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Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a curious observer, there’s no shortage of activities to fill your daylight hours. Choose your playground – ocean, sky, forest, or volcano – and don’t forget the camera and the sunscreen. Almost every tour and activity can be organized in Lahaina.
'Iao Valley State Park A variety of trails takes you through the misty, green valley where the 2,250-foot ‘Iao Needle rock pinnacle, used as an altar in ancient Hawaiian cultural rituals, hovers over the Puu Kukui Crater. Central Maui; End of 'Iao Valley Rd.; www.maui-vacation.net/iao.html
Atlantis Submarine Tour Take a 105-minute tour of the majestic underwater wonderland off Maui's west coast without ever getting wet. The Atlantis’s high-tech submarine dives to depths of more than 100 feet, allowing passengers to view coral reefs, marine life, and the Carthaginian a sunken replica of a 19th-century supply ship. West Maui; 658 Front St.; 800-548-6262; www.atlantisadventures.com/maui.cfm
Cruise on a catamaran Sail to Molokini crater or nearby Lanai. Numerous outfitters offer full-day snorkel excursions that include breakfast and lunch. It’s a great chance to view dolphins, and whale-watching is particularly good in the winter. West Maui; Paragon Sailing Charters, 5229 Lower Kula Rd.; 808-244-2087; www.sailmaui.com
Explore on horseback Owned by Native Hawaiians, Maui Stables offers morning and afternoon horseback tours that immerse you in both the beauty and the cultural history of the Eden-like Kipahulu region. East Maui; Maui Stables, Kipahulu, Hwy. 37, just past 40-mile marker; 808-248-7799; www.mauistables.com
Haleakala Rising 10,000 feet above the sea, dormant Haleakala (“House of the Sun”) is Maui’s dominating natural wonder. Hike the crater’s Mars-like terrain, coast down on a bike, or arrive before dawn to witness sunrise at the summit. Upcountry; Haleakala National Park; 808-572-4400; www.nps.gov/hale
Haleakala ATV Tours Some of Maui’s most breathtaking scenery lies deep within the ohia forests of Haleakala. Explore upcountry Maui on your own on easy-to-operate, four-wheel-drive ATVs. Alternatively, sign up for a guided ATV tour, and enjoy the added bonus of a visit to a 30,000-acre working cattle ranch where paniolos (cowboys) are hard at work. Upcountry; Highway 378; 808-661-0288; www.atvmaui.com
Road to Hana Maui’s winding Hana Highway is more about the journey than the destination. Discover countless waterfalls along this breathtaking 35-mile coastal drive, which deposits you in rustic Hana town. East Maui; Hana Hwy.; www.hanamaui.com
Skyline Eco-Adventures If you’ve ever wanted to swing from tree to tree like Tarzan, Skyline’s zipline tours provide the perfect opportunity. Choose to zip through a stunning eucalyptus forest on the slopes of Haleakala (a 2-hour tour) or traverse the tree-lined valleys of Kaanapali (a 3.5-hour journey), enjoying views over the gulches, cliffs, and lush vegetation as you soar between 25-150 feet above the earth. Upcountry and West Maui; 2580 Kekaa Dr.; 808.878.8400; www.skylinehawaii.com
Tee off Kapalua Resort’s two 18-hole championship golf courses are a golfer’s paradise. The Plantation Course is the perennial home of the PGA Tour’s Mercedes-Benz Chanpionship, and Kapalua is one of Hawaii’s best golf resorts. West Maui; Kapalua Resort, 800 Kapalua Dr.; 877-527-2582; www.kapalua.com