Maui in general is a bucket list item to check off for many. When you think of it, you likely envision the best turquoise waters, lush forests, beautiful weather and hula dancers against a torch-lit backdrop. And Hawaii is all that, but also so much more!
Maui is the second largest of Hawaii’s islands, adored for its world-famous beaches, whale sightings, fresh cuisine, and amazing views of both sunrise and sunset. With so many fun things to do in Maui and a long list of adventurous must-do activities, you will surely never get bored—unless you want to.
While traveling throughout the top Hawaiian island, there were a lot of goals checked off my bucket list, plus so much more unexpected treasures.
Top Must-D0 Activities and the Best Things to Do in Maui
What to See + Do
1. ✦ Attend a Luau
Not many people travel all the way to Hawaii without attending a quintessential Maui luau. The traditional feast typically has music accompanied by dance, and no shortage of food. The Feast of Lele in Lahaina puts on one of the few luaus in Maui that is not a buffet (that’s primarily why I chose that one!). Though another popular choice is Old Lahaina.
It’s definitely best to book your seats in advance, as this is one of the top activities to do on the island. Here are a few more options for doing so online:
2. ✧ Go Whale Watching
When you visit Hawaii in the winter season, from November to March, whale watching is the activity that should be at the very top of your bucket list of things to do in Maui! These boat tours take 2 to 3 hours, typically in the morning time, where you’ll get to enjoy beautiful Hawaiian scenery from the ocean as you try to get lucky and catch sightings of whales.
There are plenty of tours to choose from (check out these whale watching tours!), but the 2-hour whale watching cruise is one of the most popular, which means that it books really quickly!.
3. ✦ Swim with Sea Turtles
Though sea turtles can be found in many snorkeling/swimming areas on the island, one of my favorites was Maui’s Olowalu Reef. Kayak Olowalu has an excursion where not only can you kayak through the smooth waters, but also pop on a mask to snorkel, and if nature is on your side quite possibly swim with some sea turtles. If you are lucky, a few sharks will be roaming around ready to share your ocean space!
For some added bucket list adventure book one of the many bucket list worthy turtle tours, like the Turtle Town snorkeling tour that takes you snorkeling in the extinct volcanic crater of Molokini!
4. ✦ See the 7 Sacred Pools of Ohe’o Gulch
Known for its gorgeous waterfalls and pools, The Pools of ‘Ohe’o is perhaps the most popular attraction in Eastern Maui—a popularity which it most definitely deserves. Located in the Haleakala National Park, the valley and its pools can make for an amazing day when combined together with a hike, such as taking the Pipiwai Trail.
To enter, you will have to pay a fee of $15 (per pedestrian or bicycle) or $30 (per private vehicle), but for that price you have access to the entire park, including the trails and summits and the pools, for 3 full days.
5. ✦ Walk on a Black Sand Beach
While contemplating which of the Road to Hana stops you will make, don’t miss the one at mile marker 32, the Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach. Take the short, steep trail down to the beachfront, take off your shoes and walk along the shiny black sand. It was one of my favorite things to do in Maui.
6. ✧ Pose With Lahaina’s Banyan Tree
Planted in 1873, in honor of the first Protestant mission to Lahaina’s 50th anniversary, this at the time small tree has since grown to be more than 60 feet tall, with a circumference of a quarter of a mile and nearly 50 major trunks. In layman’s terms, it is a massive tree in both its size and its magnificence.
To honor the tree, the courthouse square it now stands on has been renamed as Banyan Tree Park. It’s a popular location to snap a photo, and you’ll see just why when you witness it with your own eyes.
7. ✦ Tour a Pineapple Farm
You haven’t tasted a pineapple until you have tasted one straight from the bush! Take a tour of a pineapple farm with Maui Gold Tours to see the fascinating farming process of the fruit, plus your guide will allow you to taste the pineapples at three different levels of ripeness, so you can pick your favorite. You can read about my tour experience here: Facing pineapple gluttony in Hali’imaile, Hawaii
8. ✧ Learn to Hula
Hula is a Polynesian style of dancing, originating on the Hawaiian Islands. There are numerous sub-styles of hula, with Hula ‘Auana (the direction Hula evolved to through Western influence) and Hula Kahiko (the ancient form of Hula) as the main categories; all styles of hula come accompanied by a chant or a song, either played on traditional instruments or “Western” instruments like a guitar and ukulele, with hand movements often directly representing the words in the chant or song.
