5 Reasons to Visit Maui Over Honolulu

Due to the abundance of international flights into Honolulu, the metropolis is typically on visitors’ itineraries. It’s worth it to skip Oʻahu altogether and make the extra trip over to Hawaii’s second-largest island, Maui, to beat the crowds and experience the island’s natural beauty. Here are five reasons a trip to the Valley Isle will surpass a visit to Hawaii’s more popular capital city.

Zip-lining is a very popular activity in Hawaii, but Maui may actually have the only canyoneering company in the state. Tours with Rappel Maui take adventurers into the tropical rainforest used in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park films. Outdoor enthusiasts learn the basics of the sport before stepping off the waterfall’s edge and dropping into a large pool.

The island of Oʻahu is always bustling—not to mention it has some of the worst traffic in the U.S. But, a trip to Maui sets all that aside and offers a relaxed island feel. Even though there are many crowded attractions on Maui, such as Haleakalā at sunrise or the Maui Ocean Center, it’s also possible for visitors to walk on a secluded beach by themselves, or be the only person on a hiking trail—something nearly impossible on Oʻahu.

Though Oʻahu has its share of off-shore islands, nothing is more impactful than taking a boat to the pristine waters off Molokini Atoll. The eroded cinder cone is a scuba diver’s paradise—the virgin reefs and protected bay attract all sorts of marine life and is an unforgettable excursion.