Mauiwith its scenic drivesbeautiful beachesand water sportsis a top destination for tourists in Hawaii. In just one placeyou can snorkel with sea turtleslearn to surfvisit a national parkwatch the sunrise above the cloudsgo wine tastingattend a luaurappel down a waterfalland relax on the beach. In this guidewe cover the best things to do in Maui with tips to have the best experience.
So farwe have visited Maui twice. The first time was back in 1999when Tim and I visited Hawaii on our honeymoon. More recentlywe visited Maui the summer of 2021. This timewe had kids with usif you can still call them that (Tyler was 18 and Kara was one month shy of turning 17). On this tripwe repeated a lot of the same activities and discovered some new places.
Maui is an awesome place to visit. Of the Hawaiian Islandsthis one is the “most fun.” With surfingsnorkelingand paddle boardingthis is a great island to visit if you want to be in the water. You can fill your days with scenic drivesshoppingand perfecting your surfing skillsor you can simply relax in the shade of a palm tree with a tropical drink in your hand.
There are lot of different ways to spend your time heredepending on how busy you want to be. We share a long list of things to do in Mauibut you don’t need to do them all. At the end of this postwe list the top 10 experiencesperfect for the first-time visitor.
Let’s get started.
Overview of Maui
Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Maui County is made of up four islands: MauiMoloka’iLana’iand Kaho’olawe.
The island of Maui was formed by two volcanoes. The older and smaller western volcano forms the northwest section of Maui (the West Maui Mountains). Younger and larger Haleakala is the volcano that forms the southeast part of Maui.
The climate varies considerably in Maui. Called microclimatesthe amount of rainfall and cloud cover can vary quite a bit depending on the location.
The windward side of Mauiwhich are the eastern coastal sections (Hana and Kipahulu) and the north shore (Paia and Haiku) get the most rain. The leeward side of the island (WaileaMakenaLahaina and Ka’anapali) get much less rainfall.
The difference in weather conditions can be dramatic. Whereas most of the Road to Hana winds through lushtropical vegetationthe western shore of Maui is extremely dry. Hana can get over 100 inches rain per year whereas just 15 inches of rain may fall in Lahaina.
And as you are planning your tripand when you are hereyou will hear the term “upcountry Maui.” This refers to the area on the Haleakala side of Maui that is not located near the shoreline. Upcountry Maui is the hilly slopes of Haleakalarunning from Paia in the north to the south coast.
Map of Maui
Best Things to Do in Maui
Here are the best things to do in Maui. At the end of this sectionyou can see them all on a map.
1. Go to the Beach
A visit to Maui would not be complete without a visit to at least one beach. With 120 miles of coastlinethe list of the best beaches in Maui is long. During our time in Mauiwe visited a lot of them. Here is a list of our favorites.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Located in northwest Mauithis is a great spot for swimmingsnorkelingand stand up paddle boarding. This beach is in a protected coveso the water is calm.
Kapalua Bay Beach | Best Things to Do in Maui
Tyler and Kara spent several hours here stand up paddle boarding. There is a small shop right on the beach that rents paddle boards and snorkel equipment.
Where to Park: There is a smallfree public parking lot just south of the beach but you have to be extremely lucky to get a spot (GPS coordinates: 20.997744-156.666019). There are also public restrooms next to the parking lot. When we couldn’t get a space herewe parked across the street in the parking lot for the Kapalua golf course and tennis courts for $10 (GPS coordinates: 20°59’53.1″N 156°39’53.6″W).
Ho’okipa Beach
Located on the north coast of Mauinot far from Paiais Ho’okipa Beach. This is a great spot for surfing and spotting sea turtles.
Can you spot the sea turtles on the beach?
PRO TRAVEL TIP: You can add Ho’okipa Beach on to the Road to Hanasince it is located on Hana Highway. It’s also located a very short drive from Mama’s Fish Houseone of the highest rated restaurants in Maui. During our visitreservations were mandatory and they completely booked for the next 3 months.
Polo Beach
We visited this beach frequently since it was located next to the Kea Laniwhere we stayed in Maui. Tyler and Kara spent a lot of time boogie boarding here and the snorkeling is supposed to be pretty good.
