Maui Activities Blog

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

I’d like to share my latest experience stand up paddle boarding.  My friends and I went to Boss Frog’s Dive & Surf and rented 3 SUP boards.  They’re really big boards that are perfect for any level paddle boarder.  We took them down right in front of the shop and put them in the water and began an incredible trip along the South Maui coast.

Just a little back story: I’ve been stand up paddling for over a month now.  Sometimes we’ll surf the small ripples in South or West Maui or just cruise for distance.  My first time out, I fell a lot.  But it only took an hour or so to really get the hang of it.  My wife picked it up instantly and I don’t think she’s fallen once.

As I was saying, we began our paddle around 8am, when the shop opened.  The water was glassy and the air warm without a breeze.  We took our time traveling south.  As we moved along, we cruised over calm tropical reef that was active with fish and coral.  It was really beautiful. (QUICK TIP: Wearing Polarized glasses is hugely helpful when stand up paddle boarding on calm days.  You can see straight to the bottom which makes it SOO much better.  BUT, if you do this, make sure that you get some kind of strap for them in case you fall.  I think they sell them inexpensively at Boss Frog’s. See more Tips Below.)

We then continued on to see some large sea turtles swimming below and around us.  A couple of them popped up to say hello.  Turtles and Maui go well together.  It seems that every time I’m in the water, I see at least a few of them.  By the end of the 2 hour trip, we’d counted 16 of them (big and small.)

And here’s when things got really interesting.  We noticed a HUGE Manta Ray cruising about 3 feet below us.  He must have had a wing span of 8-10 feet!  We followed him for a while and could see him feeding on plankton.  His huge mouth was scooping up the tiny meals while doing loopty-loops through the water.  It was beautiful and mesmerizing.  We couldn’t believe that he was so close and wasn’t afraid of our boards.

Then, another showed up, and another.  Then another.  They we’re everywhere!  We counted seeing 8 of them by the end of the trip.  Some were deep below on the sandy floor bottom.  Others skimmed the surface with their large oval mouths wide open.  The ones on the surface were fun to watch because the tips of their wings would break the surface with each flap.  When we went back, we spoke to our Boss Frog’s rep (Benjammin at the Dolphin Plaza Shop) and told him about all the Mantas.  Benjammin then mentioned that during full moons, Manta Rays are more likely to be seen.  He explained that the plankton are attracted to light, so during the full moon, they come out more abundantly, and in turn, Manta Rays enjoy the feast.

This last ocean experience was unforgettable.  So much ocean life, glassy water, great exercise, beautiful views, warm water, and sunny skies made this trip exceptional.  Another thing I love about Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Maui is spending time with friends.  It’s a great sport to catch up with friends because you can talk along the way without getting overly winded.

Some Tips:

• Use a lot of waterproof sunscreen and wear some kind of hat (attached preferably.)
• Drink a lot of water before going.
• Wear a floatation device if you’re not a strong swimmer.
• Stay close to shore.  Don’t go too far out where a current could pull you.
• Stay clear of shallow reef.  It’s often shallower than it looks.  Reef cuts are not fun.
• Enter and exit the ocean in calm areas.  It doesn’t take a very big wave to swing that big board around and take you out at the shins.
• Be careful not to run over snorkelers.  They aren’t looking up and could run into you!
• Bring polarized sunglasses with a string that keeps it secure on your head.
• Always begin your trip up-wind or up-current.  That way you can come back more easily.
• Ride with a friend for safety.
• Never go in any areas that look dangerous. All it takes is a quick small wave to push you against a rock formation or something else undesirable.

This video was made the next day.  There was a little more chop on the water, but we still had a great time.

Maui Bottom Fishing

We recently went out on Maui Fun Charters to do some epic Maui Bottom Fishing.  The crew was super nice, the group intimate and not crowded, and the fish AMAZING!!  We wanted to share our experience as well as some others with you.  Below are some recent testimonials:

Aloha Maui Fun Charters!

