Best Maui Adventure Tours: Thrills of a Lifetime!

Aloha, fellow adventurers! Are you ready to dive into the vibrant world of Maui’s hidden gems? I recently embarked on a thrilling journey with my boyfriend to uncover some of the island’s most unique and exhilarating activities. Trust me; the experience was nothing short of epic!

Throughout our escapades, we felt that heart-pumping adrenaline mixed with pure awe at nature’s stunning creations, all while enjoying top-notch tour guides and service. Imagine swimming beneath a cascading waterfall or discovering lush jungles filled with exotic flora and fauna! And you know what? It gets even better.

I’ve spent countless hours researching and compiling only the best adventure tours in Maui, tailored just for people like you – fearless explorers eager for something beyond conventional tourist spots. With my extensive knowledge in hand, I’m confident that these exclusive recommendations will ignite your inner adventurer.

Warning: Be prepared for an insatiable urge to embark on an unforgettable Hawaiian adventure after reading about my carefully curated selection!

So strap in and buckle up; let’s set sail into the magical world of authentic Maui adventures!

#1 Road to Hana Adventure Tour w/ Breakfast and Lunch

Duration: 12 hours (approx.)

Address: Pick-up and drop-off at specific Maui hotels available

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maui-Hana-Coast-Day-Trip/d671-2360MAUI2

This historic trip to Hana is an adventure everyone should experience. Abundant with breathtaking waterfalls, lush jungle trails, and amazing local food it’s truly an adventure every visitor will love. This whole-day trip offers an abundance of picture-worthy sites, paradise backdrops, and more. Best of all they offer a great knowledgeable guide that takes you to the cant-miss and off-the-beaten-path spots.

The trip starts early, and they offer pick-up at a lot of different Maui hotels. For our trip, we were picked up at the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina and had an amazing (and funny guide that made the trip additionally special). 

They make stops at Pua’a Ka’a State Park and let you swim at the waterfall (picture perfect), Ho’okipa Beach Park, and Wai’anapanapa State Park. One of my favorite parts is lunch at Hana Farms which serves farm-to-table organic meals.

They had several courses and they were all delicious (and included in the price). Also the unusual lava formations and the ocean at Keanae Road. We even saw a stunning black sand beach at Hana Bay. Overall the trip was amazing, we had some top-notch ice cream and took lots of memorable pictures. 

The Road to Hana Adventure Tour w/ Breakfast and Lunch is my number one adventure tour pick because: 

  • They offer pickup from many of the hotels in Maui. 
  • The guide is fun, extremely knowledgeable, and shares a lot of incredible information about the sights on the historic road to Hana.
  • You get to swim under a waterfall, explore a lush and flowering jungle, eat locally grown and authentic food, and visit some picture-perfect beaches along the way.
  • You will feel safe and pampered on this well-organized tour that hits all the important sites to see and experience. 

#2 Maui Magical Waterfall and Jungle Tour

Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

Address: United States Postal Service, 120 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maui-Magical-Waterfall-and-Jungle-tour/d671-288870P2

This is a perfect half-day tour for adventure lovers who wish to visit (and swim in) stunning waterfalls. In addition, you get to see some incredible marine life including sea turtles and monk seals. The tour is done in small groups, so it’s a perfect way to avoid crowds and enjoy the beaches visited by locals. 

What I love about this tour is that it is locally based and run by people who care about the island and preserving its natural beauty and culture. Our tour included stops at Ho’okipa Beach Park, Waimoku Falls, a magical Bamboo Forest, and Ke‘anae Point (with the famous church.) In the end, we even received souvenir photos and a short video at no additional cost.

I personally loved the bamboo forest because it was so different from what I am used to. We got to see the most famous Rainbow eucalyptus and Bamboo forest (and it was a short and fun hike). Perfect for stretching and wandering around in nature. Also, swimming at Waimoku Falls was fun.

This tour is limited to adults and children over 12 years old. It’s still a great couple and family activity. The groups are tiny, with up to 5 travelers (there were 4 of us on our tour). The tour is run by Maui hopping, and if the weather isn’t suitable for the tour they will offer you a new date or a refund. 

