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Called the 'Valley Isle', Maui is the result of two volcanoes that erupted to form one island. The two volcanoes: Haleakala and Puu Kukui erupted and their lava formed a valley between them. Maui's dramatic elevation changes and location in the middle of the eight-island Hawaiian chain create an island paradise with unique features.
These features include:
- Remote, tropical valleys
- Micro-climates
- 10,000 foot-high volcano
- White and gold sand beaches
- 1,000's of waterfalls
Maui is the only Hawaiian island venue where it is possible to see four of the other islands. This is comforting to those visitors to the island who miss the psychological comfort of the mainland, and enjoy feeling 'landlocked'. This also allows visitors to Maui to take short plane rides to the other islands during their stay.
Honeymooners can arrive in Maui by airplane or cruise ship. Direct flights to Maui are available from Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco, and many other flights are available with stopovers in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Cruise ships that sail between the mainland and Hawaii, or within the Hawaiian Islands, are a popular way to see Maui. Departures from mainland West coast cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States are available, and can either be booked as roundtrip passages with Maui as one of their stops or as a one-way trip with Maui as their destination.
Accommodations for honeymoon couples are numerous in Maui. Large resorts cover the beaches in West Maui. Kaanapali Beach is nearly 3 miles of gold sand beach that is dominated by high-end resorts catering to families and groups meeting on Maui. For exclusive shops, art galleries and fine dining, visitors take a short shuttle ride to Lahaina. Once there, entertainment choices are everywhere and boat tours for whale watching (in season) are available. The weather is sunny, mild and slightly breezy.
If your nightlife aspirations are a bit more intimate, you might consider renting an Oceanside condominium in Napili, Kahana, Mahinahina or Honokowai for your Maui honeymoon. Excellent bargains on Maui accommodations can be had in these places, yet all are still close to Lahaina's excitement.
Napili is the closest to Kapalua, the home of two of the islands most exclusive hotels. Manicured golf fairways, pineapple groves and a tropical rainforest preserve are all available to the public in Kapalua, but accommodation exclusivity has a price, and it is expensive to stay here.
South Maui offers a hotter climate, with 85-degree weather year-round, and some of the best accommodation bargains in Maui are available in the town of Kihei. Seven miles of coastline offer affordable condominiums, mall shopping and bargain priced food. If your honeymoon budget is small, and you would still like to enjoy Maui, consider using Kihei as your home base on the island and rent a car to explore the other areas.
If you need to find Costco for supplies, drive to Central Maui and the city of Kahului. Most Mauians live in this city and it is where you will find subdivisions of non-tourists going about their daily lives. If you make friends with a resident, you may be able to reap the benefits of their local knowledge and find a little known beach or special restaurant.
Upcountry Maui is where the island becomes green. Its climate is similar to the Northwestern United States; cool and damp. Haleakala, the 10,000-foot volcano rises to meet the sun and flower farms, pastures and wineries cover her slopes. This is a very friendly area of Maui with agriculture dominating life here. Fresh fruit stands dot the country roads and horses are tied up in front of community storefronts. Bed and Breakfast accommodations are available, as well as Dude Ranches for the adventure-seeking honeymooners.
East Maui is host to Hana and Paia, the closest towns to the Koolau Forest Reserve, Haleakala National Park, Hana Forest Reserve, and Walanapanapa State park. Home to a laid-back counter-culture of windsurfers and artists, there are no ATM's, fast food, shopping malls or golf courses here. However, if you want to enjoy tropical fruits and flowers, old-town history, the world's best wind surfing, or relax with your beloved and savor the simple joys of being together, this is the place for you.
Some of the many activities available to couples on the Hawaiian island of Maui include:
- World-class windsurfing
- Snorkeling
- Sailing
- Golfing
- Hiking on a the slopes of a volcano
- Helicopter tours
- Parasailing
- Shopping
- Winery tours
- Art galleries
- Pineapple and sugarcane plantation tours
- Horseback riding
Whether your honeymoon plans include an upscale resort, an inexpensive bungalow or sailing in on a cruise ship, if you are looking for an amazing variety of tropical delights to add to your newlywed experience, consider Maui your Valley Isle honeymoon paradise.