It’s the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands; it’s one of the most beautiful of the Sandwich Islands; it’s the “Valley Isle”; it is Maui!

Maui is an island in the northwest of Hawaiian Islands. Maui is separated by the Alenuihaha Channel from the island of Hawaii, and separated by the Pailolo Channel from Molokai. Maui is comprised of two mountain masses that constitute the east and west peninsulas, connected by an isthmus. The Haleakala volcano in Haleakala National Park is the highest point on the island.

Maui was discovered by the British Captain James Cook on November 26, 1778. Maui is part of Maui County, the other islands comprising the county being L?nai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. Kahului, Wailuku, L?hain?, and K?hei are the important towns of Maui.

Approximately attracting 2.2 million visitors each year, Maui is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world. Maui is very popular among the tourists from the US mainland and Canada. The island of Maui is a leading whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands The fact that many Humpback whales winter in the sheltered Auau Channel between the islands of Maui County make Maui, one of the most popular destinations of whale-watching in the Hawaiian Islands.

Maui is a scenic destination widely known for beautiful waterfalls, lush greenery areas and beaches. It is a celebrated destination for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving, Mountain biking, Hiking, etc. Maui has been voted as "Best Pacific Island" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine for sixteen consecutive years.

The main tourist center of island is the West Maui that has most of the resort destinations of the Island. The major tourist attractions of the West Maui are Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua. The South Maui is known for the omnipresent beaches and resorts. Some of the attractions of the South Maui include Kihei, Wailea and, Makena. In the central valley area of Maui, Kahului and Wailuku are two main towns. There are two golf courses located in nearby Hyashi Village.

The East Maui surrounded by dense rainforests. Hana is the major tourist attraction of the East Maui The Highway to Hana is a tourist attraction featuring scenic green valleys and waterfalls. Upcountry, located in the foothills of Haleakala, is a cool ranching area. Pukalani, Makawao, and Kula featuring Tedeschi Vineyards, the only winery on Maui are the main attractions of Maui.

Haleakala National Park, one of the major tourist attractions, offers alpine wilderness and stunning views of Maui. Wainapanapa State Park is a great torist trap featuring black sand beach, sea arch, sea caves, and a small blowhole. From about December to March, Humpback whales breed off the coast of Maui. Whalewatching cruises are very popular among tourists.

The ‘Road to H?na’ is also very popular among the tourists. Maui has more miles of swimmable beach than any other Hawaiian island, and the island has the second highest waterfall in the United States.

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