Activities
Enjoy Some of Our Maui Favorites
The Basics
South Maui contains Kihei (that’s where both condos are located), Wailea (expensive resorts), Makena (home of Big Beach & Little Beach, clothing optional). The end of the road is La Perouse Bay. South Maui is about a 30-minute drive from the airport. The best beaches include Kamaole 1 (Charley Young Beach at the north end), Kamaole 2 & 3, Keawakapu and Little Beach. Swim, boogie board, stand up paddle, snorkel, play in the waves or look for turtles from the shore. Check out “Maui Revealed” (under the living room TV) to learn which beaches are best for each activity.
Find beach stuff like fins, snorkel masks, boogie boards, etc. in each condo. We also provide beach chairs and a beach umbrella. Maui has well-maintained showers and bathrooms at most beaches! Several of the more popular beaches have life guard stations.
Beaches and Water Sports
Interested in surfing? There is a Waveriders surf school just a few doors north of Shores of Maui and a short drive (two miles) from Maui Kamaole. They take people across the street to Kalama Park for lessons. They also rent water gear.
Maui has great snorkeling. Take one of the many snorkeling boats to Molokini crater. You can take trips out of Ma’alea Harbor or the closer Kihei Boat Ramp across the street from Maui Kamaole and just 2 miles south of Shores of Maui. Ma’alea Harbor is a longer boat ride to Molokini. You usually don’t need to get up as early in the morning if you leave from Kihei. After Molokini they will take you to Turtletown for snorkeling with green sea turtles. Go on a morning excursion for the best water conditions. The trade winds pick up in the afternoon, and many water sports aren’t as enjoyable.
There are many great shoreline snorkeling spots in South Maui. Grab the “Maui Revealed” from under the television and explore.
Turtle watching from shore is abundant. The shoreline is always open to the public in Hawaii. Walk along the shoreline from either condo and explore. Grass, sand and trails all can be found in South Maui.Turtles love these hangouts and others along the coast wherever you see rocky areas. Many times you’ll see them throughout the day. Remember to never touch turtles. They are beautiful creatures and you must stay at least ten feet away when on land or snorkeling.
Always take care on the shore and in the water. Please listen to lifeguards, don’t turn your back on the waves…it may look calm one minute, and with a crashing set of waves a few minutes later.
Food and Entertainment
Our favorite is a food truck called Aloha Thai Fusion. We love the Chicken Pad Thai and the Thai chicken wings…the coconut shrimp is great, too. Located about a block off South Kihei Rd. up Alanui Ke’ali’i St. next to Worldmark Resort. Alanui Ke’ali’i is the signal light about mile south of the condo. The other food truck there is also good. Our favorite is the seared ahi tuna with wasabi cream sauce (on the side.
Food trucks are abundant on Maui. Many of them offer some very tasty food. There is a cluster near the airport if you’re making a Costco stop. Just off South Kihei Road near Longs Drug store is another group.
Check out South Maui Garden. This hidden treasure is on Auhana Street just off Soth Kihei Rd. It’s just a short walk from Shores of Maui north on Kanoe Street to 35 Auhana Road. This hidden oasis is open Mon-Sat 8-4, with a fun Farmers Market Thursdays from 9-1. Enjoy food trucks, coffee, pastries and pizza! Look for the baby blue Rambler station wagon.
Cafe O’Lei located at 2439 South Kihei Rd. (upstairs) is also a great restaurant. Go for lunch (served 10:30am until 3:30pm) for a fish special with a delicious catch of the day, rice and Caesar salad all for about $18. Dinner prices are much higher.Monkeypod (at Wailea Gateway) has a popular happy hour with the best Mai Tai around. For a special (and expensive dinner) we suggest the Grand Wailea’s Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Humu for short). Roy Yamaguchi has a restaurant at the Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott) and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago is at the Four Seasons. Ko at the Kea Lani has risen in the ranks and now rates among our top special places.
A couple blocks north of Shores of Maui you’ll find Three’s Bar and Grill for a lay back happy hour. 3pm til 6.