You will have plenty of opportunities to catch an actual Hula show while you’re on Maui, but to actually `learn to Hula, you may want to look into arranging a lesson with Hawaii Hula Company.
9. ✦ Drive the Road to Hana
One of the absolute best things to do in Maui is to drive the picturesque 53-mile, curvy Road to Hana. With breathtaking waterfalls, hiking spots and beaches, this drive should absolutely be on your bucket list. Take a peek at my reccommendations of the 17 best Road to Hana stops to see what you would be missing if you choose not to go.
You can rent a car to drive the Road to Hana on your own or book a small group full-day sightseeing tour.
10. ✧ Snorkel Molokini Crater
This stunning and unique crater, located off the Maui, is the remains of a violent eruption that took place more than 200,000 years ago. It’s an amazing spot for snorkeling, as well as scuba diving for those daring enough to go deeper. To reach Molokini Crater you will need to go by boat, so the best way to do it is with a tour (like the Molokini and Turtle Town snorkeling tour)
The Molokini Crater is worth visiting for its unique shape alone, but once you see all the colorful fish and coral, you’ll be extremely pleased you chose to go on a snorkeling or diving trip there.
11. ✧ Sleep in a Yurt
Prior to traveling to Maui, I had never even heard of a yurt. But, now I know that these tent-like shelters that are used by Central Asian nomads can be a unique lodging option. At Luana Resort Spa in Hana not only can you sleep in a cozy yurt, but you can also have a variety of spa services in one too.
12. ✧ Take a Helicopter Tour
While Hawaii and Maui are beautiful when seen up close, they may look their most stunning when seen from high up! Perhaps precisely for that reason, this spectacular experience is one of the best things to do in Maui, having made its way on many travelers’ bucket lists.
Whether you choose to take a flight over Hana or Molokini, if will not disappoint. There are several helicopter tours you can choose from, and here are some of the highest rated available:
- 75 Minute Hana Rain Forest Helicopter Tour
- Maui and Molokai Scenic Helicopter Flight
- Maui Dream 65-minute Helicopter Flight
13. ✧ Milk a Goat
Maui is home to Surfing Goat Dairy which is located in lower Kula of Maui’s Upcountry and has been producing gourmet goat cheeses for over ten years. They offer a variety of tours, one of which you can milk an actual goat! After the milking is complete don’t forget to eat a creamy goat cheese truffle while at the goat dairy.
14. ✧ Go Ziplining
Another spectacular way to experience Maui from above is by getting your blood pumping with adrenaline on a ziplining course! Base on your travel style you can choose a zipline adventure that includes catching the Haleakala National Park sunrise (book here) or try a 7-Line zipline tour on the North Shore.
15. ✦ See a Blow Hole
Though the Road to Hana is the most famous roads in Maui, it is not the only place to take an incredible drive. Traveling north from Kapalua to the Nakalele Blow Hole won’t disappoint either. The natural wonder gives off quite a show when the tide and surf combine. Just don’t get too close, because it can be dangerous!
16. ✧ Do a Waterfall Rappel
Dubbed the most unique of activities to do in Maui, rappelling down a waterfall can sound both exhilarating, once in a lifetime and nerve wrecking, all at the same time. Offered solely by Rappel Maui on this beautiful island, by taking on this tour you’ll surely bring home not just unforgettable memories but unique travel stories that’ll excite and thrill many curious ears!
And don’t worry if you’ve never rappelled down a waterfall before, as both courses available also include some basic training.
17. ✧ Bicycle Down a Volcano
Haleakala Bike Company will take you on a bicycle adventure starting at the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s largest Volcano. The thrilling 27-mile downhill bike ride includes bicoastal and crater views, as well as pit stops along the way.
