Lahaina ATV or West Maui Mountains ATV?

How do the two tours compare side by side?

The Lahaina tour is longer and shared; the West Maui Mountains ride is shorter, smaller and solo.

Is the Lahaina ATV tour really an ATV?

No: despite the name, it uses four-seat side-by-sides (UTVs), and drivers swap at two stops.

You sit side by side rather than astride a quad, with a seat belt on at all times, plus a helmet and goggles. Every rider needs a ticket, and adults with a licence can take turns at the wheel. If the picture in your head is a quad bike, the West Maui Mountains ride is the one that matches it.

Where does each tour start?

The Lahaina tour starts in Napili, north of Ka'anapali near Kapalua Airport; the West Maui Mountains ride meets on Kahekili Highway in Wailuku, on the other side of the mountains.

Neither starts in Lahaina town. For the Lahaina tour, turn off the highway onto Napilihau Street, take the first right and look for the fenced yard just past the farmers market; check in 30 minutes early. For the West Maui Mountains ride, look for the yellow Maui Mountain Activities parking sign on the left of Kahekili Highway, and a guide escorts you to the ranch; check-in is at 8:15 am or 12:15 pm. One guest on the same ranch's horseback ride warned that the road in is winding, if anyone gets carsick.

What will you see on each ride?

The Lahaina tour climbs up to 2,000 feet with ocean and outer-island views; the West Maui Mountains ride climbs a ranch to view waterfalls from a distance, then heads down toward the oceanfront.

Expect variety on the Lahaina side: one guest felt much of the route ran through old fields, with the ocean opening up every so often, while another said the jungle views felt like Jurassic Park. Many reviewers also mention planting a tree. On the Wailuku side, one guest enjoyed seeing "the waterfalls and Ocean from above", and the guide takes photos with your camera.

Want the handlebars to yourself? Ride your own quad in a group of 8 or fewer, with water, soda and juice included.

★ 4.9 · 1.5 hours · from $229

Explore the West Maui Mountains ATV ride → Tour details

Which is faster or more thrilling?

Neither is a race, because guides set the pace on both, but steering your own quad feels more hands-on.

On the Lahaina tour there is no passing, and driving off the trail ends your tour. One reviewer wrote "If you like FAST, look elsewhere", while another said "You really get to open those atvs up". On the West Maui Mountains ride, one guest could "let loose" on a few open paths when the guides gave the okay, and another said it "gets up to decent speeds".

Which suits kids and teens?

For children under 16, the Lahaina tour, where children from 7 ride as passengers; for teens of 16 and 17 who want to drive, the West Maui Mountains ride.

On the Lahaina tour, drivers must be 25 or older to carry anyone under 18. On the West Maui Mountains ride, the Viator listing sets a minimum age of 16 to drive and sells tickets from 16, and Maui Mountain Activities' own ATV page gives 16 as the minimum age. Details in Maui ATV tours with kids.

Which costs more?

On Viator the Lahaina tour is from $203 per person and the West Maui Mountains ride from $229 per person.

Direct, the Lahaina operator prices per vehicle (from $405 for two adults), while Maui Mountain Activities lists $229.17 per person for the ATV plus taxes and fees, and a 2-seater option at $250 for the driver and $156.25 for a passenger. Both cancel free up to 24 hours before on Viator; booked direct, the Lahaina operator charges in full within 48 hours. See the Lahaina ATV price guide.

Which should you book?

Pick the Lahaina tour for shared driving and families; pick the West Maui Mountains ride if every driver wants their own quad.

• Staying in Ka'anapali, Napili or Kapalua: the Lahaina ATV Adventure.
• Family with children aged 7 to 15: the Lahaina ATV Adventure.
• Everyone 16 or over, each wants a machine: the West Maui Mountains ATV ride.
• Want a small group: the West Maui Mountains ride, with 8 guests at most.
• Want to plant a tree: the Lahaina tour, where many reviewers mention it.
• Animal lovers: the West Maui Mountains ranch, where guests mention a small farm with peacocks, piglets and deer.

Frequently asked questions