South Maui
offers tourists a number of fun and relaxing excursions.
The southwest coast of Maui offers the driest, sunniest area on the island. The area offers a number of great opportunities for whale watching and snorkeling. Whether you are an adventurist or just want a relaxing Hawaiian vacation, Maui offers a resort-styled community with miles of sandy beaches.
McGregor Point Lighthouse
McGregor Point Lookout offers visitors a vantage point for watching humpback whales from land. Located off Highway 30, just west of Ma'alaea, the lighthouse offers great views of the ocean. The best times to head out to the lighthouse are in the early morning or early evening if you want to see the whales. The best viewing months for humpback whale-watching is from mid-December until mid-April. There are no restroom facilities on site and a rocky coastline surrounds the lighthouse.
Ko'ie'ie Fishpond
While many fishponds in South Maui are privately owned, the Maui Ko'ie'ie is accessible to the public. At one time, fish in the Ko'ie'ie fishpond grew over three feet long. The Ko'ie'ie sits adjacent to the Kalepolepo park. When visiting this fishpond, guests can play in the ocean, walk the shoreline, snorkel and fish. The fishpond provides a shallow depth and a large protective wall surrounds the area. Visitors should not walk on the rock walls, which can shift and collapse.
Big Beach - Makena
The Big Beach is located in the Makena State Park. The beach is undeveloped and lacks the large crowds of more popular beaches. The Big Beach is two-thirds a mile long and open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Clouds rest over Big Beach most afternoons, keeping the area cooler and more comfortable. The beach is located at the end of State Route 31. While the beach is unattended, the area does include porta-potties and picnic tables. Dining choices while spending a day at Big Beach include carts with fish tacos, pineapples and shaved ice.
Snorkling is allowed at the beach and green sea turtles and dolphins frequent the waters. The area is also good for whale watching from the months of December through April. Visitors who enjoy body boarding should beware of shore breaks, which can drop boarders onto the beach from up to six feet in the air.
La Perouse Bay
Lava from South Maui's most recent volcano created the La Perouse Bay, located at the end of Makena Alanui Road, 7 miles south of Wailea. The bay presents great snorkeling when the ocean is calm but strong winds can make the water choppy, and usually pick up in late afternoons. The area provides no lifeguards and there are also no restroom facilities. The coastline is rocky and dolphins frequent the area.
Tags: South Maui, Maui offers, dolphins frequent, fish fishpond, located Makena