Things to do

Best Things To Do In Maui Hawaii- A Fun Itinerary For Vacationers

A beautiful Maui Sunset
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Best things to do in Maui Hawaii include Surfing At Lahaina and Whale watching. Maui has a list of distinctive activities for people of all ages.

You might want to pursue doing some well-known things to do in Hawaii like surfing, snorkelling and hiking around the trails, but there are much more activities to do in Maui, you had never thought about.

In the same way, your stay on the Island also determines what you feel like doing on Maui. For example, things you do in Oahu aren’t going to be the same as what you’d do in Maui.

Below is the list of unconventional things to do in Maui, Hawaii.

1. The Black Sand Beach At Wai'anapanapa State Park

The black sand beach is the main attraction of the Wai'anapanapa State Park. Although the beach is small and the water around the area is rough, the black sands are worth watching.

he Black Sand Beach At Wai'anapanapa State Park (photo courtesy: Sebastian Zurich)
Source : instagram

If you are wondering where to go in Maui to watch amazing things, Wai'anapanapa State Park is your spot. Firstly, you need to purchase a parking ticket for your vehicle for around $25- $50.

If you are in the park watching black sands, do not miss out on the blowhole, sea arch, and lava cave.

2. Attend The Famous Lahaina & Enjoy The Traditional Luau

Lahaina is a wonderful spot to spend an afternoon with your loved ones. With its vast collection of shops and restaurants, the place is a typical destination to buy souvenirs for your people back home.

If you like shopping and eating authentic Hawaiian-style food, Lahaina has a fantastic selection of boutique shops, art galleries, jewellery and clothing stores.

Plus, it has restaurants and stalls with abundant food, drinks, and desserts.

The famous hula dance in the Old Lahaina Luau
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What is Luau? How much does it cost to go to the Old Lahaina Luau?

Old Lahaina Luau is Maui's traditional hula and feast. It is a way to bring the residents and the vacationers together in a celebratory feast under the stars with rivers of tropical cocktails.

It is held every day throughout the Island. It offers a variety of entertainment, such as hula dancing, live music, Samoan fire knife dancing, imu ceremonies, storytelling, and a buffet dinner.

To watch the traditional Old Lahaina Luau, adults are charged $229.17 with taxes, while children pay $139.58, including taxes.

3. Watch The Sunrise From The Top Of Haleakala National Park

The Summit Visitor Centre is the best place to watch the sunrise from Haleakala National Park. But first, you have to buy a ticket worth $1.50 for a sunrise reservation.

The Sunrise From The Top Of Haleakala National Park
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The sunrise view from up there is magical. It is definitely one of Maui beautiful places.

Watching the sunset is all we hear everywhere, especially around the waters, as vacationers love sunset dinners on a cruise. But in Hawaii, the case is different.

People certainly watch the sunset in Maui, but the most requested tour is to watch the sunrise through the thick clouds from the Haleakala National Park premises.

4. See The Trachyte Lava- Dragon's Teeth

Dragon's Teeth at Maui.
Source : hawaii-guide

If you are in north Maui, a quick tour to watch the Dragon's Teeth is worthwhile. It is located on Makalua-puna Point, where trachyte lava has been eroding for years. 

It has left behind some pointed spires lined up in a way resembling a line of teeth. With a little bit of imagination, the spires ensemble looks exactly like a line of Dragon's teeth.

When you continue exploring the place, you will come across the labyrinth, a giant, circular maze which is a candy for the eyes.

5. Visit Turtle Town On A Snorkel Tour

People love snorkelling with turtles and colourful fishes in Hawaii. It is one of the top things to do in Hawaii.

Not only do you get to swim along the turtles, experience their habitat, and witness the colourful life of marine animals.

You can book a snorkel tour or go to the beach by yourself if you have all the snorkel gear. While on the beach, you can go paddle boarding or hike on the beach trail besides snorkelling.

Snorkel In Maui
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Maui destinations for snorkelling are

  • Molokini Crater
  • Turtle Town
  • Honolua Bay
  • Kapalua Bay

6. Go Surfing At Lahaina South To Ukumehame Beach Park

Ukumehame beach park is the primary location for surfing as it has shallow waters and smaller waves. This coastline is perfect for the newbies.

