Maui Island is an idyllic Hawaiian island that exudes romance and beauty. What’s more? While this island can be your gateway to relaxation and unplugging, it also offers adventures. There are so many things to do in Maui. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Maui wins best in show. Just look at that zipliner launching into a canopy of green. Or the mountain biker hurtling past eucalyptus and pine. Hikers have it darn good too, with trails winding through lava flows and bamboo forests. If you’re looking for a full comprehensive list of things to do in Maui, broken down by the different regions, this is the ONLY guide you need!
Search all of the Maui Tours & Excursions.
Overview
Maui Island is about 48 miles long x 26 miles wide. Not very large in size, but certainly jam-packed with fun things to do. It’s important to first see how the island is broken up, as you will want to plan your day-by-day itinerary based on tours & attractions that are close to one another. That way, you can maximize your time in Hawaii.
Maui is separated into 5 distinct regions: West Maui, Central Maui, South Maui, Upcountry Maui and East Maui. The Hawaiian Islands are generally drier on the western, or leeward side, and wetter on the eastern, or windward side. Most Maui resorts can be found in sunny West Maui and South Maui while you can find the lush drive to Hāna in East Maui. Haleakalā volcano dominates the southeastern region of Maui with a crater 3,000 feet deep and 21 miles around. So understanding that, let’s take a dive into the 5 distinct regions.
West Maui – Kaanapali/Lahaina
West Maui is where most travelers typically end up. Especially those looking for an affordable 3-4 star hotel.
In ancient times, powerful chiefs and kings ruled this hot, dry, oceanside village. At the turn of the 19th century, after King Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands, he made Lahaina the royal capital — which it remained until 1845, when Kamehameha III moved the capital to the larger port of Honolulu.
In the 1840s, the whaling industry was at its peak: Hundreds of ships called into Lahaina every year. The streets were filled with sailors 24 hours a day. Even Herman Melville, who later wrote Moby-Dick, visited Lahaina. Just 20 years later, the whaling industry was waning, and sugar had taken over the town. The Pioneer Sugar Mill Co. reigned over Lahaina for the next 100 years.
Today, the drunken and derelict whalers who wandered through Lahaina’s streets in search of bars, dance halls, and brothels have been replaced by hordes of tourists crowding into the small mile-long main section of town in search of boutiques, art galleries, and chic gourmet eateries. Lahaina’s colorful past continues to have a profound influence. This is no quiet seaside village, but a vibrant, cutting-edge kind of place, filled with a sense of history — but definitely with its mind on the future.
Deep Sea Sportfishing
The Finest Kind, The Reel Hooker, and The Exact II have all been proven to raise and produce Big Pelagic Hawaiian Game Fish! For those anglers looking for a fun deep sea sportfishing adventure, look no further. Finest Kind Sport Fishing Maui has you covered! You’ll find these boats operating at the Lahaina Harbor.
Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali Beach is one of the quintessential things to do in Maui! Four-mile-long Kaanapali is one of Maui’s best beaches, with sugary golden sand as far as the eye can see. A paved walkway links hotels and condos, open-air restaurants.
The Whalers Village Shopping Center
Next to Kaanapali Beach, you’ll find The Whalers Village Shopping Center. This delightful beachside mall offers boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum, hula lessons & other activities. You can also find a variety of events here. From morning yoga to lei making to ukulele performances, there’s something for everyone in your family.
Old Town Lahaina
The number-one attraction in Lahaina is definitely “the buzz.” Great restaurants, poppin’ nightlife – and shops featuring wares ranging from “made-in-China” trinkets to exquisite local hand crafts; from cheap jewelry to masterpieces of fine art. I highly recommend eating at Paia Fish Market. A delicious restaurant serving local fish like Ono with community tables allowing you to mingle.
Attend a Luau
Of course you must visit a luau when in Hawaii! Especially if this is your first trip to the Islands. In west Maui, you’ll find quite a few different luau options. See below for my Lahaina luau recommendations!
