By Isabel Prontes
Maui is one of the islands of Hawaii, the second largest geographically. Maui is an extremely popular tourist destination with people from all over the world. This is because of the island's extremely natural beauty, mild climate and availability of many recreational activities, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and so much more. There is no shortage of fun and exciting activities to partake in while you're vacationing in Maui.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the most popular recreational activities available in Maui. If you wish to explore and see a large array of vibrant and colorful tropical fish underwater, then snorkeling is a great activity for you. In certain areas of Maui (especially Kanaio), it is common to catch sight of Spinner dolphins while snorkeling - and even be able to snorkel alongside them. Other aquatic life that many snorkelers encounter in Maui include whale sharks, bottlenose dolphins, octopus, humpback whales, moray eels and many others.
Snuba Diving
Snuba diving is an excellent beginners option for scuba diving (another activity which is prevalent on Maui). Snuba diving also can be a great alternative for those who already can scuba dive but prefer to dive without the use of so much equipment (in which case, snuba diving is helpful). With snuba diving, divers breathe with compressed air while their tank floats above on a raft. Many people find this to be a fun activity because it is more freeing and less restricting than traditional scuba diving.
Helicopter Tours
Touring Maui from a helicopter is an excellent, extensive way to see and explore the island from above. There are a lot of different helicopter tours to choose from depending on what part of Maui you'd like to see the most. Visitors can take tours of the Haleakala crater, active volcanoes, sea cliffs, highest waterfalls in Hawaii, coastline, Hana tropical rainforest, north shore of Molokai, underwater reefs and much more.
Hiking Tours
Hiking tours are great ways to explore the natural scenery, beauty and history of Maui while getting some exercise. If you are fascinated by the idea of hiking through Maui's wilderness, there are a lot of wonderful hiking tours available. Different types of hikes are also available, from half day tours or full day tours, to waterfall hiking tours and mountain ridge or rainforest hikes. Whatever your preference is, you can probably find it.
Biking Tours
Biking tours of Maui are another athletic way to be able to explore the island of Maui. Maui is full of scenic hiking trails and extremely diverse natural landscapes. If you want to cycle through various geological, cultural and biological sites, then a biking tour is an activity you should consider while in Maui. You will also be able to explore a wide variety of native Hawaiian wildlife and plants.
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