18. ✧ Learn to Surf
It’ll probably come as no news for you that Maui, especially its North shore, is an excellent place to learn to surf, with spots for both beginners and experts to get their surfing game on. After all, it is the state’s official sport.
Because of how popular and accessible surfing is on Maui, you won’t have to put on a lot of effort into finding a spot to go surfing in or where you can learn how to surf – for example you might want to book the Maui Surf Group Lesson. Or if you’d feel more comfortable with being guaranteed a female teacher, check out Maui Surfer Girls.
19. ✦ Relax in a Funky Surf Town
One of the absolute must things to do in Maui is to spend time relaxing in a cool surf town—and Paia is a perfect choice. With its beachy boutiques, stunning waterfronts and fresh fish restaurants, It is definitely the epitome of a funky, cool town. It is also a great place to start on the Road to Hana.
Consider an overnighter at the trendy Paia Inn, which Conde Nast named as having one of the World’s Sexiest Hotel Staffs.
20. ✧ Standup Paddle Board
If surfing isn’t your thing, you might be happy to hear Maui is an equally excellent location for standup paddle boarding – SUP for short. Maui is where SUP was invented in the first place, so you absolutely cannot miss out on adding this to your bucket list and then checking it off there!
You won’t have to put a lot of effort into finding a decent spot for some lessons and rentals, with Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding being the highest rated and most popular one to start from.
21. ✧ Smell the Lavender
In the Upcountry region of Maui, you will find Alli Kula Lavender Farm. Although lavender is not native to Maui, and they are not always blooming, a walk through the gardens during the season is definitely bucket list worthy.
22. ✧ Learn to Play the Ukelele
The ukelele, which means jumping flea, is commonly associated with Hawaiian music. So, what would be a more perfect thing to do in Maui than learning how to play one while on the island? At Ukelele Mele you can not only master how to play this instrument, but also purchase one as a souvenir.
23. ✧ Wear a Fresh Flowered Lei
A lei is a garland that is a symbol of affection and placed around the neck upon arriving to Hawaii. In the movies these tokens are mostly made with exquisite fresh flowers, though in most places through the islands they have been replaced by the Kukui Tree Nut lei, which lasts much longer. But, with all of the gorgeous Hawaiian flowers you will find in Maui it is worth seeking out a fresh one.
24. ✦ Witness Lava Rock
Another one of the amazing things to do in Maui is to take a drive along Makena Road and through the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve for cool peek at the lava fields. It looks like something from the set of Star Wars! The surreal landscape was created by the lava flowing from Mt. Haleakala.
25. ✦ Stand Amongst a Bamboo Forest
Along Maui’s Road to Hana, you can take the Pipiwai hiking trail to the majestic Bamboo Forest. Stand amongst the impressive bamboo that lines the pathway.
What + Where to Eat & Drink
26. ✧ Eat Pie at Leoda’s
Leoda’s Kitchen is popular for its comfort food and pies, and often dubbed as one of the best places to eat on the island. They’ll have some truly unique items on their menu, such as ahi eggs benedict, but also a fair amount of familiar dishes like the garden salad. And you can’t enter Leoda’s without trying one of their pies! You can’t go wrong with their signature coconut cream pie, but other options on the menu sound just as tasty, including the pineapple mac nut and Olowalu lime and peanut butter.
27. ✦ Indulge on Shave Ice
Take a step up from the kiddie snow cones and indulge in a Hawaiian delicacy, flavored Shave Ice. What is it? This dessert is made with shaved ice (not crushed like that of a traditional snow cone) and then topped with an array of flavors.
Try one of the best at Ululani’s Shave Ice shop, which has several locations throughout Maui. I can vouch for their Haleakala made with coconut, leche and topped with sweetened condensed milk!
28. ✧ Eat Seafood at Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House is a highly rated and world famous restaurant located on Maui’s North Shore. It is a family-owned restaurant with decades of history, with their fish guaranteed to be local and fresh, brought in by their trusted fishermen on a daily basis. On their menu you can not only find ahi and mahi mahi, but you’ll also learn who caught the fish and how, making each day’s menu unique.
