TOP 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MAUI, HAWAII | You can't miss...
/THE BEST ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO IN MAUI
Snorkel at Black Rock to see plenty of fish and sea turtles!
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Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
We travel to Maui every year and try to find something new to do every time. Although it is a small island, there is a lot to see! Here are some of our favorite activities that we recommend whether it is your first time to Maui or 10th time to Maui!
1. Drive the Road to Hana
There are so many sites to see along the island of Maui and Hana Highway is a perfect full day activity to see it’s beauty. Some of our favorite stops include:
1. Black Sand Beach (30 mins)
2. Lava Tubes (30 mins)
3. Red Sand Beach (30 mins)
4. Coconut Glen's ice cream (15 mins)
5. Haleakala National Park (2 hours - if you do the long hike, and swim in the seven sacred pools)
Check out our complete guide to the Road to Hana with mile marker stops, a map, and video - Road to Hana Guide
Let someone else drive since you’re on vacation! Book a Road to Hana Tour so you can sit back and enjoy the ride!
Don’t forget to pack your reef safe sunblock and a cute hat!
2. Go Snorkeling
The best part about the end of the Kaanapali beach is the Black Rock, which is located right in front of the Sheraton Maui Resort. Where it might seem like a hideous black lava rock, under the sea you can find gorgeous coral, tons of fish, and usually see a Hawaiian sea turtle or two!
Another great spot is Kapalua Bay. Even though the clarity isn't as great as around Black Rock, there are still plenty of fish to see. On one of our swims, we saw 6 turtles! We parked in a free beach parking lot next to Merriman's Kapalua, but make sure you get there early for a spot.
Take a day trip to Molokini Crater for some of the best Hawaiian reef snorkeling! Book this snorkel tour!
See more in our Best Snorkel Spots in Maui post (video included)!
Pro-tip: Ship snorkel gear straight to the hotel! This snorkel mask is incredible for snorkeling! It comes in different colors and sizes:
Snorkeling with green Hawaiian Sea turtles in Kapalua Bay
3. Nakalele Blowhole
As the tide rolls in, the blowhole shoots water over 20 feet in the air! Located North of Kapalua (approx 8 miles), park near mile marker 38.5.
Sad news, as of January 2020, the Heart Rock has washed away and is only half a heart! :(
However, the blowhole is still there and that’s fun! :)
WARNING: DO NOT GET TOO CLOSE TO THE BLOWHOLE, IT CAN SUCK YOU IN! It’s nice to admire from a few feet away.
4. Catch the Sunrise at the Top of Haleakala Crater
We left our hotel around 3am and went on a crazy drive to the top of Haleakala at 10,000 feet, but it was worth it for this magnificent sunrise above the clouds. Side note - Josh proposed to me here!
YOU MUST HAVE A RESERVATION IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE TOP OF HALEAKALA BEFORE 7AM!
Make Your Sunrise Reservation - Reservations are available online up to 60 days in advance of your sunrise visit on recreation.gov. More info here: Haleakala Sunrise
A visitor may only purchase one sunrise reservation per three-day period.
A small number of last-minute tickets are released online two days beforehand.
There are also great Haleakala Tours that will take you to the top (after all, you’re on vacation). If you’re adventurous, there are tours that will take you to the top to see the sunrise, then coast back down to the bottom on a bicycle!
Don’t like to get up early? I don’t blame you! Sunset is lovely too and after it sets you are in the perfect setting for stargazing! Look up for the Milky Way!
Pro-tip: BRING A SWEATSHIRT! It gets really cold at 10,000 feet!
See more details and our full itinerary: How to Spend 4 Days in Maui
5. Go Scuba Diving
We loved scuba diving with the company, Extended Horizons in Lahaina. Not only do they go to the best spots but also have the best dive guides! The dive site, Cathedral I, was one of my favorite dives - we went in a cave! See our video compilation and reviews here: Best Scuba Dive Sites in Maui
We even achieved our advanced certification with Extended Horizons. We did a night dive which we saw so many crustaceans and fish with the glow of a flashlight while also experiencing the glow from bioluminescence.
Not certified? Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii, is also a great place to go under the sea without getting wet! Located in Maalaea, which you’ll most likely pass to and from the airport, see the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere!
Pro Tip: Whale watching is also fun during the months from November to May! Maui charters will do sunset cruises, or day cruises. Look out for humpback whales!
Please protect the reefs and get reef-safe sunscreen:
6. Get a Massage
Need I say more? We like to do the couples massages at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, which is also our favorite place to stay. There are many locations around the resort to get a massage – the spa, lawn, or even near the beach, anywhere you go, you won’t regret it. You’re on vacation, you deserve it!
Check out our Hotel Review: Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
7. Go shopping and have some great food!
Lahaina – Visit tons of shops and restaurants all along Front Street or take a stroll around the outlets. Make sure you visit the Banyan tree, a gorgeous tree that covers over half an acre! We park in the outlet parking lot and walk down, just purchase something at the ABC Store in the mall and get your ticket validated. We always stop in for some Hawaiian Sea Salt and Maui Coffee! Don’t forget to get Shave Ice from Ululani’s!
Whalers Village - Located on Kaanapali Beach right next to the Westin. Here you will find shops you would normally see in most malls (Oakley, Sephora, Tommy Bahama) but also has restaurants (Hula Grill, Monkeypod, Leilani’s, fast food options) and of course, an ABC Store.
Whalers Village - Kaanapali - Maui, Hawaii
Sand People – I have to mention this shop as it is only found in Hawaii. It’s like an Etsy store full of coastal home goods, locally made jewelry, and clothing. My FAVORITE! There are a few - Whaler’s Village and Front Street in Lahaina.
The Shops at Wailea - Located among the hotels along Wailea beach, you’ll find restaurants (Lineage, Tommy Bahama, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Cheeseburger in Paradise), clothing shops, a market and ABC Store.
Related Post - Check out our favorite restaurants here: Best Maui Restaurants
8. Get Some Hawaiian Shave Ice
Shaved ice + flavored syrups + macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom = YUM!
There are so many locations all over Maui, you really can’t go wrong with any of them! My favorite combo is pineapple and coconut syrup with macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom – pretty much an ice cream pina colada (minus the alcohol)!
Pro-tip: The Shaved Ice location in Whalers Village (Ka’anapali Beach) has spoons that change colors with the temperature!
HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE MAUI HAWAII
Also, check out my favorite ice cream place, Coconut Glen's Ice Cream!
9. Go Zip-lining
There are a lot of places that offer zip-lining, yet we went to the original (they even have zipline.com)! We used Kaanapali Zip Line Adventure, known for their award-winning 8-line, and had a blast. Stunning views from Lahaina to Kaanapali and 8 different lines cascading down the mountain! At the end of your last zip line you can drop into a lake! Our guides were so nice and had so much energy that we laughing the whole time! Check out these other great tours as well: Zipline Adventures
Don’t forget your GoPro! You can even get a mount for your helmet!
10. Enjoy a Lu'au
DRUMS OF THE PACIFIC LU'AU HYATT
The Drums of the Pacific Lu'au encompasses Hawaiian traditions with fun! The Rhythms of the Polynesian ritual will have you dancing along at the Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach. A traditional Hawaiian feast is served buffet style with an open bar and is better than the Lahaina Luau. Despite the fact the drinks are little watered down, I found it highly entertaining and was captivated by the fast-moving hips to the beat of the drum in the traditional Hawaiian dance. Find a luau near you: Best Maui Luaus
How about a festive outfit for the evening:
Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
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