Maui with Kids

The Maui Ocean Center is the largest tropical aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, and a tropical oasis for a variety of fish, mammals and sea creatures that can only be found in Hawaii.

The aquarium and science center has been built to replicate the surrounding natural ecosystem, with extensive ocean exhibits, outdoor touch pools, interpretive displays and a 240-degree view acrylic tunnel.

Home to more than 60 excellent displays boasting a wide range of fish and sea life, as well as the largest collection of live corals in the nation, the center aims to promote education and understanding of Hawaii’s delicate marine environment and the animals that inhabit it.

The Maui Ocean Center is one of the best things to do in Maui with kids of all ages.

What better way to cool off and keep the kids happy than an Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice treat. The winner of numerous awards for their exotic flavors, and well known for their finely shaved ice, as well as warm and friendly Aloha spirit, Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice is not to be missed.

Six branches in various locations across Maui offer a range of unusual and unique flavors, including Tamarind, Pickled Mango, Root Beer and Tiger’s Blood, as well as a range of combination of flavors such as Haleakala (Coconut and Leche topped with sweetened condensed milk and cream), No Ka Oi (Coconut, Mango, Liliko’i) and Coconut Lovers, including Coconut, Tiger’s Blood, Pina Colada.

As the name suggests, the Maui Chocolate Tour is all about chocolate and one not to be missed if you are a chocolate lover.

Master Chocolatier Melanie Boudar and her assistant Sinead Byrne run the tours, which offer a fascinating look at this much-loved sweet treat - where it comes from and how it is made, as well as plenty of opportunity for tastings along the way.

This hands-on, educational tour looks at how cacao trees are harvested, fermented and dried to create the distinct flavor of chocolate.

Roast and hand grind cacao to make an ancient Aztec drink before tasting a range of chocolates and comparing them to locally made chocolates. Tours are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - reservations need to be made in advance.

Located on eight rolling green acres of beautiful farmland in Haiku, Leilani Farm Sanctuary is an oasis for rescued animals, donkeys, pigs, deer, goats, chickens, cats and ducks.

Named in honor of Leilani, the farm's first resident donkey, the farm offers a fun and education day out with the kids, where they visit and pet the animals, spend some time with them, and learn about animal rescue and care.

The farm offers guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as a variety of interesting presentations about animals rescue and what goes into caring for animals in a sanctuary such as this.

Maui’s healthy choice of eating out or on the go, Choice Health Bar is an award-winning restaurant that focuses on serving delicious, organic and vegetarian food, made from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and which promote a healthy lifestyle.

Choice Health Bar is a raw vegan café, specializing in superfoods, with a menu boasting an array of uber-healthy delights, such as homemade soups, smoothies, juices and acai bowls (sublime mixes of fresh fruit, almond milk, cacao or maca powders, granola, hemp seeds - the list goes on).

Locally made and a firm favorite among locals and visitors alike, Shaka Pops are artisan ice pops made from the freshest island ingredients, including a range of delicious tropical flavors and combinations. Lava Flow, Passion Orange, and Strawberry Banana are just some of the mouthwatering flavors available, made from freshly squeezed juices and pure cane sugar.

Shaka Pops can be found in a number of stores in various locations across Maui, as well in mobile sites – just look out for the bright green tricycles.

Founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of world-renowned marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, the ‘Ambassadors of the Environment’ program is offered at an environmental and cultural education center at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, and offers a great way of introducing children to the environment.

Led by expert naturalists, the program offers hikes through the lush Hawaiian rainforest, snorkeling along Maui’s magnificent coral reefs, and exploration of the island’s unique ecosystems and culture.

Seeking to inspire a greater understanding of the relationships between humans and the surrounding environment, the event offers a variety of children’s and youth programs, such as ‘Shore Snorkel for Beginners’, ‘Turtle Tracks’, ‘Creatures of the Night’, and ‘Life at the Edge of the Sea’, among others.

Located along a perfect crescent on the west shore of Maui, Ka-anapali Beach is the ideal destination for sun seekers. The beach stretches for 3 perfect miles between the ocean and some of the island’s most attractive resorts. The sand is powder white, the water is crystal clear and the accommodation offers choices for all tastes, including 5 resort hotels and 6 villages of condominiums. There is also an excellent retail complex which includes shops and restaurants as well as the popular Whaling Museum. Golfers will love teeing off on 2 championship golf courses. Every evening you can witness the famous cliff diving ceremony at the northern-most cliffs.