Andy and I went out on a charter with you guys a little over a week ago and had a blast. I landed that great Hawaiian Hogfish and have talked to Brian about my print. I hope to see it on my doorstep soon!

You asked us to get back to you with how the fish was that we took home to eat. It was FANTASTIC! I liked the blue striped snapper (I think that’s what it was) the best and Andy was a fan of the Hogfish. The mayo and soya preparation you suggested was brilliant!

Thanks again for the great 4 hours on the water. We hope to see you guys again one day!

Tim and Andy Ansley

Hey Monroe,

The Snapper was fabulous. Nothing wrong with the trigger fish (the pink tailed one was great) but the Snapper was really good.

Kelly took the pictures on the Sunday we went out.  It ’s a picture of the family behind a big Amber Jack. Rob is very excited about it. He’s having Brian print it as well. Kelly had seemed impressed at the size of it. We had forgot our camera at the condo on the second trip out.

We had so much fun I believe Rob is planning another trip next year to Maui. We all enjoyed the fishing.

Thanks for the great time!

Keri Peters

If you’d like to book Maui Fun Charters for your next Maui fishing adventure, give us a call at (808) 875-4477!

Piiholo Ranch - Maui Horseback Tours

My Day at Piiholo Ranch (808) 661-3333

I went on the 2-hour country ride:
My guest and I arrived a few minutes early, and were happy to see brilliant sunny skies all around.  Marlene, our guide, was working in the barn, and asked us to fill out our liability release forms, grab a beverage, then come on over and meet our horses.  I walked over to the neatest, most sparkling clean barn on Maui (a good sign), where there were seven already-saddled horses relaxing in the shade.  Marlene invited me into the barn to look around if I would like.

I was to ride Cheese, a goofy name for such a beautiful and intelligent animal (they didn’t name him).  I went over and introduced myself and allowed him to get a sense of me.  Over the next few minutes, while Cheese and I were getting to know one another, the other riders arrived and met their horses.  Marlene also came out and we got to know her  background as well:  4th generation Maui girl!  After Marlene gently coaxed the horses into their bridles, she mounted one of the horses and gave us a very thorough demonstration and lesson on how to handle our horses. You can tell immediately that these horses are well cared for and treated with respect by looking at their strong healthy bodies, by their relaxed attitudes and willingness to interact with their riders, and by Marlene’s caring ways with them.

We all mounted with Marlene’s assistance, and off we went into the beautiful fields of Piiholo Ranch.  We rode through green pastures, some with cattle grazing and reluctantly moving out of our way, and got the chance to observe from a safe distance two families of feral pigs. Riding through the pastures, we were free to spread out and ride side by side.  The horses did not fall into the automatic nose to butt formation I’ve seen at other places.   Rider and horse are a team here, you are not merely a passenger.

We climbed through the fragrant eucalyptus forest to the top of Piiholo Hill, which has a sweeping 360 degree view.  You can actually see the curvature of the earth from up there.  We did have a perfect, clear day and took many pictures.  From our vantage point, we also watched a few of the zipliners from Piiholo Zipline embark on their 2800 foot journey across the gorge.

Descending back down Piiholo Hill, the horses picked their way skillfully and sure-footedly (is that a word?).  Marlene picked guavas for us to eat and yellow ginger for our hair, and told us all about the ranch, the flora and fauna of the area, the Baldwin family, and told us stories about the horses.  She also answered questions from the guests on all topics, always with a big smile.

The ride ended back at the barn, where we dismounted, thanked our horses, and gathered at the covered patio for some beverages and chocolates, and to talk story with each other and Marlene.  I know she still had plenty of work to do after we all left, but she never let the guests know it.  We all got the feeling that if we wanted to, we could just hang out.  But Costco awaited, so I took advantage of the clean, decorated, cedar “Cowgirl” room, changed back into my board shorts and slippers, and off I went with happy memories of my afternoon at Piiholo Ranch.

