Few places on earth are as amazing and beautiful as Hawaii. It’s one of the most exotic vacation destinations in the United States. Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is one the state’s most popular vacation spot and it offers a wide range of things to do.

Getting there usually starts with Maui vacation packages to help make the trip more affordable. Once you’re there, you’ll find no shortage of incredible experiences, from exploring soaring mountain tops to snorkeling in crystalline blue ocean waters.

One essential is watching the sunrise from the top of Haleakala National Park, home to Maui’s highest peak which rises 10,023 feet above sea level. A bus will take you and your group early in the morning up the mountain. For the more daring, a bike ride down is worth the long drive up; you and your group saddle up for a white-knuckled, no-peddling-required ride down the mountain, taking you from arid volcanic soil into tropical, lush rain forests.

From a dramatic sunrise on a mountain top, the southwestern Maui coast offers romantic sunset cruises with clear views of the islands of Kahoolawe and Lanai. An amazing snorkeling experience awaits at Molokini, three miles off Maui’s coast. A small, crescent moon-shaped island, Molokini spans more than 18 acres and rises 160 feet above reef-filled waters. Snorkelers and divers can see a wide array of coral and more than 250 species of tropical fish. All across this part of the island, you’ll find miles of sandy beaches, opportunities for whale watching, surfing or swimming in the bluest water you’ll find.

If you want another hair-raising experience, you can get it on the scenic – and very tight – road to Hana. Along the way, stop in small towns for picnics, swimming or exploring the tropical forests that line the road. Many Maui hotels can help book this experience for you.

If golf is your game, Maui offers 14 golf courses – some ranked among the world’s best – that are designed by some of the game’s great course architects. Several of the courses hug the coastline and overlook the Pacific Ocean for dramatic views as you work your way around the course.

No matter what you’re interested in, start looking for flights to Hawaii and see why a tropical trip can prove to be the perfect vacation destination for you.