Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Maui is no exception. We went on vacation to Maui and ended up deciding to stay and move to Hawaii – let’s just say, it’s nothing short of amazing.
If you’re thinking of heading to Maui, definitely book that trip! In this post I’m going to list all the best things to do in Maui Hawaii, which is especially relevant if you’re trying to fit a lot in your Maui itinerary. This Maui itinerary will go into detail about all of the best things to do in Maui in more detail below, but here’s a quick look at what to expect.
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- 10 Best Things to Do in Maui:
- Where to Stay in Maui Hawaii
- Maui Rental Car: Do You Need a Car in Maui?
- 1. Best Things To Do In Maui: Visit Lahaina
- 2. Best Things To Do Maui: Visit Paia
- 3. Best Things to Do In Maui: Visit Kihei And Wailea
- 4. Best Things to Do in Maui: The Road to Hana
- 5. Best Things To Do in Maui: Haleakala
- 6. Best Things to Do in Maui: Visit the Iao Valley
- 7. Best Things to Do in Maui: Whale Watching
- 8. Best Things to Do in Maui: Snorkel Molokini Crater
- 9. Best Things to Do in Maui: Surfing Lessons
- 10. Best Things To Do in Maui: Celebrate a Special Event
10 Best Things to Do in Maui:
- Visit Lahaina
- Explore Paia
- Check out Kihei and Wailea
- The Road to Hana
- Haleakala
- Visit the Iao Valley
- Whale Watching
- Snorkel Molokini Crater
- Surfing lessons
- Celebrate a special event
Keep reading for more information on all of the best things to do in Maui, including where to stay in Maui, if you need a rental car in Maui and all the best things to do in Maui. You also check out this Maui packing list to make sure you have all the essentials for you Maui vacation.
Where to Stay in Maui Hawaii
If you are looking to stay in a resort while in Maui, you probably will want to head to Wailea or Kaanapali. Both areas feature several resorts, and they are the most upscale tourist areas in Maui – also conveniently located next to several of the island’s best beaches. Here’s a look at some of the best hotels in Kaanapali and Wailea.
Resorts in Kaanapali:
- The Westin Kaanapali (central in Kanaapali, great pool area for kids)
- Ritz Carlton Kapalua (most remote and largest property)
- Marriott Maui Ocean Club (central in Kanaapali, left picture below)
- Sheraton Maui (closest to Black Rock Beach in Kanaapali)
Alternatively, if you would like a condo feel in a resort we highly recommend Honua Kai in Kaanapali. It is pictured below in the middle picture.
Resorts in Wailea:
- Andaz Maui (very modern vibe, great pool area)
- Grand Wailea (great location next to beach, also has a great Luau)
- Fairmont Wailea (beautiful property)
Maui Rental Car: Do You Need a Car in Maui?
One of the biggest questions when planning a vacation to Maui is, do you need a rental car in Maui? The answer totally depends on what kind of vacation you want. There are a lot of visitors to Maui who choose to just enjoy the warm weather and relax at a resort. If that sounds like you, then no, you probably don’t need a rental car in Maui.
Where to book a rental car on Maui
However, if you want to see more of Maui and visit some of the locations on this list, then you definitely need a rental car. My best advice when visiting Maui is to book everything as far in advance as possible, since there are a lot of tourists and you might find that there aren’t rental cars or hotel rooms available if you wait until right before your trip. To find a great rental car, you can use the search engine below and see options for affordable rental cars on Maui.
1. Best Things To Do In Maui: Visit Lahaina
Lahaina is one of my favorite areas of Maui. It has beautiful weather with limited rain, gorgeous beaches and tasty food.
Best Lahaina Beaches:
- Black Rock Beach (beautiful and a cool rock to jump off of)
- Kaanapali Beach (beautiful and close to hotels)
- Airport Beach (great place to watch the sunset or snorkel)
- Baby Beach (great for kids)
- Honolua Bay (best place to snorkel in Maui)
Where to Eat in Lahaina Maui
There are several incredible food spots in Lahaina, and there are many restaurants for every price range. Our favorite places to eat in Lahaina are
- Star Noodle (Asian, amazing cocktails)
- Mala Ocean Tavern (great breakfast/brunch, amazing ocean view)
- Down the Hatch (casual dining, located where there is live music several times a week)
- Breakwall (great açaí bowls)
- Merriman’s ($$$$, insane ocean views. Mai Tais are their specialty)
If you want to do some shopping, there a lot of cute stores on Front street in Lahaina, and you can find both touristy gifts and beachwear there. There is also an outlet mall in Lahaina and more upscale shopping at Whaler’s Village. Make sure to also check out this detailed guide to the best things to do in Lahaina.
