24 Amazing Things to Do in Maui (2025)

From its iconic and rain forested Road to Hana to its world-famous beaches and snorkeling, Maui is distinct from other Hawaiian islands. It’s also the second largest island in Hawaii. Nicknamed “the Valley Isle”, Maui will steal your heart with its scenic coastlines and rainbows galore. There are so many incredible things to do in Maui!

January 2025 Note: Maui is still recovering from devastating wildfires that struck the island in summer 2023. Most of Maui has re-opened for business and visitation, but Lahaina, one of the hardest hit areas, is still rebuilding. It is best to avoid Lahaina for now and to double-check that accommodations and attractions are open wherever you go on the island.

Best Things to Do in Maui

I’m a frequent Maui visitor so I’ve rounded up some of the very best experiences and Maui activities below.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly beaches or bucket list adventures, I’ve got you covered with Maui travel tips!

1. Snorkel Molokini Crater.

Snorkeling the gorgeous Molokini Crater is everybody’s favorite day trip on Maui!

This crescent-shaped volcanic crater—one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks—is partially submerged in the Alalakeiki Channel, just off the coast of Maui.

The islet itself is 23 acres but you’ll be visiting for the protected reef it creates for snorkeling and diving.

Molokini Crater is home to more than 250 marine species. It’s like swimming in an aquarium of tropical fish.

And the best way to enjoy this experience is to book a half-day boat tour. Most leave from Ma’alea Harbor in Wailuku.

Molokini Crater Tips

• Book a morning tour rather than one in the afternoon. There’s likely less wind which makes for better visibility and fewer waves.

• Choose a smaller catamaran with fewer people for a more intimate experience.

This tour includes a continental breakfast, deli lunch, snorkeling gear and a second stop at Turtle Town at Maluaka Beach south of Kihei.

As you might expect, it’s one of the best places to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles!

Check price and availability on a Molokini snorkeling tour here.

2. Drive the Road to Hana.

Maui’s Road to Hana—on the east and rain forested side of the island—is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Don’t miss it!

It’s 64 miles across 59 bridges and around 620 curves!

You’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic ocean vista, gushing waterfalls, bamboo forests, and even a black sand beach.

There are so many places to stop on Road to Hana!

The biggest challenge you’ll find here is enough time to see everything you want to do.

Most people find they can make it a little over halfway to Hana—look for the banana bread/smoothie stand with the “Halfway to Hana” sign—in a day.

This allows time to for some stops, a hike or two, and enough time to get back to Paia where the road begins (or to the west side if the island).

But that’s okay! The Road to Hana is all about the journey, not the destination.

There’s plenty to see, however, near Hana, too.

So consider booking an overnight there to enjoy a more leisurely pace and have this stunning spot all to yourself after the day trippers have left.

Road to Hana Tips

• Traffic can be heavy here so be sure to get a very early start out of Paia or you’re likely to find challenges with parking for popular waterfalls and hikes and inch along in traffic all day.

• Due to overcrowding, advance reservations are now required to visit Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach at mile marker 32. There’s no parking outside the park.

• Most people find the Road to Hana easy to drive.

However, if you’re afraid of heights, you don’t have a car, or you’d rather leave the driving to someone else so you can gawk at the views, consider booking a small group tour in a luxury van for the day.

This day tour includes breakfast, lunch, and swim breaks! Check price and availability on the tour here.

How to Rent a Car on Maui

My top two recs are:

1. Discover Cars has no hidden fees, 24/7 customer service, and free cancellation. They search all the major rental car companies so you don’t have to.

Check price and availability on rental cars here.

2. Turo is like Airbnb for cars. It saved us $$$ during the pandemic on our Hawaii rentals when rental car prices were sky high.

3. Tour Maui by helicopter.

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket experience, this is it!

You’ll soar over stunningly spectacular scenery on Maui. It’s one of the best islands for a helicopter experience.

Fly across lush green valleys and above secret waterfalls in West Maui as you hug the rugged West Maui mountains.

Then you’ll cross the channel to neighboring Molokai island for vertical sea cliffs that plunge to the shore below.

You’ll even enjoy a bird’s eye view of the partially submerged volcano that is Molokini Crater (see #1 above). This is one of the most popular things to do on Maui!

You can check price and availability on a Maui helicopter tour here.

4. See whales at eye-level!

If you’re visiting in winter, head out on a boat to see the migration of the humpback whales. Maui is one of the very best islands for whale watching in Hawaii!

Between November and March, humpback whales head over 3,500 miles from Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii to mate and give birth to their young. You can even see them from the shoreline.

Peak whale watching season is between November and March.

Whale Watching Tips

• Book an eco-friendly whale watching tour with a professional captain and crew.