Polo Beach | Best Things to Do in Maui
Big Beach
This enormous beach is located on southwest Mauijust south of Wailea. It can also go by the names Oneloa Beach (note that there are two beaches on Maui with the name Oneloa Beach…the second Oneloa Beach is located near Kapalua in northwest Maui) and Makena Beachsince it is located in Makena Beach State Park.
This wide sandy beach has a lifeguard on duty as well as restrooms and food trucks next to the parking lot.
Big Beach
The Black Sand Beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park
You’ll read about this black sand beach later in this post (a visit to Waia’anapanapa State Park is one of the best things to do in Maui) but I couldn’t leave it off this list of beaches.
This beach is small and the water can be rough but the sand is a gorgeous jet black color. Because of the rough waterit usually does not make a good swimming spotbut it is definitely worth the visit. There are a bunch of other fun things to do in the Wai’anapanapa State Park that I cover later in this guide.
More Beaches in Maui
Other popular beaches on Maui include Ka’anapali Beach (north of Lahaina)Wailea Beach (next to the Grand Wailea in Wailea)Slaughterhouse Beach (northeast shore of Maui)and Napili Beach (near Kapalua).
2. Attend a Luau
Going to a luau is an essential experience to have in Hawaii.
Dine on traditional Hawaiian foodsenjoy the live musicand go on a cultural and historical journey through Hawaii. Watching the hula dancers dance to the beat of the Hawaiian drums is an unforgettable experience.
The most popular is the Old Lahaina Luau, which is advertised as the most authentic luau in Maui. We have done this one twice and loved it. Tickets include dinneropen barand the performance. The overall experience is wonderful and the sunset can be stunning!
Drums of the Pacific features fire dancing and some of the best dancing of the luaus.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Book your tickets well in advance. Tickets can sell out as early as 3 months in advancesometimes even soonerduring peak travel season.
3. Watch the Sunrise above the Clouds
Watching the sunrise above the clouds from the top of Haleakala is one of the best things to do in Maui.
Sunrise at Haleakala | Best Things to Do in Maui
To do thisbe prepared to wake up extremely early. From most locations on Mauiit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to the summit of Haleakala. If sunrise is at 6 amplan on leaving your hotel before 4 am. I know you are on vacationbut having done this twiceit is worth setting your alarm clock to see this sunrise.
You also need to make your reservation in advance. This is such a popular experience that the National Park Service now requires an advance reservation to avoid overcrowding at the summit.
And be aware that the weather does not always cooperate. Sometimes the entire summit can be clouded inso that view you woke up so early for just won’t be there. Orthere could be no clouds at all.
If the idea of waking up super early to watch a sunrise is not the way you plan to spend your vacationsunset is also fantastic. And there is no reservation necessary for this experience.
13 Amazing Things to Do in Haleakala National Park
Best things to do in Haleakala National Park and how to plan your visit.4. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail
This short walk is an underrated experience in Maui. In less than two milesyou will walk past tidepoolsseveral beautiful beaches (including Kapalua Bay Beach, mentioned earlier)past posh resortsand are treated to some of the most stunning coastal views in Maui.
The Kapalua Coastal Trail is 1.76 miles point-to-point. It starts at Kapalua Beach and heads northending at D.T. Flemings Beach. The trail alternates between sidewalksrockysandy trailsand boardwalks. You can get by with a pair of flip flops but it might be easier to walk some of the more rugged sections with hiking sandals or sneakers.
Along the walkyou will see Kapalua Beachthe Kapalua tidepoolsOneloa Bayand the Ritz-Carlton.
Oneloa Bay
Cliffs along the Kapalua Coastal Trail
If you are short on timeor if you don’t want to walk 4 miles round tripI recommend walking from Kapalua Bay Beach to Oneloa Bay. A long boardwalk heads alongside Oneloa Beach. Once you get to the far end of the boardwalkturn around and retrace your steps back to Kapalua Beach (this makes the walk roughly 2 miles round-trip). Beyond the boardwalk at Oneloa Baythe trail is sidewalk that runs along Lower Honoapiilani Road and through the Ritz Carltonso the views are not nearly as good as the first mile of sights.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: I recommend adding on the detour to Makalua-puna Point and the Dragon’s Teethmentioned next.
