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Now that visitors are able to come back to Maui, we are open and operating tours under new safety protocols. We look forward to sharing aloha with you.  We’re  eager to “talk story” with you about Maui and Hawaii by phone, online chat or email. Call or drop us a line, and we look forward to welcoming you in person. Hawaii has a long tradition of welcoming visitors from around the world. The hookipa (hospitality) and Aloha Spirit that people feel as they explore these remote islands is legendary.

Until then, we wish you a healthy, safe season. We’re grateful that it’s so easy to communicate with each other from afar. Please keep in touch.

Aloha and a hui hou!

Thank you for your group tour reservation. Below are details you will want to know about your rappelling trip.
You can also find more details about your tour at the Frequently Asked Questions page. Please make sure you understand:

• The age/weight restrictions
• The cancellation window
• Where/when to meet your guides
• How weather and water conditions may affect your tour
• That each member of your party must sign the Participation Form that was emailed to you before the tour date. (Minor’s form is signed by a parent.)

Here’s more about what to expect and how to prepare for your tour:

What to bring: Towel, reef safe waterproof sunscreen, a change of clothes. If you want to wear a mask when not rappelling, bring one made of cloth.

What to wear:  Wear something easy for you to move in, that can get wet and muddy. For example: surf shorts/swim trunks, yoga pants, leggings or quick-drying pants and a quick-drying shirt or rash guard.  No bikini bottoms or shorts shorter than mid-thigh. Whatever you wear will get wet, so bring another set of clothes to change into at the end of the trip. Because the stream water is chilly, we suggest bringing a jacket or sweat shirt for later, or a wetsuit top to wear during the tour, especially during the winter. Your small personal items (phones, money) can be kept in waterproof kegs we provide. It’s possible for containers to leak, so you may opt to keep electronics locked at base camp during your tour. We recommend leaving large or valuable items and jewelry at your hotel/accommodations.

What’s provided: Hand sanitizer, snacks, bottled water, all your gear, including helmet, flotation vest, backpack with sealable bag and dry keg, and shoes. We give you felt-soled water shoes that you can hike, rappel and swim in. You will walk in your own shoes a short distance from the parking area to the gear shed on a dirt or gravel road, which may be wet or muddy.

Where/when to meet: The Garden of Eden Arboretum at 10600 Hana Highway Haiku, HI 96708,  located on the Hana Highway between mile markers 10 and 11.  Google map.  Allow approximately 1.25 hours from most Kihei/Wailea locations, approximately 1.5 hours from most Kaanapali/Lahaina locations, 1.75 hours from Kapalua/Napili in normal traffic.  Arrive at the front gate of the Garden of Eden a few minutes prior to the tour time on your confirmation, as there may be a line at the entrance.  Once you’ve arrived at the Garden of Eden, tell the gate attendant that you’re a Rappel Maui guest. Follow directions to the Rappel Maui designated parking lot. Your guide will meet you there.

Restrictions and Considerations

• Children under 18 years are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult. The minimum age is 10 years old for the Classic Tour and 14 years old for the Extended Zip Rappel Tour.
• Our harnesses will fit waist sizes from 22 to 48 inches. Guests must weigh a minimum of 70 lbs and a maximum of 250 lbs for the Classic Tour and a minimum of 90 lbs and a maximum of 230 lbs for the Extended Tour. We will weigh each guest before the tour and take guest temperatures with a touchless thermometer; all guests on the course must meet all the restrictions.
• We must receive your e-signed participation form before the tour. One for each participant is sent to you separately via email. You can also download the form here, print and sign the form, and email or text a picture of each signed form to the reservations office.

Cancellations

If you cancel 48 hours or more prior to your scheduled event, you receive a full refund less a 10% cancellation/transaction fee. If you cancel within 48 hours of your tour time, you will receive no refund, unless we can replace you. If Rappel Maui cancels, you receive a full 100% refund. If you booked your tour with an activity agent, concierge, or a vendor like TripAdvisor or Expedia, please contact the agency first to ask about the cancellation window.

Weather

RAIN or SHINE, we go to the rainforest. Weather and waterfalls are naturally occurring phenomena; stream levels can change rapidly at any time before, during or after your tour. If the streams flood due to rain, the falls are roaring or swollen, and the valley is alive with high or swift water activity. If water levels are higher than normal, we rappel next to the waterfalls. If the valley is flooding, we use cliffside rappels that are a safe distance from the water course.

Other

Cellular reception past the town of Paia is unreliable. Please call 808-270-1500 before reaching Paia if you have questions. Call anytime if you think you are running late.
Please note that your tour time is the time at which your guides meet you at the activity site reception/parking lot area. (We do not meet guests at our offices in Kahului.) Guides leave the reception/parking area at the activity site promptly at the tour time to begin the tour. Garden of Eden employees cannot assist guests who arrive late.

If you would like to tip your guides, you can do so at the end of your tour with cash, or you can send a gratuity online or over the phone with a credit card. For private tours, we automatically add a gratuity of $250 per guide group.

Whether you’re visiting or planning to move to Hawaii, island life can be expensive. Not to worry, there are bargains, discount activities and inexpensive food and travel deals to be had. If you venture beyond the hundred dollar luaus and fancy restaurant dinners, you can find discounted activities that won’t devastate your daily spend. With a little innovation, Maui can be surprisingly affordable. Try these budget friendly ideas that to make the most of your Valley Isle experience.

Bargain Hunting Timing is Everything

Do you have flexibility with your vacation calendar? If so, consider that summer is high season on Maui. That means that conditions are not as discount friendly as they could be. Vacancy is low and prices are high. The same is true with the weeks surrounding Christmas and spring break. Visiting during the slower months of late September, October and early November can increase the likelihood of finding a discount on activities and bargains on goods and accommodations. It’s also easier to find a good deal at resorts and tours. The weather is also very pleasant during the fall months.