A great tour gets you close to whales in a small group experience—like this tour— on a raft with just 16 people—while still honoring federal regulations to maintain appropriate distance to avoid stressing whales.

Check price and availability on an eco-friendly, intimate whale watching tour here.

Where to Stay on Maui

Here is everything you need to know about the best areas to stay in Maui + condos and resorts.

Lahaina and Kihei are two popular areas for renting a condo:

• best vacation rentals in Lahaina (please avoid Lahaina for now as they continue post-fire rebuilding)

• best vacation rentals in Kihei

5. Cycle Mount Haleakala at Sunrise.

Watching sunrise from a peak at Haleakala National Park is a favorite Maui experience. But you’ll need to get here early as you’ll be sharing it with a crowd.

The park is essentially a dormant volcano on 33,000 acres of wilderness. If you’d rather skip the early wake-up, consider heading here mid-day for fewer crowds and a fantastic hike.

If you’re traveling to Maui from the US, the time change will have you awake early on your first day so this can be a great day to make it to Haleakala by dawn.

Mount Haleakala Tips

• You’ll need an advance reservation for sunrise if you’re driving on your own.

Or, you can book a tour where someone else drives you. Alternatively, head here for sunset as it’s also beautiful then and there are far fewer people.

• Be aware it’s foggy quite often at the top of the mountain.

That’s been the case for both my Haleakala visits so far. (Pack your puffy coat as it’s windy and freezing at the top…especially at dawn and dusk.)

• Are you an adrenaline junkie? Watch the sunrise at the top and then ride a bike to the bottom!

6. Enjoy a luau.

A traditional Hawaiian luau is a wonderful way to soak in the magic and mystery of Polynesian culture and customs and to celebrate the end of a beautiful day on Maui.

Te Au Moana at the swank Wailea Beach Marriott Resort includes a delicious self-service buffet, a fire knife performance, and, of course, traditional hula dance…all in a spectacular oceanfront setting.

You can check price and availability at Te Au Moana luau here.

Read more on Hawaii travel:

• 24 amazing activities to do in Hawaii

• 26 best activities on Kauai island

• 7 day Maui itinerary

7. Bask on the sandy beaches.

This is a tantalizing list of unique things to do in Maui, right?

But resist the urge to overschedule your vacation. Slow down to island time with lots of time penciled in on Maui’s sugary sandy beaches.

Warm tropical rains bring rainbows. Look for monk seals and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Relax and take in the beauty!

Maui Beach Tips

• You’ll find most of the best beaches in south and west maui.

• Kama’ole Beaches I, II, and III are family-friendly beaches near Kihei. Kaanapali Beach near Lahaina is world-famous. Makena Landing is great for spotting turtles!

8. Take a romantic sunset dinner cruise.

What could be better than closing the day with your favorite person at sunset out on the turquoise water?

Enjoy Mother Nature’s most impressive light show with a hand-crafted cocktail (or non-alcoholic beverage) and “pupus” (appetizers) as dolphins cavort in the boat’s wake.

If you’re here in winter, you may enjoy bonus whale spottings!

This sunset boat tour sails Maui’s western shore from Ka’anapli and includes an open bar for unlimited drinks.

Check the price and availability of the sunset dinner cruise here.

9. Tour the Maui Pineapple Farm.

Do you know about Hawaii’s long history of pineapple farming? Remember Dole pineapple from Hawaii?

Taste the extra sweet Maui gold pineapple for yourself as you dive into all things pineapple and Hawaiian culture on this 90-minute tour of a working pineapple field.

You’ll learn all about growing cycles and cultivation of the fruit at different stages. Best of all, you’ll take home your own fresh pineapple at the end of the tour.

You can check price and availability on the Maui Pineapple Farm tour here.

10. Cycle the West Maui Loop.

If you’re a fit adventure lover, cycling the famous West Maui loop—it’s 60 miles—is a great day out. Bicycle Magazine named it one of the 10 best bike rides in the world!

The entire loop will take three to six hours, depending on your fitness level and whether or not you’re on an e-bike.

You may have noticed that the shape of Maui looks like two “lobes” sort of stuck together. This ride circles the whole top lobe, which is west Maui.

You’ll pass the Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali, Honolua Bay, the Nakalele Blowhole, tide pools, a lighthouse, petroglyphs, and so much more.

Not a cyclist? Don’t let that stop you. You can also drive the west Maui loop, stopping at beaches, blowholes, and forests for hikes along the way.

Tips for the West Maui Loop:

• Be aware that the paved road becomes a twisty one-lane road after the Olivine Pools so don’t attempt this if you’re not a confident driver.

• What to pack: Plenty of water and sunscreen! You may want a swimsuit, towel, and snorkel gear…plus some cash for snacks at a fruit stand, too.

• Start early in the day if you’re doing this ride in summer for less wind and cooler temps.