Where to Park: The best place to park is the free public parking lot just south of Kapalua Beach (GPS coordinates: 20.997744-156.666019) but spaces here are extremely limited. When we couldn’t get a space herewe parked across the street in the parking lot for the Kapalua golf course and tennis courts for $10 (GPS coordinates: 20°59’53.1″N 156°39’53.6″W). You can also park at Kapalua Parking, which is located near Oneloa Bay. This is about the midpoint of the Kapalua Coastal Trail. And finallyyou can also park at the free public parking for the Dragon’s Teeth.
5. See the Dragon’s Teeth
This quick visit is well worth it if you plan to be in northwest Maui and/or have plans to walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail.
Located on Makalua-puna Pointtrachyte lava has been eroding awayleaving behind pointed spires that line up in a way that they resemble a line of dragon’s teeth (with a little bit of imagination).
Dragon’s Teeth | Best Things to Do in Maui
But that is not all there is to see here.
Continue out towards the point and you will come to the labyrinth, a giantcircular maze.
If you likeyou can continue out to Makalua-puna Pointwhere the surf pounds the rocky volcanic coastline.
GETTING HERE: The closest place to park is at the free public parking lot at the intersection of Lower Honoapiilani Road and Office Road. Follow the signs for Dragon’s Teeth. You will walk on a path next to a golf course to get out to the point.
This also makes a great addition to the Kapalua Coastal Trail. The Coastal Trail goes right through this parking lot.
A visit to Makalua-puna Point takes 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Lahaina
In 2023one of the worst wildfires in US history caused widespread damage throughout Lahaina. Manyshopsrestaurantsand homes in Lahaina were destroyed but there are plans to begin rebuilding soon.
A few shops and restaurants remain openbut many were lost in the fire. Learn how you can support Lahaina and what is open on the Visit Lahaina website.
The enormous Banyan Tree was planted in 1873 and it is one of the largest Banyan trees in the United States. It was charred during the wildfirebut it did survive the fire and thanks to arborists and volunteersis showing new signs of life.
Banyan tree in Lahaina (photo taken before the 2023 wildfire)
7. Visit Iao Valley State Park
Located in central Mauithis state park is home to the Iao Needle (Kuka’emoku). In Hawaiian cultureit is the phallic stone of Kanaloathe god of the ocean. The cliffs of this state park were used as a burial site for Hawaiian royalty.
A visit here is quick. Walk the 0.6 mile trail to a viewpoint of the Needle.
Pierre Leclerc/shutterstock.com
Tim and I did this on our first visit to Hawaii but didn’t have time on our more recent trip. Just note that this part of Maui gets a lot of rain so there is a good chance that you will have some clouds and/or rain during your visit.
8. Go Snorkeling
One of the best things to do on Maui is to go snorkeling. You can do this on a tour or you can visit a beach on your own and snorkel at your leisureif you have a snorkel.
There are many places to go snorkeling in Maui. Here are some of the best spots.
Molokini Crater
This is one of Maui’s most famous places to go snorkeling. There are many tour operators that offer daily trips out to this quiet cove. Some tours will add on other great snorkeling spotssuch as Turtle Town (mentioned next).
We have done this on both of our visits to Maui. It’s a nice experience but there are better snorkeling spots in Hawaii where you don’t have to take a tour (our personal favorite snorkeling spot in Hawaii is at Two Step on the Big Island). You will see a nice variety of fish and Molokini Crater is a great place to snorkel for first-timersbut it’s not the best spot in Hawaii. It’s just one of the most popular because of the numerous tours that make the trip out this way.
We took a half-day tour on the Calypso. This tour included a visit to Turtle Townwhich we liked more than Molokini Cratersince we could swim with sea turtles.
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater
Turtle Town
If you want to swim with sea turtlesthis is the place to go. You can visit Turtle Town on a snorkel tour that includes Molokini Crater or you can do this on your own.
Turtle Town is located just off of the coast from Maluaka Beach, which is south of Wailea. Not only will you see sea turtles but there are lots of fish heretoo. If you want to do this on your ownyou can park next to Maluaka Beach and snorkel in the water here. If you visit between 10 am and 3 pmthere is a good chance that you will see other tour boats in the areawhich will help point you in the right direction to see the sea turtles.
