We love sharing some of the best island experiences, like a visit to Maui Ocean Center. When family and friends arrive, we get to go along and play unofficial tour guide. The day we visited was pleasantly warm. Since the park is spread out over three acres, there is plenty of space to see marine life outdoors, like at turtle lagoon, and even gently feel the texture of a spiny sea urchin or soft sea sponge at the touch pool.

Sun, sand, glittering aqua seas and views of distant islands. It's a big part of what most people come to Maui for. We are exporing our 15 most favorite beaches on Maui, including a deep dive into Makena State Park, or as we affectionately call it "Big Beach." Read on for the attributes and history of this amazing park, plus quick links to all of our other favorite beaches and a map at the end.

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Seeing a whale in September is rare, but not a fluke (pun intended), it does happen, with activity continuing through April, and sometimes into May.

Seeing a Hawaiian Monk seal while snorkeling or diving around Maui is a rare treat. Friendly and curious, observing these furry, puppy-faced creatures is a delight. But just how rare was this encounter? With an estimated population of 1,200, the Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, and the rarest seal in U.S. waters.

By now, you are probably aware of some COVID-related travel advisories for Hawaii. But we also realize some people are too close to their departure to change plans, or are planning for a future visit at a beautiful Destination Maui Vacations beach condo.

Getting to Know the Valley Isle When you look at the island of Maui from the air, you’ll see why we call this slice of paradise the...

Hawaiʻi made worldwide news in May of 2018 when it passed the nation’s first law banning the sale of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common sunscreen ingredients that have significant harmful impacts on Hawaii’s marine environment.

When you travel, it is always nice to get to know about the place you are visiting. There is so much depth to Maui’s historic past and the people and cultures that made it what it is today. Even long-time residents share that they are still learning from our Kapuna (elders).

Long before Polynesians voyaged to Hawaii, surfing was a central part of their culture. By the time of European contact in 1789, the art of surfing, known as heʻe ʻana, had long been a celebrated sport of Kings, and served as a training activity for warriors. The ruling class, or Ali’i, and connected ohana, had use of the best beaches and the best boards.

Travelers wanting to return to Maui are curious if the island will be as they remember. First-time visitors wonder if they can do all the great activities they have heard about. So, here are some honest answers about all there is to do, some restrictions, and what to expect when booking your vacation on Maui right now.

There are so many things that make Maui special, including more miles of accessible beach than any other island in Hawaii. Even though we are a bit prejudiced that Maui is No Ka Oi (the best), the island is also a favorite of visitors.

We love to make happy Maui vacations happen. But these past few months under quarantine have been a bit lonely. Everything started to change on October 15th. Travelers can now avoid Hawaii's 14-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test.

Many people travel to Maui annually and we welcome them back like ohana (family). For some it will be their first trip to the islands. For everyone, it’s a trip across the ocean to paradise, but one that is a little more complicated because of COVID-19.  For those that do take the journey to Maui in the next few months, it may be an experience of a lifetime, to see Maui like it hasn’t been for decades.

On Maui, we cohabitate our homes and condos with a tiny wall-crawling creature- the gecko- and we like it. Understanding the value these colorful lizards provide is one thing. They pay their dues by eating mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, and spiders that might have found their way inside.

You don’t need an expensive or complex camera to take great photos. I shoot and edit photos here on Maui, and often times end up pulling out my smartphone for certain candid shots or to use the panoramic feature in tight spaces. You can take great shots too by following a few expert tips.

Maui is generally a safe place, with the greatest risk at the beach being a little sunburn. But as you explore the beautiful beaches, the mellow atmosphere can also lead to a false sense of security when it comes to the ocean.

Aloha and welcome to Maui! Whether this is your first visit, or you haven't been here in awhile, this just- updated, epic 7-day Maui vacation itinerary focuses on the very best, current things to do on the island. We've worked in plenty of time to relax and soak in the warm beauty of the island.

Maui visitors felt the effects of the partial government shutdown in reduced National Park services over the past month. Haleakala National Park has now resumed regular visitor services. This includes Haleakala summit and the Kipahulu district near Hana.