Top 10 Extreme Maui Adventures

Cliff jumping holds deep meaning in the Hawaiian culture, and is now a very popular activity for locals and tourist alike.

Cliff jumping was once known to the ancient Hawaiians as lele kawa (leaping feet-first from a cliff into water, without splashing.) This sport was a favorite pastime of the king of Maui, King Kahekili. He would challenge his warriors to jump off of Black Rock in Kaanapali, known to Hawaiians as Puu Kekaa. What made this challenge so scary, was not the 30 foot jump, but the symbolism of Black Rock. To the ancient Hawaiians, Black Rock was a place where the spirits of the dead would jump into the afterworld. Jumping off was a display to the king of loyalty and courage.

Today, you can’t visit Kaanapali without witnessing daredevils leaping from the face of Black Rock. Every evening at sunset, since 1963, a diver will make the jump with a tiki torch in hand as part of a ceremony put on by the Sheraton Maui.

For those looking for thrills, and, the chance to experience first-hand a chapter of Hawaii’s past, then head to Black Rock, or, Cliff House at Kapalua. But remember – a good serving of caution must be taken at all times.

Get the ‘ol heart pumpin’ with the rush of an ATV adventure! Maui Off-Road Adventures is conveniently located in Lahaina, and offers participants a chance to tour some of the most breathtaking scenery on Maui using advanced off-road vehicles (or ATV’s). 

The trails will lead you along miles of terrain that are only accessible by ATV or helicopter, so your experience will be one shared by few other Maui visitors.

Tours are available for ages 7 and older, and offer experiences that include bamboo forest runs, mud, hill climbs, river crossings, jungle canopies, ocean views, tight turns and more.

All vehicles seat four people, with tours lasting around 2 hours.

Kitesurfing takes great skill and years to perfect. What is kitesurfing? Some people call it kiteboarding, but we just call it awesome! Essentially, you are harnessed into a large kite that is connected to a surfboard. Using the wind’s power, you are propelled through the water at high speeds, allowing the rider to create enormous jumps and flips.

If you are coming to Maui and don’t have all the time in the world to take kitesurfing lessons, tandem kitesurfing is the way to go. What better way to get a taste of what this thrilling sport is all about than hooking up and heading out with the best of the best.

There are many companies that offer tandem rides, and these are generally offered near Hookipa Beach Park.

Ever dream of flying but have yet to sprout your own wings?  Try paragliding.  It’s one of the most exhilarating sports offered on Maui, and will get you about as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing. Because paragliding is a dangerous sport, going tandem is the way to go.

Paragliding offers riders the opportunity to experience the freedom of flight in one of the simplest forms possible.

Unlike hang gliders, paragliding uses no ridged framework, but rather just a parachute that can be steered by the pilot. The pilots use their own body weight and air currents to take flight.

Paragliders launch from the slopes of Haleakala, offering riders one of the most gorgeous views of the island below.

Maui is known for some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the world. Visitors flock to these for their stunning beauty, and a dip in the lovely pools below. But have you ever considered how cool it would be to actually rappel down a waterfall?

If you’re up for some serious adventure, side step the typical waterfall visit this time, and take a waterfall rappelling tour instead.

This new and exciting adventure is quickly becoming very popular on Maui, and there are many companies which specialize in waterfall rappelling. These companies generally operate out of Hana, and take visitors to some of the most beautiful rainforests and waterfalls out there. When booking your experience, be sure to use a trusted name in the business as rappelling does have its risks.

How many of you out there have that urge to jump in with the sharks?  Sound like a good time?  Come on. Admit it.  OK. We’ve got the adventure that’s tailored just for you!

Though the majority of us don’t ever want to swim with a shark, there are people crazy enough who would jump at the opportunity. Lucky for them, there are many shark diving tours on Maui.  One of these tours from Lahaina Divers, takes guests to Molokini crater to dive with hammerhead sharks, as well as other varieties. This is one of the few sites in the word where you can witness these sharks swimming about, sometimes in large groups (sounds fun).

Maui Diving Company will take divers to Mala Ramp where you can swim with White Tip Reef sharks, which are a little less intimidating than the hammerhead.

Or, you can head over to the Maui Ocean Center to experience a shark dive in their tank. This dive is certainly a popular one, as you don’t only get to swim with a variety of different sharks, but also sting rays and other beautiful tropical fish.

If you are after that once-in-a-lifetime adventure, then camping at Haleakala National Park is it.

Haleakala offers many camping opportunities, from drive-up camping spots, to camping inside the actual crater of Haleakala in historic cabins from the 1930s. The cabins are the most sought after of the two options and these book out 90 days or more. 

Getting to these cabins is an adventure in itself; however, it’s well worth the effort – the chance to spend the evening under a canopy of diamonds, and in a location that could well be the surface of Mars.  The distance to the cabins ranges from 3.7 miles to 9.3 miles, with elevation changes from 6,380 feet to 9,780 feet. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and from 30 to 50 degrees at night.  Temperatures can drop below freeing; it’s even been known to snow!

Snagging permits for the drive-up campgrounds is pretty easy and can be reserved online, but if you are considering camping in one of the cabins, it is important to make your reservation as far out as possible as these are very popular.

There are many helicopter tours on Maui, all offering some of the most incredible views of the island you will ever see. Blue Hawaiian helicopters is one of the leaders in the industry, and most trusted.

They offer a variety of different tours that take you over some of the most beautiful and isolated waterfalls in the world, into Haleakala Crater, over the lush rainforest of Hana and more.

Their most breathtaking tour takes passengers over West Maui and Haleakala to view waterfalls, rainforests and valleys. Then as a bonus they will land in their exclusive remote location on the slopes of Haleakala to allow you to get out, take some pictures and have a champagne toast overlooking the island of Maui.

After your toast, you are whisked off to Hana and East Maui before returning home.

Maui Spearfishing Academy is one of the best places to go if you are interested in learning how to spearfish. They take great pride in what they do, sharing their love for the sport and their passion for the Hawaiian waters and their inhabitants. 

Their spearfishing lessons typical begin around 7 am, where you will be given all the equipment needed for the day. A After that, you will head out with their team, to read the weather patterns and find the perfect location for the lesson. The experienced crew will teach you everything you will need to know to safely and successfully spearfish, including fish identification, fish preservation, gun safety, breath holding techniques and hunting techniques.

With any luck, you will leave with Ulua or Awa, both considered the trophy fish by Maui’s spearfishermen.

Many may not associate Maui with hunting.  Yet we’ve got our hunting; and, this activity serves a dual purpose.  It provides a sport for those guests of ours who are so inclined.  It also provides a way for the state to thin out some species on the island that have become invasive.  These include Axis deer, wild hogs and goats.  None of these three help out our environment one bit.  In fact, all three are, in different degrees, destructive.  

Private hunting operations allow visitors to the island to hunt these animals, all of which are free-range and desirable for consumption. 

Most hunts take place on the slopes of Haleakala, and all gear, including guns, are provided for participants. Before signing up for a hunt, be sure to check their required documents ahead of time.