Honolua Bay
This quiet cove is located on the northwest coast of Mauinorth of Kapalua and Ka’anapali. There is no beach here but the water is calm and the reef is home to a wide variety of fish. Honolua Bay is free to visit but there are no restrooms or lifeguard.
Honolua Bay | Best Things to Do in Maui
Here’s a tongue twister of a name for you: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. This triggerfish is the state fish of Hawaii. You’ll see it on T-shirts and if you’re luckyyou will see it in the reefstoo. This is what it looks like.
Kapalua Bay
Mentioned earlier as one of the best beaches to visitthis is also one of the best spots in Maui to snorkel. While you are hereyou can also go stand up paddle boarding and walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail.
Where to Get a Snorkel
If you plan to do a lot of snorkeling while in Hawaiiyou can pack your own snorkel or buy one once you are here.
If you only plan on snorkeling once or twiceyour tour company should provide a snorkel (if you are taking a tour) or you can rent one. Snorkel Bob’s rents snorkels and boogie boards on a daily basis. You can even rent a snorkel on Maui and return it at one of their locations on a different islandif you will be island hopping. We used Snorkel Bob’s both for snorkels and boogie boards. Their equipment is very clean and in excellent condition.
9. Go Surfing
From newbie surfers to prosthere are lots of great places in Maui to ride the waves.
For those new to surfingthe coastline from Lahaina south to Ukumehame Beach Park is one of the best places to gowith shallow water and smaller waves.
Ho’okipa Beach is great for those with lots of experiencewith its larger waves. There’s a good chance that you will see sea turtles while you are here.
Honolua Bay is a great place to go snorkelingbecause of its calm waters. But out beyond the reef is a break point that creates one of the best surfing locations in Hawaii. It has been called the “best wave in the world” by four time world champion Mark Richards.
Finally“Jaws Beach,” also called Pe’ahi, is the most powerful surf spot on Maui. This is for the pros only.
Note: Surfing conditions change seasonally. From November through Marchbig swells hit the north shore of Hawaiimaking this the best time to surf in Mauiat least for those with experience. From April to Octoberthe northern swells diminish and the waves get larger in the south.
On our most recent visitTim and Tyler took a semi-private surfing lesson with Maui Surfer Girls. They had a great experience with one exception. The surf lesson was greatbut they paid extra for the photography package and weren’t happy with the photos (they only got a handful of photos and the ones they did get were blurry and low quality).
Maui Wave Riders and Maui Surf Clinics also get very good reviews.
Tyler and Tim Surfing
10. Go Whale Watching
As part of their annual migration routehumpback whales travel to Hawaii during the winter months for mating season. The shallow water between Maui and Moloka’i and Lana’i is a prime location to see humpback whales during the winter season.
Whale watching season runs from November to May. The peak season is January through March.
After mating seasonthe humpback whales travel north to Alaska and they spend the summer here.
The Pride of Maui offers whale watching tours from December through March. Learn more here.
Whale Watching Tours
11. Hike the Pīpīwai Trail
On one hikeyou can visit two waterfallssee an enormous Banyan treeand (the best part) walk through a bamboo forest.
Pīpīwai Trail
The Pīpīwai Trail is a 4 mile out-and-back trail that is located in the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park. This is one of the main stops on the Road to Hana and it does get crowded. For the best experienceplan to get here first thing in the morning (that means driving the Road to Hana as a loop or spending the night in Hana).
Pīpīwai Trail: A Step-By-Step Guide to One of Maui’s Best Hikes
Everything you need to know to hike the Pipiwai Trail.12. Drive the Road to Hana
If you read any guidebook or blog about the Road to Hana, you will no doubt hear about the Road to Hana.
We have mixed feelings about our experience(s) on the Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana is a BIG DAY. This drive takes you through the lushest part of Maui. The twisting road takes you to beacheswaterfallssmall townsgardensand even a national park. It sounds wonderfuland I’m mentioning it as one of the best things to do in Mauibut there are some things you should know before you plan to put a full day of your vacation into this experience.
This drive includes some beautiful places to visit. But most of the timeyou will be navigating very windynarrow roads and sitting in back-upswhich can be frustrating and rather boring.
