12 Best Things to Do in Maui
Maui serves up an appealing mix of adventure, beauty, and urban fun. Add in intriguing historic sites and soul-stirring cultural attractions, and it’s easy to see why the Valley Isle consistently ranks as a top global destination.
Highlights include the beaches, where you can sunbathe, snorkel, and surf, and Haleakalā National Park, home to a stark crater plus a swath of lush coastal acreage. Adventuring is best complemented with local food and an evening immersed in the island’s many cultural offerings. Here are our 12 picks for the best things to do.
Paddle an Outrigger Canoe Along the Coast
You’ll see them packed tight on beaches across Maui: long, narrow canoes with lateral support floats. Known as outrigger canoes, these colorful watercraft are the descendants of the cargo-filled canoes used by Polynesian explorers thousands of years ago to reach and eventually settle the Hawaiian Islands. These early settlers paddled more than 2400 miles! The canoes were subsequently used for fishing, transport, and carrying cargo. Today, outrigger canoe clubs hold races and keep the outrigger tradition alive. Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Adventures in Wailea and Hawaiian Paddle Sports in Makena offer guided outrigger canoe tours, sharing cultural insights as you paddle along the coast.
Learn About the Lives of Missionaries and Whalers in Lahaina
Everything starts at the banyan tree. Planted in 1873, this leafy Lahaina landmark has 16 trunks and scores of shade-providing branches. Learn the history of the city at the adjacent Lahaina Heritage Museum inside the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Pop into the visitor center here for a walking-tour brochure. Whalers and missionaries crossed paths in Lahaina beginning in the 1820s – often acrimoniously. Home to a missionary doctor, the 1834–35 Baldwin House is the oldest surviving Western-style building in Lahaina. Drunken sailors were held nearby at Hale Pa’ahao Prison. On Front St, storefronts that once housed saloons, dance halls, and brothels now teem with galleries, shops, and restaurants. There are also still plenty of watering holes – The Pioneer Inn Bar celebrates the sailor’s life with whaling-era decor.
Step Into the Past on the Road to Hana
Carving a narrow path between the ocean and lush tropical slopes, the Road to Hana is famed for its wild waterfalls and zen-like pools. And yes, you should stop at a few along the way. But it’s the unique historic sites that may linger in your memory longest. Standing beside Polynesia’s largest temple – five stories high – it’s impossible not to feel dwarfed by the scale of Pi’ilanihale Heiau. Its construction likely began in the 13th century, and it is probably the most significant stop on the entire Road to Hana. Tours explore the extraordinary relationship between the ancient Hawaiians and their environment. Due to overcrowding and traffic concerns, joining an organized tour is recommended.
Another worthwhile stop on the Road to Hana is the Piʻilani Trail at nearby Waiʻanapanapa State Park, which follows an ancient footpath known as the King’s Trail that once circled the island.
Snorkel in Turtle Town at Maluʻaka Beach
Graceful honu (green sea turtles) inhabit Maui’s coastal waters. Adults can grow to more than 3ft – an awe-inspiring sight when one swims past you just a few feet away. The reef-filled coast of Maluʻaka Beach, also known as Turtle Town, in Makena is a popular spot for snorkelers eager to see these amazing creatures. You’ll find terrific coral about 100 yards out, and the best snorkeling action is at the southern end of the beach. Keep in mind that sea turtles are an endangered species in the US, and it is a federal offense to harm, harass, or touch them.
Explore the Mesmerizing Volcanic Valley at Haleakalā
A volcanic valley layered with cinder cones and old lava flows, the yawning mouth of Haleakalā is a geographic wonder. At the summit, visitors can enjoy a pre-dawn spectacle as a cottony blanket of clouds gives way to rich tones of amber and ocher blazing across the crater floor. Following the sunrise, you can hike down the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail to the crater floor. The profound silence, interrupted only by the sound of volcanic cinders crunching beneath your feet, is a surprising highlight of the visit.