11. Visit the Maui Ocean Center.

The Maui Ocean Center, located in Maalea, is three acres of marine sanctuary. It’s the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.

Just for starters, you can view 40 rare species of Hawaiian coral.

Then head to the Turtle Lagoon to say hello to the beautiful Hawaiian green sea turtles.

You’ll stroll through a long acrylic tunnel as sharks meander over your head and stingrays do backflips in the open ocean tank.

Plus, there’s a state-of-the-art virtual experience with 3-D glasses and surround sound system for your deep dive (pun intended) into the lives of Maui’s humpback whales.

It’s the next best thing to seeing them during whale watching season in winter!

You can check prices on admission tickets here.

12. See the Giant Banyan Tree.

January 2025 Note: please avoid Lahaina for now, as post-fire rebuilding is still ongoing.

You’ll find this famous banyan tree in Lahaina, not far from the cute shops you’ll be visiting in this historic town anyway. So go give it a look and prepare to be awed.

This massive tree covers nearly two acres and is the largest of its kind in the whole USA! It was a gift from Indian missionaries back in 1873.

Today, it has rooted into 16 major trunks with an ever-spreading canopy overhead that is 60 feet high.

Banyan trees are known for this unusual root spread but this one is really something!

13. Hike the Pipiwai Trail.

The Pipiwai Trail is a famous hiking trail on Maui!

AllTrails considers it to be a moderate, 3.4-mile out-and-back trail. Plan on about two hours to complete it.

You’ll find the Pipiwai Trail near Hana.

The only way to access it though is through Haleakala National Park so plan on a $30 fee per vehicle to park. It’s the only option for parking, unfortunately.

Why is it worth it? Because you’ll wander through a bamboo forest to emerge at the epic Waimoku Falls.

Look for wild boars! (Seriously. Hikers see them all the time.)

14. Eat at the food trucks.

You’ll find many delicious restaurants around Maui but if you’re looking for food on the go—or to stretch your budget—head to Maui’s best food trucks!

There are plenty of food truck options in South Maui along the beaches, up in West Maui, and even a few on the east end of the island near Road to Hana.

And the choices are endless! From breakfast bowls and smoothies to pizza and Asian food, you’ll never go hungry here!

Maui food truck tip:
• Be aware that both locations and hours change frequently. Call ahead to avoid frustration!

15. Window shop Front Street in Lahaina.

January 2025 Note: please avoid Lahaina for now, as post-fire rebuilding is still ongoing.

Lahaina—which means “cruel sun” in Hawaiian— in west Maui is one of the cutest little towns in Maui. You might know the song by Loggins and Messina?

Front Street has been the the main drag here since the 1820’s. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries…great places to pick up a souvenir.

Just be aware that Lahaina can feel more touristy than other places on Maui.

That’s because many of the boat tours leave from the harbor across the street.

But there’s a great pod of food trucks within walking distance. Lahaina is a fun area to while away a few hours.

Don’t forget to walk over to Banyan Court Park to see the massive banyan tree (#12 above) while you’re here!

16. See waterfalls by horseback.

What could be better than horseback riding along the coastline? Probably seeing spectacular Hawaiian waterfalls while you’re at it!

You’ll take a two hour ride that slowly goes up a mountainside for waterfall viewing and then into a valley and down to a coastal route along the beach.

Not an experienced rider or have kids in tow? No worries.

Guides will match you with a horse for your level of experience. If you’re an advanced rider, you can even canter or gallop in a few spots.

Check price and availability on the Maui horseback riding experience here.

17. Explore ‘Iao Valley State Park.

You’ll find beautiful little Iao Valley State Park in the middle of Maui between the two coasts.

This lush, green valley is rich in cultural significance. In fact, it’s where the battle of the Kepaniwai took place in 1790.

Today, most visitors are here to walk the short but scenic Iao Needle Lookout Trail and loop.

It’s an easy 0.6-mile loop on a flat, paved trail that wanders through a beautiful botanic garden next to ‘Iao stream.

The park was closed for six months in 2022 for a slope stabilization project, but it’s now back open.

18. Grab a beer at Maui Brewing Company.

Maui Brewing Company, with restaurant locations in Kihei and Lahaina, bills itself as Hawaii’s largest brewery.

At last count, Maui Brewing offers seven craft beers, ranging from Bikini Blonde and Big Swell to Pineapple Mana and Sunshine Girl.

And you can enjoy a 1-hour VIP guided tour of the facility in Kihei with a beer tasting. Reserve in advance here.

Maui Brewing is also worth supporting because they frequently hold special events where 50 percent of profits go to support various not-for-profits, such as individuals with disabilities or orphaned animals.

You can feel good about that beer now, right?

19. Take a surf lesson.

New to surfing? Where better to learn than Hawaii with a knowledgeable guide?

