We recently returned from a 10-day trip on Maui, during which we did the Road to Hana tour and the Doors-Off MD500 helicopter tour with Wayne and Beth. Their passion for Maui and island life is infectious, and we couldn’t have asked for more knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. I highly recommend Explore Maui Nature for anyone looking for a personal, informative and exciting way to explore all of the amazing beauty of Maui!

Our Road to Hana trip was an all day event and we saw so many amazing things! We left fairly early in the morning (730 am) to make sure we weren’t stuck in any traffic on our way to Hana. Wayne and Beth know the spots worth stopping at and which ones to avoid due to overcrowding. We hiked through the Bamboo Forest and saw so many gorgeous waterfalls. Wai’anapanapa Park is picture perfect and we got to see the Black Sand/Pa’iloa Beach and the sea arch. Before we got to Hana, we stopped at the Hana Farms stand and got the best banana bread we’ve ever had, passionfruit jam and homemade ginger ale. Once we got to Hana, we trekked to the Red Sand/Kaihalulu Beach for a dip in the ocean and to hang out for a little while on the beach. We saw so many gorgeous waterfalls on the road on the way up and back including 3 Bears/Waikani and interesting plant and bird species. My favorite was the surreal looking rainbow eucalyptus trees! Beth and Wayne know so much about the flora and fauna of the island, as well as the history and mythology of Hawaii. We had such a fun time and learned so much from them!

For the Road to Hana trip, I definitely recommend wearing decent hiking or tennis shoes (not flip flops). The "hiking" is not strenuous at all, but some of the paths in the Bamboo Forest are a little more difficult to navigate and the path to the Red Sand Beach at the end is a bit steep and slippery in the gravel sections. We saw people in flip-flops everywhere, but to be a bit more prepared I would recommend some good walking shoes.

The Explore Maui Nature tour van is a highlight as well! It is a brand new, pristine Mercedes van! The windows are huge so you can see out of it very well and there is a ton of room on the inside. My husband literally always gets carsick but felt completely fine riding in the van. The A/C works great and everyone has their own vent for more or less air. I can’t imagine being squished in one of the old vans we saw on the road to Hana; this is seriously the only way to go. The snack drawer in the back is stocked with a ton of goodies too!

The Doors-Off MD 500 helicopter tour was an amazing experience as well. Seeing Maui from this perspective left us awestruck! Wayne is a very accomplished pilot and a great tour guide; his calm demeanor makes you feel safe and comfortable in the helicopter. He loves to point out the coolest waterfalls and most picturesque parts of the coastline. So many of the most amazing sights in Maui are inaccessible by car and the only way to see them is to take a helicopter ride. We are so glad we did this tour; it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

In addition to being an extremely knowledgeable biologist, Beth has great recommendations for other things to do on the island as well. She knows the best beaches, restaurants, bars and sights to check out all over Maui! Whether it’s people watching in Pa’ia, snorkeling in Kapalua, shopping in Lahaina, or dining in Wailea, Beth has the best insight and you will have an amazing time!!

Beth was a very welcoming and informative guide on the Road to Hana tour! We learned a lot of the Hawaiian History and saw some of the most breathtaking waterfalls and sights along the way. Well worth the trip, if you come to Maui, this is the tour to take!