2. Best Things To Do Maui: Visit Paia
Another beautiful area of Maui is Paia- a very special small town that has a very hippy-chic vibe and is known for being close to some of Maui’s best surfing spots. It is a great spot to stop for food and explore, especially if you want to see some of Maui’s largest waves and big-wave surfers.
Best Kahului and Paia Beaches:
- Kanaha Beach (best place for kite surfing and wing surfing)
- Baldwin Beach (beautiful turquoise water)
- Ho’okipa (great overlook to watch surfers, also has a baby beach for kids)
Where to Eat in Paia:
- Paia Fish Market (cheap & easy with good fish)
- Mama’s Fish House (amazing fish, make reservations WAY in advance)
- Choice Health Bar (healthy, vegan-friendly food)
3. Best Things to Do In Maui: Visit Kihei And Wailea
Kihei and Wailea are some of the most popular areas in Maui for resorts, as well as for locals who love the beautiful beaches and wide variety of tasty food places.
Best Kihei And Wailea Beaches:
- Makena Beach
- Maluaka Beach
- Wailea Beach
- Ulua Beach
Where To Eat In Kihei/Wailea:
- Wow Wow Lemonade (amazing lemonade & acai)
- Spout Vegan Cafe (healthy, quick meals)
- Fork & Salad Maui (also quick & healthy)
- Monsoon (excellent Indian food)
- Akamai Coffee (great coffee and food)
- Spago (at the Four Seasons, great for a fancy dinner)
4. Best Things to Do in Maui: The Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is one of Maui’s best-known attractions, and for good reason. If you’re looking for lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls that are out of this world, the Road to Hana is for you.
It takes about 3 hours to drive to Hana without stopping, but you will definitely want to stop and see attractions along the way. The road is also very windy, but very doable with a regular car – just plant to drive slow and enjoy the view.
Some of the Most-Loved Stops on the Road to Hana:
- Twin Falls
- Honomanu Bay
- Upper Waikani Falls
- Pua’a Ka’a Falls
- Honokalani Beach
- Wai’anapanapa State Park
- The Pools at ‘Ohe’o
- Waimoku Falls
- Wailua Falls
- The town of Hana
Should you stay in a hotel in Hana?
There are literally gorgeous views every few minutes along the road to Hana, so be prepared to take it slow. If you want to explore all of the places listed and take your time, it may be worth staying 1-2 nights in Hana so you have more time to explore.
There is only one main hotel in Hana, and it’s expensive but worth it (in my opinion) so you have time to see all of the attractions near Hana – you can find it here. If you plan to do the road to Hana and back in one day, realize that you need to figure in a minimum of 6 hours driving time.
5. Best Things To Do in Maui: Haleakala
Haleakala is a beautiful crater located on Maui, located at a high elevation where you are literally above the clouds.
There are special sunrise visit you can book, but you need to purchase a ticket and reserve your spot in advance, which you can do here.
If you are like us and have kids, it might be easier to go during the daytime, which is still majorly impressive. We went around 9am, and it was about a 90 minute drive from where we were staying in Lahaina.
Because of the high elevation, it is cooler at Haleakala and you will likely want to dress a little warmer or bring a light jacket.
6. Best Things to Do in Maui: Visit the Iao Valley
The Ian Valley is another gorgeous area of Maui, with lush greenery and beautiful scenery. It is a great place to go hiking, swimming, or just enjoy the beautiful gardens.
There is a long hike that starts from the Iao Valley, but if you are looking for more of a quick stop, it’s still a great place to visit. In terms of walking, there is a short path that looks to a viewpoint where you can overlook the valley, as well as an entrance to the river that runs through the valley where you can swim or just enjoy the view. The Iao Valley visitor center is easily accessible (but there are stairs) and is doable with children.
