Formed by two volcanoes that were close enough together that their lava flows overlapped, forming an isthmus between them, Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. The older, western volcano has eroded quite a bit and now forms the West Maui Mountains – an area that is covered with almost impenetrable wilderness. They are filled with deep valleys, inaccessible gorges and soggy marshes. Usually the mountains are covered with mists in the valleys and clouds on the mountaintops. The larger and younger volcano, Haleakala, is to the east and stands more than 10,000 ft. about sea level.
Around the Island, there are extraordinary coral reefs abound with sea turtles, dolphins, and Hawai’i's celebrated tropical fish. A perfect place to snorkel. Maui is also considered a top spot for whale-watching in the Hawaiian Islands because the humpback whales winter in the Au’au Channel just off the northwestern coast. They migrate to the island in the winter and leave again by the end of April. Lastly, when visiting Maui, You have to take the Hana Highway, often called the “Road to Hana” that runs along the east coast of the Island with many hairpin turns through the mountains and past black sand beaches and spectacular waterfalls.
