The Top 10 Things to Do in Maui, HI
#10 - Lu’au
A great way to learn about Hawaiian culture and enjoy some delicious local cuisine is to go to a lu’au! By definition, a lu’au is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is paired with some entertainment. There are several options on the island, but we opted to visit the Wailea Polynesian Lu’au at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali. We were greeted with Mai Tais and tropical juices and led to our table for the evening. The host told Hawaiian stories and introduced different dance performances. We chowed down on the Hawaiian style all-you-can-eat buffet and took advantage of their open bar. All the music was performed by a live band and the closing number involved fire dancers! Much like the Lu’au we went to in Waikiki, the three hour event was a blast and a must do during a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.
#9 -
Water Activities
When you think of Hawaii, you think of fun in the water! There are almost endless options to choose from, all of which offer a fun experience! Parasail, whale watch, boogie board, or ride in a submarine! These are easily available at Lahaina or Kaanapali beaches. You can also go out on your own to surf, kayak, or paddle board off of any beach along the main road. Or go on a snorkeling excursion to Molokini Crater! Other fun water activities available for rent or tours include boat rides, sunset dinner cruises, scuba diving, jet skiing, sailing, waterfall adventures, you name it! This is an island so there is no shortage of ocean fun!
Photo provided by Unsplashed.
#8 - Road to Hana
Now this is Hawaii! The road to Hana is an amazing journey through a beautiful, lush area of Maui. This is without a doubt the main attraction on the island. It is a scenic drive on a two lane (and sometimes one lane) highway with numerous areas where you can stop for a swim, hike, a snack, and more! We opted to make the drive ourselves in our rental car, but there are many guided tours available. After experiencing the narrow roads, in future visits we will probably opt for the guided tours haha. While the driving can be nerve racking, the experience was wonderful. We jumped into several gorgeous, natural waterfalls, ate lunch at an adorable food truck, and hiked in a humongous State Park. This is an all day event. We left our hotel early, around 7:45 a.m. We filled up the gas tank around the airport and hit the road! We made our first stop at the Garden of Eden, which does charge an admission fee, but it is well worth the cost. There’s also food and bathrooms available. Our next two stops involved scenic waterfalls that we hopped right into! Eventually we stopped at a food truck before cruising through the remainder of the drive. We reached the Wai’anapanapa State Park with enough time to see the 7 Sacred Pools and hike up to the bamboo forest. We were chasing the sunlight so we headed back (took around 2 and a half hours to get back to the airport area). This was the highlight of the trip. Be sure to pack towels, water shoes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water, snacks and enjoy the day!
#7 -
Beaches - Ka'anapali Beach, Kamaole, Makena Beach, Wailea Beach
What’s better than visiting one of the many beaches on this gorgeous, scenic island? Each beach is different and offers something unique for everyone. Kaanapali Beach is a strip along the resort side of the island offering nearby restaurants, shopping, and water excursions, such as snorkeling and parasailing. Lahaina is the original center hub of Maui, and offers nearby restaurants, souvenir shops, historical Banyan trees, and many tourist excursions, such as scuba diving and submarine experiences. These two areas are highly visited by tourists. For an even more upscale experience, or nearby golf, visit Wailea Beach or be adventurous and go ziplining near Kapalua Beach. On the other side of Maui lies the beaches that can be accessed from the Road to Hana. These offer more nearby rainforest views and waterfalls. Or if you want to surf with the locals, visit Ho'okipa Beach or Lahaina Reefs. There are so many beaches to choose from and many can be seen right off the main road!
#6 - Sunset Dinner Cruise
Take to the seas for a beautiful night out and get a stunning view of the Maui coastline. There are several companies to choose from such as Pride of Maui and The Hawaii Ocean Project. No matter where you’re staying on the island, you should be able to find one that departs near you. Each cruise will differ slightly on price and entertainment. Some offer Lu’au varieties, with authentic dancers aboard the ship. Every cruise will feature delicious authentic Hawaiian food options. You’ll be in for a magical, photogenic evening that will be one of the highlights of your trip to Maui.
Photo provided by Unsplashed.
#5 - Maui Ocean Center
This aquarium highlights the beautiful undersea life of Hawaii. Working to protect Hawaii’s marine life since 1998, it is home to a large display of vibrant marine life including tropical fish, sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and more. It also prides itself on educating people about ocean conservation and maintaining the unique ecosystem that is so precious to the Hawaiian people. Make sure to check out the Living Reef, Shark Lagoon, and Humpback Whale exhibits to gain a full understanding of this dynamic ocean habitat.
Photo provided by the Maui Ocean Center.
#4 - Adventures
Feeling adventurous? Try one of Maui’s high thrill excursions, such as an ATV ride, helicopter tour, or zip lining experience. There are many excursion companies available, so make sure to do a little research and book early if possible. Maui Offroad Adventures offers ATV tours very close to Lahaina and will take you through 1400 acres of wondrous jungle and ocean views. Air Maui and Maverick offer helicopter rides that take you up in the air to experience this once in a lifetime scenery from above. Or visit Hawaii Tours to zoom over the rainforest across a zipline! There are so many options to have an unforgettable experience!
Photo provided by Unsplashed.
#3 - Nakalele Blowhole
North of the resort area of Ka'anapali, this blowhole is rendered as a beautiful sight and nice hike by many visitors each year. There are two nearby parking areas, but be prepared to walk and watch for unsuspected waves, or watch from above. The natural geyser will be sure to shoot up water up to 50 feet while you are there, creating a great photo, and also a great memory. Be sure to look out for the lighthouse that has stood there for over a hundred years! Here, you will also find the heart shaped rock that frames a nice view of the stunning ocean waters. So be safe and enjoy!
Photo provided by Unsplashed.
#2 -
Lahaina/Banyan Tree Park
Rich in history, this area of Maui was once the island’s center hub. In the 1800’s, it was home to kings and royal palaces. The Banyan Tree was originally planted here in 1873, in front of the courthouse and harbor and now spans 1.94 acres and stands 60 feet tall. Walking through the Banyan tree was really neat and a great photo op. It is now surrounded by the lively bustle of tourists throughout its many souvenir and shaved ice stops. It also offers several dining and shopping options along this cute street. We enjoyed some delicious deep dish pizza for lunch and snacked on some frosty dole whip. It is a home base for many of the excursions on our list, as well as a local surfing spot. You’ll want to visit this wonderful island town at least once or twice during any trip to Maui.
#1 - Molokini Crater
Being home to over 250 species of fish and coral, and having great visibility, makes this crater a fantastic destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is a crescent shaped volcanic crater that can be seen from the shores of Maui and the nearby island of Kaho’olawe. There are many excursion companies, such as Aqua Adventures, that will boat you out to the crater and provide supplies. Their tour last almost five hours and sells out frequently so be sure to book early. It is better to go earlier in the day to avoid crowds and weather conditions. Whichever way you choose to visit, you will be sure to have a great experience under the sea!
Photo provided by Unsplashed.
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