Now that we are approaching the fall season, the average daily temperature in Hawaiʻi cools down just a bit to around 80° F (27 ° C) during most days. The nights may dip just below 70 ° F (21 ° C), so you may want a light jacket. The pleasant temperatures in a tropical paradise make it a great time of year to enjoy outdoor activities and attractions. Here are five of our favorites for the fall season on Maui.
Whale Watching
Humpback whales travel thousands of miles from the colder Alaskan waters to the warmer waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands during the fall season. They migrate to breed and give birth, typically arriving in November and staying through March, with peak activity around January and February.
While in Hawaiian waters, humpback whales are often seen displaying acrobatic stunts, including breaching (leaping out of the water), tail slapping, and pectoral fin slapping. They have the longest fins among all whale species, with adult pectoral fins measuring up to 15 feet in length.
Visitors interested in seeing these humpback whales up close can book a boat tour excursion. These tours typically depart from various harbors around the islands and cruise out to the ocean. It’s advisable to make reservations ahead of time and to plan for parking in the area. Dedicating half a day to a full day for this activity is recommended.
For those who prefer to see humpback whales without going on a boat, the Maui Ocean Center offers an exhibit at their Maʻalaea location in Wailuku. There is an admission fee, and the exhibit is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Experience a Sunrise at Haleakalā Nation Park
In the Hawaiian language, Haleakalā means “the House of the Sun”. The name is fitting as you experience this stunning sunrise experience up at the crater. Haleakalā is one of two dormant volcanos on the island of Maui. It measures about 10,023 feet from sea level, the crater is about 30,000 acres with views that are absolutely amazing, making this experience memorable.
One popular option for visitors is to make it up the mountain early in the morning to see the spectacular sunrise from the crater. For those who wish to drive up to the crater on their own, you will still need to purchase an entrance fee for your vehicle as Haleakalā is part of a National Park. This fee must be purchased in advance. There are a limited number who can enter on a given day, so plan to purchase tickets at least two days prior to the desired day of the trip. Keep in mind that you will be ascending a mountain slope, and it may take between 2-1/2 to about 4 hours to drive there. There are no gas stations along the way, so fill up your tank before heading out.
The temperatures up in the crater are very cold in the early morning hours, and many visitors are caught unprepared for the cold. If you plan to see the sunrise, pack a warm winter coat, dress in layers and bring a blanket or two. The park opens its gates from 3 am to 7 am to experience the sunrise.
Another option to get to the crater is to book a tour. There are a few companies that offer packages that include pick-up from a designated hotel, a bus or van ride up to the crater, and some even include a light breakfast and coffee. Preparations for early booking are ideal.
Molokini Snorkel & Sail from Maʻalaea Harbor
When you visit Hawaiʻi, if you don’t look under the ocean, you’ve missed half the scenery. Booking a sail and snorkel tour can be a great activity to do with the family. Tour boats depart from the harbor in Maʻalaea and set sail in the crystal blue waters off the Maui southern coast toward Molokini’s iconic crescent shaped crater. As soon as the tour boat finds a spot near the crater, visitors each get a set of fins, snorkel gear with floatation device (for safety reasons).
Once in the water, visitors will be able to swim in the area with a visibility of up to 150 feet. The tour excursion usually makes two stops allowing for visitors to snorkel around the waters. While in the water, visitors will be able to swim with over 250 species of topical fish, including ulua and yellow tang as well as the infamous humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa in the area. There is also a wide variety of marine life such as monk seals, manta rays, and green sea turtles.
As you slip into the water and begin snorkeling around, you will feel like you have snorkeled into a different world under the calm waters. Nature’s beauty will take over and lead you into a mesmerizing world filled with vibrant colors, shapes and textures.
Many of the snorkeling boat tours last 3 to 4 hours and take off mid-morning or late morning with a return in the afternoon. Depending on the tour excursion, some offer light snacks while others may offer a light lunch and non-alcoholic beverages for safety reasons.
Be sure to bring sun protection that includes a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen. You may want to wear your bathing suits before getting on the boat tour, wear appropriate footwear that is easy to slip on and off and is tolerant of water and bring your own towels.
Spend the Day Relaxing on the Beach
Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches surround the island of Maui. There are beaches that are great for surfing, while others a great for swimming and relaxing with the family. There are two family friendly beaches on the west side of Maui: The Napili Beach and Kapalua Beach are both located near the most popular westside hotels and are ideal for family beach day.
Napili Beach, where the waters are generally calm, makes it a great spot to visit for families. Sometimes as the day progresses, the waves increase in size so, it is better to swim safely and pay attention to the waves. Parking can be a little tricky during the day in the area so plan out your parking plans before heading out.
Kapalua Bay is located on the northwestern part of the island. A C-shaped cove surrounds the bay giving the area protection from high winds and strong currents. There are rocks in the area but if you enter on the left side of the beach, you will notice that the bottom is sandy making it easier on your feet. The beach is near the resort area and has a reputation of being safer for families to relax, so try to get there early to find a great spot to enjoy the beach for the days.
As with all water activities, check the weather reports in the area you plan to visit prior to heading out to the beach to ensure the conditions are suitable for beach activities. Look into and plan out your parking location prior to setting out for the day. Do not leave any valuables in the car. And be sure to pack the appropriate sun protection. Sunglasses, hats and reef-safe sunscreen and towels are great to pack for the day.
Pineapple Tour: Upcountry Maui
For many visitors to Hawaii, the fresh tropical produce alone is worth the trip. Although pineapples were not native to Hawaiʻiʻs agriculture, it has a long historical connection to the Islands. History has it dated back to the early 1800s alongside, coffee, cotton, mangoes, and grapes. Early settlers to the Islands planted them in the hopes they would flourish in the temperate Hawaiʻi climate with adequate rain fall.
Today, farms are still growing pineapples in Hawaiʻi and enjoyed by locals as well visitors to the islands. For those who want to learn more about the pineapple, this activity gives a complete view of the history, cultivating and the production facility of the pineapples grown on one of Mauiʻs farms. Included is a guided tour of the pineapple factory. They also have a shuttle ride out to the fields where they plant and grow pineapples.
Visitors will learn about the growth cycle of the pineapple and techniques they use to cultivate them. The tour both informative and tasty. During the tour, visitors are invited to sample the pineapples. And every party departs the tour with a gift of a pineapple to take home. It is a great tour for families, especially families who love pineapple.