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Awesome! Maui with teens!
Four excursions that pack a Hawaiian punch
 Maui Eco Tours Maui Eco Tours promises tons of encounters with the sea turtles, and it delivers. |
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Want to guarantee that your teens will remember your family vacation in 10 years? Or 20? Or 50? Pull out all the stops and give them experiences they can’t get at home. Challenge them — and yourself — to do things never done before, in a spectacular setting that resonates with all five senses.
Last summer, Joanne and Tom DeMarchi wanted to give their two teenagers, Jacki and Patrick (then 18 and 16), a vacation in Maui that they’d never forget. We sent them on four heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping, mind-blowing adventures.
Sea kayaking and snorkeling with turtles
Outfitter: Maui Eco Tours
Excursion: Xperience, Introductory Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling
Location: Scenic cove on the Makena coastline, South Maui.
Departures: Daily at 7:45 a.m.
Duration: Three hours, including 30-minute orientation.
Cost: $69/adult, $35/child 5 to 11, plus tip. “An incredible bargain,” says Joanne.
Minimum age: 5, but use your judgment. Younger children may get nervous if the water is rough. The two DeMarchi kids were the only non-adults out of 10 people in the group. The best age is 12 and up.
About the outfitter: Small groups and an expert staff make Maui Eco Tours a stand-out for ocean kayaking excursions that get up close and personal with marine life. The outfitter provides everything you need — kayaks, life vests, flippers, and snorkels — plus a light, healthy lunch. “Ours was tasty skewered chicken with fresh pineapple chunks and cucumber slices,” recalls Joanne. The DeMarchis’ guide was a marine naturalist with eight years of experience as a guide. “The eco slant of the excursion was a bonus and made the trip unique,” says Joanne.
Prep work: To prepare for the outing, the group spends 30 minutes reviewing the basics of ocean kayaking, including how to paddle and get in and out of the kayak. The easy part is learning how to snorkel.
The real fun: Once the basics are covered, the group paddles out to the first of two snorkeling stops for 30 to 40 minutes. The sheer abundance and variety of marine life is awe-inspiring. “Over the course of the morning we spotted 15 or 20 enormous sea turtles, plus blue starfish, sea urchins, and tropical fish in every shape and size imaginable,” says Joanne. “Our guide often did a deep dive to about 20 feet to drive the fish closer to us, even though the water was so clear that we could easily see the marine life from the surface.”
Wow factor: This outfitter promises tons of encounters with the great shelled ones, and it delivers. “We were hopeful that we would see even one sea turtle, but we were lucky enough to see many more,” says Joanne. “This was an ideal spot for snorkeling. At one point, there was less than 10 feet of crystal-clear water between my family and a huge Hawaiian green sea turtle, creating an incredible family memory.”
Need to know: If you wear eyeglasses, alert the outfitter before your trip that you’d like vision-correcting goggles.
Don’t forget: Your underwater camera. And if you’re prone to seasickness, take anti-nausea medicine before the excursion begins.
Verdict: A great-value, easy, and fun outing.
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Touring Maui’s high country by ATV
Outfitter: Haleakala ATV Tours
Excursion: The 3-Hour Tour
Location: Haleakala Ranch, a 30,000-acre cattle ranch.
Departures: Daily at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Duration: Three hours, including orientation.
Cost: $145/person (save $10/person if you book directly).
Minimum age: 16
About the outfitter: Haleakala ATV Tours provides each rider with a top-of-the-line 350cc 4WD quad, plus three items to keep heads safe and clean: A head sock (covering everything but the eyes), a helmet, and a pair of goggles. On the three-hour tour, riders stop to enjoy a pre-ordered box lunch that includes a sandwich, chips, and a drink. (Note: The shorter, two-hour tour doesn’t include lunch.) The DeMarchis’ group was made up of 12 riders and two friendly and knowledgeable guides.
Prep work: Figure on 30 minutes getting the group outfitted and educated in the basics of ATV operation.
The real fun: The guides lead the group across the varied terrain of the dormant Haleakala ("House of the Sun"), including lava beds, rolling hills, and mountain forests. The tour takes two-and-a-half hours to complete and covers 10 to 14 miles, with two stops along the way to learn about island history, local wildlife and vegetation. “Going 5 to 12 mph on an ATV feels faster than you’d think,” says Joanne. “We were never bored, which always makes for a great day. Even though it rained part of the time, it still was a blast.”
Wow factor: Ah, those glorious views! When the convoy arrives at 4,200 feet, the group is rewarded with a soul-lifting, panoramic view that spans the island’s north and south shores. “Being able to see the shape of the island from that vantage point was awesome,” remembers Joanne.
Need to know: You’ll get dirty. OK, make that filthy. On dry days the ATVs kick up red clay dust, and on wet days it’s red clay mud. (Trust us. Neither will ever completely wash out of your clothes.) The DeMarchis recommend renting sweatshirts from the outfitter ($5 each).
Don’t forget: Wear old clothes. Bring your camera, a pair of binoculars, bottled water, and sunscreen. Each ATV is equipped with a zippered pouch that will keep your belongings clean and dry.
Verdict: Highly recommended soft-adventure excursion on moderately challenging and rough terrain. “I loved participating in an activity with my teenagers that we all enjoyed,” says Joanne. “The three-hour ride was the right choice for us because we were much more proficient ATV operators on the second half of the trip, which amplified our fun.”
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