29. ✦ Eat at a Roadside Stop
From banana bread to fresh fruit smoothies to jumbo shrimp, you can get it all on the Maui roadside. On the Road to Hana, stop at Halfway to Hana for some of their famous pieces of banana bread. Or go to one of the most well-known roadside stops, Geste Shrimp, a delicious Hawaiian food truck in Kahului that would make a perfect pitstop on the way to the airport.
30. ✧ Drink Local Craft Beer
Even if you’re not a big drinker, one fun aspect of travel can be to try the local drinks, with trying out local craft beers being a particularly easy and tame to do. There are two big breweries on Maui, Maui Brewing Co. and Kohola Brewery. To enjoy their creations in the best of atmospheres, do try out Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill, The Dirty Monkey or Down the Hatch.
31. ✦ Go Wine Tasting
Experience a different side to Maui and go wine tasting. Just under an hour away from the funky town of Paia you will find Tedeschi Winery, a small place with a handful of varietals. Drinking different types of wine is one of my favorite things to do wherever I am in the world and here you can take a tour, as well as do a tasting. Don’t miss out on trying the pineapple wine!
32. ✧ Eat Farm to Table at O’o
The private culinary farm that provides the food for O’o, located in Upcountry Maui, is the only one of its kind on this island. On the weekday mornings, you can get a coffee tour on the premises, which includes a filling breakfast, while the 3-course lunch tour comes with vegetarian options as well as fish and chicken choices.
The price for this activity can feel a bit steep, but once you’ve tried their food and seen the views its estate holds, you won’t regret a single dime spent!
33. ✦ Snack on Spam Musubi
Along with shave ice, Spam Musubi is another popular Hawaiian delicacy. It is a slice of Spam canned meat (made mostly of ham) that is wrapped in seaweed. It an be found at many delis, grocery stores and even gas stations. The one I munched on was scored at the Honolua Store in Kapalua for only a dollar fifty.
34. ✧ Drink a Cup of Maui Grown Coffee
Hawaii is one of the rare states and territories belonging to the US that is capable of producing their own coffee, therefore offering the visitors to Hawaii yet another delicacy to try out whilst there. Maui Grown Coffee is the main local coffee provider on Maui, growing its coffee on an estate in Lahaina, specializing in various Arabica coffee varieties.
You can get a cup of their steaming hot and tasty coffee at their company store in Lahaina, and you can also compare it against a smaller coffee grower by checking out Grandma’s Coffee’s coffee selection as well.
35. ✦ Eat Kalua Pig
Kalua pig is cooked in an underground oven, a traditional Hawaiian cooking technique. And, of course, it is tender and tasty. You can find it on many menus, but Flatbread Pizza in Paia sells a popular pie, the Mopsey Kalua Pork, which features the most tender Kiawe smoked free-range pork shoulder.
36. ✧ Eat at a Mixed Plate Restaurant
When you’re in Maui, you won’t be low on choices of dining spots to choose from. Another rather quintessential type of meal on Maui is a mixed plate, also referred to as a plate lunch. This dish typically consists of two scoops of rice, two scoops potato mac salad and some meat, usually kalua pork.
Though not the only one of its kind, a quick Google search will tell you that Aloha Mixed Plate is THE place to go for such a meal now, especially if you want those gorgeous oceanfront views to go with your meal.
37. ✦ Eat Fresh Fish Tacos
Located in a discreet strip mall, you will find one of the most popular fresh fish tacos and yummiest of things to do in Maui. At Coconuts Fish Cafe each fish taco is made with 17 different ingredients, plus the fish is no older than five hours and the tortillas are made in house. What could be better than that?
38. ✧ Eat Manapua Buns
Have you ever had a Chinese steamed bun? Well, Manapua buns are somewhat similar to them, and yet quite uniquely its own kind of a Hawaiian style steamed bun. It’s typically filled with pork, although other variations also exist.
