Cruising to Maui

Maui has two ports where cruise ships dock, the ports of Lahaina and Kahului. If you are lucky enough to dock at Lahaina, you will find it to be one of your favorite ports of call. Lahaina is rich in history, as it was originally a 19th century whaling village and the royal seat of the island. History buffs will find the Courthouse in the center of town, which includes 2 art galleries as well as the Lahaina Heritage Museum on the second floor. While you are there, pick up a walking tour guide, which will direct you to many of the other sights in town, including the Pioneer Inn, Maui’s first hotel, the Baldwin House Museum, and the Wo Hing Museum. There are plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as local artists working right in town. While in town, be sure to check out the shops at Front Street, which is a shopper’s paradise.

The beach at Lahaina is nearby, and here you can either watch new surfers take their first lessons, or sign up for some lessons yourself. Another beautiful beach is Kaanapali Beach, located behind Whalers Village. Whalers Village is a shopping area, featuring restaurants, water sport rentals, and the Whaling Museum, where you can take a free self-guided audio tour through the history of whaling.

If you dock at Kahului, you will find yourself in the midst of an industrial port, so you will probably want to venture over to Lahaina, or if you are docking there an additional day, to visit other attractions on the island. The Haleakala Crater is quite a hike, but the dramatic landscape of this dormant volcano is well worth the trouble. Dress warm, as it is quite chilly at the top, where you will find rare and endangered animals and plants among the lava rocks. The views from the top include the island’s plantations and beaches, as well as four of the neighboring islands. The Maui Ocean Center is the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, and it features Hawaii’s native marine life.  You are sure to find plenty to do to enjoy your day ashore on the island of Maui.