The locals are tired of dealing with the influx of tourists and the increased traffic on the roadwhich is understandable. You will see numerous signs telling tourists to go home and you may even see frustrated locals speeding down the roadhonkingand yelling at the long line of cars.
To drive the full Road to Hana in one dayit takes a full 12 hours.
You can either drive the Road to Hana out and back (this is how most people do it) or you can do it as a loop. We have done it both ways. Both routes take about 12 hours and doing it as a loop is more challenging but it is also more interestingsince you are not repeating the drive twice.
The top places to visit on the Road to Hana are Wai’anapanapa State Parkthe Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Parkthe Seven Sacred PoolsHanaand Ho’okipa Beach.
Hamoa Beach
On our recent Road to Hana experienceTyler and Kara said it was boring and not worth the full dayI was relieved when it was overand Tim said he enjoyed it.
I think the Road to Hana is worth it for most peoplebut I don’t think it is as thrilling as most guidebooks and blogs make it out to be.
As long as you have the time in your itinerary and like the idea of driving a narrowtwisting road to see a few sightsdriving the Road to Hana is worth it. But before doing the Road to Hanamake sure you get in your beach timeyour surfing and snorkeling timeand a trip to the crater of Haleakala National Park before adding this on to your trip.
Best Way to Drive the Road to Hana & is It Worth It?
Here’s what you need to know to drive the Road to Hana.13. Visit Wai’anapanapa State Park
There is more to Wai’anapanapa State Park than its beautiful black sand beach. You can also crawl into a sea cavehike along the dramatic coastlineand see if you can spot the sea arch.
The highlight of a visit to this state park is the black sand beach. It’s a beautifulsmall beach. The water is rough and the waves are strongand there are numerous signs warning people to stay out of the waterso be careful here.
Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach | Best Things to Do in Maui
The sea cave is located on the right side of the beach. Look for a small opening in the rock wall at ground level. You will have to crouch quite low to get into the cavebut once insidethere is plenty of room to stand up and enjoy the view.
On the left side of the beachyou can take the trail along the coastline. It has some ups and downs and even a little bit of rock scramblingbut once you make it to the top of the cliffs you get a great view of the park.
If you want to go fartheryou can continue along the trail. It takes just 2 minutes to get the viewpoint of the beach below.
The sea arch is located on the cliffs to the right hand side of the black sand beach. From the beachhead back up the steps and follow the sidewalk out towards the cliffs. To get a view of the archyou will have walk out onto the rocks.
Sea Arch
A visit to the state park can take an hourif you just quickly want to see the highlightsor you could spend a lot more time here. There are picnic tables and restroomsmaking this a great spot for a picnic lunch as you drive the Road to Hana.
In order to visit Wai’anapanapa State Parkyou must make a reservation in advance. Tickets sell out in advanceso I recommend making your reservation when the reservation system opens. Learn more here.
14. Eat Hawaiian Shave Ice
Eating shave ice is a must-have experience in Hawaii.
Shave ice originated in Japan and was brought to Hawaii in the early 1900’s. Ice is shaved super fine so that it almost resembles snow and then it is topped with a flavored syrup. Hawaiian shave ice is usually served over a scoop of ice cream. You can also top the shave ice with toasted coconutsweetened condensed milkor Li Hing Mui powder.
There are many shave ice stands sprinkled throughout Maui. We were fans of Ululani Shave Icewhich has locations in LahainaKahuluiWailukuKiheiPaiaand the Hyatt Regency in Maui.
15. Visit the Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center opened in 1988 and provides educational programs and exhibits to teach visitors about the local sea life. In this small aquariumyou can learn about Hawaiian coralsea turtlesreef fishand hammerhead sharks. Don’t miss the Spherea 3D experience where you get to swim with humpback whales.
For information on hours and pricingvisit the official website.
16. Hike the Sliding Sands Trail
How often do you get the chance to hike into a volcanic crater?
If you do one hike on Mauithis is the one that we recommend. Hiking the Sliding Sands Trail was one of our favorite things to do in Maui. It’s also one of our favorite hikes in the US national parks.
Sliding Sands Trail | Best Things to Do in Maui
The view of Haleakala Crater from the top of the Halemau’u Trail
The Sliding Sands trail starts on the rim of Haleakala and descends into the crater. The views of the crater and the cinder cones are phenomenal and it is a very unique experience. You can hike the Sliding Sands Trail out-and-back or combine it with the Halemau’u Trail to form a loop.
