Maui’s Most Romantic Sites To Take Your Breath Away
Hawaii feels made for romance with turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, exotic flowers, Polynesian culture and a laid-back vibe.
Sure, you can spend all day at the beach near your resort or near one of the many Hawaii villa rentals, but if you are like my husband and me, you’ll want to do some exploring. Here are some of the most beautiful (and romantic) spots that we discovered on the island of Maui:
Road to Hana
Getting there is half the fun—right? As long as you’re not prone to carsickness, you’ll love this winding, 68-mile long stretch of highway starting from Kahului and leading to the tiny, but picturesque town of Hana on eastern Maui.
Expect about 620 turns and 59 bridges along this 2.5-hour journey—you’ll have to drive slowly as the majority of the bridges are only one lane. But it is well worth it to take in the sights of majestic cliffs jagged against ocean waves, roadside waterfalls and lush, tropical rainforests. Roll down your windows and take in the fruity scents of wild-growing mangoes and guava.
Tip: Some of the island’s best smoothies and banana bread are sold at stands off the road along the way. I still dream about the smoothies made with fresh cane juice and just-picked mangoes and coconut.
O’heo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
About 40 minutes outside of Hana, stop into Haleakala National Park and visit these beautifully tiered pools, fed by a series of waterfalls. The pools lead right into the ocean, and if conditions are good, you can take a dip in their tranquil waters.
Pipiwai Trail:
Yes, you’ll have to hike up a few (sometimes muddy) hills on this 1.8-mile trail, but highlights include a wide Banyan tree with roots jutting out of the ground, a walk through a bamboo forest, and spectacular look-offs with views of tropical jungle greenery and gushing waterfalls. These sights are amazing, but even better is the 400-foot Waimoku Falls at the end.
Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach:
Inside Wai’anapanapa State Park, this beach set amongst lava cliffs and is as photogenic as it is memorable. Imagine black sand contrasting with surrounding lush greenery and white ocean foam. An added treat is that you can explore the area’s sea caves.
Haleakala Sunrise:
Get up early and make the trek along the Haleakala Highway up to the summit of Haleakala, a shield volcano in Maui. From its 10,000-foot peak watch as the sun rises and breaks through the clouds (as early as 5:30 am or as late as close to 7 am, depending on the time of year), offering stunning hues of oranges, yellows, reds, and purples across the sky.
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About The Author: This post was shared by Laura Pellerine
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Photo Credits: #1 stockxchange, #2 Flickr:Mastery of Maps, #3 FLickr:tomdz, #4 FLickr:Mastery of Maps, #5 Flickr:Allie Caulfield, #5 stockxchange
