By Shiromi Nassreen
Budget Maui Activities
Many people presume that visiting Maui is going to be expensive. You could easily spend a lot of money on activities such as boat tours and helicopter rides, but for the more budget-conscious, Maui still has plenty to offer.
Snorkeling
For a very cheap way to occupy your time, consider renting a snorkel, mask and fins, or purchasing a cheap set from the local shop. You don't have to take a boat out to find good snorkeling as Maui has excellent snorkeling right off the beach. There you can see a variety of fish life. If you're lucky, you may even get to see some sea turtles.
Sunrise at Haleakala
Haleakala is a large mountain on Maui, standing some 10,000 feet above sea level. Seeing the sunrise from the top of Haleakala can be a spiritual experience. The best time to view it is when the clouds sit below Haleakala so that the sun's rays shine up through the clouds. It can get very cold, so you should bring warm clothes.
Haleakala National Park, P.O. Box 369, Makawao, Hawaii 96768 Telephone: (808-572-4400)
Drive the Hana Highway
Dotted along Maui's Hana Highway are numerous waterfalls, some as close as the side of the road. In addition, the Hana Highway passes by spectacular black sand and red sand beaches as well as some rather pretty hiking areas.
Watch Humpback Whales
Between mid-December and April, the waters are filled with migrating humpback whales. The whales come to the shallow basin of Maui's waters to give birth. While you could splurge on a whale watching tour, you can have some fairly spectacular views from shore. Consider visiting the NOAA whale watching spot at the Sanctuary Learning Center in Kihei.
Sanctuary Learning Center, 726 South Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753 Telephone: (808-879-2818)
Iao Needle
The Iao Needle can be found in the Iao Valley in Wailuku, which juts out along a luscious, green ridgeline. The area was the site of a historic, bloody battle, but today the valley below the Needle offers fantastic views of Kahului and the Iao stream.
Iao Valley, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
About the Author:
Shiromi Nassreen is a British writer. She holds a B.A. in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and has been writing professionally for three years. She writes primarily travel and outdoor articles on Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in Dysfunkshion Magazine as well as Illusion Television and Matador Travel.
Photo Credits:
Photo byRobert Arserio