Feast at Lele
Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina, and this is the beach where the royal family of Maui would feast and entertain. Summon your spirit of adventure as Feast at Lele takes you on a musical and culinary journey of Hawaii.
Old Lahaina Luau
The Old Lāhainā Luau has grown from its humble beginnings to the leadership role it now holds in the industry. At nearly 100 percent capacity year-round, the Old Lahaina Luau has received numerous recognitions and accolades.
Maui Nui Luau
At this oceanfront, Kaanapali luau, feel the rhythmic beat of the drums as the sun sinks low in the sky, and experience the magic of Polynesian dance as tiki torches flicker in the night. Smell the fragrant tropical lei and enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Central Maui – Iao Valley
Welcome to the flat bit. Central Maui is the isthmus connecting the West Maui Mountains to mighty Haleakalā, giving the island its distinctive three-part shape. This is the area of Maui that you will actually be flying into.
Pro tip
Kanaha Beach
Kanaha is a very popular beach for locals and watersports enthusiasts. Beautiful, long, two-mile sandy beach with incredible views of the West Maui Mountains. Among the best kiteboarding and windsurfing on Planet Earth. Enjoy full facilities, camping, fishing, canoeing, surfing and family gatherings/picnicking.
Wailuku
Just 10 minutes west from the Kahului Airport is Wailuku, a commercial center and the county seat of Maui’s government. Visit Wailuku and explore the charming wooden storefronts around Market Street, showcasing dozens of family businesses, many of which have been in continuous operation for generations. These off-the-beaten-path “Mom and Pops” are home to local favorite shops, restaurants and bakeries. Amid these cherished establishments, a new Wailuku is also emerging, featuring contemporary boutiques, stylish cafes and laid-back coffee shops.
Iao Valley State Park
Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of Iao Valley State Park. Located in Central Maui just west of Wailuku, this peaceful 4,000-acre, 10-mile long park is home to one of Maui’s most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. This iconic green-mantled rock outcropping overlooks Iao stream and is an ideal attraction for easy hiking and sightseeing.
Maui Tropical Plantation
On this tropical working farm, located in Wailuku, tourists learn how sugarcane & pineapples grow on the tram ride tour. The Tropical Express offers visitors an overview of Hawaii’s famous fruits and plants. This 40-minute tour is ideal for families or visitors who want to check off their tropical bucket list. Loop around the lagoon and cruise through parts of the Plantation accessible only to passengers aboard the Tropical Express. The tour includes a 15-20 minute coconut husking demonstration. Smell the flowers, see the fresh fruit, hear the stories, and ask questions!
South Maui – Kihei/Wailea
With miles of strip malls, condo complexes and upscale resorts, South Maui may look too commercial and overbuilt at first glance. But dig deeper. You’ll find a mixed plate of scenery and adventure, stretching from Kihei to Makena and beyond, that’s truly unique.
You can snorkel reefs teeming with turtles, kayak to remote bays or sail in an outrigger canoe. The coral gardens are so rich you can dive from the shore. And the beaches? Undeniably glorious, whether you’re looking to relax beneath a resort cabana or to discover your own pocket of sand. Add reliably sunny weather, quiet coastal trails and a diverse dining scene and South Maui’s a pretty irresistible place to land.
Wailea is where you will find your 5-star luxury accommodations. If you’re looking for a little more pampering and spa time, you can’t go wrong booking a Wailea hotel. Here, you’ll find the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Grand Wailea Resort, Fairmont Kea Lani, and the Four Seasons Maui. Fun fact, the Four Seasons Maui is where the show The White Lotus season 1 was filmed. If you want to speculate with me on where The White Lotus season 3 location will be, check out my blog post. Let’s talk about it! Here are some images I took while on the property at the Four Seasons Maui.
