Unique Maui Tours — Local services in Maui

Unique Maui Tours

Delphine Berbigier, owner/manager of Unique Maui Tours picked us up at our Kihei condo at 0800 in a splendid, comfortable, quiet and roomy SUV that seated 7 passengers, but my wife and I had her all to ourselves. How lucky were we?! The trip we went on was the Your Unique Road to Hana tour, and unique it most certainly was.

We had met Delphine when she was a participant in a Maui birding tour and were impressed with her local knowledge and friendliness. She tailored a trip to Hana for us that exactly fit our interests. We were constantly offered choices of things we might like to see, so our tour got tweaked little by little along the way – more time here, less time there, not this, but that. Throughout the trip Delphine surprised us with little known sites, and expertly taught us about local birds, educated us on Hawaiian culture, customs and history often taught through relating a variety of Hawaiian legends, and took us to some spectacular sites. She offered bathroom breaks just at the right times, and had water and snacks available at all times. Did I say that she was trilingual? English, Spanish and French spoken here.

We took the road to Hana from Kihei and back in the counterclockwise direction and it looked like this: Backside Haleakala Nu’u Bay Refuge, petroglyphs and bird pond (Hawaiian Islands Land Trust) Wailua Falls Alau Island & the red sand Koki Beach Da Fish Shack for lunch – yummy!! Hana Bay Wai’anapanapa State Park to see the Black Sand Beach and a visit to a short lava tube to the beach. Nahiku Marketplace for coffee Ke’anae peninsula Waikamoi Waterfalls Ho’okipa Beach park where we saw over 55 Green Sea Turtles after first playing the game “Spot the Turtles”. The turtles nestle up on the beach amid boulders. At first we couldn’t see any, but suddenly a large boulder turns in to a turtle and then another ... This was all amid the backdrop of large waves at the famous surfing and boogie board beach. Kahana wildlife refuge

The road to Hana passes through semi arid ranchlands, but gradually evolves to dense jungle rainforest where annual rainfall is in the 300 inch/year range. It rained almost the whole time we were in the rainforest area, but it was usually soft and it was always warm enough to not prevent us from doing the things we wanted to do. The roads are narrow there with over 55 one way bridges, and the road constantly awash with rain, but Delphine is a quiet and confident driver who expertly kept us comfortable and safe.

Delphine dropped us off at our condo at 1800. We had a unique, relaxing and educational trip. If you get a chance to take one of her tours, snap it up. You...

I didn't think I was a bird person, but apparently, I am! As a longtime resident of Maui, I'm always looking for something new to do and I recently had the pleasure of embarking on a Maui bird tour with Explore Maui Nature/Unique Maui Tours, and it was nothing short of extraordinary! From start to finish, the entire experience exceeded my expectations, making it a must-do activity for any nature enthusiast visiting the island.

Our knowledgeable and passionate guide, Wendy, added immense value to the tour. Her expertise not only showcased the diverse bird species native to Maui but also provided fascinating insights into their behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts. Between Wendy and the other birders on the tour, it was clear that I was in the company of true bird enthusiasts who genuinely cared about sharing their love for these incredible creatures.

The tour itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to explore various breathtaking landscapes and ecosystems, each offering a unique birdwatching experience. The convenience of transportation and the small group size made the excursion feel personalized and allowed for a more intimate connection with nature.

One highlight of the tour was the opportunity to search for rare and endemic species in their natural habitats. Wendy equipped us with high-quality binoculars and named every bird to cross our paths, ensuring that every participant had a chance to observe the birds up close. It was a photographer's dream come true, with ample opportunities to capture stunning shots of colorful plumage and majestic flight.

The commitment to environmental stewardship was evident throughout the tour. Wendy emphasized the importance of responsible tourism and conservation efforts to protect Maui's delicate ecosystems and their feathered inhabitants. It was refreshing to see a tour company actively contributing to the preservation of the island's natural beauty.

Overall, my Maui bird tour with Unique Maui Tours was an unforgettable adventure that left me with a newfound appreciation for the avian wonders of Hawaii. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a unique and enriching experience while exploring the stunning landscapes of Maui. Kudos to the team for delivering a five-star birdwatching adventure!

p.s. sorry for no bird pix - with just a phone camera, I wasn't...

My wife and I did a private Road to Hana tour with Johnny in Jan. 2020. What an amazing day!! We went "all the way around" by starting from the "back side" and through Hana and then hit a lot of the stops along the Road to Hana. The journey was amazing and a trip we will never forget! So many beautiful views and incredible sights that I don't have the time to mention them all. Johnny made the trip special. Everything was top-notch! He discussed with us what we would like to see, do, etc and took our words to heart. The trip was totally customized for us. Johnny had interseting facts about everything we saw and did. He was able to answer our questions. He made us feel very comfortable and relaxed. The conversation was very enjoyable and there was never a dull moment the entire 10 hour day. I can't imagine doing the Road to Hana any other way! The same evening as the tour, Johnny sent us a link to dozens of photos he took of us that day as well as an email with a complete listing of all we had seen and done that day. He even included restaurant recommendations (per our request). From start to finish (and beyond), the company and Johnny were amazing and exceeded our expectations! My wife and I both feel like we made a friend in Johnny after the day we spent together. If you are considering a trip with Unique Maui Tours you should absolutely DO IT!! You will not be disappointed!! (There are so many more great things I could say about the company, the trip, Johnny, etc, but don't want this review to turn into a novel! If you have specific questions, send me a direct message and I'll be happy to answer...