BY JEFFREY WEIDEL
In the faint morning light, waves can be seen crashing in the distance as a gorgeous sunrise is beginning to surface, signifying the start of another magnificent day in Maui, where the possibilities seem almost limitless in the pursuit of fun.
Dawn may have just arrived at Kapalua Villas, but the activity is already evident from the view on this expansive, second floor balcony. Morning walkers are casually striding down a sidewalk, surfers are surveying some sizable waves as they walk briskly toward the beach, golfers are beckoning a morning shuttle bus that will drop them off at the two nearby courses, runners are trotting along a narrow path, and a group of people are getting an early start on an ocean snorkeling trip.
Although various activities are being pursued, the relaxing vibe of Maui and all the Hawaiian islands is also in the air. Despite the myriad of things to do, many people are simply content starting their day by sipping on a steamy cup of Kona coffee while sitting on their balcony and soaking in the atmosphere of this lush, tropical island.
Maui Tour Guide
- Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines has some sweet deals
- Lodging: Look for lodging that includes a full kitchen. Online deals may include airfare and other discounts
- Activities: Snorkeling, catamaran sunset cruise, golf, surfing, paddleboard, whale watching (seasonal), scenic drives, Road to Hana Tour, Elvis “Burnin’ Love Show
- Dining: Kai Sushi at Ritz-Carlton, Roy’s Ka’anapali restaurant, Alii-Nui Maui Royal Feast Dinner Sail, Kimo’s restaurant (Lahaina)
A trip to Maui is indeed a journey into paradise, where the temperatures never drift far from the 75-85-degree range with mild humidity. The island indoctrination begins shortly after stepping of the plane when the “alohas” and “mahalos” arrive incessantly from total strangers. It doesn’t take long to adopt Maui’s laidback attitude, where no one drives at high speeds, hurrying is frowned upon, and sipping a Mai Tai can become a late-morning ritual.
Kapalua Villas in upscale Lahaina is one of the many luxurious places to stay in Maui. It’s a veritable one-stop shot for those looking for convenience. Two superior golf courses, one on property, will satisfy any level golfer. There are a variety of enticing restaurants, several beaches in easy walking distance, an amazing grocery store/deli/souvenir/clothing outlet all under one roof, and a nearby snorkeling area where the beauty of this natural aquarium comes to life.
Maui is Hawaii’s second largest island, measuring 48 miles long and 26 miles wide. Take your pick on the topography, which ranges from long sandy beaches, rolling pasture lands, lush forests, tropical rainforests, and precipitous rocky cliffs that were formed by volcano, water and wind.
A visit to the beach is naturally a favorite Maui activity. For anyone who loves to surf, wakeboard, body surf, swim, or simply soak up the sun, the D.T. Fleming Beach is a great location that is walking distance from Kapalua Villas.
The waves at D.T. Fleming, which was named America’s Best Beach in 1996, crash into the shore along this mile-long stretch of beautiful white sand and won’t often disappoint anyone seeking some ocean thrills. Beware, sometimes the waves can get downright scary because of their power and strength.
Any trip to Hawaii must include at least one snorkeling trip. It’s an activity people of practically any age can enjoy. Our group even included a non-swimmer who easily transitioned himself into snorkeling mode.
There are numerous rental shops that provide the gear (snorkel, fins, mask), give some quick instruction – if you can comfortably breathe with your head dipped underwater you can do it – and point you to a nearby beach. Equipment rental costs about $20 per day. The tip here: rent for the week, because you will want to do it again.
The crystal-clear waters of Maui are an ideal spot to snorkel and swim among these beautiful undersea creatures, including many giant turtles. Snorkeling charters amp up the fun even more, usually via a large catamaran that transports visitors to the ocean for several hours of underwater adventure.
Teralani Sailing Adventures departs in nearby Ka’anapali and provides a very cool snorkeling experience that concludes with a delicious barbecue lunch and open bar.
For a more relaxing ocean excursion, an early evening sailboat experience is tough to beat. The evening starts with a beautiful cruise on a luxury catamaran that chases the day’s gorgeous sunset in the typically calm South Pacific waters.
Alii Nui Maui offers a romantic evening experience that begins with champagne, an array of tempting appetizers, followed by a huge buffet dinner of seafood, sushi, prime rib, salads, numerous side dishes, desserts, and open bar. The friendly crew is extremely accommodating and the evening includes transportation to and from your hotel.
For a golfing experience, there are two Kapalua Resort courses that offer completely different experiences. One golf course hosts a PGA tournament and provides some serious shot-making challenges, while a second one serves as a feel-good track that should keep many vacationing golfers smiling and content. Full sets of rental golf clubs are available.
The Kapalua golf complex caters to golfers who want to test their varying abilities while soaking in the exotic Hawaiian landscape and many of its awe-inspiring ocean views.
Built around the natural wonders of the West Maui Mountains, the Plantation Course is easily the toughest of the two Kapalua courses. If the famed trade winds are howling, the course will play much longer and tougher. On the first week of January, the Plantation Course annually hosts the PGA Hyundai Tournament of Champions, where the pros tee it up from the tips, which measure a whopping 7,411 yards.
Those same menacing winds can also create havoc on the more submissive Bay Course at Kapalua. But the scenic Bay Course terrain, which features gentle rolling fairways and lacks the severe slope of Plantation, is still highly playable even in windy conditions. The Bay lacks the teeth of its Kapalua counterpart, thanks to being 811 yards shorter than the Plantation’s back tees.
For foodies, Maui offers a plethora of great restaurants that typically include a variety of locally caught fish. The sushi is also first-rate and adventurous eaters may want to try local dishes like poi (made from cooked and mashed taro), Lau-lau (beef, pork, or chicken and salted butterfish bundled wrapped in taro and ti leaves), Poke (raw marinated fish) and squid. Front Street in Lahaina is a must visit that includes numerous restaurants with an ocean view and feature some tempting happy hours.
One visit to Maui and the prevailing feeling upon departure: when can I return! This gorgeous island setting is an ideal location to unwind, recharge the battery, and engage in an abundance of tremendous experiences that are difficult to duplicate on any other vacation.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks for visiting his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
