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Dining on Maui can be enjoyed in many different
ways, from simple noodle shops in central Maui, eating al fresco on the Ocean
front, or dining in upmarket Restaurants and Hotels. The Luau is the renowned traditional Hawaiian feast and is normally held on the
beach.
Maui is a shopper's delight, with a
wealth of malls and shopping centres to suit every taste and budget, from cheap and cheerful to top end Classy shops and boutiques and
plentiful art galleries.
Maui has some wonderful exciting dive
sites, where you can set out on your own or book a dive trip with one of the many diving companies. Charter trips to Molokini, Lanai and many other dive sites can be arranged with custom dive
boats that have wide open decks to store all your diving equipment and personal possessions.
There are four Marine Preserves on Maui and are perfect for snorkelling. Maui's four preserves are Honolua Bay, Ahihi Bay, part of La Perouse Bay, and Molokini Crater. All can be reached by car, except Molokini.
The snorkeling at Honolua is best done in the in the summer when the Ocean is calmer. Snorkel gear can be rented or you can bring your
own.
Whale watching tours are available from December to March, some tours merge whale watching
with collecting invaluable research working with the Institutes and foundations. Specialist commentary is given with the latest scientific
information about humpback whales, with the use of underwater video equipment and on-board monitors; you'll have the chance to have a real
good view.
Various crafts are available from a larger vessel to a smaller rubberised craft, or you can
paddle a kayak. Maui's waters are teeming with humpbacks, but it’s been said that the waters off Lahaina are an
especially good place to find them. Several boat companies leave from Lahaina and Maalaea harbours.
Deep Sea fishing charters can be arranged, with the boats departing from Lahaina, Maalaea Harbor and Mala Wharf every day. Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai form Maui County and were once part of a single Island, as a result, the waters between them are reasonably shallow and it is possible to catch
fish. Many captains favour working the deep shelves located past Lanai and Kahoolawe.
For more seasoned rough water fishermen, charters may fish the waters on the northern and
eastern coast of Maui or off Molokai. In general, boats are chartered on a private or share basis, and most companies require at
least four people to share a trip. Charters for bottom fishing and light line tackle fishing can be arranged.
Maui with its selection of beaches, warm, clear waters and year-round surf attracts a
continuous stream of surfers. During winter months, winds from huge Pacific storms create enormous swells that travel across thousands of
miles of open Ocean to discharge their powerful waves on Maui's shores.
In winter, waves can range in size from 4’ to 20’ faces at well-known surfing beaches such as
Honolua Bay. Other surf sites include Hookipa Beach Park, (which is known for its windsurfing), Paia Bay and Hamoa Beach in Hana all offer
world-class surfing. Another great surf spot is Jaws located at Peahi Bay where the waves range from 20’ to 70’ faces with massive tubes.
This should only be attempted by expert surfers due to the volatility of jaws.
The south shore on Maui also possesses many more achievable world-class breaks including the
famed fastest right in the world at Maalaea Harbor, the boogie board and body surfing haven at Oneloa Beach and the classic long board
breaks at Ukumehame Park, Launiupoko Park, Puamana Park, and Lahaina Break wall.
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