People surfing on blue waters
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But if you are a surfing enthusiast, Ho’okipa Beach is for you. It is excellent for experienced folks with its giant waves. If you are surfing around the beach, there’s a good chance you will see sea turtles swimming beside you.

And comes Honolua Bay, called the “best wave in the world” by four-time world champion Mark Richards.

Finally, Maui's most potent surf spot Jaws Beach aka Pe’ahi, is suitable for professionals only.

7. Watch Humpback Whales Travel To Hawaii

Watching Humpback Whales is one of the top things to do in Hawaii. Per locals, the suitable time for whale watching is between November and May.

However, for a better experience, the months between December and March are highly suitable for the process.

Although the beautiful animals are visible from almost everywhere, the shallow Auʻau Channel between Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi is considered a top spot for watching the fantastic water mammals.

Watch Humpback Whales Travel To Hawaii
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Additionally, Makapuu Lighthouse Trail is an excellent place for watching the humpback whales with your family, as it is a mellow, paved trail that's good for hikers of different ages.

8. Travel Along The Road To Hana 

Travel the road to Hana highway stretched for 64.4-mile-long Hawaii Routes 36 and 360 connecting Kahului to the town of Hana in east Maui.

The beautiful picture of West Wailua Iki Falls on the road to Hana, captured by Peter Tang
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The full drive takes around 12 hours, taking you through the lushest part of Maui, crossing beaches, waterfalls, small towns, gardens, and even a national park. 

You can either choose to drive out and back or can do it as a loop. While both ways take an equal amount of time, vacationers prefer driving on the loop as it is more challenging and stimulating at the same time as you are not repeating the drive twice.

The top places to visit on the Road to Hana are

  • Wai’anapanapa State Park
  • The Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park
  • The Seven Sacred Pools
  • Ho’okipa Beach

9. Hike On Pipiwai Trail

Located in Haleakalā National Park, Pipiwai Trail is a 4-mile roundtrip hiking trail on Maui's island. The trails lead up to Makahiku Falls and Waimoku Falls.

Hiking trails on Pipiwai (Photo by @piriyaphoto)
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Considering its easy route, Pipiwai is the best hiking spot in Maui for families with kids and the elderly.

Hiking on the trails of Pipiwai is an exciting journey. You have to purchase a $30 ticket in order to enter the Pipiwai. It is a moderately challenging hiking route and is safe for your kids too.

10. Taste The Hawaiian Shave Ice

Hawaiian shaved ice, aka snow cones, is the prominent delicacy of the island. It is made of ice and combined with sugar or fruit-based syrups.

The Hawaiian snow cones at Hokulia Shave Ice
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Shave ice is Japan's original ice desert brought to Hawaii in the early 1900s. Tasting the shaved ice is one of the fun things to do in Maui.

To make the Hawaiin-style Ice Shave, the ice should be shaved super fine to almost resemble snow. Then, it is topped with your desired syrup.

Furthermore, Hawaiian-style snow cone is usually served over a scoop of ice cream. People also prefer it being served with toasted coconut, sweetened condensed milk, or Li Hing Mui powder.

11. The Gazebo Restaurant At Napili Bay Beach

The Gazebo Restaurant is among the Maui places to visit for the exquisite breakfast menu. It is a lively eatery at the Napili Shores condo complex that features macadamia nut pancakes with gourmet coconut syrup.

Per Google reviews, the Gazebo has some tastiest and best breakfast options in Maui. Though it is not expansive as other places in Mauii, the breakfast line tells a different story.

The Gazebo Restaurant features macadamia nut pancakes with their gourmet coconut syrup
Source : facebook

People love to eat their menu and do not mind standing in a long queue while watching the calm Napoli waters. As the restaurant is a few minutes away from the Beach, it's worth waiting in line to eat the famous macadamia pancakes.

Additionally, people also prefer visiting Napili for its calm waters. Families chose this beach so kids and adults can take to the seas for swimming, paddle boarding and boogie boarding.