How to Hike the Sliding Sands and Halemau’u Trail
A step-by-step trail guide to the Sliding Sands Trail.17. Go Zip Lining or Rappel Down a Waterfall
If you want to soar over the lush forests and green valleys of Mauiyou have several zip lining companies to choose from. Tours typically last 2 to 4 hours and each company offers something uniquewhether it is a super long zip linethe ability to race another personoutstanding viewsor a hike through a rainforest.
Top zip line companies in Maui include Skyline Hawaii, Maui Zipline, Kapalua ZiplinesJungle Maui Zipline, and NorthShore Zipline Co.
We chose Kapalua Ziplineswhich has some of the longest zip lines on Maui. Unfortunatelyon the day we had this scheduledhigh winds shut down the zip lines so we were unable to do it.
If you are craving adventure but want to do something other than zip lininghow about rappelling down a waterfall? With Rappel Maui, you can explore freshwater pools and cliffs located in a tropical rainforestand top it off by rappelling down a waterfall. They are located at the Garden of Eden Arboretum on the Road to Hana.
18. See the Nakalele Blowhole
In northern Mauialong the ruggedvolcanic coastlinesits the Nakalele Blowhole. Located on Nakalele Pointthis hole in the ground frequently “erupts” as waves pound the shore and sends the water streaming up and out of the hole. It looks a lot like a geyser as the water can shoot many feet into the air.
To get herepark along Highway 340. There are several parking lots and the blowhole is free to visit. From the parking lotit is a short but very steep downhill walk to get to the blowhole. You can either see it from the top of the cliffs or make the trip down the sandyslippery path to the coast.
View of the blowhole and the steep hike down to the coastline
Nakalele Blowhole
Keep your distance from the blowhole. If you get too closeyou risk being pulled into the blowhole by a wave. It has happened before. I recommend staying on the dry areas and not even walking onto the wetter areas where the waves have washed up on shore. The danger of this place is underestimated by tourists.
19. Go on a Scenic Drive along Highway 340
If you are looking for another scenic drive to do in Mauivisit north Maui. The drive from Kapalua to Nakalele Point is an underrated experience in Maui.
Punalau Beach
View of the coastline east of Nakalele Point | Best Things to Do in Maui
Highway 340 twists and turns along the northern coastlinesimilar to the Road to Hana. The scenery is different…it’s not quite as lush here but you still get amazing coastal views. The road is wider and there is less trafficso in some waysit can be a more enjoyable experience.
Starting in Kapaluahead north. You will pass Slaughterhouse BeachHonolua BayPunalau Beachand Nakalele Point. If you continue fartherthe road gets windier and the traffic lessenseventually ending in Kahului.
20. Visit Upcountry Maui
Upcountry Maui has a much different look and feel to it than the coastline of Maui. In the hilly interior Mauismall towns are nestled on the slopes of Haleakala. Winding roads connect these towns and since you are higher in the hillsyou get a unique view of Maui and its tropical coastlines.
Visit the towns of MakawaoPukalaniKula and Ulupalakua. Go wine tasting at MauiWine and visit the Ali’i Kula Lavender Fields. One thing that came highly recommended to usbut we never had time forwas the farm-to-table breakfast and lunch experiences at O’o Farm.
Maui Bucket List Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with youclick the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Nextwithin your Google Maps appselect ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Top 10 Things to Do in Maui
Going to Maui for your first time? Here are 10 things to do in Maui on your first visit:
1. Relax on the beach
2. Visit Haleakala National Park
3. Go to a Lūʻau
4. Go snorkeling
5. Take surfing lessons
6. Eat shave ice
7. Visit Lahaina
8. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail
9. Drive the Road to Hana
10. Go whale watching during the winter months
How Many Days Do You Need in Maui?
If you want to do everything on our top 10 listyou will need a minimum of 4 full days on Maui. And it will be a very busy 4 days.
The Road to Hana will take a full day of your time. Haleakala National Park can also take a full day of your timedepending on what you plan to do here. Snorkelingsurfing lessonszip liningand the Kapalua Coastal Trail each take about half of a dayonce you factor in travel times on the island.
