Admittedly, the adventures below aren't cheap. However, each one offers such a wonderful opportunity to see Maui from a unique perspective that, depending on your interests, you might make one of them the highlight of your trip -- it'll be worth every penny.
Flying High: Helicopter Rides--Only a helicopter can bring you face-to-face with remote sites like Maui's little-known Wall of Tears, up near the summit of Puu Kukui in the West Maui Mountains. A helicopter ride on Maui isn't a wild ride; it's more like a gentle gee-whiz zip into a seldom-seen Eden. You'll glide through canyons etched with 1,000-foot waterfalls, and over dense rainforests; you'll climb to 10,000 feet, high enough to glimpse the summit of Haleakala, and fly by the dramatic vistas at Molokai.
The first chopper pilots in Hawaii were good ol' boys on their way back from Vietnam -- hard-flying, hard-drinking cowboys who cared more about the ride than the scenery. But not anymore. Today, pilots, like the ones at Blue Hawaiian, are an interesting hybrid: part Hawaiian historian, part DJ, part tour guide, and part amusement-ride operator. As you soar through the clouds, absorbing Maui's scenic terrain, you'll learn about the island's flora, fauna, history, and culture.
Among the many helicopter-tour operators on Maui, the best is Blue Hawaiian, at Kahului Airport (tel. 800/745-BLUE or 808/871-8844; www.bluehawaiian.com), which not only takes you on the ride of your life, but also entertains, educates, and leaves you with an experience you'll never forget. Blue Hawaiian also is the only helicopter company in the state to have the latest, high-tech, environmentally friendly (and quiet) Eco-Star helicopter, specially designed for air-tour operators. Flights vary from 30 to 100 minutes and range from $150 to $335. A keepsake video of your flight is available for $20 (so your friends at home can ooh and aah).
If Blue Hawaiian is booked, try Sunshine Helicopters (tel. 800/544-2520 or 808/871-0722; www.sunshinehelicopters.com), which offers a variety of flights from short hops around the West Maui Mountains to island tours. Prices range from $125 to $235.
Going Under: Submarine Rides--Plunge 100 feet under the sea in a state-of-the-art, high-tech submarine and meet swarms of vibrant tropical fish up close and personal as they flutter through the deep blue waters off Lahaina. Atlantis Submarines, 665 Front St., Lahaina (tel. 800/548-6262 or 808/667-7816), offers trips out of Lahaina Harbor every hour on the hour from 9am to 1pm; tickets range from $70 to $80 for adults and $40 for children under 12 (children must be at least 3 ft. tall). Allow 2 hours for this underwater adventure.
Ecotours--Venture into the lush West Maui Mountains with an experienced guide on one of the numerous hikes offered by Maui Eco-Adventures (tel. 877/661-7720 or 808/661-7720; www.ecomaui.com). After a continental breakfast, you'll hike by streams and waterfalls, through native trees and plants, and on to breathtaking vistas. The tour stops for a picnic lunch, swims in secluded pools, and memorable photo ops. The 6-hour excursion costs $110 per person, including meals, a fanny pack with bottled water, and rain gear if necessary. No children under 13 are allowed.
About 1,500 years ago, the verdant Kahakuloa Valley was a thriving Hawaiian village. Today, only a few hundred people live in this secluded hamlet, but old Hawaii still lives on here. Explore the valley with Ekahi Tours (tel. 888/292-2422 or 808/877-9775). Your guide, a Kahakuloa resident and a Hawaiiana expert, walks you through a taro farm, explains the mystical legends of the valley, and provides you with a peek into ancient Hawaii. The 7 1/2-hour Kahakuloa Valley Tour is $65 for adults, $50 for children under 12; snacks, beverages, and hotel pickup are included.
