For the ultimate Hawaiian adventure, families should definitely consider one of the many tour options with Skyline Eco Adventures. A few of the tours include a visit to the Haleakala National Park crater to see the sun rise over the volcano, ziplining, biking–or how about all three before noon!
Skyline offers two locations on Maui. The Kaanapali location features two different zipline courses, one with eight lines and another with 11 lines, which also features a side-by-side line to race your friends. The Haleakala location features a zipline tour of five lines over jungle canyons and ends with a swinging pendulum line. But to really get the full Haleakala experience, we recommend one of the sunrise tours.
The sunrise tours begin very early (or late depending how you look at it) in the morning, when you are picked up at your hotel around 2 or 3 a.m. and taken to a central meeting point. There, you can use the bathroom, enjoy some breakfast treats and gather your provided gear for the day. Then it’s time to load into the comfortable, heated van and take the windy journey up the many switchbacks to the summit of Haleakala National Park. It’s dark the entire time so you can’t see much, but the guide will provid some stories about Haleakala, which means House of the Sun, and Hawaiian folklore as you ascend the volcano. The expert guides want to make sure everyone will have a prime viewing location at the national park’s summit, and the pause button can’t be pushed on sunrise! With all your warm clothes on and your cameras ready, you will watch as the starry night sky slowly wakes up for the day. The sun rises above the fluffy white clouds and slowly illuminates the volcano crater below. This serene magical moment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is truly Hawaiian. But soon that serenity turns to adventure.
After watching the sun rise, everyone hops back in the vans and you are driven down from 10,000 feet above sea level to about 6,500 feet. On the side of the road, you will receive safety instructions and then put on your bike helmet and hop on your mountain bike. Families will cruise down 21 switchbacks on a paved road at whatever speed you desire. The tour guides follow the group in a vehicle and are always looking out for your safety. It’s cold cycling down a volcano in the early morning hours, so bring your gloves. The entire bike portion of the journey is downhill so there is no real need to pedal. It’s all about the hand brakes instead. You need to know how to ride a bike, but do not have to be at an exceptional fitness level.
Once you reach the end of the biking journey, it’s really time to get your adrenaline pumping (if it’s not already!) with the zipline tour. Families will soar across jungle canyons on five zip lines. The expert guides are always with you and fully explain the safety procedures. The final pendulum zipline will have you reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour as you swing like a grandfather clock high above the jungle.
The Kaanapali zipline tours can last between two and half and four hours depending which tour you choose, and the Haleakala tours can run between one and half hours to nine hours, depending which tour you choose and what time you are picked up at your hotel.
Besides the amazing adventures offered by Skyline, we were impressed by the perfect organization and execution of the tours with Skyline Adventures. They move numerous people through many different fragments of the tours and they do it with complete ease and no hiccups or safety concerns. Some visitors may be nervous at times about the adventures that await, but the expert guides immediately calm any nerves with their Aloha vibes and safety priorities, allowing only the most fun and excitement to be had.
Do know your child’s adventure seeking level, however. If you’re unsure if they will enjoy high height adventures, the zipline tours may not be best for your family.
Hours
Varies based on tour but reservations are a must. Tours, which all run daily, operate rain or shine.
Age or Weight Restrictions
At the Kaanapali location, zipline tours are recommended for ages 10 and up or those who weigh between 80 and 260 pounds. At the Haleakala location, tours are recommended for ages 8 and up and for those weighing between 60 and 260 pounds.
Things to Know/Bring
Zipline tours require closed-toe shoes (no Teva, Crocs or Keen sandals) and long pants are highly recommended. Pregnant women are not permitted to zipline and if you have been scuba diving within 24 hours, you may not zipline. For sunrise tours, dress for cold weather. It gets very cold at 10,000 feet above sea level so gloves, hats and layers are highly recommended. Skyline does also provide warm clothes, including jackets, pants, gloves and warm headbands. Helmets are also provided for ziplining and biking. You will have several different guides during the multi-level tours.
Dining
A continental breakfast and lunch is included with most of the tour options.
Parking
Tours include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodations.
