Honolua Bay Rainforest on West Maui

Honolula Rainforest on Maui Offers An

Incredibly Diverse And Unusual Landscape

The rainforest at Honolua Bay is one of the most interesting and diverse landscapes you will find anywhere on Maui.

While Honolua Bay is well-known as one of the best snorkeling locations on the island, the bay also it offers diverse scenery while you walk to the entrance to snorkel or just explore the beautiful surroundings.

There are several parking areas around Honolua Bay, with each having a well-marked path through the rainforest. Take time to explore different paths through the rainforest, and enjoy the vibrant green colors of the various plants and trees.

This is one of the most unique eco-systems on the planet, as there are hundreds of species of plants, bushes and trees throughout the rainforest.

There are no bugs or animals in the rainforest at Honolua Bay, but the sounds of wild chickens can often be heard from a distance. Take plenty of pictures, but please don't stray from the beaten paths and intentionally harm any of the wild vegetation.

Directions. Take Hwy. 30 north up the west side of Maui. Pass the town of Lahaina and continue past the Kaanapali Beach Resort area. Stay on Hwy. 30 and do not turn off this road.

On the left will be the small communities of Honokowai, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua. On the right will be fields of pineapples and a great view of the west Maui mountains.

Continue on Hwy. 30 until the road narrows and there are sharp turns in the road. As you approach Honolua Bay, there is a large overlook area to the left with plenty of parking and great views of Honolua Bay and the island of Molokai. Pull over here and park for a minute.

Look down on Honolua Bay and get a good idea of where you will be after you drive further down to the parking areas and walk to the entrance at Honolua Bay.

Suggestions:

* Spend some time in the rainforest, before walking to Honolua Bay and snorkeling and enjoying the view. It's not often you'll find yourself in a natural rainforest.

* Do not disturb the surroundings nor pick at any of the branches. Just enjoy the rainforest!

* Stay on the paths. Please don't even go into the forest for a picture!

* There's a good chance you might hear chickens crowing. They won't hurt you!

* Walk around the rainforest before you go to Honolua Bay, especially if you are snorkeling. When you leave, you're less likely to take your time in the rainforest since you will probably still be wet from snorkeling.

* Take your digital camera and if it's a Canon point-and-shoot camera, change the settings to "vivid" or "vivid green".

Look at Honolua Bay.

Send Your Comments & Questions to Steven Scott,

a Maui-based travel writer and photographer.