Plus, Napili Bay Beach provides a quiet, laid-back ambience with views of Molokai and Lana'i, famous among sunbathers.

12. Free Tour To Lahaina Banyan Court Park

Lahaina Banyan Court Park has the oldest living banyan tree on Maui. The tree sapling was brought to the island from India in 1873.

The tree is more than 60 feet tall, offering copious shade around the park. Visiting the court park is free and doesn't cost a dime.

Lahaina’s banyan tree is a quarter of a mile (440 yards) in circumference and possesses 16 trunks.
Source : instagram

You can stroll around the park and learn about the history of the famed Banyan tree. For visitors' convenience, several benches are spread throughout the park, perfect for reading the plaques on-site detailing the tree's history. 

Furthermore, the park is within walking distance of Lahaina's shops and restaurants, including the Lahaina Courthouse Museum.

Do click on the TripAdvisor Maui page for additional information about the Banyan tree.

13. Rappel Down A Waterfall

Waterfall rappelling is the bold, controlled descent down a rock face using a harness and descending device. It is a unique sport, including climbing down steep cliffs or waterfalls using a rope for protection.

Waimoku Falls at Kīpahulu District
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Where To Go In Maui For Waterfall Rappelling?

The private Garden of Eden Arboretum is the best place for waterfall rappelling in Maui, Hawaii. The botanical garden is the sole creation of Alan Bradbury.

He is Maui's first I.S.A. certified arborist and landscape designer who began shoring the rainforest in 1991. The property is spread over 26 acres of land with trails.

These days, it is the first picked spot for Weddings, picnics, waterfalls & coastal views.

14. Go Zip Lining

Zip lining is a perfect sport to soar over Hawaii's luscious green jungle and valley. You can witness the scenic beauty of the Island whilst experiencing the adrenaline rush and weightlessness.

However, you have to double-check the weather condition before booking the services, as it might get windy anytime in the area.

Several companies offer zip-lining services in Mauii; some of them are

  • Skyline Hawaii
  • Maui Zipline
  • Kapalua Ziplines
  • Jungle Maui Zipline
  • NorthShore Zipline Co.

8 Lines Zipline Eco Tour at Jungle Zipline Maui
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Zip Lining aka Ariel rope slide might be on your bucket list Maui. Typically, the companies charge around $149 for the offered services.

No matter which one you choose from the list of companies, their tour lasts about 2 to 4 hours. Each offers something unique, like super long zip lines with outstanding views or a hike through a rainforest.

15. Visit North Maui

North Maui has stunning undeveloped beaches, historic towns, and dramatic rugged shorelines. The natural shores are known for their world-class surf breaks and off-the-beaten-path, which take to a diverse native population.

Nakalele Blowhole - Maui, Hi
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The drive from Kapalua to Nakalele Point is an underrated experience in Maui. If you consider visiting the north shore from Kapalua, you will pass through several beaches like

  • Slaughterhouse Beach (Mokuleʻia Beach)
  • Honolua Bay
  • Punalau Beach
  • Nakalele Point

The farther you go, the windier it gets. Also, the traffic lessens, and the trip from Kapalua ends in Kahului.

What Are The Top Ten Things To Do In Maui?

The top Ten Things To Do In Hawaii [Maui]are

  1. Relish Hawaiian Luau by the beach.
  2. Relax at Kaanapali Beach
  3. Travel to Haleakala
  4. Lunch in Hana
  5. Stay at Four Seasons Wailea Resort
  6. Watch the sunrise 
  7. Visit Lahaina
  8. Whale watching
  9. Enjoy the sunset at the black sand beach
  10. Explore volcanoes and rainforests

Best Places To Stay In Mauii For Families

The Four Seasons Hotel at Wailea, Maui
Source : facebook

The best area to stay in Mauii for families is Wailea or Ka'anapali. These areas are considered better for family vacationers because of their weather and beaches.

However, choosing the destination comes to the family per their budget, proximity to activities, and vibe. Apart from destinations, the best months to visit Mauii is April, May, August, September, and early October.

Not only for a family vacation but Wailea & Ka'anapali is also a perfect honeymoon destination too. 

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