Maui Magical Waterfall and Jungle Tour is my second favorite adventure tour because:

  • The guide is top-notch, friendly, knowledgeable, informative, and funny!
  • Since the tour depends on the weather, they offer a free reschedule or refund on rainy days. 
  • You get to see and swim in a gorgeous waterfall and explore a bamboo forest with Rainbow eucalyptus. 
  • Highlights include Ho’okipa Beach Park, Waimoku Falls, and Ke‘anae Point.
  • This is a great activity for families with older children and those looking for a short hike and some swimming.  

#3 Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Address: Atlantis Submarines Maui located at 658 Wharf St. Lahaina, HI 96761

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Maui-Atlantis-Submarine-Adventure/d671-3524MSUB

All adventure lovers will love to descend over 100 feet (30m) in the air-conditioned sub. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime and unique experience. Also, you will have the opportunity to see abundant marine life including reef sharks, tropical fish, whales, dolphins, turtles, and more. Time flies at this artificial reef full of natural wonder. 

We took an open-air cruise to the dive site and submarine. Getting into the sub was relatively easy, and the inside is almost new. The view from the inside of the submarine is incredible. We saw so many awesome sea creatures including a reef, lots of coral, eel, colorful fish of all sizes, and other fun creatures. Honestly, the time flew by and it didn’t feel like two hours at all.

We did the morning tour, but there is also an afternoon one. The group we took was relatively small (under 50 people I think) and there was plenty of room. The staff is great, friendly, and helpful.  If you do the tour in the winter months there is a great chance you can see whales underwater, playing and swimming around. This is a trip worth making a couple of times for sure. 

Don’t miss out on the Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure because:

  • It’s an incredible opportunity to see diverse marine life including fish, eel, coral, turtles, and more in an artificial underwater reef.
  • You get to spend time inside a real submarine submerged over 100 feet in the water.
  • The groups are small and you have plenty of space and opportunity to enjoy the views and take great pictures. 

#4 Rappel Maui Waterfalls and Rainforest Cliffs

Duration: 3 hours (approx.)

Address: 10600 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708 (Garden of Eden Arboretum)

Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Maui/Rappel-Maui-Waterfalls-and-Rainforest-Cliffs/d671-26113P1

This small-group rappelling excursion is done in groups of under 8 people and is a great adventure and unique experience. The trip includes an amazing guide/instructor and you get to rappel down a 30-foot waterfall. This is a true off-the-beaten-path adventure.

This is also an activity for someone looking for exercise and who is in decent shape. They use an anchored rope system that allows you to hike through streams and on natural trails while enjoying stunning views and even swimming in a waterfall.

My favorite part is that they genuinely take you into the rainforest which offers an authentic and wild experience. There is so much lush green vegetation, birds, wildlife, blooming plants, and more. There are even opportunities for some cliff diving if the excitement of rappelling a waterfall is not enough for you. 

This is an activity that can be done by whole families and is safe. The guide’s main focus is safety and they are very patient. On our trip, there were even older children like 11 or 12 years old. Overall it’s an adrenaline seekers’ adventure with amazing picture opportunities and some great exercise among a lush jungle and waterfall.

Rappel Maui Waterfalls and Rainforest Cliffs is a perfect pick because:

  •  It is adventurous unique and can be done by most including older children.
  • You have the opportunity to rappel down a waterfall and do some cliff jumping.
  • It’s an authentic activity and a great way to get away from tourists.
  • The groups are small so there is plenty of focus on each guest (the limit is 8 people). 

Conclusion

Maui is an island paradise perfect for all kinds of vacations. Especially if you love some adventure on your trip. As a place filled with natural beauty including coral reefs, jungles, waterfalls, lava tubes, black sand beaches, and more.

If you are looking for an all-day adventure, make sure to check out the historic Road to Hana Adventure Tour w/ Breakfast and Lunch. The views are stunning and the food is delicious!

For an underwater reef observing trip in a submarine, make sure to check out Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure in groups under 50 people.

Meanwhile, waterfall and jungle lovers can’t miss out on the Maui Magical Waterfall and Jungle Tour and Rappel Maui Waterfalls and Rainforest Cliffs. 

Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Brigitte