Bamboo Forest, Haiku - Na'ili'ili-Haele
Maui is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. There are a wide variety of activities to do here, on land and sea, and your wallet will appreciate the activities you and your family can participate that don’t cost a dime!
One of these money-saving activities you can do is the Na’ili’ili-Haele trail, known as the Bamboo Forest. Located in Haiku on the North shore of Maui on Hany Hwy (by mile marker #6.7) the bamboo forest is exactly that: a huge forest of staggering bamboo trees! It is right off of the famous “Road to Hana” and you can enjoy the scenery for 5 minutes or 5 hours.
After a 10-15 minute walk on paths throughout the forest, you will eventually pop out at a water stream. You can hop some rocks across the water and will then come in contact the first waterfall and water pool big enough to take a quick dip.
Continuing on requires ropes and ladders and you will encounter another, larger waterfall. You can swim around or even hike up the rocks and jump about 20 feet into the pool! If you decide to continue further, be warned: you WILL get muddy!
But of course that’s part of the fun! After roughly another 20 minutes of walking through the water, rock hopping, and maneuvering through the mud, you end up at another stream that requires you to swim about a 100 meters and finally, you end up at the last waterfall, which is about 100 feet tall and the pool at the base of the waterfall is about 4-5 times the size of the previous ones.
Doing this hike truly immerses you into the raw, natural beauty of Maui and will give you memories that will last a lifetime!
Top Tips for Bamboo Forest
Here are a few helpful tips for those that would like to experience the bamboo forest!
- Bring bottles of water! You’ll be in the sun and hiking, so be sure to stay hydrated.
- Wear a bathing suit and clothing that you do not mind getting dirty! All of the mud will wash out of course, unless you want to bring some concrete memories with you when you go home…
- Wear flip-flops or running shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.
- Bring a camera! You will be seeing waterfalls and trees that are unique to the Hawaiian Islands, be sure to capture the moments.
- Have fun! No matter how outdoorsy of person you may be (or may not be), you will guaranteed leave the Bamboo Forest with not only amazing stories to tell back home but also with a deeper connection to Hawaii and its beloved land.
Baby Beaches on Maui
Maui has an abundance of beaches. Each has their own set of qualities and unique appeal. From Kaanapali’s sprawling award winning beach that attracts mass crowds, to the sea turtle covered Hookipa beach, everyone will find a beach that works for them on Maui!
Among the wide variety of beaches include those perfect for babies and young toddlers. Here is a list of the top beaches on Maui that are perfectly suited for you and your youngsters.
Launiupoko Beach
Launiupoko Beach, located off the Honoapiilani Hwy on the way from Maalaea to Lahaina, this beach attracts a wide variety of people, from locals to tourists, surfers to sunbathers, and particularly parents with their young children. At Launiupoko, there is a part of the beach that is sheltered from the incoming waves but still allows a small amount of water to flow in and out of the cove. This allows for perfect baby playtime in warm, protected water!
Find Launiupoko Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/0AXWW
Baby Beach, Paia
As the name itself tells, Baby Beach is the perfect spot to take your little ones for some fun in the sun. Much larger than other sheltered beaches, Baby Beach is the ultimate spot to let your children splash around in the warm, still waters protected from the current by a large straight line of reef.
Find Baby Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/SFZiu
Baby Beach, Lahaina
Baby Beach in Lahaina provides a perfect location to sit back and relax with your kids. Low tide, no waves, and soft sand make for a perfect spot to do some splashing around, snorkeling, and sand castle building.
For optimum enjoyment, visiting this beach during the week and earlier in the day will mean easier parking and more options to choose your beach spot!
Find Baby Beach on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/MktkK
Kuau Cove, Paia
Kuau Cove, also known as Mama’s Fish House Beach, is a small, secluded beach right behind the world famous Mama’s Fish House located in Paia. Like the other baby beaches listed, this small white sand beach is protected from the waves by rocks, and is surrounded by tide pools and a coconut grove.
Find Kuau Cove on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/9Pg5i
More Kid-Friendly Activities
Looking for other activities to do with your little ones that don’t include the beach? Check out these two family-fun options.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is a popular waterfall location that is suitable for families. The hike is short and the first waterfall can be accessed by foot. The second waterfall is accessed by a short swim into the fresh-water waterfall.
Families with young children can easily see the first waterfall and if your young children are good swimmers, you can get to the second waterfall, as the water is very calm.
Strollers are not conducive due to rough footing; otherwise, the pathway is relatively flat and easy!
Twin Falls is located about 30 minutes from the Kahului airport at mile marker 2.1 off of the famous Hana Highway (before the extremely winding part begins, making it hassle free for families with young children).
A parking lot is also available for your convenience.
Find Twin Falls on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/Gh52R
Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
Located on the slopes of Mount Haleakala in lower Kula, this dairy farm is a great way to entertain the kids, see beautiful bi-coastal views, and experience feeding and milking goats, the cheese making process, and cheese sampling.
Surfing Goat Dairy has over 30 different cheeses, and includes 18 national award winners! This certified humane raised and handled farm offers a fun and unique experience for the whole family! Casual tours of the farm are offered on a stop-by basis with no reservation needed, whereas the evening chores & milking tours as well as the grand dairy tours are reservation recommended. Surfing Goat Dairy is open Monday-Saturday from 9-5 and on Sundays from 9-2.
Find the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/PdE2c