Sample Maui’s Bounty on an Upcountry Farm Tour
Farmers in the Upcountry grow crops in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. On the morning coffee tour at Oʻo Farm you’ll stroll the coffee fields, sip French-press coffee and savor a garden frittata. Late risers may prefer the gourmet lunch tour, where visitors harvest their own produce for a chef-prepared meal. Baby goats can be seen at Surfing Goat Dairy, where child-friendly tours explore the workings of a dairy farm. Tours conclude with vodka samples beside sugarcane stalks at Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm & Distillery.
Hike Through Tropical Splendor on the Pipiwai Trail
Your shoes will get muddy on the journey through the Pipiwai Trail, which runs alongside the ʻOheʻo Gulch streambed in the Kipahulu section of Haleakalā National Park. This four-mile round trip hike in East Maui showcases the beauty of mango and guava trees, gnarled banyan trees, and breathtaking views of Makahiku Falls. The trail ends at 400ft-tall Waimoku Falls dropping over a soaring cliff face.
Watch for Whales from a Kayak, Catamaran, or Trail
With their tail slaps, head lunges, and spy hops, humpback whales know how to captivate crowds off the west and southern shores of Maui. Each winter (December to March are the best months), around 12,000 of these giants migrate to the shallow waters off the Hawaiian Islands. A whale might breach unexpectedly close to your kayak during a paddle-snorkel tour with Aloha Kayaks. Sunset catamaran tours off the coast of Kaʻanapali also provide excellent opportunities to watch these majestic creatures. For a do-it-yourself experience, coastal trails in Kihei and Wailea offer great spots for whale watching, such as Papawai Point.
Dig Into Local Food
Day-to-day eats reflect Maui’s multicultural heritage, with Asian, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian influences. The classic plate lunch, which consists of a protein, mac-and-cheese, and two scoops of white rice, exemplifies local cuisine. Loco moco, a hearty dish of rice topped with a fried egg and a hamburger patty smothered in gravy, is a must-try at Kihei Caffe. Don’t miss out on poke, which is raw fish marinated in shōyu (soy sauce), oil, chili peppers, green onions, and seaweed, available at Foodland. For dessert, Ululani’s offers the world’s most exceptional snow cone made from finely shaved ice packed into a paper cone with colorful fruit-flavored syrups.
Watch the Pros Ride the Waves at Hoʻokipa Beach
Someone is always checking out the wave-riding action from the Hoʻokipa Beach overlook. This North Shore beach is renowned as the world’s premier windsurfing location, featuring strong currents, consistent winds, and challenging shore breaks. This is also one of Maui’s prime surfing spots. While the action in the water is usually suited for advanced surfers, intermediate surfers may find favorable conditions on calmer days. The lookout point on the eastern side offers a stunning vantage point to observe the surfers and the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Immerse Yourself in Hawaiian Culture
Experiencing Maui’s rich cultural heritage enhances any visit. Native Hawaiian song and dance celebrate the land and cultural history, with hula dancing evolving from a solemn ritual to captivating entertainment. Attend the Old Lahaina Luau for a memorable showcase of authentic Hawaiian traditions. In addition, explore the weekly Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert in Napili to appreciate the island’s unique musical influences.
Stake Your Claim on Maui’s Wildest Beach
A short walk through a thick tangle of kiawe trees leads you to Big Beach (Oneloa) in Makena State Park. Picture an idyllic Hawaiian beach – an endless stretch of gleaming sands, unbelievably blue water, and bodysurfers enjoying the powerful waves. If there’s one beach that captures the spirit of Maui, this is it: wild, vast, and untouched.
Go Diving in the Molokini Crater
According to Hawaiian legend, Molokini was a beautiful woman turned to stone by a jealous goddess. Today, it remains an iconic diving location. The crescent-shaped rock, situated about three miles from the South Maui coast, hosts vibrant aquatic life and more than 250 fish species. For an unforgettable diving experience in Hawaii, this is the destination to explore.
Set Your Eyes on the Glorious ‘Iao Needle in ‘Iao Valley State Park
Nowhere is Maui’s lush beauty better showcased than in ʻIao Valley, where the ‘Iao Needle – a phallic-shaped, emerald-green pinnacle – rises dramatically from the valley floor. This mystical state park, surrounded by verdant mountains, offers a stunning backdrop and a glimpse into the spiritual significance of the land.
This article was first published on Jul 10, 2019, and updated on Dec 1, 2021.