Consider a hands-on small group surfing lesson to get started. This two-hour lesson guarantees you’ll be standing up on your board surfing on the very first lesson or the next one is free!

Your lesson includes a surfboard, rash guard, water booties, and even a hotel pick-up and drop-off if you prefer. The group is limited to just six students for personalized attention.

The meeting point is in Kihei.

Check price and availability on the small group surfing lesson here.

20. Tour a Cacao Farm.

January 2025 Note: please avoid the Lahaina area for now, as post-fire rebuilding is still ongoing.

Listen up, chocolate lovers!

Now is your chance to go behind the scenes to visit Hawaii’s largest working chocolate factory in Lahaina on a decadent group tour.

Head over to the Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory to see cacao pods growing (cacao is the raw, less-processed form of cocoa).

You’ll learn how they’re harvested and then taste-test nine different chocolates. Bonus: The tasting takes place in a treehouse.

Be sure to stop by the store on the way home to stock up on a fantastic selection of take-home chocolate!

Check price and availability on the Cacao farm tour here.

21. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail.

This easy out and back trail in Kapalua (north of Lahaina) is a great place for a super scenic run or walk.

At 2.5 miles, it will take you about an hour to walk it. It’s fairly flat and much of it is across an easy boardwalk that hugs the cliffs. The scenery here is stunning.

Unlike points south, this area features wild hardened lava shelves that the ocean crashes against.

Pick up the trail at Kapalua Bay Beach ad walk north across the sand dunes at Oneloa Bay.

Then head through the Ritz-Carlton to end at DT Fleming Beach Park.

Tips for Kapalua Coastal Trail
• This is an exposed walk so be sure to bring a sun hat, lip balm, and sunscreen.

• There’s only one restroom at the beginning of the trail so plan ahead.

• It’s illegal in the state of Hawaii to take any coral or volcanic rocks as souvenirs. Please leave these treasures for others to admire.

22. Kula Lavender Farm.

You’ll find Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm on the slopes of Haleakala Crater upcountry.

It makes a great stop on your way down the mountain after a sunrise experience or hike there.

Explore the 45 varieties of lavender here on your own or on a guided tour that includes other upcountry attractions (i.e., the Iao Valley, the Organic Ocean Vodka distillery, and Kula Country Farms).

Some of these tours include a gourmet picnic lunch which you can enjoy in picnic areas in the lovely garden.

This is a great spot for a picnic!

Check price and availability on upcountry tours here.

23. Kula Botanical Gardens.

While you’re in Kula, stop in at the beautiful Kula Botanical Garden. It’s just a hop, skip, and jump from the lavender farm. But don’t confuse the two!

Kula Botanical Garden was established in the late 1960s for a local landscape architecture business. Since then, it’s grown to eight acres.

If you’re interested in photographing exotic tropical flowers, this is the place to go! Each plant is labeled with its botanic name, common name, and country of origin.

Children love the Jackson Chameleon exhibit, the ducks, and the aviary here.

24. Explore West Maui in an ATV.

The best way to explore rugged West Maui is to leave your rental car and get off the beaten path in an ATV!

When you book this guided 90-minute ATV tour, you’ll see waterfalls and access parts of the valley that cars just can’t reach.

You’ll steer your ATV to the coast for epic shoreline views.

Thrill seekers have an opportunity near the end of the tour to pick up some speed and have some fun.

Check the price and availability of the West Maui ATV tour here.

Best Acitivities in Maui

The best things to see and do in Maui are the ones that return you home relaxed and rejuvenated.

Plan a mix of awe-inspiring adventures and plenty of beach time for the perfect vacation.

Whether you’re horseback riding on the beach or snorkeling the miles and miles of coastline here, it’s sure to be an unforgettable adventure.

FAQ

1. What is Maui best known for?

“The Valley Isle” is best known for its world-famous beaches, excellent resorts, winter whale watching, Haleakala National Park, and 64-mile long Road to Hana, one of the world’s most beautiful drives.

2. How many days is enough on Maui?

If you’re visiting just one Hawaiian island, plan to spend at least a week on Maui.

Between beach time, sunrise at Mount Haleakala, Road to Hana, and a day trip to Molokini Crater, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. If you’re visiting more than one Hawaiian island, plan at least three days to see the highlights.

3. What should you not miss on Maui?

Definitely drive the world-famous Road to Hana! You’ll cross 59 bridges on this epic, rainforested drive. Catch sunrise at the top of Mount Haleakala for an otherworldly view. Snorkel Molokini Crater, an extinct submerged volcano, for technicolor tropical fish.

4. When is the best month to go to Maui?

Visit Maui in spring (April and May) for smaller crowds, better prices, and great weather. Maui is also one of the best US vacations in the fall, (September and October), too. Visit January to March for peak whale-watching season!

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