39. ✧ Eat Poke
Poke is a dish native to Hawaii, made of diced raw fish, often also running under the name ‘poke bowl’. Traditionally the fish is prepared with maui onions, roasted candlenut, limu, soy sauce green onions or sesame oil. For some of the best poke on Maui, taste the dishes served at Takamiya Market and Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Café.
40. ✦ Eat Coconut Candy
Nahiku Marketplace is a small Hana shopping center, which consists of a tiny handful of Hawaiian product shops. This is where I discovered one of my absolute favorite Maui treats, coconut candy. The coconut is hand cut, sprinkled with brown sugar and slow baked. It was well worth the $5 a bag and a spot on your bucket list.
41. ✧ Eat Loco Moco
A delicious Hawaiian comfort food, a traditional loco moco is made by topping rice with a fried burger patty and gravy, with a fried egg as a cherry on top. And it’s so tasty, it can’t be missing on your list of things to do in Maui! Include Kihei Caffe or Nalu’s South Shore Grill in your itinerary so that you can fall in love with loco moco in one of the restaurants known to make it the best.
42. ✧ Buy Fruit Using the Honor System
While driving on the island you will see several unattended stands selling a small selection of fresh fruit. Each has it’s own money slot with the cost of the product, allowing you to buy your fruit using the honor system. Consider picking up a fresh pineapple for the road.
Essential Tips for Visiting Maui
Getting There: Most travelers fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), which is the main airport of Maui. You can easily check for the best fare deals at Skyscanner, which also has the option to choose ‘cheapest month’ as the departure to find the lowest priced dates to fly to your destination. You could also check on flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and taking a half hour commuter flight to Maui.
Where to Stay in Maui: Choosing where to stay in Maui is mostly about which area you’ll be spending the most time in. For the perfect gateway to drive the Road to Hana, then the town of Paia is a good choice. We stayed (and loved!) the Paia Inn (Moderate). West Maui is popular because it has the many dining and accommodation options. For something on the less expensive side, try the Best Western Pioneer Inn (Budget) that is right in downtown Lahaina. For a hotel with a little more extravagance, book a room at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Or search some great deals on hotels of your choice at Booking.com. If you’re looking for more of a home atmosphere (or are traveling with a group of people), head over to Airbnb that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Getting Around: Renting a car in Maui is the best to really experience the island and RentalCars.com has some great deals. If you are not renting a car, there are plenty of options. It is possible to get around the island by taxi, shuttle, tours or public transportation. Plus, both Lyft and Uber are available all over the city.
Top Tours: You can find some of the top tours at Get Your Guide. I recommend these ones:
- Maui: 2-Hour Whale Watching Excursion from Lahaina Harbor
- Maui: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel
- Maui: Mountaintop Sunrise Tour to Haleakala National Park
- Maui: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Road to Hāna
Insurance: It’s always a good idea to travel fully insured so you are protected in case of trip cancellations or medical emergencies. You can check out pricing are Travelex Insurance.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure.
More About Hawaii
Maui Luaus: 9 Best Hawaiian Luaus on the Island
A Guide to Nakalele Blowhole in Maui, Hawaii
Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
Walk a Black Sand Beach on the Road to Hana
Facing Pineapple Gluttony in Hali’imaile
Swim with Sea Turtles in Olowalu
35 of Maui’s Best Road to Hana Stops for a Fun Driving Tour
Paia Maui Bucket List: 12 Things to do in the Town
Very cool :) Must make a list of my own
Yes, you must!! :)
So many great reasons to go! Love the bike ride down the volcano. That sounds like a great adventure! Love your photos…they look so enticing.
There are definitely many adventures to be had in Maui!!!
Ugh take me there now!!!!!!! I want to swim with sea turtles!!! LOVE the bamboo forest shot.
The swimming with sea turtles was one of the most memorable adventures!!
You can have the bike ride down the mountain. Not much room for bikes and cars and the drive up was unnerving enough (I don't get unnerved often). Other than that, I did over half the list. A huge must is the Pacific WhaleWatch Foundation cruise, a non-profit organization. Amazing, got resonably close and got a fabulous tail picture.