On our more recent visitwe had 6 days on Maui. This was greatalthough honestlymore time would have been bettersince we still didn’t get to everything on this list. We could still see and do a lotbut the extra days gave us some chill time. If you plan to stay at a resortyou will want some extra timein order to get your money’s worth of what the resort has to offer.
Plan your perfect Maui itinerary with our Maui Itinerary Travel Planner. In this guidewe simplify the travel planning process by providing sample daily itineraries that you can arrange to create the perfect Maui itinerarybased on your interests.
Tours of Maui
Here are more ideas of things to do in MauiHawaii.
Tours & Tickets
Where We Stayed
On both visits to Mauiwe stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. With multiple swimming poolsbeach accessa spaonsite restaurantsshopsand barsit can be hard to leave this place to explore Maui. All rooms are suitesso the extra space is great if you are traveling as a family.
Kea Lani | Best Things to Do in Maui
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Mauior if you want to share your experiencelet us know in the comment section below.
More Information about Hawaii
Read all of our articles about Hawaii in our Hawaii Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide.
Maui Itinerary: Best Way to Spend 1 Day to 1 Week in Maui
If you are planning your Maui itinerarythere is an overwhelming amount of information to process…both on the internet and in guidebooks. We want to simplify that for you. In this guidewe share with you Maui’s top experienceshow to organize them day-by-dayand then how to put this all together to create your […]
Best Way to Drive the Road to Hana & is It Worth It?
The Road to Hana is often listed as one of the best things to do in Maui. This scenic drive attracts hundreds of visitors a day…but is the Road to Hana really worth it? As you plan your trip to Hawaiiyou will read other posts and guides that rave about how wonderful the Road […]
20 Best Things to Do in KauaiHawaii
Kauaialso called the “Garden Isle,” is our favorite of the Hawaiian Islands. With its waterfallsbeautiful beachestropical resortsand stunning coastlinesKauai is pure paradise. In this guidewe cover the best things to do in Kauai with tips to have the best experience. Best Things to Do in Kauai Here are the […]
Best Way to Visit Pearl Harbor: On Your Own & With a Tour
Pearl Harbor is the location of the surprise attack on the United States by Japan on December 71941. Todayit remains an active military base but it is also a collection of four historical sites. You can visit the USS Arizona Memorialtour Battleship Missourivisit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museumand go aboard […]
Doors Off Helicopter Tour of Kauai: Everything You Need to Know
A doors off helicopter tour of Kauai is a thrilling experience. To see this gorgeous island from the sky is one of the best experiences to have in Kauaiif not all of Hawaii. On a helicopter tour of Kauaiyou will fly over countless waterfallspeer down at beaches and small towns on the […]
Sliding Sands Trail and Halemau’u Trail Loop | StatsPhotos & Tips
In Haleakala National Parkyou can combine two very unique trails into one big day hike. The Sliding Sands Trailwhich is one of the most popular trails in the parkstarts on the rim of Haleakala and ends on the crater floor. To finish the hikeyou can retrace your steps back up the […]
Pīpīwai Trail: A Step-By-Step Guide to One of Maui’s Best Hikes
On just one hikeyou can see several waterfallsan enormous Banyan treeand hike through a bamboo forest. The Pīpīwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. In this guidewe cover everything you need to know to hike the Pīpīwai Trail. Pīpīwai […]
Hawaii Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Hawaii
Travel advice and inspiration for travel to HawaiiUSA. How to visit MauiKauaiOahuthe Big Islandwith itineraries and photos.
Best Things to Do in Samoa (+ Itinerary & Helpful Tips)
Relax on the beachslide down a waterfallgo snorkelinglearn about Samoan culturephotograph Samoa’s breathtaking waterfallsand hike through a lava field. These are some of the best things to do in Samoa. Samoaoften overlooked in the South Pacificis a hidden gem in this region of the world. This beautiful country […]
Our 15 Favorite US National Parks: A Few May Surprise You
Stretching from the South Pacificacross the United States and into the Caribbeanare 63 national parks. These national treasures are filled with scenic driveshundreds of miles of hiking trailswildlifehistoric sitesand endless opportunities for adventure. In this guidewe cover 15 of the best national parks in the USA and what […]
Leave a Comment Cancel reply