Bargain Hunting for Maui-Made Products?

If you’re looking to buy unique items and support the local economy, the Kahului Swap Meet is held at the University of Hawaii. It admission fee of only fifty cents is definitely a bargain and is open from 7am-1pm every Saturday. Every week hundreds of vendors arrive with their locally made goods such as handmade soaps, arts and crafts, and a variety of local produce. You are sure to find something for everyone. Maui also has various smaller farmers markets all over the island on different days of the week, to find of the beaten path markets you can refer to the local newspaper Maui Time.

Beating the Heat and Finding Discounts Upcountry

Spending a day in upcountry Maui is the perfect unexpected escape from the tropical heat. Drive through eucalyptus groves and stroll through fields of lavender at Alii Kula Lavender Farm, all while enjoying bicoastal views of the north and south Maui shores. Upcountry attractions also include  the Tedeschi winery, Ocean Vodka, and a goat dairy farm where you can feed the goats and eat delicious cheeses. Check before you go to make sure that establishments are open.

Food Trucks for the Win

Food Trucks are the ultimate budget friendly food option and they are all over Maui! Our food truck scene features cuisines to please all foodies visiting the island, varying from gourmet grilled cheese, shrimp tacos, wood fired pizza and more! If you have a truck in mind but need help getting there, check out roaminghunger.com and search for food-trucks in Maui, Hawaii. They will provide an interactive map that lets you know exactly where to find your next meal.

Asking for a Discount When Making Reservations

If there’s an activity beyond your budget that you’re eager to try, call the tour or activity provider and ask about discounts. Most vendors will have a last-minute deal or deep discount on a certain date that will put you in the action at a fraction of the cost. There are lots of ways to request a discount for your Rappel Maui tour. Call, email, chat online or check the Deals and Specials page to find out if there’s an active promotion or last minute discount available.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been to Maui multiple times or it’s your first time visiting, there are always a variety of things to do on Maui. And there’s always something to learn about this magical island.

Too Many Things To Do on Maui?

Some visitors find themselves with too many options. They may become so overwhelmed that they forego exploring the wonders of the island for the comfort of the resort. And that’s OK too—Maui has some spectacular and luxurious accommodations. But if you are a wanderer with a “bucket” or “must-do” list, here’s a short list of helpful apps to download to your iPhone or Android that will help you to have a safe and enjoyable stay, wherever you decide to roam.

Where Service is Unreliable

Cell phone coverage is unreliable in more remote areas.  Some infamous dead zones include:

• The Road to Hana after about mile marker 7 (Twin Falls Farm Stand).
• The crater road heading toward the summit of Mount Haleakala.
• On Makena Road at Big Beach and southward.
• The upper Piilani Highway between Kaupo and Hana. (See map.)

Plan accordingly, both with your fuel and your plans. Pro tip: Put your phone in airplane mode when driving long distances without a signal to save your battery.

Cell Phone Usage Laws in Hawaii

In Hawaii, it’s illegal to use a handheld mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle. The restriction applies to talking on the phone, texting, and all other uses of an electronic device. So please hand your device to a passenger to use any of these apps while you’re on your way to doing some of the cool things to do on Maui.

Planning Your Things to Do on Maui? The Apps Are Where It’s At

1. Hawaiian Words – Translation and Dictionary
   Most people are familiar with the words “aloha” and “mahalo”, but most of the Hawaiian language is intimidating to anyone new to it. If you are traveling and interested in the native culture, this free translation app could be perfect for you. Try out some of the words and phrases you learn while you’re at dinner or a luau.
2. Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast and/or Surfline
   You don’t have to be a professional surfer use this app to your advantage. It’s handy if you are interested in any water or beach related activities like standup paddleboard, snorkeling, kayaking or swimming. Giving you up-to-date weather reports, including surf and wind conditions, to ensure that your beach day doesn’t get postponed because of unsafe water conditions or irritating sandblasting. Rainy day? No rain, no rainbows. There are lots of great things to do on Maui that are not sunshine dependent. (Bonus: There usually is at least one sunny part of the island on any given day.)
3. What3Words
   If you know you’re going for a walk in the woods or an unfamiliar area, What3Words can be your lifeline if you get lost. It’s brilliant: the makers of the app divided the whole world into 3m squares, and assigned each square a word. By telling someone the three words you are at, you can share your exact location. Of course, you can’t use the app if you don’t have your phone, so keep your device with you on hikes and walks, using a sealed plastic bag or container to keep it dry in case of rain.
4. GyPSy Guide
   Maui is a relatively easy place to drive but it does help to have an app that organizes the most popular day trips into sub categories for efficiency. GyPSy Guide is designed to allow you to create your own Maui adventure and has divided the island into 5 main areas: Haleakala, South Maui, West Maui, Hana Highway, and Iao Valley; all five are included in one app.

5. Rider
   Maui is not known for their superior public transportation services, so you may feel like the only way to get around is to rent a car, but you might find this to be a game-changer. Traveling via bus can be frustrating since 95% of the bus stops don’t tell you when the next bus will be coming or where the bus is going. The Rider app will help you find the nearest bus stop and not only tell you where the bus is going, but will also give you real-time location tracking so you know the exact arrival time. Saving money on a rental car means more poke on your plate, and more time with your toes in the sand.

Some Reminders on What to Do on Maui–And What Not to Do

Don’t drink and drive, turn your back on the ocean, or hold your phone while driving.

Do heed posted warnings, stay on marked trails, and most of all, take in the beauty whenever it’s safe to do so. And we hope you’ll consider spending a day with us in the rainforest. No apps necessary!