I have never been whale watching, but that sounds amazing!
It was and we went through the Pacific Whale Foundation, a non-profit that is helping build the humpback numbers back up, they were down to 800 at one time up to 10,000 in the Hawaii area now.
Sounds so amazing! Can’t wait to go!
Great selection of things to do! Haven't been to Hawaii yet, but I'll make sure not to miss some of your recommendations :)
Have a great weekend
Hawaii is definitely worth a visit!
I sooo want to ride on some waves in Hawaii just to say I've surfed in the home of surfing!!
Surfing in Hawaii would be amazing. It was one of the thing I didn’t do. Good reason to go back!
Swimming with a sea turtle is a wonderful experience for sure. I must give a huge thumbs up to the person that got that great photo as that couldn't have been an easy position to get into…
The sea turtle adventure was one of my favorites! There was a photographer there and he got some great shots.
Great list! I tweeted it to our followers. When you come back you will find another 24 things that should be on everyone's bucket list.
wow you must have had an epic adventure, the list just got longer and better!
I actually went to Maui twice, because once just wasn’t enough :)
I’ve been to Maui twice, Oahu twice, big island once and Kahui once. 1 week first time to Hawaii, 2 weeks second time, 3 weeks third time. I am blessed for sure. By far my most memorable experience was swimming with Mante Rays on the Big Island- at night! More fun then I thought.
Wow! I didn’t even know you could do that there!
Watch the sun rise from the top of Haleakala! We did it. Make sure you’re there by 4 am and wear a sweater because it’s freezing!
I heard this was AMAZING, but couldn’t wake up early enough to make it ;)
I did half of the things on this list last year. I would love to go back! My favorite was the road to Hana and snorkeling with sea turtles.
I enjoyed both of those things too!
4. Walk on a Black Sand Beach. Smell the Lavender, 16. Relax in a Funky Surf Town – A different Feel and experience… The sound, smell and speaking to the heart are the value of traveling..
A well experience List of things! Good luck with your next experience <3 !
I used to live on Maui I grew up there it’s always going to be home for me and I miss it SO much!! But if I can add something to the list is go to Iao Valley it’s a beautiful place for hiking and its a lot cooler there than other parts of the island and an amazing river that is known to locals for curing Hang overs once you jump in… It also would be good for people to learn some of the myths and legends of Anciant Hawaii other than that I approve of this list
Thanks for your suggestions, they would make great additions to the list!
We just booked our tickets to Maui for 4 full days! For next weekend. Glad to find your bucket list. Now it seems 4 days is not enough
Four full days will probably be enough to see half the island, unless you are super speedy! The best part about it is how relaxed you feel as soon as you step out of the airport. Everything just seems to slow dow. Have fun!!!
Wow that’s just a great article you give a detailed information and I just want that coconut candy and shave ice and that bicycle ride in such a beautiful place and the top of the list is to saw the whole island in helicopter I think you don’t miss that ride thanks for sharing your experience
I will do most of them when I go around april :D is good that I found your tips for Hawaii, thank you so much :) snorkeling, biking..and most of them what have andrenaline in ..I will do them..I will try some food too, but I’m not that big fan of foodies :D
haha i love that! “buy fruit using the honer system”! i used to have a fruit stand on the big island as a kid! these islands truly are special and you guys certainly nailed the bucket list for hawaii! aloha
I wish they had those fruit stands in California! I’d load up :)
Have 17 under my belt! Only 7 more to go, but will probably never do the bike ride down Haleakala! Does driving down count? LOL!!
Wow! 17 is pretty impressive!! You can count driving down maybe if you were on a motorcycle ;)
Hiking Haleakala crater should be on here… it’s tough but so worth it…. making it down sliding sand trails, across the bottom and back up switch back can be grueling but finishing is one of the most rewarding feeling ever!!!
That does sound like quite the adventure!
We’re going to Hawaii, June 2021. I’m super excited, Thank you for this list.
Hope you’ll enjoy your Hawaii tour.
To me, the road to Hana makes your trip to Maui one if your best vacations ever.
