A Quick Guide to Making the Most of Your Maui Vacation

Maui is one of the world's most famous vacation spots because of its beautiful beaches and landscapes. To make the most of your Maui vacation, plan ahead to enjoy some of the many unique attractions the island has to offer.

Try something out of the ordinary - how about a spelunking expedition in a lava tube, followed by a picnic in the Hala region? Several touring agencies in Maui use Limo-Vans, and limit tours to between six and eight people. Expert state guides lead the tours, with a variety of tours available, so there's something for everyone.

This also may sound inviting, try the Maui helicopter tour and have the opportunity and the advantage of viewing the beautiful Garden Island from the air, these helicopter touring agencies offer a variety of tours that cover all the major points in the island of Maui. They can even let you have a quick look of neighboring Molokai if you want.

Boat charters offer great adventures that you can experience in Maui like snorkeling, fishing, and whale watching. One of the destinations preferred by tourists is the Molokini, and the charmingly named Turtle Town. Both of these spots offer some of the world's best snorkeling. Charter boats can also transport you to the waters where the humpback whales swim.

Perhaps you'd like an exciting ride down Mt. Haleakala, a dormant volcano. The route for this adventure is entirely up to you, from 10 to 38 miles long down the mountainside. Professional guides escort you, of course, and the tour company will provide you with the equipment you'll need, including a mountain bike, safety helmet, windbreakers and gloves. And since the ride starts above 10,000 feet, you'll need cold-weather gear, because even paradise on earth can get cold.

Touring Mt. Haleakala via horseback riding is another adventure offered. Your tour guides will tall you all about Haleakala's history and geological makeup, and about the flora and fauna native to Maui. The Kapalaoa Cabin Ride and the Ka Moa O Pele Junction Ride take you miles into the wilderness, providing you with unique experiences all day long.

Or perhaps you'd like to experience Maui's underwater world firsthand. Aboard a 65-foot, fully air-conditioned submarine, you can descend 125 feet to see fascinating exotic fish and other marine life. The sub's crew will explain how the ocean is so much a part of Maui's rich culture.

There are even more exciting adventures that can help you make the most of your Maui vacation. This is just a taste of what's to come.