laps, are free.

This tree, planted in April 1873 to mark the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina, was just eight feet high on that day long ago and has now grown to more than 60 feet. Its canopy shades two-thirds of an acre. Kids enjoy running around under this tree, and everyone loves people- and tree-watching.

This is an extremely cool bike experience. Kids, ages 6 and older, will be talking about this bike adventure forever. Meet at the Haleakala Bike Company that sits at the base of the Haleakala mountain, take a comfy van ride to the top (they do all the bike-hauling), and -- woo hoo! -- ride down the mountain at your own pace. Refuel at the Hula Lodge -- a fantastic restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner -- and order omelets, pizza, hamburgers or steak. Two tours are offered: a dark o'thirty tour to see the sunrise atop the Haleakala and a later-morning tour for a beautiful view and an awesome ride. Again, kids must be 6 years or older to ride.

What parent would sign up to awaken at 3 in the morning? (We're all sleep-deprived as it is, thankyouverymuch.) Yet, we absolutely recommend that you "just do it." The view at sunrise on the Haleakala is often considered a spiritual experience and is not to be missed. Here's another happy thought: once up on the mountain, you'll soon become a human icicle -- it's fa-reezing up there. So this activity might not be fun for little kids (unless yours are particularly up for fun), but is a don't-miss experience for everyone else. Dress in layers so that you can strip as the day heats up. Best tip: Join a tour group, and you can snooze on the way to the beauty. There are several tours from which to choose, such as Temptation Tours.

Maui's crop is not pineapple or coconut but, rather, intoxicatingly beautiful beaches. Something wonderful to keep in mind about the Hawaiian beaches: They're all available to the public. Yes, even if a long line of deluxe resorts stands guard, fortress-like, before a beautiful beach, pay no nevermind. The Hawaiian beaches are there for everyone to enjoy.

Maui beaches are famous for their varying sand colors, including white, gold, black, red and super-duper red. The black beach is located in Hana. (It's a long drive for kids; it's an all-day adventure, and the swimming can be dangerous due to strong currents.) The red beaches, also in the Hana region, are best attempted by those without kids. "Slippery" and "hidden" best describe them. Plus, you won't find lifeguards, rest rooms or any of the amenities that parents hope to find, so these gems have been excluded from the list below. Still, we wanted to mention them because of their unique beauty.

Packing a snorkel and mask for everyone in your family is a great way to make each beach experience a memorable adventure for your kids. If you don't want to haul the gear in your suitcase, buy inexpensive snorkels and goggles when you arrive, and then donate them to a new family before you return home. Keep in mind that snorkeling is the number-one way to end the day with a fried back, so put SPF bathing suit tops on both boys and girls, and douse everyone in sunscreen -- often.

Also keep in mind that you and your precious children are out in the Pacific Ocean. Even with lifeguards patrolling the beach, don't let your guard down. Deadly rip tides, steep drop-offs and strong currents that are ever-changing can decimate vacations and lives. Never ever turn your back on your children. It's sad but true that Hawaii is the number-one drowning spot in the U.S.

Baby Beach:
Located in the north part of Lahaina; park on Kai Pali Street, just off of Front Street.
Just as its name says, this treasure of a beach is for babies, toddlers and young kids. The warm waters are calm, thanks to an offshore breakwater that blocks the big-boy waves.

Black Rock -- Ka'anapali Beach:
On the northernmost section of Ka'anapali Beach in Ka'anapali.
It's one of the finest beaches on Maui with white sand stretching for 3 miles. Waters brim with the multicolored tropical fish you've always dreamed of seeing in the wild. It's an ideal spot for snorkeling, scuba-diving or just reclining and marveling. A path ribbons through the beach to the hotels, restaurants, rest rooms and shops. No lifeguards or rest rooms are available, but rentals and surf lessons are.

D.T. Fleming Beach: In Kapalua.
This beach offers beautiful white sand and fronts the spectacular Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Lots of activities and equipment are available. This location is great for snorkeling, scuba-diving or boogie-boarding.

