Maui with tweens/teens - looking for activities
 

Heading to Maui for spring break with husband and boys ages 11, 12, 15. We cashed in ONE MILLION HILTON HHONORS points (not kidding) for 2 rooms at the Grand Wailea. (Had been saving them for this redemption for years.) We will be there 6 nights. My kids love action/adventure activities such as horseback riding, ziplining, snorkeling, but also quirky stuff like animal attractions, etc. Want to try surf lessons, too. Looks like activities on Maui are very pricey, so we will pick only a few. Of course we have the beach and resort, which would keep me happy, but they get antsy. Any suggestions? What about a luau? Should we do a snorkel boat, or just snorkel from the beach?

Any unique restaurant suggestions?

Thanks!

My inlaws recommend Redline Rafting Company https://redlinerafting.com/ for snorkeling. That wasn't in my budget, so Mr. Pickle and I rented gear from Snorkel Bob's and spent a morning at Ulua Beach. We saw a lot of fish and a couple of turtles.

They also went ziplining, but I don't remember which company they used.

Lee Ann

These are two good beach snorkeling spots near your hotel

http://www.bossfrog.com/ulua.php

They might like a whale watching boat trip. They are not very expensive. Also surfing or stand up paddle board lessons.

I vote for the ziplining! I think it's a nice splurge activity that you wouldn't be able to do on your own, unlike snorkeling where you can technically put on a mask and fins and get in the water...:)
We've been with Skyline Eco adventures twice and loved it. You'd need to drive to either the Haleakala or Kaanapali locations though. See my post on the Kaanapali ziplines: http://sulynnchen.com/travelblog/?p=997

In the Wailea area, we enjoyed Monkeypod Kitchen for a fun meal using local ingredients. It is moderately priced and it is a bit loud in the evenings but I did see families there. Also Cafe O'Lei or Sansei Sushi for dinner, and Kihei Caffe for breakfast is a favorite and they all seem kid/teen friendtly.

I'd definitely try to get to Ululani's or Local Boyz for a shave ice. I'm sure your boys will love it!

Maybe Surfing Goat Dairy in Upcountry? They can see the goats and sample some goat cheese too. Not sure if your boys will be into agriculture but there is also a beautiful lavender farm where you can take a self guided tour, or you can pay for the O'o Farms tour and luncheon which includes a lunch that you help forage for. It was really fun and somewhat rewarding since you helped "pick" part of your lunch. You can read more about it here: http://sulynnchen.com/travelblog/?p=531

Enjoy your trip and congrats on saving that many miles!

Drive south past Makena to see where the black lava from Haleakala's last eruption (1700's) meets the blue ocean. If you're going walking on the lava, wear *real shoes*, hats, sunscreen, and bring water.

Drive north to piney Kapalua. Do not drive 'over the top' of Maui to Wailuku. Stop in Lahaina to walk Front Street, see the banyan tree, get shave ice or gelato. Park free in the big lot north of Front Street (with validation -- you don't have to buy anything).

Road to Hana may be longer than you want to spend; 12-hour day. Drive to Upcountry (maybe Haleakala crater). Check out Paia's hippy atmosphere.

Cheaper eating just north of Wailea in Kihei. Paia Fish Market just opened opposite Kam I Beach. Try Coconut's in Azeka Place Mall. Fred's/Moose's is a staple; try 808 Deli right behind it. Free parking at all three Kamaole Beach Parks. Free parking for Keawakapu Beach in a lot right off Kihei Road in front of the Mana Kai condo or across the street.

Book a raft-boat tour out of the Kihei small boat launch opposite Maui Kamaole condo. (We own here.) OR...book out of Maalaea Marina. You can rent stand up paddle gear at Mana Kai.

We like the beachfront venue at Five Palms and the panoramic views from Gannon's above Wailea. Mulligans on the Blue is casual with 'Irish' fare. Grand Wailea has a luau. If you are Costco members, you can get coupons here to save on the cost. (Nice performance; all luau are 'buffet food'.)

Get out on the water somehow to sample the 'whale soup'. Right now I can see whales in Maalaea Bay almost every time I look out.

Anything you MUST DO, book NOW.

Have a wonderful time. (Look around for the condo you will rent 'next time', saving a ton on lodging, food and drink. LOL)

Correction -- "Big lot *south* of Front St."

ChiSue - There's a Paia Fish Market in Kihei now? That's great news! Is it like the original one with some seating or is this more of a take-out spot? Thanks and jealous that you're on Maui!

Paia Fish Market took over the old Alexander's spot on Kihei Rd. There's quite a lot of outdoor seating -- don't know about inside. Good for Coconut's to have some competition. Don't be too jealous. It's sultry today...again.

(I see I was right the first time about the free parking in Lahaina! Duh.)

We enjoyed the road to Hana
Hired a car and did it fairly slowly
Could do a bus tour too if you don't want to do rive the winding road
Loved the luau we went to near lahaina...
The old lahaina luau is more expensive but totally totally worth it
Great food magical setting and great entertainment...drinks included open bar if that matters to you...kids could get mocktails
Lahaina is fun town
Great snorkelling past kihei...just ask bobs snorkelling

You'll want to go up to Haleakala National Park -- for the sunrise, if possible, although that would mean heading out very early from Wailea. (http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm)

The kids might enjoy kite surfing at Hookipa. I believe there are places in Paia, on the way, that offer lessons.

We enjoyed ziplining at Kapalua (http://kapaluaziplines.com), and golf there is great too if it's not too windy a day.

Leburta

this was a good day:
Kapalua Adventures - i think it was the 5 line zip we did
have a prepacked picnic and go to Onelea Beach afterwards. you park a residential type setting and walk down to a gorgious beach that was empty when we got there.
an interesting place to snorkel is in front of napili point. just in the small "lagoon". i don't remember seeing a lot of fish but many, many turtles. it's a little tricky getting in but worth it. i'd wear protective footwear. napili beachis within walking distance.

one more thing...i'd do a snorkelling boat trip. they aren't that expensive and it's fun to be out on the water for a few hours. we did ours out of lahaina with the pacific whale foundation.