7. Best Things to Do in Maui: Whale Watching
One of the absolute best things to do in Maui is to go whale watching and see the humpback whale migration, which arrives from Alaska to give birth near Maui during the winter.
If you have ever been whale watching, you might have memories of seeing a random whale or two while out on a boat – and if that’s the case, I’m here to tell you Maui is MUCH better. During whale season (there’s really no winter in Maui, just whales or no whales) you can sit on the beach and often see dozens of whales jumping in the distance. I often drink my coffee, look out the window and watch whales in the morning.
When is the best time to see whales in Maui?
Whale season is generally December to April, but you can often see the first whales as early as October. For the absolute best whale watching, come between January to March.
Should I do a whale watching tour in Maui?
In a word – yes. You can definitely see whales from the shore and it’s incredible, but there is nothing as special as seeing whales jumping close to your boat and getting a whale selfie to remember your vacation. If you’re interested in booking a whale watching tour, check out this one which is a snorkeling tour that often sees whales, this one for daytime whale watching, or this sunset cruise from Kaanapali where you can also see whales.
8. Best Things to Do in Maui: Snorkel Molokini Crater
Interested in snorkeling during your Maui vacation? One of the most incredible places to snorkel is the Molokini Crater off the coast of Maui – which you will need to go on a boat to get to. This is a great choice if you’re interested in doing an active boat tour, which will allow you to snorkel, see lots of coral and explore the Crater.
Where to book a Molokini snorkeling tour
Even if you’re not a confident snorkeler, staying on the boat can still be a very fun activity, since you will likely get to see whales (during the season) and other wildlife near Molokini, as well as enjoying impressive views of Maui from the sea. Check out this Molokini snorkeling tour for more info – this tour and many others also include food and drinks, and usually last about half a day.
9. Best Things to Do in Maui: Surfing Lessons
If you’ve ever dreamt of being a surfer – your Maui vacation may be the perfect opportunity to try! Maui is known as a great surfing destination, but there are also many beaches with great waves for beginners, as well as warm water and easy surf conditions. There are great spots for surfing lessons all around the island, so you can usually just pick the best fit based on where you’re staying. Here are some great options for group surfing lessons in Lahaina, group surfing lessons in Kihei, or private surfing lessons.
Should you do group surf lessons or private surf lessons?
Are you debating between private surf lessons or a group lesson? If so, keep in mind that group lessons offer you a chance to rest between waves while still being a good workout, while private lessons will wear you out faster since you’ll often try to catch the next wave as soon as you paddle back out from your last one.
While surfing in a group might sound intimidating, keep in mind that everyone is a beginner and they’re usually very fun and relaxed. On the other hand, if group lessons aren’t your thing, private lessons can be a great chance to learn the basics and get comfortable with the waves before joining others.
10. Best Things To Do in Maui: Celebrate a Special Event
Looking for something extra special to do while you’re in Maui? We highly recommend the following companies – whether you’re wanting to celebrate a special occasion or just have a date night that you will always remember.
Maui Luxe Picnics
Maui Luxe Picnics does INCREDIBLE meal and event spreads. Their decor is to die for, and they do picnic events on the beach and in other beautiful locations. If you need further convincing, check out some of the pictures of the event they did for us below, or see their website and instagram for even more examples.
Plan a special event on Maui
Jenny Coon Events
Jenny from Jenny Coon Events is the sweetest person ever, and she is a very talented event planner. She planned a special date night/anniversary dinner for us, but she also does everything from children’s birthday parties to weddings. We especially loved the little touches she added, like making sure we had someone to look after our kids so we could enjoy in peace, adding a beautiful flower crown for me, and including a special questionnaire that we filled out about each other and got to surprise each other with. You can reach Jenny through her instagram or her website.
Take family photos on Maui
Sun and Sea Photography
If you’re looking for a photographer for a special event (or even just a special day of photos), we highly recommend Sun and Sea Photography. She captured our special anniversary dinner and provided us with beautiful, high quality photos that helped us commemorate the occasion. Not only that – she also managed to get beautiful photos of our baby and our toddler while they were actually looking at the camera. You can find examples of her work on her instagram and website.
Are you considering visiting other islands while on your Hawaii vacation? Check out these other posts on Hawaii: