Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 292

Good bodyboarding can be found at Baldwin Beach Park, just outside Paia.
Storms from the south bring fair bodysurfing conditions and great bodyboard-
ing to the lee side of Maui: Oneloa Beach (or Big Beach) in Makena, Ulua and
Kamaole III beaches in Kihei, and Kapalua Beach are all good choices.
OCEAN KAYAKING
Gliding silently over the water, propelled by a paddle, seeing Maui from the sea
the way the early Hawaiians did—that's what ocean kayaking is all about. One
of Maui's best kayak routes is along the Kihei Coast, where there's easy access
to calm water. Mornings are always best; the wind comes up around 11am, mak-
ing seas choppy and paddling difficult.
For beginners, our favorite kayak-tour operator is Makena Kayak Tours
( & 877/879-8426 or 808/879-8426; [e-mail]). Professional
guide Dino Ventura is terrific with kids during the 2 1 ⁄ 2 -hour trip from Makena
Landing and loves taking first-timers over the secluded coral reefs and into
remote coves. Kids 5 and over will probably enjoy this tour more than little ones;
in fact, this could be a highlight of your vacation. It costs $55, including refresh-
ments and snorkel and kayak equipment.
OCEAN RAFTING
If you're semi-adventurous and looking for a more intimate experience with the
sea, try ocean rafting. The inflatable rafts hold 6 to 24 passengers. Tours usually
include snorkeling and coastal cruising. One of the best (and most reasonable)
outfitters is Hawaiian Ocean Raft ( & 888/677-RAFT or 808/667-2191; www.
hawaiioceanrafting.com), which operates out of Lahaina Harbor. The best deal
is the 5-hour morning tour which is $70 for adults and $50 for children ages 5
to 12. (Book online and save $10.) It includes three snorkeling stops and time
spent searching for dolphins, not to mention continental breakfast and mid-
morning snacks.
SNORKELING
Snorkeling on Maui is easy—there are so many great spots where you can wade
into the water with a face mask and look down to see tropical fish. Mornings are
best; local winds kick in around noon. Maui's best snorkeling beaches include
Kapalua Beach; along the Kihei coastline, especially at Kamaole Beach Park
III; and along the Wailea coastline, particularly at Ulua Beach. For an off-the-
beaten track experience, head south to Makena Beach; the bay is filled with
clouds of tropical fish, and on weekdays, the waters are virtually empty.
The snorkeling at Black Rock at Kaanapali is worth the inflated rates at
the parking lots that buffer this beach. The prominent craggy cliff at the Shera-
ton Maui Hotel doesn't just end when it plunges into the ocean. Underwater,
the sheer wall continues, creating one of the west side's best snorkeling areas:
Turtles, rays, and a variety of snappers and goat fish cruise along the sandy bot-
tom. In the crevices, ledges, and holes of the rock wall, you can find eels, shrimp,
lobster, and a range of rainbow-hued tropical fish.
Two truly terrific snorkel spots are difficult to get to but worth the effort—as
they're home to Hawaii's tropical marine life at its best:
MOLOKINI This sunken crater sits like a crescent moon fallen from the
sky, almost midway between Maui and the uninhabited island of Kahoolawe.
Molokini stands like a scoop against the tide and serves, on its concave side, as a
natural sanctuary and marine-life preserve for tropical fish. Snorkelers commute