Have you ever seen the movie I.Q. with Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins? In that movie, Meg Ryan’s character refers to a place in Maui where swimming feels like “a million kisses on your skin” because of how aerated the water is. She is referring to Maui’s Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo. (Incidentally, if you haven’t seen I.Q. you should! It’s a really cute movie.)
The Seven Sacred Pools are the most popular stop along Maui’s famous Road to Hana.
The Seven Sacred Pools are the most popular stop along Maui’s famous Road to Hana.
Although the magical-sounding title is a bit of a misnomer (there are more than seven pools – the name actually came from an old advertising campaign on the island), it’s still a very amazing place to visit. Oheo Gulch is a series of tiered natural pools, each one flowing into the next. You can swim in these gorgeous natural pools and watch the waterfalls cascading from the pool above you and into the one below you, which is truly amazing.
To get the most out of your visit to the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo, beat the crowds by going early… otherwise you run the risk of being swarmed by tourists, which obviously can take away from the majesty of the experience. Also, it’s important that you take safety precautions there. Wet rocks are slippery and flash floods do occur in the area.
More than a few people have lost their lives at the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo by not being cautious. With that in mind:
– Don’t stand under the waterfalls; you run the risk of getting beaned in the head by a falling rock
– Expect the rock to be slippery! Slipping and falling is very easy to do at the Seven Sacred Pools at Oheo!
– Pay attention to the weather! Flash floods do happen in Oheo Gulch and have caused injuries and drownings in the past. If you see a storm cloud coming, get out of the Gulch.
That said, the Seven Sacred Pools are a truly wonderful place to visit and will be a highlight of your trip to Maui. Learn more by getting in touch!