Hawaii is like no other place in the world. Remote, yet not isolated, on any given day you can chase rainbows, wade under waterfalls, surf waves or swim with sea creatures. Pick an island, any island, and nature provides a fanfare of possibilities. Not to mention the fact that the Hawaiian Islands have the highest number of endangered and threatened native plant and animal species of any place on the planet. These eco adventures in Hawaii give us the chance to soak in the beauty of the unique environment without disturbing it.

Swim with Turtles at Kaanapali Beach

With three miles of soft, white sand, it’s easy to throw a towel down on Maui’s Kaanapali Beachand enjoy doing nothing. Take a nap, you’re on vacation, but when it’s time to get wet head straight for Black Rock, at the northernmost part of the beach. It seems Maui’s green sea turtles know Kaanapali Beach is special too. Snorkel gear will help you get the best view, but turtles are known to pop up in the gentle break, so some days just getting your feet wet is enough to catch a glimpse. When you surface to catch your breath, you may even see a humpback breaching off in the distance during thewinter whale migration (approximately November through May).
Where to stay on Maui

Hike Beyond Hana

The winding Road to Hana runs for 52 miles on Maui’s eastern coastline, passing waterfalls, beaches and blooming rainforests along the way. Most visitors make it Hana and stop, but beyond the charming town hides the Kipahulu section ofHaleakala National Park. If you’re on a tight schedule, an easy ½-mile roundtrip hike on the Kuloa Point Trail delivers you to the Pools of Oheo, sometimes also called the Seven Sacred Pools. But if you’ve got a few hours to spend, don’t miss hiking the four mile (roundtrip) Pipiwai Trail. There’s an 800-foot elevation change each way, so be prepared, but the payoff is worth the workout. You’ll trek through a non-native bamboo forest so tall it blocks out the sun, before reaching the 400 foot Waimoku Falls.

Manta Ray Snorkeling on Big Island

Remember to keep breathing; the first manta ray that swims by will most likely leave you breathless. With wingspans of up to 20 feet or more, these gentle creatures don’t have stingers, barbs or teeth. The Big Island’s Kona Coast is the best place to see manta rays in all of Hawaii. Snorkeling and diving tours are held at night year-round. Light from the coast, along with spotlights brought along by dive companies, illuminate plankton and attract these majestic creatures. They get close, and just when you think they might bump into you, they gracefully swoop off in the opposite direction, chasing another mouthful.
Where to stay on Big Island

Kohala Zip & Dip Tour

Spend the morning zipping through trees near the Big Island’s scenic coast, then cool off with an afternoon dip in a waterfall. Hawaii Forest & Trail covers it all with their Kohala Zip & Dip Tour. Zip from platforms built into the trees and skip across suspension bridges before rappelling to terra firma. After a picnic lunch with a Pololu Valley view, a short hike brings you to your choice of waterfalls for some splashing fun (ages eight and up).

Tubing Adventure on Kauai

Give your feet a break and float your way through the history of Hawaii’s once booming sugar industry with Kauai Backcountry Adventures. The ditch and tunnel irrigation system that once provided an endless flow of mountain water to Lihue Sugar Plantation now has a new job – tubing tours. After guides set you up with helmets (complete with headlamps), gloves and tubes the adventure begins. You can still see the signs of the labor involved when the irrigation system was hand dug almost 150 years ago, but now the current does all the work. Tubes float along bouncing off rocks, tunnel walls and other each other in Kauai’s version of bumper cars. The gentle ride is good for kids five and older. Wear your swimsuit and good water shoes (you can rent them if you don’t have your own) and be sure to bring a towel. And be warned, mountain water is brisk! Be sure to save some time either before or after your tubing adventure to check out Wailua Falls. Best known for its starring role in the opening credits of the television show Fantasy Island, it’s just a 10 minute drive from the plantation.