A visit to Maui and Maui Banyan Vacation Club is typically about fitting the most relaxation into your allotted vacation time. As millions of visitors from around the world can attest, our island paradise is the ultimate de-stress destination. But there are also ample opportunities for Vacation Volunteers to engage in an array of activities that may just be more soul satisfying than lounging idly on a beach.
WALK A HOMELESS DOG ON THE BEACH
Take a shelter dog to the beach for a day of fun and frolic in the surf through the Maui Humane Society’s Beach Buddies program. Do a dog a favor and give a captive canine the opportunity to feel the sand beneath his paws and splash in the waves.
COUNT BIRDS
If you think vacations are for the birds, you’ll love volunteering for the Hawaii National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas bird count. It is important to know how many birds reside on Maui, and the program relies on citizen scientists to help provide an accurate count.
COUNT WHALES
The annual humpback whale migration to Hawaii begins with a trickle in October and follows in waves starting in December, which is when the Great Whale Count begins. Citizen scientists working on behalf of the Pacific Whale Foundation count whales from 12 vantage points along the Maui coast, helping to provide a snapshot of migration trends among Hawaii’s favorite mammal.
You’ll have a whale of a time.
MONITOR TURTLES
Break out of your vacation shell and assist biologists in their quest to survey sea turtles on the beach and beneath the waves. You’ll learn about Hawaii’s coral reef health, help monitor sea turtle habitat, and assess potential impact to Maui’s reefs.
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a number of opportunities for Volunteers on Vacation, including removing invasive weeds from the slopes of Mount Haleakala, revegetating eroding landscapes and stream banks with native plants, and help with chores on an organic farm in Maui’s scenic upcountry.
Book a visit to Maui Banyan Vacation Club on Maui’s gorgeous south coast. Our spacious condo-style accommodations offer a relaxing retreat after all that strenuous volunteering.