OVERVIEW

Paddle around Kahului Harbor in an outrigger canoe while admiring the seaside landmarks and learning about the history of the Hawaiian Islands. As an introduction, you will watch an entertaining film that describes how ancient Polynesians emigrated to the islands on double-hulled canoes using natural phenomena such as stars and ocean currents to guide them across 2,000 miles of open water. After a briefing under a traditional thatched-roof structure known as a hale, you will paddle off into Kahului's large sheltered harbor. You may be surprised by the stability of the canoe, much of which comes from the attached outrigger hull. To ensure that you maximize the experience, paddlers from a local canoe club will accompany you and describe harbor highlights such as Kahului Beach and Ho'aloha Park. You will also see where King Kamehameha I landed in 1790 in his successful quest to unify the Hawaiian Islands.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around the harbor in an outrigger canoe like the ones ancient Polynesians used.
• Watch an enlightening film about the history of Hawaii with an emphasis on Maui.
• Pass attractions such as Kahului Beach and the urban greenspace Ho’aloha Park.
• See your cruise ship from a unique perspective on the water.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

After a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui, you'll arrive at the zipline course, which sits near the edge of Haleakalā National Park at 4,200 feet above sea level. An experienced guide team will outfit you with safety gear before leading you through an active conservation restoration area being replanted with native trees. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge about the history of Haleakalā National Park, its delicate ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the area. When you arrive at the first zipline, you'll be clipped in for the first of five exhilarating rides down the slopes of Haleakalā. The adrenaline journey culminates in a thrilling zip on Hawaii's only pendulum zipline, where riders reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour! While pausing on the elevated platforms between ziplines, you will enjoy views of Haleakalā National Park, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lāna'i, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride five separate ziplines, including the only pendulum zipline in Hawaii.
• Enjoy the adrenaline rush of riding ziplines as high as 90 feet over a canyon.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of Maui and surrounding islands as you race between zipline platforms.
• Hike through an active conservation restoration area that is being replanted with native Hawaiian trees.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear athletic or hiking shoes with a fully enclosed toe and heel.

Cruise through the National Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary in a Zodiac, a vessel that is ideal for speedy maneuvering and up-close viewing of marine creatures.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a scenic ride across the neck of Maui to lovely Maalaea Bay on the island's southern shore. Here, you'll board a Zodiac vessel that can navigate into areas other vessels can't, offering you a close-up view of the marine life.

You will be cruising into the National Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary. It is one of the favorite mating and birthing grounds for humpbacks because of the water's ideal temperature and depth and the scarcity of killer whales, which are the young humpbacks' most feared natural predators.

As you zip through the water, you can expect to see humpback whales putting on a spectacular show of breaching the surface, tail and fin slapping, and spy hopping, where only the whale's head pops out of the water. The males are known for their singing as part of the mating ritual. Humpback whales come to Maalaea Bay each year to breed after a month or so of migrating from their feeding grounds in Alaska, nearly 3,500 miles away.

To enhance the whale-watching experience, a naturalist will be onboard explaining the whales' behavior during this time of the year. Feel free to ask questions during the two hours or so spent on the water, after which you will return to Kahului.

OVERVIEW

Cruise in an open-air Zodiac along the spectacularly scenic Pali sea cliffs and snorkel the lengthy coral reef that lies just offshore. You will zip through the water on the Reef Explorer, a 60-foot custom super-raft with shaded and open-deck seating. Before long, you will arrive at the precipitous heavily vegetated sea cliffs, which will serve as a magnificent backdrop for the snorkeling adventure. Plenty of other natural wonders lie beneath the water's surface. While there is no telling what you will observe along the reef, it will surely be extraordinary. Red-lip parrotfish, slender needlefish, orange-band surgeonfish and bluefin jacks all inhabit these crystal-clear waters. You may even see white-spotted eagle rays and green sea turtles, the most commonly seen sea turtle in Hawaii. The coral formations are just as eye-catching. Some are named for their odd shapes such as the mushroom, cauliflower and antler corals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through the waters off Maalaea Harbor in a spacious, custom-built Zodiac boat.
• Enjoy spectacular coastal views, especially upon reaching the Pali sea cliffs.
• Snorkel along coral reefs that are teeming with exotic and colorful marine life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend the day in paradise hiking with Hawaii's "Eco Tour Company of the Year" through the lush rainforest along streams punctuated by waterfalls from 10 to 40 feet high, each spilling into a large pool perfect for swimming or toe dipping. It's unusual for a Hawaiian valley to have this many cascades so close together, making this a very desirable spot along Maui's famous Hana Highway.

This hiking company is well known for their knowledgeable, naturalist guides, who provide a fascinating narrative on Hawaii's unique ecosystems. The hike is two miles round-trip and footing can be tricky in the forest.

OVERVIEW

Discover the natural beauty and quirkiness of the island's North Shore through vastly different and revealing experiences. While browsing the boutiques in the former sugar plantation town of Pa'ia, you will get a genuine sense of its laid-back, bohemian ambiance. The shops tend to be colorful, somewhat eclectic and full of merchandise that you won't find elsewhere as it is often made locally. A leisurely one-mile walk through a nearby rainforest will bring you to two waterfalls, one of them is Twin Falls, a gorgeous cascade that plummets into a serene pool where you may swim if you wish. The setting couldn't be more relaxing or picturesque. The beauty of Ho'okipa Beach Park is equally captivating, especially the scene offshore as this is a premier spot for surfing and windsurfing because the waves are well-formed and sometimes reach heights of 30 feet. The beach is also one of the best places to see green sea turtles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy free time shopping in the quirky, wonderfully laid-back seaside town of Pa’ia.
• Walk through a rainforest to two waterfalls where you are welcome to swim in the pools below.
• Watch the surfers and windsurfers at Ho’okipa Beach Park and look for green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear swimsuit under clothing.
• Wear athletic shoes or sturdy sports sandals that can get wet and muddy (water shoes are suggested). No flip flops, or sandals with no backstrap.
• Bring a towel.

Ride on the slopes of Haleakala by Bicycle. This tour picks up at the Kahului Harbor. We then stop at our bike tour base to watch Maui Bike industry's only safety video. Complimentary coffee, juice and snacks are provided. From there, our guided van tour up to the launch point at the 6,500 foot elevation begins. Guides will provide clients with an extensive history of Haleakala, its geology and an explanation of the rare plants and animals only found on Maui. Here clients are expertly fitted to their bicycles, given helmets and begin their 14-mile bike ride down the slopes of Haleakala, continuing through the switchbacks of Haleakala Ranch, the upcountry town of Kula and ending in Hali'i Maile from where you will depart back to the cruise ship.