Kapalua Beach: In Kapalua.
Oh, boy. In 1991, this beach gained worldwide fame by being named America's Best Beach out of 650 contestants. It's an insanely stunning beach, lined with palm trees, and it's ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Kahekili Beach Park: In Lahaina.
This beautiful strip of beach in Lahaina is home to the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Family-friendly amenities include a bathhouse with toilets and sinks, picnic tables and barbecue pits, as well as outdoor showers.

Kama'ole I, Kama'ole II and Kama'ole III Beaches:
Located along South Kihei Road in Kihei.
Separated by large lava rocks, these three beaches have an abundance of amenities for families. Kama'ole I has lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue pits, bathhouses with showers and even sand wheelchairs available. Kama'ole III has a large, grassy field to which locals flock on the weekends for birthday parties and football games.

Mokapu Beach: In Wailea.
This is yet another beautiful beach for families, offering showers, bathrooms and parking.

Mai Po'ina 'Oe Ia'u Beach Park: In Kihei.
This beach is known for its swimming kite-surfing, and windsurfing, so it might be too rough for families with young kids. A visit in the winter is worthwhile because whale sightings are almost a sure thing. Amenities include picnic tables, showers and rest rooms.

Maluaka Beach: In Makena.
This beach, sitting next to the Maui Prince Hotel, delivers great swimming and snorkeling. Don't be surprised to see green sea turtles enjoying the surf, too.

Polo Beach: In Wailea.
Popular with Maui residents and visitors, this beach offers excellent swimming and snorkeling. Picnic tables and rest rooms are available.

Wailea Beach: In Wailea.
Wailea Beach boasts calm waters that are perfect for swimming, rest rooms and equipment rentals. You'll also find a path winding past hotels and restaurants.

Kids will love getting up-close to tropical reef fish, sting rays, sea turtles and sharks and walking through the underwater tunnel in this small aquarium. It's open 365 days of the year from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In July and August, it's open until 6:00 p.m. Prices start at $25 for adults, $18 for kids 3 to 12. Children 2 years and younger are free.

Beginning in Lahaina and steaming to Pu'ukoli'i and back, this is a great way for kids and adults who love historical steam trains to catch another view of Maui. The conductor loves to share his knowledge, play ukulele and create a show all his own. Adults are $22.50 per round trip, kids (3 to 12) are $15.50, and those younger than 3 are free. Buy your tickets online for special savings.

A plethora of beautiful boat excursions take you away from the life you've known. Explore islands and marvel at dolphins and whales. Some tours feature scuba and snorkeling experiences and much more. Take an ocean sail on the 4th of July, and eat burgers under a spray of fireworks. These guys really take care of you. In the mornings, you'll find plates of fresh cinnamon buns passed your way and large platters of appetizers in the evenings.

Check out Trilogy's Adventure Mammal Search, which takes guests out on a 35-foot, hard-bottom, inflatable ocean raft to search for the wild spinner dolphins that live in the waters of Lanai. Also consider the Molokini trip, a half-day tour that takes guests to Turtle Town, where you'll see tons of turtles swimming, sleeping or just hanging out. Each boat has its own ocean naturalist who educates and informs guests about whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, coral and reefs living in the Pacific Ocean.

Don't let the fact that it's free put you off. This museum, located at the top of the mall, does a darned good job of educating the world about whales and the old Hawaiian world's practice of whaling. It also offers a great scrimshaw collection (beautiful handiwork created by whalers). Audio handsets and interesting signs next to each display make the visit very educational. You'll get three-hour free parking with store validation. It's open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

With more than 40 acres of lagoons, the Hyatt in Ka'anapali has thoughtfully created a tropical paradise for gorgeous birds, which are cared for by a full-time Hyatt wildlife department. The resort offers free wildlife tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. The kids will delight in listening to R2D2, an African Gray Parrot, mimic the sounds he loves best: beeping pagers and two-way radios. Or, everyone can play the game of "call and response" with Spike the African Crane. The kids will be entranced by the friendly black and white swans, penguins (turns out only 2 of the 17 species of penguin live in the Antarctic), parrots, koi fish and more. Parents might also spend hours checking out the Hyatt's museum-quality art collection. If your kids could use the sugar, the Weeping Banyan Espresso Bar boasts awesome pastries for breakfast. After you meet the birds, head to the Ka'anapali beach -- one of the best on the island. Take your camera; you'll sometimes catch humpback whales showing off in the wild.