The Triangle, a very popular spot for locals and tourists, is located just a couple blocks down the street from Shores of Maui across from Foodland grocery store. Haui’s Lifes a Beach stands in front and offers nightly entertainment. Kahale’s Beach Club is on the corner and offers nightly music by local bands. They serve appetizers and burgers. The Tiki Lounge offers outside seating, house music, DJ’s and local bands. And…the popular Kihei Caffee is on the corner. Large portions and VERY busy. Our hint is to order online and pick up at the window on the side street. Take it back to the condo or have breakfast on the beach.
Souvenirs
Lots of souvenir shopping along South Kihei Road throughout Kihei. Foodland. Longs Drug and ABC Stores (located throughout the island) have a wide selection, and there’s the funky stores at Aloha Marketplace near the Triangle.
Around the Island
There is a nice aquarium at Ma’alea Harbor as well as miniature golf and bumper cars. It’s about 20 minutes away on the road to Lahaina.
Lahaina is filled with tourists, small shops and restaurants and history. The cannery was located in Lahaina, and it was very important to Maui’s economy at one time. It is the port of call for several cruise lines (they tender in). Check out Fleetwoods (Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac) restaurant and bar. I hear it has a good happy hour with music. Merriman’s restaurant (in Kapalua) is very, very good. He is a well-known chef on island. Monkeypod in Wailea is one of his other restaurants that stretch throughout the island chain. Black Rock in Ka’anapali is great for snorkeling.
The Road to Hana drive will take you all day. Once you reach Hana you turn around and come back…or you can continue driving around the island. Be aware of the dirt road at some points, pass or stop at Lindbergh’s gravesite and drive through lava fields. The road will take you upcountry through Haleakala Ranch, past the winery (not so good wine) and a vodka distillery (a great stop if only for the view). Look down the slope at Kihei. It’s so close but still a long drive to get back to Shores of Maui. Venture back down the hill to the area of the airport. From there you can drive back to Kihei. Don’t plan much else for this day. Leave early and check the road to Hana conditions (local call or website) before you go. You may consider a small tour bus (short buses) and have someone else drive so you can enjoy the scenery. This is a very winding road.
Upcountry in the Kula area is Kula Lodge (nice lunch), the Lavender Farm and zip lines. Some of the zip line companies will pick you up at Shores of Maui but less expensive if you drive there yourself. A side trip if you’re going that way is Makawao. It has some fun little shops and is known as the “Maui’s cowboy” town.
Another fun drive is to Paia town. It is about 45 minutes away. You can drive to Paia and then to Makawao and up to Kula for a nice day trip. Enjoy shopping at the little independently owned stores. You’ll find merchandise that range from souvenirs to clothes and of course, art galleries. This is also a good opportunity to check out stops at the vodka distillery, the lavender farm, the goat farm and other fun places. Check out AirBnB Experiences for locals who open up their farms to visitors. Wend your way back to Shores of Maui for some pool time and the sunset.
Luaus
Everyone wants to go to a luau. They are fun but the food is usually pretty mediocre and they’re expensive. We suggest choosing one in Wailea. Luaus occur on set nights of the week. Check online for the current prices and times.
Cheap Man’s Luau
Another option for experiencing a luau is to drive to Wailea. Look for the Ulua Beach parking lot. It’s free! Walk to the ocean (the equivalent of a block) where you’ll find a sidewalk along the ocean. The pathway travels from Ulua Beach to the Fairmont Kea Lani. Enjoy about 2 miles of sidewalk along the ocean in front of all the Wailea resorts. You’ll walk past the luaus, which are performed on the lawn area along the ocean. Stop and sit outside the luau area and watch the show. Keep an eye out for turtles, too. It isn’t the same as being a bit closer, but it sure is a lot cheaper.
We live on island most of the year and discovered many ways to save a little money here and there. More $$$ for shave ice or your favorite adventure.
The hardest thing to do is slow down…no one (except tourists) honk their horns or gets impatient. You’re on Maui time. Drive slowly, stop for pedestrians (everywhere). Spread the aloha spirit.