Lahaina tours offer guided excursions through picturesque locations.
Located on the west side of Maui, Lahaina is a quaint and perpetually sunny historic whaling village. With a host of art galleries, local craft shops, restaurants serving regional cuisine and 55 acres of historic districts, Lahaina serves as one of Hawaii's many tourist destinations. Though numerous tours cover the Lahaina area, a handful of specialized tours focus on some of Lahaina's most noteworthy characteristics, namely its history and its plentiful whale population.
Maui Nei Tour
Maui Nei, partners of the nonprofit Friends of Moku'ula organization, offers a historic walking tour of Lahaina called Maka'ika'i Ma Loko O Lahaina, or "A Journey Through Lahaina's Past." Maui Nei guides narrate the tour, which highlights Lahaina's 1,700-year history. The tour begins at Lahaina's harbor and historic gateway, stopping at archeological sites and monuments --- such as the royal residence of Moku'ula --- along the way. Other highlights include the famous Hau'ola Birthing Stone, the Brick Palace and the royal tomb at the Wainee Church cemetery. Contact Maui Nei by phone to schedule a tour.
Sugar Cane Train
The historic Sugar Cane Train starts its tour just off Kaka'alaneo Drive in Lahaina and takes passengers on a six-mile trip, all the way into the foothills of the West Maui Mountains, where riders take in views of neighboring islands. This old-fashioned locomotive, equipped with a steam whistle, chugs at a relaxing pace over the track, which includes a 325-foot long curved wooden bridge. A tour guide points out historic locations and local Lahaina points of interest along the way. Tourists often spot whales along the Lahaina coastline from December through April. This tour, which lasts roughly an hour, caters to groups, weddings and corporate functions. Call or e-mail the Sugar Cane Train to make a reservation.
Trilogy Excursions
Catch of a glimpse of a humpback on a Lahaina whale tour.
Trilogy Excursions, located on Lahainaluna Road in the heart of Lahaina, offers sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and cruising tours throughout Maui. Among more than a dozen tours, Trilogy's Lahaina Whale Watch is its most Lahaina-centric offering. Passengers ride on a wide catamaran boat, boarding from their choice of Lahaina Town, Kaanapali Beach or Maalaea Harbor. This two-hour tour takes riders to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, offering filtered water and snacks along the way. Trilogy's Lahaina whale-watching tour guarantees a whale sighting, or the next tour is free. A portion of the ticket price goes to the whale sanctuary and the Blue Aina reef cleanup program. Trilogy Excursions accepts reservations online.
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