Thank you to Marie Rogers for your excellent account!  If you’d like to ask her more questions and get the best price on all Maui Activities, give Boss Frog’s a ring at (808) 661-3333.

Maui Art Galleries

One thing a lot of visitors miss while visiting Maui is perusing the art galleries.  It’s fun and free (unless you buy something special.)

Maui has some great areas for this.  The most popular is on Lahaina’s Front Street.  There are a variety of Lahaina art galleries, from the scenic Hawaii painters to the wild sculpture, prints, and paintings of Kush.

Wailea is also quickly becoming a haven for high-end art work.  At the Shops of Wailea you’ll find all kinds of beautiful work.  Celebrities is a fun spot to see art made by and of famous people, especially rock stars.

Wailuku has Art Night every 1st Friday of the month.  This is a lot of fun and a great reason to visit this historic town.  The vibe is lively and festive.

Makawao has some great art.  This is generally thought of as the cowboy/artist community of the island.  Paia is also great for art.  In fact, most areas of the island have their own specialized artists.  Paia has some great funky little art shops.

Drop in to a Boss Frog’s and ask one of our local experts about where to go and when.  There’s often special events occuring that the general tourist community is unaware of.  Aloha!

Blue Dolphin Charters - NaPali, Kauai

Last week we took a trip over to Kauai and enjoyed the Napali Coast for some snorkeling.

The Captain and Crew were all very nice and accommodating.  We we’re brought onboard in a timely fashion and explained how everything works on the trip as well as given some safety information.  We powered off on the Blue Dolphin from Ele’ele Harbor on the West side of Kauai.

We saw stretches of beautiful beach along the way.  We also ran into a group of 15-20 Spinner Dolphins that were jumping around our boat.  

Because the weather wasn’t ideal, we snorkeled at a spot closer to the harbor than Napali.

Once we got to the Napali Coast, we enjoyed breathtaking views of lush sea cliffs and waterfalls.  We also saw an old-growth Koa forest tucked into the cliffs.  It was beautiful and we took plenty of photos.  

While we were coming back, we ran into 6-7 Oceanic White Tip Reef Sharks feeding at the surface.  It was incredible!  They were swarming tiny fish in to what the crew called a “Bait Ball.”  In this ball, larger fish went darting in and out.  It looked like the sharks were eating everything.

The trip took a total of around 5 hours. Though I did get sea sick, seeing the sharks, dolphins and Napali Coast made it worthwhile.  You can book this trip by calling (808) 661-3333.

HST Windsurfing School

For those who haven’t tried windsurfing yet, it is so much fun!!! I’ve tried surfing before, but the difference between the two is that in surfing you spend a lot of time waiting for the perfect wave, in windsurfing, you just get up an go. I was able to get up and windsurf within my first 2 hour lesson. The instructors were great. They spent time going over in detail the technique before even hitting the water so when you do get on your board, you’re ready to fly across the sea. It’s such an amazing experience to be able to just glide across the ocean with the wind carrying you across the water as the mist sprays through the air around you.  Most lessons take place at Kanaha Beach park (behind the airport), which I think is one of the most picturesque (and more secluded) water locations on Maui.  I have to warn you though, this can be a very addictive sport! I can’t wait to get back out there and learn more now!!! Who knows, maybe someday I’ll even be able to do back flips on some narly rips! (lol)  Thank you HST for a fantastic experience!  This is definetly one of my most favorite things to do on Maui.

Safari Boat Excursions Lanai Dolphin Safari

Lanai Shipwreck

This has got to be the best trip I have done.  I went last year and again a few weeks ago.  My favorite boat and an awesome crew.  Captain Dave knows how to throw a party!  Their boat is specially designed for the difficult waters around Lanai.  Very comfortable with padded seats, large stow areas under each seat, and roll down see through windows if needed. 

