Headed to Maui for first time with my teenagers. We have a day of golf booked, however, I am inclined to book a road to hana day trip. Is there anything else that perhaps is better? Going in June. TIA!

Molokini snorkeling

Bike down Haleakala
Surf lessons in Kihei
Snorkel Kapalua Bay, snorkel Napili next door while you're at it
Triple L Ranch Horseback rides in the upcountry

If you do the road to Hana, try to stay the night out there. We did that our second time there and it was much more pleasurable. We were up early and at the black sand beach and it was totally empty except us. The poster above mentioned horseback riding, and there is some in Hana, too. The bamboo forest hike to the waterfall at Kipahulu district of Haleakal National Park is a good hike.

Speaking of waking up early, do the Haleakala sunrise the first day. We actually stayed near the airport the first night to be closer to it. Our bodies were up at 3:00 anyways so it was a no brainer. Oh, it does get cold up there. We took coats.

These were some snorkel spots I liked:

Maui snorkeling

South Maui
Po'olenalena Beach
Palauea beach
Kama'ole beach

West Maui
Honolua
Black Rock

Stop by Ku'au Bay Beach Park on the way to dinner at Mama's fish house to see a ton of turtles.

Headed there myself in late June for the firsst time. Keeping an eye on this topic.

As a first timer if you have the budget, I would suggest a helicopter tour. Pretty neat experience. We used Blue Hawaii. Also, not sure of hiking ability but we had a younger kid the time we went and hiked Angel Falls. It is convenient and pretty easy. Once you get to the Falls, swimming is fun. A lot of the other stuff has been mentioned.

Where are you staying?

Road to Hana can be a beating of a day trip. Its soooo much more enjoyable if you can get an AirBB or something over on that side. Gives you time to do some cool hikes (7 Ponds hike is one of the best on the island).

Two of my absolute musts are Sunrise at Haleakala and snorkeling at Molokini

We did road to Hana in a day- bamboo forest was the neatest part. it is tiresome but doable

We did helicopter ride to Hana. Did the drive back. Was awesome!

Download the shaka app & do the road to hana thru that. We did that last summer & it was great, really the best part of the trip. My kids were 8/10 at the time & it was very manageable. Make your reservations at Black Sand Beach before you go. Some of the stops on road to hana are closed, so look into that. We stopped at 3 waterfalls & got to swim in all of them. The AP gives you some cool historic facts. Look for the island off shore with the lone palm tree on top.

Go to turtle beach (1st stop in the road to hana tour) - go swim with the turtles for free.

Paia fish market was delicious.

We did the luau at the Westin & it was more fun than I expected.

We drove up Haleakala & it was brutal for me but worth it. Beautiful to see.

There is a butterfly place in Lahaina that was really cool. It's next to a cool little sandwich place & general store.

Bring soft sided coolers so you can pack lunches/snacks. Costco is right by the airport & good to run thru after you land to get groceries.

bucky91 said:

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We did helicopter ride to Hana. Did the drive back. Was awesome!

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How long does the drive back take?

Aries said:

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There is a butterfly place in Lahaina that was really cool. It's next to a cool little sandwich place & general store.

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How was Lahaina recovering from the fire? Last I saw it was barren.

I have wonderful memories of walking up and down Front Street with my wife, but it was all wiped out.

Lots of empty lots but building was going on & completed new builds. The saddest part was all of the pics of the deceased along the loop.

Aries said:

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Lots of empty lots but building was going on & completed new builds. The saddest part was all of the pics of the deceased along the loop.

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I can just imagine. I remember viewing Google street view after the fire and just everything a scorched mess, including all the burned out cars and such. Horrible.