Bay sights in Maui
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La Perouse Bay
In addition to the raw natural beauty of this place, La Perouse Bay has a rich history. It was at La Perouse that the first Westerners set foot on Maui. When the French explorer Jean François de Galaup La Perouse landed here in 1786, scores of Hawaiians from the village of Keone'o'io came out to greet him.
The remains of the ancient village - mainly house and heiau platforms - can be seen scattered among the lava patches. A monument to La Perouse, for whom the bay is named, is at the end of the road.
This is also a great place to see spinner dolphins, which commonly come into the bay during the early part of the day. The waters are rough and challenging, but expert kayake…
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B
Papawai Point
The best place around this part of Maui for scenery is Papawai Point, between the 8- and 9-mile markers (which is signposted 'scenic point') and has a good-sized parking lot. Because the point juts into the western edge of Ma'alaea Bay, a favored humpback nursing ground, it's one of the best places on Maui for coastline whale watching.
During the whale-watch season, the Pacific Whale Foundation often has volunteers at the parking lot to share their binoculars and point out the whales. Papawai Point is also a good place to stop and enjoy the sunset any time of the year.
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C
Makena Landing
This is a kickin' bay for water activities. There's no better place on Maui for kayaking and when seas are calm snorkeling is good along the rocks at the south side of Makena Landing, the boat launch that's the center of the action. Makena Bay is also a good place for shore dives; divers will want to head to the north side of the bay.
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