5 Reasons to Put Maui on Your Family’s Bucket List

Maui is the Hawaiian archipelago’s second-largest island, and an ideal destination for family travels. Long golden beaches, water sports, lively folk traditions, delicious food and a dormant volcano offer plenty of reasons to visit.

Kaanapali Beach
Three miles of sand and plenty of off-beach activities make Kaanapali Beach Maui’s most popular. Watch cliff jumpers on Black Rock, get spectacular views from a zip line and shop for traditional Hawaiian print clothes a open-air Whalers Village. Golfers can slip away to a world-class course.

The three Kameole beaches are also good choices for families with small children. The first two beaches have calm, shallow water also good for snorkeling, and the third has a playground. Teens and tweens can boogie board in the higher surf there.

Haleakala National Park
The yawning crater of Haleakala Volcano is the island’s most popular attraction, and you can drive to the rim, at a height of more than 10,000 feet. The 800-foot-deep dormant crater stretches for 11 miles, and inside, molten lava has solidified into a barren landscape of brown, red, purple and yellow rock. For an unforgettable sunrise, reserve ahead to view it from the top of the crater.

Old Lahaina Lu’au

Nothing says “Hawai’i” better than a Lu’au, a traditional feast that includes music and hula dance performances. Several places offer these experiences, the most popular of which is Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, overlooking the ocean on the island’s west coast. Each guest gets a lei of fresh island flowers, and a full meal of local dishes is included with the show.

It’s a good chance to sample local ingredients that may not be familiar, as well as to enjoy traditional Hawaiian dishes such as smokey pineapple Huli chicken or pork roasted in an underground oven. For the best view, choose traditional seating of low tables and cushions located closest to the dancers.

Maui Ocean Center
The Living Reef at Maui Ocean Center supports more than 40 species of coral native to the islands, and the aquariums are home to turtles, stingrays, sharks and ocean fish. These are easy to observe in the Open Ocean Tank, where an acrylic tunnel more than 50 feet long allows visitors to walk through its center. Other exhibits relate to island culture and the islanders’ relation to the sea, and a 3-D experience on humpback whales is also available.

Kayaking
Paddle your own version of a glass-bottomed boat on a tour with Clear Kayak. These transparent kayaks not only offer views of the colorful sea life below, but they also magnify the coral reef for better views. Ideal for families, kayaks are equipped with an attached pontoon for stability. While kayaking, you’re sure to see green Hawaiian sea turtles, and along with reef fish, you may see Manta rays, eels, octopus and spinner dolphins.