Maui: Road to Hana Waterfalls and Lunch by Mercedes Van

Overview

Travel through the spectacular landscapes of Maui on a full-day excursion to Hana, aboard an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Accompanied by a professional driver-guide, you will explore Hawaiian culture and history within a small group of up to 14 people. The itinerary takes you through 617 curves and 56 one-lane bridges. Highlights include swimming under waterfalls, walking on unique beaches, and visiting the famous black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park. Depending on weather and access, alternatives such as Red Sand Beach may be offered. Lunch is included as a picnic with local deli sandwiches (ham, turkey, or vegetable), accompanied by snacks, water, Hawaiian cane juice, and pastries. Occasional stops at local fruit stands are planned if time permits. Pick-up and return are provided for the majority of hotels and resorts.

Itinerary

1. Hana Highway - Road to Hana

   The Hana Highway is a 64.4-mile-long (103.6 km) , longest, coastal scenic route in the world. To the east of Kalepa Bridge, the highway continues to Kipahulu as Hawaii Route 31 (the Piilani Highway). This tour covers 59 single lane bridges, over 640 turns and curves, through lush, tropical rainforest. Most of the concrete and steel bridges date back to 1910

   · 7 h

2. Paia

   Just four miles into your drive to Hāna from Kahului, you'll discover the historic town of Pāʻia on Maui's north coast. Divided into Lower Pāʻia and Pāʻia, this hospitable community was once a booming plantation town during the heyday of Maui's sugar cane industry. Today Pāʻia is a town of colorful, rustic storefronts filled with local art galleries, one-of-a-kind shopping boutiques and restaurants.

   · Non-stop passage

3. Ho'okipa Beach Park

   Ho'okipa Beach is considered the windsurfing capital of the world, you can enjoy watching wind surfers, kite boarders and surfers challenge the oceans waves and shoreline winds. This is also the Threatened Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle capital of Maui, with 200-pound turtles feeding along the shoreline and basking on the beach all day long.

   · 15 min

4. Twin Falls Maui

   Twin Falls is the first easily accessible string of waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana

   · Non-stop passage

5. Haipua'ena Falls

   Haipua'ena Falls is a small waterfall and pool along Maui's popular Road to Hana. Thanks to the unsigned trail and short hike over an often muddy path, the pool receives far less visitor traffic than the well-signed falls along the route.

   · Non-stop passage

6. Ke‘anae Point

   Small Hawaiian villages doing their best to live like the Hawaiians of old. Hunting pigs and growing taro, bread fruit, and Bananas are all big parts of everyday life in this small community. It’s also the site of the famous Half Way to Hana Snack stand; shave ice, fresh coconut, cold drinks and of course the Original Fresh Baked Banana Bread. The Keanae overlook and peninsula offer views of one of the largest taro farms in Hawaii.

   · 20 min

7. In 1983, Aunty Sandy Hueu began to bake her famous banana bread in Keʻanae, Maui. In 2003, her daughter Tammy joined the business to create an authentic family owned and operated food stand on the Keʻanae peninsula. Since then, Aunty Sandy's has become a must stop destination for hot, fresh baked banana bread.

   · 15 min

8. Ching's Pond

   Very photogenic spot to get photographed doing something life threatening.

   · Non-stop passage

9. Upper Waikani Falls

   Upper Waikani Falls is often referred to as Three Bears, thanks to the three separate but parallel falls of differing lengths—with the third and smallest being the “baby bear” falls on the right.

   · Non-stop passage

10. Wailua Falls

    Wailua Falls is a picturesque, yet very easily accessible waterfall visible from The Hana Highway. You don't even need to get out of your car to see it!

    · Non-stop passage

11. Hana Lava Tubes

    Lava tubes are formed when massive flows cool on the surface forming an insulating conduit for the lava flowing underneath. During the creation of Maui’s volcanic landscape these served like the veins of the volcano, channeling lava for many miles underground before being deposited as new landmass (in this case, into the ocean.) After a volcano has been dormant for some time, these tubes usually begin to cave in and disappear under the forces of nature. Since much of the surface of Maui formed long ago, we have few lava tubes of significant size remaining; Ka’eleku Cave is the largest known accessible lava tube on Maui.

    · Non-stop passage

12. Hana Bay

    ocated within Hana Bay is Hana Beach Park, which has a long black-sand beach and is the safest swimming beach along the East Maui coast. The bay is protected by a coral reef and harbored from big swells by its curved shape.

    · Non-stop passage

13. Wainapanapa is Maui’s famous Black Sand Beach. Cobalt blue Ocean surrounded by black sand and black lava rocks from a recent flow only 10,000 years ago. Go for a walk along the edge of the bay and check out the blue water or just sit under a nice shade tree. This location is a great place to spend an hour relaxing, taking in one of the islands most beautiful locales. Simply stated, Wai’anapanapa State Park is among the very best of the Road to Hana sites. It offers outstanding nearly 360-degree sweeping panoramic views. On land, the hills and valleys of green jungle give way to rugged and dramatic black basalt lava coastline. Out to sea, the deep blue ocean and white cresting waves are dramatically blasted into spray and mist as they pound against the jagged cliffs.

    · 1 h· Admission included

14. It is fairly easy to access the waterfall from here. Some people like to take a dip in the chilly waters by the waterfall and on a hot day. Wear swim suit layered and bring change of clothes. Don't forget the towels.

    · 40 min

15. Upper Waikani Falls

    Located just beyond Mile Marker 19 on the mauka—or mountain side—of Hana Highway, Upper Waikani Falls is often referred to as Three Bears, thanks to the three separate but parallel falls of differing lengths—with the third and smallest being the “baby bear” falls on the right.