Thank you so much for the travel tips. We are heading to Maui soon and after reading your tips and looking at your photographs, I am even more excited to get there, if that is possible! I am a photographer and Maui has been on my bucket list since first making one. Now my bucket list has a bucket list. :)
The Road to Hana was an automatic check off on the list for us since we will be staying in Hana for two days, then moving on to two other resorts, in 2 different towns, while there. We will be able to take our time exploring the area. So excited!
Mahalo nui loa!
You are going to have an incredible time! There is something about Maui that makes you feel relaxed as soon as you step off the plane — everything moves a little more slowly. I wish I would have spent the night in Hana and had even more time to explore like you! I hope you have the BEST time!
2 weeks in Maui coning up! It’s my 50th birthday (gift to myself) and I will be tracking the 50 best things to do in Maui!! Stay tuned!!
Nice! What an incredible birthday gift. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Maui is our favorite place, if I could afford to move my entire family over there that is where we would be. ILLINIOS weather sucks!!!!! Maui is absolutely beautiful
I agree! There’s something about Maui that makes me feel relaxed as soon as I step off the plane.
We go to Maui in November…our 8th time.and we love it. One thing you didn’t mention is golfing. They have so many beautiful courses. spendy but worth it at least for one day. My husband golfs everyday and is back to condo by noon so we have the rest of the day. Road to Hana.. if you get car sick PLEASE sit in the front preferably driving. Also make sure you check to make sure the falls are open at the top of road to Hana in the State park. It was closed last year and my sister is there now and it was closed yesterday. Something about the high tide flood warning alarm. Haeleakala – we rented a crown Vic, rental car company picked it. Never again. Driving that to the volcano was a nightmare!! But sunset from there was amazing. I could write and write about things to do but we stay for about 12 days and one of the good things to do is just relax! LOVE Maui – Jackie
Thanks for all the great tips Jackie! I bet the golfing in Maui is amazing. I’m not a golfer, so have never done it, but have seen some of the gorgeous courses!
Has it been a while since your last visit? Maui calls…
It’s been way too long…
Just wanting to make a comment about coconuts fish cafe fish tacos, as a local I know for a fact that they do NOT use fresh fish, it is all previously frozen. The owner makes the employees lie and say it’s fresh daily. They also do not make their tortillas home made either. Their fish tacos are probably the best thing on their menu although for what your paying there’s better fish places on the island. Everything else on this list is awesome and definitely a must do!
Thanks for your input, can you recommend another place for fish tacos?
Thanks for all the information. Is really well informed!
I went there and just have dream days in Maui. :D
Going to Maui in two weeks with the hubby and our 10
and 6 year old boys. Anything extra we shouldn’t miss or things to miss whilst traveling with two kiddos.
I would also recommend for car enthusiast and those who love driving adventures to rent a Polaris Slingshot from Maui Kart | Slingshot Rentals and Tours ( https://mauikart.com ) and take is for a spin around the island. This should be a memory maker for sure!
Looks like fun! And I’m actually taking a Slingshot tour in Colorado later this month!
You’re missing the cutest shop on Maui! Wings Hawaii in Paia is an absolute gem. This shop features primarily locally made clothing, jewelry, accessories, art and home goods. Their site is http://www.wingshawaii.com and their Instagram is @wingshawaii
An interesting list, but I think it leaves some great activities off the list and I think there are a couple that are overrated in my opinion. Here are my thoughts:
Honolua Bay – this is a great spot for snorkling or snuba. We sailed the Teralani there and did the snuba option. It was amazing. If you are not scuba certified, then this is the next best think. If you want to drive there, that is also an option, but go early as the available parking is limited. The beach is rocky, not sandy, and is about a 1/4 mile hike from the parking area. There are lots of locals, tourists and sailboats all enjoying the bay.
Scuba Dive Mala Pier – if you are scuba certified, Mala Pier is a great shore dive, especially if the White Tip Reef sharks are there.
Maui Ocean Center / Shark Dive – the Maui Ocean Center is a great aquarium to visit for an afternoon. They have a 750,000 gallon tank with 6 shark species, and if you are scuba certified, you can dive with the sharks, which is incredible. On our last trip, we did the dive twice, and I think we will do it again.
