13 Epic Things to Do in Maui

Maui, also known as The Valley Isle, is a top holiday destination for you, whether traveling alone, with your family, or with a group of friends. This island has many attractions, landmarks, and luxurious restaurants that cater to everybody’s interests, thus making it an ideal destination.

Depending on your interest and how busy you want your trip to be, there are a lot of activities you can engage in when visiting Maui, which makes your trip or vacation memorable. This guide gives a list of some of the epic things you can do in Maui, perfect for first-time and regular visitors to the place.

1. Enjoy your time at the beach

You cannot visit Maui and skip a beach visit. Maui is home to many beaches considering the fact that it has a coastline of about 120 miles. The beaches in Maui are considered the best in the world as they offer both white and black sand.

Be sure to find a lot of water activities along these beaches, such as swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Some of the beaches you can visit in Maui include Makena Beach, Kaanapali Beach, and Polo Beach. There are many other beaches you can relax at, and the best thing is that most of them are easily accessible, with parking spaces, adequate lifeguards, well-kept picnic sites, and restrooms.

2. Explore the Road to Hana

The Road to Hana hardly goes unmentioned in many guidebooks. Most travelers share exciting experiences they have had exploring this place. The road offers you a glimpse of breathtaking sceneries of beaches, gardens, waterfalls, small towns and villages, and wild animals. Exploring the road to Hana is definitely one of the epic things to do in Maui.

The drive takes about 12 hours, and you will have a chance to navigate through some windy and narrow roads. This being a long drive, you can do it using your own car or by hiring a certified tour guide.

Exploring the road to Hana with your own car is possible and a whole new experience for travel enthusiasts. While renting a car can save you some money, securing an auto loan can allow access to a car for your trip to Hana without paying for it in full.

3. Go to a Luau

Going to a Luau is the best way to spend a night out in Maui. The Old Lahaina Luau is the most advertised and popular in Maui. Essentially, here you get to experience Hawaiian culture in an authentic way.

Old Lahaina Luau offers delicious traditional cuisines, drinks, and traditional live music and dancing sessions from the Hawaiian people. Here you get a chance to dine while enjoying the fantastic sunset and ocean view. The overall experience is unforgettable!

4. Take a tour through the Lahaina historic trail

A visit to Lahaina gives you a chance to explore over 500 years of history in Maui. With a great collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries, clothes, and jewelry stores, Lahaina offers such great historical significance in Maui.

The trail is not complicated, thus making it an enjoyable self-guided tour. You can get a map at the Lahaina Visitor Centre that indicates all the historic sites you can visit. Lahaina is also one of the best places to have an afternoon shopping spree.

5. Go for whale-watching

Whale watching in Maui is popular from November to May. During this season, whales migrate to Hawaii for mating. The Maui Whale Festival is held annually to commemorate this special season.

Visitors get a chance to learn about whales while enjoying the incredible views. You should consider attending the festival for amazing film screenings and whale-watching activities. There are also some companies that offer whale-watching tours during the humpback season. You can consider booking with them to make your tour even more remarkable.

6. Explore the upcountry Maui

Visiting the upcountry Maui is a great way for you to relax and get away from the usual hustle. The upcountry has eye-catching views of the coastline, hills, farms and winding roads connecting the small towns. You can take farm tours and see the amazing work of the Hawaiian farmers who have grown sweet potatoes, coconut palms, and kept dairy goats. Upcountry will bring you closer to Hawaiian cowboys’ culture.

7. Get a taste of the Hawaiian shave ice

It is almost impossible to end your trip to Maui without trying the famous shave ice. As the name suggests, the ice is shaved articulately to resemble snow and then topped with flavored syrups. Different ice stands offer over 50 flavors of ice toppings. One of the most renowned ice stands is Ululani, which has various outlets across Maui.

8. Go for stargazing

On clear nights, Maui’s skies offer spectacular star views. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort is famous for guided astronomical tours. They provide powerful telescopes that give you a full view of the stars while enjoying wine and astronomical stories from the astronomy director. This is an incredible and educational activity you cannot afford to miss.

9. Enjoy surfing

The most popular surf spots in Maui are Waikiki and O’hau, where you can watch pro surfers or do surfing yourself. If you are a first-timer, you can take surfing lessons in South and West Maui. Surfing is the most popular sport in Maui, and it is recommended that you enroll in surfing classes if you are a beginner to avoid accidents.

10. Explore coffee shops in Maui

Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee in the United States, thus making it an ideal place to try out the freshest harvest from the local farmers. In Kahului, the Maui Coffee Roasters offer different blends of organic Maui coffee.

12. Go ziplining

One of the best ways to make your trip to Maui memorable is by taking an adventurous zipline tour. It is such an exhilarating experience to fly above the lush Maui treetops. It’s also a great way of getting away from the ordinary adventure.

You do not need to worry; the zip lines are secure and comfortable. There are also several ziplining companies in Maui to choose from.

12. Visit the Haleakala National Park

Visiting the Haleakala National Park gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the ancient and modern Hawaiian heritage. The park is also home to endangered species. Moreover, the park hosts the famous Haleakala Crater. The landscape encompasses a sub-tropical rainforest and breathtaking volcanic landscapes that renew your energy.

There are a lot of activities you can do in Haleakala National Park, such as hiking, stargazing, watching the incredible sunset, bird watching, and camping. In order to enjoy more on your visit to the park, it is important for you to check out the terms and conditions rolled out by the authorities.

13. Visit the Ironwood Ranch

The Ironwood ranch is commonly known for horseback rides that give you a remarkable moment of riding through the Maui pineapple plantation and rainforests. The horseback tours offered on this ranch are exclusively private. The ranch also offers guided nature walks, e-bike adventures, and private lessons. You can check the Ironwood Ranch website for reservations.

Wrapping it up

Maui might seem like a small island on the map, but it’s a unique and breathtaking destination that offers a host of activities for you to enjoy. From exploring the road to Hana to visiting the Ironwood Ranch, there is truly something for everyone on this beautiful island. Maui has got you covered whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation.