Maui Hawaii Activity Adventure - Maui's North Shore and Beyond

Seduction begins as soon as you step off the plane. The succulent smell of plumeria, the rustling palm trees, the warm trade wind breeze, all signs you have just entered pure paradise. Take it in, this island offers you a relaxed inviting vibe, with epic surf, fawning local men and tons of retail therapy.

With a population of 137,000 Maui is the "everything" island. It has a wild natural beauty, amazing beaches, great hikes, hip towns, nightlife and opportunities to explore Hawaiian culture. So grab your new bikini and let's head to Maui's North Shore!

The North Shore is the trendy place to be. It includes the beach town of Pa'ia, the rolling hills of Haiku, and the nearby cowboy town of Makawao. While the resort areas of Wailea and Ka'anapali cater to the un-informed tourist who pays a steep package price to sit and look at other tourists, the North Shore is filled with a combination of locals, international travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types.

Pa'ia is the hub of the North Shore action and winter surf. An old sugar plantation town, it is now home to numerous restaurants, swanky boutiques and surf shops. If you want to be in the North Shore's scene, then reserve your Friday nights - its all about Millagros for a sunset Margarita, Jacques a little later to shake it on their outdoor dance floor and if you're brave enough to venture into Charley's (a very local bar). You'll have completed what us locals call the "Pa'ia Triangle".

Relaxing on the North Shore Beaches

After a booty-shakin' night on the town like that, you'll probably be ready to soak up a few rays in the soft white sands of Maui's North Shore. Just outside Pa'ia Town, ask any local where Pa'ia Bay is. You'll love this beautiful blue water spot with fun beginner's surf. Continue walking west down the beach, and you'll find a trail that connects to the long white sands of Baldwin Beach. The furthest west point of Baldwin, you'll find "Baby Beach," a toddler friendly stretch of sand with calm safe pools to swim in when the surf us up.

If surf, windsurfing, or kite boarding is what you're after, jump in you're car and head north east (the opposite direction of Paia Bay) towards Hana. You'll soon find yourself at the world famous Ho'okipa beach. It's a who's who of the local cool crowd and the waves can pump in the winter. If you're still figuring it all out and want to keep it safe, try paddling out on the far right in front of the pavilion and starting with the inside waves.

Ready for adventure? From the North Shore you're set to head off into your tropical fantasy. Just one small rock in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, nearly all of the ecosystems on the planet are found here . As with the other Hawaiian islands, the north east side of Maui has more rain fall and is greener, while the south west side of the island is dryer and hotter. In just a half day, you can drive from the rainforest of the North Shore, to the deserts of Kihei, and then up the side of the volcano into cool pine laden slopes of Haleakala. You can literally choose your weather.

Cruising Maui on a day that looks like a little rain? Head south across the island to Makena's Big Beach near Kihei. Or, the sun is blazing across the island and you're feeling the need to swim in some crystal clear waterfall pools? Take the day long curvy jungle drive around east Maui, through Hana, and stop off at Haleakala National Park's Oheo Gulch. The hike up to the powerful 400 foot Waimoku Falls is a walk through pure heaven. Another option, drive to the top of the 10,023 ft. Haleakala crater to catch the sunset; its cold, but the view is out of this world!

This is just a little of what Maui has to offer. . . . . we'll see you in the surf!