Atlantis Submarine – this is a lot of fun. You get to see a shipwreck and fish at a depth of about 100 feet.
Cliff Jumping at the Kapalua Cliff House – “cliff” is a relative term. It is really 10-20 feet high, but a lot of fun and best of all, it is free. You have to access the Cliff House by the Montage from the public hiking trail that runs along the coast, but the hike is beautiful and the cliff jumping is pretty tame. There is even a step ladder to get out of the water. The snorkeling in the bay is really good as well. Many of the boat stop here for their passengers and you can enjoy it for free.
Hiking on Halekala – instead of doing the road to Hana (which is 1 part fascinating and 3 parts utter boredom), try this instead. We did the East Maui Waterfalls and Rain Forest Hike. Awesome day and not too hard.
With that said, I do think the Road to Hana is overrated for a couple reasons. First, it is a very long day – typically 12+ hours. Second, the start of the road is nice with some beautiful views and waterfalls, but it becomes routine pretty quickly. The black sand beach is small and crowded. There is a cool cave at the beach for taking pictures, but it isn’t worth a special trip in my opinion. Hana is fine, but Paia is more interesting and closer. The dry side of Haleakala is like driving through the desert – just not that interesting. I wouldn’t devote a whole day to the road to Hana personally.
Thank you for all the great additions! Now I need to go back to do the Atlantis submarine!
Totally agree with the goat yoga!
If you’ve never done it before, that’s a fun way to spend your morning. Beautiful views too.
You should also go out on a boat charter, the smaller ones are the best! Sail Maui’s sailing catamarans Paragon and Paragon II are a blast. The rafts also don’t take too many people and get to where they want to go quickly.
You’re better off avoiding the bigger boats if you’re looking for a better day. More comfortable on the smaller boats, don’t have to deal with as many people and you get better service because the ratio of crew to passengers is better.
If you’re looking for other ideas, we’ve put together some great reviews and to do lists for how to spend your time on Maui.
Here’s one of our more popular lists https://www.letsgotomaui.net/da-kine/7-day-plan-for-your-maui-vacation/
Sadly winery no longer offers free samples. Agree the sweet pineapple wine called Maui Splash is the best.
That’s a bummer, but I suppose I can understand why they need to start charging for tastings.
I agree with above comment about Sail Maui. Annette, wanted to know how many times have you been to Maui?
Thanks Annette! Can’t wait to visit Maui again. Sounds like it will be open again to tourists soon.
Aloha…
Your bucket list is pretty good. I would agree with the poster that mentioned Iao Valley state park. Alot of history there and good to great hiking.
I do have two comments about your article though. Kahului is the proper spelling of the city.. not Kahalui…
And in your list of places to go for ono loco moco
you mentioned Rainbow Drive In which is on Oahu.. not Maui.
Thanks for the tips it gives my mom and I an idea on what we should do and see.
Best burger that I’ve ever had in my life is at cool cat cafe in Lahaina they are enormously large and the juice just pours down your chin. They are awesome!
Swimming with the sea turtles was one of the best experience me and my kids ever had! It was such a good time!
Hi, thanks for sharing this amazing blog post with us. It is really well written and informative. I am waiting for your next blog post.
This Maui guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Thank you, Glad to be of help.
Please add ‘take an intro to scuba dive’! Scuba is so fun and the wonderful underwater sights in Maui make it a must do. Underwater lava tubes, lobsters, turtles, manta rays, hammerheads, reef sharks (the list goes on). As a bonus, take an underwater electric scooter ride. Or a submarine ride. Or parasailing… paddle boarding, and cliff diving (tame) at black rock. Sooo many fun things to do!!
Thank you for the suggestions, will surely add it on the next article update
Going in April 22. Still not sure about the road to Hana. We’re thinking of seeing the sunset at the Haleakala Crater then some night pictures. (I’m an avid Milky Way photographer) Thanks for the list. I will definitely do some of these.