Beautiful South Maui
Beautiful South Maui, Hawaii
South Maui is about 30 minutes from Kahului International Airport and well-known for its world’s most beautiful beaches. The three major towns are Kihei, Wailea and Makena. Wailea and Makena have exclusive resorts and five well-manicured golf courses, whereas Kihei in the northern part has more affordable smaller hotels and vacation rentals. Need a cheap flight to Hawaii? Check out our ideas for cheap flights to Hawaii.
Kihei and Wailea were build in the 60s and have since then developed to one of America top-notch places. In the winter months, many tourists, so called “snow birds”, come here from the mainland to escape the cold weather.
Kihei offers exquisite oceanfront restaurants like the 5 Palms Restaurants with spectacular sunsets and a great nightlife including karaoke, sports bars, dance clubs and several nice restaurants. The city also has an amazing six miles long beach with views to the Molokini Crater and the island of Lanai.
Take off to a Snorkel Adventure at Molokini Crater
Molokini is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater created about 150.000 years ago. Snorkeling or scuba diving there, will be definitely a highlight of your Maui vacation! There is no better way to experience Maui’s crystal clear tropical water and its more than 250 unique species of tropical fish. You can also see there some whales during the winter months. How to get there? Several boats leave from Ma’alaia Harbor/Kihei or Wailea.
You also have to explore Hawaii’s underwater world at Maui Ocean Center, located at the Ma’alaia Harbor and named as one of the “15 Top Aquariums in the United States. Come eye to eye with Hawaii’s amazing undersea world and watch sharks, swimming in a 54-foot long tunnel. Open daily, 9am-5pm. $29.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3-12.
Golf Courses in Wailea on Maui
Driving about 7 miles through Kihei, you end up in Wailea, well-known for its beautiful beaches and golf courses. The PGA TOUR’s Tournament of Champions is held here each year, so you may even meet a pro like Arnold Palmer or Ben Crenshaw in their clubhouses.
Wailea also has several luxurious hotels like the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and the Four Seasons. Shop and dine in some of Maui’s finest restaurant and resorts. One of them are Sarentos’s and Tommy Bahama with great romantic ocean views.
Further south, you will see Makena Beach, a very secluded beach with restrooms and picnic facilities and if you continue a couple more miles you come to the very end of South of Maui – to La Perouse Bay, where you can also hike the 12.5 mile long Hoapili Trail.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of Maui. One of the things you MUST do while on Maui is the road to Hana – amazing views, waterfalls and green and black sand beaches. Explore Maui on a private tour with Daniels Hawaii!