Meaningful Travel Experiences on Maui

 

After covid-19 locked the world down for the better part of two years, more and more people are seeking meaningful experiences when they travel. Travelers around the world are swapping lazy days by the resort pool for tours and guided excursions that highlight nature, local people, and host culture — a trend that has been dubbed ‘experience travel.’

Fortunately, Maui has catered to this type of traveler since long before the pandemic. There are countless opportunities to learn about Hawaiian culture, view native wildlife, and connect with genuine local people on the Valley Isle.

So — how can a Maui-bound ‘experience traveler’ maximize their time on the island in the 2020s and beyond? We’ve got the inside scoop on how to deepen your connection with the island. Here is the best Maui guide for authentic travel experiences.

 

 

Cultural & Educational Experiences

 

Educational Hiking Tour With Helewai EcoTours

It’s all about access these days, and paying for the pleasure of exploring Hawaii’s largest private nature reserve is worth every penny.

On Helewai EcoTours’ Honolua Ridgeline Hike, you’ll trek through two miles of pristine rainforest in the Puʻu Kukui Preserve — where epic views are plentiful and people are scarce. But it’s not just the views that make Helewai EcoTours special — it’s the cultural and educational value infused into the experience.

Native plants and watershed conservation are emphasized by your naturalist guide, making this tour an excellent choice for travelers looking to better their understanding of Maui’s ecosystem.

 

 

Hawaiian Canoe Experience With Maui Sailing Canoe

Explore Wailea’s coast the old-fashioned way — aboard a Hawaiian sailing canoe. Part snorkel tour, part cultural experience, you’ll get to know Polynesian voyaging traditions while ticking ‘swim with sea turtles’ off your Maui bucket list.

The Maui Sailing Canoe experience kicks off on the sand at Polo Beach before cruising through the calm waters off Wailea. You’ll learn the traditions of canoe building and celestial navigation and stop for snorkel breaks at sequestered reefs.

Better yet, since this excursion is powered solely by paddle power and ocean breezes, it is thoroughly eco-friendly.

 

 

Ocean Activities

 

Molokini & South Coast Rafting Tour with Redline Rafting

Let’s talk Molokini Crater. Is it crowded? Yes. Is it still worth seeing? Absolutely! (You’re snorkeling in the ancient remnants of an underwater volcano — it doesn’t get much cooler than that.) But if you’re the type of traveler that tries to avoid the ultra-popular spots in favor of more obscure destinations, a snorkel tour that only visits Molokini might not be for you.

Fortunately, Redline Rafting’s Molokini and South Coast tour offers the best of both worlds. You’ll hit Molokini Crater in the early morning before the masses arrive, then move on to snorkel Molokini’s rarely-seen (and uber-eerie) back wall. Next, it’s off to see Maui’s desolate south coast, where few snorkel tours venture.

Destinations aside, Redline Rafting has been repeatedly lauded for its eco-friendly initiatives and efforts in perpetuating Hawaiian culture, respecting marine life, and sharing proper reef etiquette — making it the perfect choice for conscious travelers.

 

Educational Whale Watch with Kai Kanani

Don’t get us wrong — almost any whale watch you go on during peak whale season will be amazing. But Kai Kanani — one of Maui’s top sailing catamarans — adds another layer of epicness to the experience.

Kai Kanani blends education with hospitality to create a whale watch of a lifetime. Not only are you guaranteed to see whales, but crew members are trained as certified marine naturalists, on hand to offer insight and facts about humpback whales and their behavior.

 

Private Sailing Charter with Maui Custom Charters

As the name suggests, Maui Custom Charters offers customizable sailing charters aboard a stunning 42’ Catalina MKII. You can choose your own adventure — whether it be snorkeling hard-to-reach reefs, sailing off into the sunset, or fishing for mahi mahi off the stern.

Private charters are luxurious as luxurious gets. But what makes Maui Custom Charters stand out is the crew? MCC is owned by born-and-raised local captains, and a chunk of the crew was born and raised on Maui or has been on the island for a decade or longer.

Along with giving you the best day ever, the crew’s local insight proves to be a boon for anyone hoping to glimpse local life in their destination. The crew will be happy to talk story about growing up in the islands and share their knowledge about Hawaiian history and culture.

 

Land Activities

 

Road to Hana Tour with East Maui Locals

If you think of yourself as a ‘traveler’ rather than a ‘tourist,’ taking a guided tour to Hana might go against your ethos. But hear us out.

The Road to Hana is home to a handful of cultural hotspots, and life in this rural area is unlike anywhere on Maui. If you really want to sink your teeth into a destination, opt for a guided Hana tour with a local.

This tour gives you the complete lowdown on significant sites in the area and what life is like for multi-generational East Maui residents. But the best part? You’ll get to fully experience the epic beauty of the Road to Hana while someone else focuses on driving.

 

Haleakala Sunrise Tour with Haleakala EcoTours

Yes, the sunrise at Haleakala Summit is as magical as everyone says — and totally worth waking up at 2 am for. But if you’ve done your research, you know how hard it can be to get a sunrise reservation.

Instead of missing out entirely, book a sunrise tour with Haleakala EcoTours. This way, you won’t have to bother with the reservation system or the looong sleepy drive up to the summit — which is valuable in itself.

But what really takes this adventure to the next level is the mind-blowing facts about Haleakala’s history, geology, and ecology offered by your guide. Make no mistake, this is no run-of-the-mill sunrise viewing. On this tour, you’ll come to appreciate Haleakala in a whole new light.

 

Where To Stay

 

Iao Valley Inn

For those looking to experience local-style living while on Maui, swap the luxe beachfront resort for a B&B in the West Maui Mountains.

Located in Wailuku, Iao Valley Inn is your perfect home base for exploring the less traveled side of Maui. This area is full of mom-and-pop shops, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and windswept beaches. And, of course, the famed Iao Valley State Monument is mere minutes from the inn.

 

Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Kaanapali Beach Hotel (KBH) is known as ‘Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel’ — and the property is more than worthy of the designation.

KBH offers daily Hawaiian cultural activities like lei-making, Hawaiian language classes, and ukulele lessons. The hotel also employs a full-time team of Hawaiian cultural advisors, displays countless Hawaiian artifacts around the hotel, and integrates the Hawaiian language throughout the property.

The Kaanapali Beach Hotel is located right on Kaanapali Beach, so it’s a great choice for travelers who want to experience the breadth of Hawaiian culture but still have access to top restaurants, shops, beaches, and activities.

 

North Shore Lookout

This cozy five-suite B&B is located in the rolling hills above Makawao in Upcountry Maui — known for paniolo (cowboy) culture, crisp nights, and a small-town feel.

North Shore Lookout is a great jumping-off point for all Upcountry and north shore adventures like Haleakala Crater and the Road to Hana. Makawao and Paia are just a few miles down the road, and there’s even a secluded hiking trail just minutes from the B&B.

 

Thanks for reading! Now get out and explore the island!

A hui hou!

 

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