This trip departs from Lahaina Harbor and heads for the east coast of Lanai, cruising between Molokai and Lanai and circumnavigating the entire island of Lanai!  You will sail around an old shipwreck, see the beautiful untouched beaches, enter sea caves, hear stories & legends of old Hawaii, enjoy the playful dolphins that love to follow the boat, see the spectacular rugged cliffs on the north coast of the island, and of course, stop for snorkeling at 3 exquisite locations along the way. 

Good time music, good food, and a great boat custom built for this tour.  I had a really great time and I know you will too!  Book your trip on the Lanai Dolphin Safari!

Kai Kanani Charters

Turtle Town

My husband and I just had a wonderful snorkel/sailing experience.  This past Wednesday morning we woke up with excitement as we headed down to the activity beach center (in front of the Maui Prince Hotel),  to check in for the deluxe morning Molokini snorkel sail. We watched as the boat pulled right up on the beach to pick us up.  The crew members then greeted us and let us know that this was a BAREFOOT cruise, then asked us to place all our slippers in a bin before we started. Excitement rolled through my head as I was walking down the beach with the sand between my feet into shallow water then up stairs to board the boat. As soon as we got on board there was a continental type breakfast waiting for us to dig in. Then the captain(capt. roger) went around calling us by name and asking where we were from.  I thought that was great.

South Maui Departures

As the trip started heading to Molokini Crater  we ran into a pod of  bottle nose dolphins (Just like  Flipper from the movie).  On the way over the crew members fitted us up for our snorkel gear and gave detailed instruction to those needing assistance.  We then reached Molokini where the water was so amazing and crystal clear, visibility was great and there were many different fish to see.  After Molokini we headed towards turtle town.  When the boat docked one of the crew members got out in the water with us and swam us over to the turtle cleaning station, where we saw quite a bit of turtles.  There were some being cleaned by fish then surfacing, while others were resting at the ocean floor.  We then got back on the boat to have a deli style lunch which was good.  By this time, I thought our adventure had come to an end, but I was wrong.  The cruise headed towards the la perouse bay area as we were finishing up lunch, the boat then turned around and sailed back towards makena.  This was my first sailing experience as well as my husbands so it was fabulous.

If your ever looking for a snorkel/sailing adventure I would highly recommend this trip.  Thanks to capt. roger, melissa and kiki who made this the best experience.

Wailea Watersports

Bike the Volcano!

There’s good reason why Biking down the slopes of Haleakala volcano is one of the most popular Maui Activities.  We just did the trip with Haleakala Bike Company and highly recommend it.

We left early from their base area and traveled up to Haleakala Crater in a comfortable shuttle bus.  We arrived a little while later at the peak of Haleakala just before the sunrise.  IT WAS COLD!!  Thankfully, they had some weather gear for us to wear, though it was still cold.  Thankfully, we had some warm clothes on already.  (Make sure you dress warmly!  You can strip down along the ride down as the weather gets warmer.) 

The sunrise was gorgeous!  It rose over the crater through the clouds.  It was incredible.  We had time to hike around for a bit and to take some great pictures.  We then got back in the shuttle and were taken to the House of the Sun Center where they have information, photos, and artifacts from the Crater.  After checking this out, we went down to where we started the bike ride.

We we’re instructed with safety tips and given directions and maps.  Everyone grouped into our own personal groups and took off!  It was my wife, a good friend and I.  One of the big pluses to using Haleakala Bike Company is that they’re self-paced.  You don’t need to follow the group which makes it more comfortable to stop and take pictures (or peel layers of clothing off) along the way.  This also afforded us the opportunity to choose where we wanted to eat.  We stopped at the Kula Lodge for a great breakfast.

All along our ride, we saw incredible views of Maui and enjoyed the different climates and vegetation of the Upcountry.  

It was an all around great trip!  You can book this trip for the best price at Maui Bike Tours or call (808) 661-3333.