More than two million visitors come here every year to relax their cares away in the luxury resort communities of Kaanapali, Kapalua, and Wailea. Nothing wrong with that. But if you want to do something, Maui is a playground of the first order.

Maui's beaches are legendary, including a black-sand strand at Waianapanapa State Park, and a swath of red sand at a hidden beach near Hana. You could choose Kapalua, with its calm, wind-protected waters, or the three miles of golden sand at Kaanapali. Then there's the Wailea "combo"--great sand, plus whale-watching and sunsets supreme. And Makena's rock-free Big Beach has long been a favorite local bodysurfing break --though it's not for water novices. On Maui, the best beach is the one nearest to you.