    · Non-stop passage

16. Wailua Valley is an ahupuaʼa that sits just after the Keanae peninsula on the road to Hana. The area, though small, is rich in Hawaiian culture. It is here that an abundance of rare culturally significant fish and plant life can still be found. The area holds many ancient taro, or kalo, patches; a number of which are still in operation. In Hawaiian legend, taro is literally the older brother of all Hawaiians. And, so “Mahiʼaiʼana”, or cultivation of the land, is an ingrained principle that has endured for the people of Wailuanui.

    · 10 min

17. The beautiful view from this lookout point really gives you a sense of what ancient Hawaii must have looked and felt like. It’s truly as though you received a glimpse back in time at untouched Maui.

    · Non-stop passage

18. Right beyond Kaumahina State Wayside Park you'll find a pullout that gives a good view of Honomanu Bay. From this vantage point you can get another good look at the Ke'anae Peninsula. The views from Kaumahina Wayside park are superior to this pullout, so if you can, be sure to stop at the Wayside Park instead.

    · 5 min

19. Kaumahina State Wayside Park or Kaumahina State Park, is located in Maui County, Hawaii, 28.3 miles East of Kahului and 22.4 miles West of Hana along the Hana Highway. The park consists of 7.8 acres of forest and exotic plants

    · Non-stop passage

20. The unique rainbow tree reveals bright shades of green, blue, purple, orange and maroon, as patches of its bark shed throughout the year. Hawaii hosts many of these beautiful shrubs that can grow to an over-elming height of 200 feet! Many consider the rainbow eucalyptus the most beautiful tree on earth.

    · 5 min

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

IF YOUR RESORT, HOTEL, OR CONDO ISN'T LISTED YOU MAY CONTACT OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY FOR FASTER RESPONSE ON PICKUP ARRANGEMENTS. If you are staying in Napili-Honokowai, Kahana, Kapalua, the meeting point is Lahaina Cannery Mall main entrance by Starbucks (6:00am). If you are staying in Wailuku, the meeting point is Maalaea Park n’ride (6:30am) If you are staying in Paia, Makawao, Kula, the meeting point is Kahului Park n’ride (6:40am). Aina Nalu Lahaina Resort (6:00am) - Honua Kai Resort & Spa (5:45am) - Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa (5:55am) - Hyatt Residences Club (5:55am) - Ka'anapali Alii (Classic Resorts) (5:45am) - Ka'anapali Beach Club (5:45am) - Ka'anapali Beach Hotel (5:50am) - Ka'anapali Royal (5:45am) – Aston Ka'anapali Shores (5:45am) - Ka'anapali Villas (Aston) (5:45am) - Lahaina Shores Beach Resort (6:00am) – Meet us at Maalaea Park n’ride (6:30am) - Marriott Courtyard (6:40am) - Marriott Resort & Ocean Club (5:50am) - Maui Eldorado Resort (5:45am) - Norwegian Cruise Lines - Pride of America(Meet us at Maui Mall Village at Center Tower which is Across Street from Ship) Not Listed (Please add Hotel name in the comment area) (6:40am) - Papakea Resort (Aston) (5:45am) - Pioneer Inn (6:00am) - Plantation Inn (6:00am) - Royal Lahaina Resort (5:45am) - Sheraton Maui Hotel (5:50am) - - Sugar Beach Resort (6:35am) - Westin Maui (5:50am) - Westin Nanea Ocean Villas (5:45am) - Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (South Tower) (5:45am) – Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (North Tower) (5:45am) - Whaler on Ka'anapali Beach (5:50am) Wailea/Kihei (6:00am)

How to use your ticket

Operates: Daily from 6:30am Departure Point: Pick-up & drop-off at major resorts or pick-up at the Park’n ride in Kahului Duration: All Day Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages Lunch: Plate lunches from local authentic restaurant.  Choice of beverage -bottled water/soft drinks available during the whole trip Equipment: Travel aboard our luxury Mercedes S-Class sedan or luxury Mercedes Van Restrictions: Rough road; not recommended for pregnant women and those with back problems. Recommended: Bring swimsuit & towel for swimming (optional & weather permitting)   

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Not recommended for travellers with cardiovascular problems.
• Suitable for all fitness levels.
• Specify your sandwich preference (ham, turkey, or veggie) when booking; no other dietary alternatives (raw, vegan, allergies) are available.
• Indicate your hotel name in the special requirements section during booking.
• Provide a valid phone number and, for hotels, the room number to confirm pick-up and meals.
• Provide your email address in the special requirements section.
• The booking is not final until confirmed by phone by the operator.
• The itinerary and schedule may vary due to traffic, weather, or closures.
• The activity is not wheelchair accessible, nor are walkers or similar mobility devices permitted; canes are allowed, but trekking poles are not.
• Guests must be able to enter and exit the vehicle independently without assistance.
• Child car seats and boosters are not provided and must be brought by parents.
• Access to Waiʻānapanapa black sand beach depends on availability; Red Sand Beach or a similar site may be substituted.
• The stop at Auntie Sandy's may be replaced by Hana Farms depending on operational conditions.
• The group is limited to a maximum of 14 travellers.
• Booking confirmation is immediate.

Travelers

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for a full refund at least 24 hours before departure.

• No refund if cancelled less than 24 hours before departure.
• The activity may be cancelled in case of bad weather or insufficient participants.

Who is it for?

• Travellers seeking comfortable transport in a small group (max 14 people).
• Mobile individuals capable of entering and exiting a van without help.
• Nature and Hawaiian culture enthusiasts comfortable with English-speaking guidance.

What makes it different

• High-end transport in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
• Included picnic lunch with local products (deli meats, cane juice).
• Hotel pick-up and return included for the majority of establishments.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Product code: 103992P5

Activity offered by Stardust Hawaii, LLC via Viator.