Maui
Escape to the island of Maui, where you can stroll along powdery white beaches and enjoy a paradise of waterfalls, wildlife, sparkling lagoons, crashing surf and sunsets. Venture to the summit of 10,000-foot Mt. Haleakala for a glorious sunrise, then coast down this spectacular volcano by bike. Experience the 19th century whaling port of Lahaina or explore the seven sacred pools. The choices are endless.
Maui is known as 'The Valley Island' because it comprises two large extinct volcanos, the Haleakala and the Puu Kukui, and is divided by a central valley.
Great beaches abound on Maui. Slaughterhouse Beach is a hot body surfing spot on Honolua Bay in northwestern Maui. It has great snorkeling, and you may be fortunate to see turtles and reef fish. Hookipa Beach, near Paia, is one of the world's premier wind surfing spot.
East Maui is dominated by the 10,000 ft. Haleakala (literally 'House of the Sun'), the largest dormant volcano in the world. There are incredible hiking trails across the moonscape crater floor and the crater rim is an awesome place to watch the sun rise. The windward side of Haleakala is beautifully lush, wet and rugged. It's skirted by the famous, coastal Hana Highway which passes tropical jungle, roadside waterfalls and sedate country towns. The highland area on the western slopes of Haleakala has some of Maui's finest countryside, with cloud forests, rolling hills, green pastures, landscaped gardens and wineries. There are fine hikes in the Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area in the Kula Forest Reserve.