The Best Things to Do in Maui Hawaii

Maui boasts some of the world's finest golf courses. There are 15 on the island, most with long, lush fairways, beautifully manicured greens and sweeping views of the sea. The Bay Course at Kapalua Resort is especially nice, with the fifth hole along the Pacific Ocean. It is the home of the Kapalua LPGA Classic.

This is one of the few classic drives that remains intact in America. You will find no McDonald's restaurants, no mini malls and no gas stations along the Road to Hana. It is a winding, two-lane road hugging the oceanside cliffs of Maui's north shore. Along the way, you will cross 56 single-lane bridges where you have to take turns crossing with motorists traveling the other way. The road is lined with breathtaking ocean views and waterfalls. You can stop and swim beneath them. The drive ends at the 7 Sacred Pools. It is a series of cascading waterfalls and ponds where you can frolic.

The dormant Haleakala volcano rises out of the middle of Maui. For about $150, a tour company will take you to the top, loan you a bike and lead you to the bottom. The experience is a nonstop adrenaline rush. It takes half a day to ride 38 miles downhill. There is only 400 yards of peddling uphill. If you don't mind getting up early, take the sunrise tour and watch the sun come up from the peak. Along the way, you can stop to enjoy the view and take pictures. Lunch is included.

Some of the world's finest beaches are on Maui. Some of the nicest are located along Kapalua and Ka'anapali on the northwest coast. Many of the high-end luxury hotels and golf courses are next to these beaches. All Maui beaches are open to the public, so you can visit them even if a luxury hotel is next to one. If you are on the island's southern end, check out the beaches at Kihei, Wailea and Makena.

Much of Maui's beauty is underwater. Snorkeling requires no experience. All you need is a mask, a snorkel and some curiosity. You don't even have to swim. Just stick your face in the water and you will be greeted by colorful coral and a bountiful variety of tropical fish. The beaches along Kapalua and Ka'anapali have nice beach snorkeling. For something more intense, take a boat to the Molokini Crater. You can literally dive inside a school of fish, and the fish will eat from your hand.

The humpback whale migration route runs past Maui. Between December and May, you can take a boat out to see them. The best location is at Ma'alaea Bay. There are strict rules regarding how charter boats can interact with the humpback whales, but the boat captains know how to get near without interfering with the migration. Bring your camera for some memorable snapshots.