Surf Lessons
Surf’s up dude! One of the quintessential things to do in Maui is take surf lessons. Surfing – also known as he’e nalu or “wave sliding” in Hawaiian – dates back hundreds of years. Not only is surfing an addictive and fun-loving pastime, it is a longstanding Hawaiian tradition. There are several companies that offer this in the Kihei area. I recommend Maui Surf Lessons.
Molokini Crater – Snorkeling/Diving
For the watersports lovers, you’ll fall in love with the Molokini Crater. Hawaiian legend says that Molokini was a beautiful woman turned to stone by a jealous Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today Molokini is the stuff of legends among scuba divers and snorkelers. Visit this crescent-shaped volcanic atoll just off the south coast of Maui, Hawaii. You can book with various companies departing from Maalaea Harbor.
Pro-tip: Add on the Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure
Whale Watching (Seasonal Activity)
If you’re traveling to Maui between December and April, you’re in luck! You will be there for peak whale watching season. Book your whale watching adventure departing from Ma’alaea Harbor!
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
A Maui bird watching paradise, Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is home to the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae’o) and Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke’oke’o). Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal salt marsh along the south-central coast of Maui, Hawaiʻi. The refuge is located between the towns of Kihei and Maalaea, on both sides of North Kihei Road, Route 31. Book a tour here if you’re a bird watcher!
Kamaole Beach Parks I – III
Welcome to Kihei’s Best-Kept Secret, Kamaole Beach Park! Stretch your legs and enjoy the ocean, sea life, and sunsets from the sandy stretches of Kamaole Beaches I, II, and III. Whether you want to see sea turtles and coral reefs, ride the waves, breathe the warm Hawaiian air as you BBQ, and feel the sun on your back, our friendly beach guide will help you do it with no worries. These beaches are a great place to spend a day. They offer beautiful views, unmatched accessibility, facilities, and an environment for a beach outing.
Upcountry / North Shore
Upcountry Maui isn’t what you’ve most likely pictured when thinking of Hawaii. Here, you’ll find small towns, ranches, vineyards, parks, farmlands, and visitor attractions on the upper slopes of Haleakala, including Haleakala National Park. Enchanting and rural, Maui’s Upcountry is the heart of the island’s agricultural industry.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala, is the mystical Ali`i Kula Lavender farm. This makes for a perfect first stop after you land in Maui and pick up your rental car. Likely, if you arrive before 3PM your room at the hotel won’t be ready for check in. So why not kill some time at this relaxing lavender farm. Book the tour that includes lunch! My husband (boyfriend at the time!) and I enjoyed their sandwiches, chips, and lavender infused dessert/lemonade.
Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
Take a tour of the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm and discover how they cultivate their award-winning Maui goat cheese. Short on time? Enjoy a quick 30-minute walking tour of their working dairy and farm. Meet their working dairy goats, dogs, and cats. See their modern milking machines and view inside dairy operations for a quick glimpse into the cheese making process behind their delicious gourmet Maui goat cheeses.
O’o Farm
In the upcountry farming community of Kula, lies eight acres of pristine land, sustainably maintained and naturally cultivated with a no-till approach. O’o Farm is the result of the owner’s extraordinary commitment to providing quality local produce for their local Maui restaurants to deliver a true “Farm to Table” experience. Book a lunch tour here and enjoy the same veggies, herbs, and flowers that supply upscale Lahaina eateries like The Festa at Lele.
Ocean Vodka Farm and Distillery (21+)
If this is a fun adults only trip, check out the Ocean Vodka Farm and Distillery. Located in Kula, you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of Upcountry Maui. It starts with the ocean and continues on its journey here. Experience the artistry at our organic farm and distillery. Bring a piece of paradise home with organic Ocean Vodka. Please drink responsibly and all other disclaimers!
Ziplining
Enjoy ziplining while in Maui! Something fun for everyone. Fast and exhilarating, NorthShore Zipline Co’s “tours were designed to thrill first-time zippers as well as the most experienced zipline enthusiasts. This historic World War II landmark site is located in beautiful upcountry Haiku. Note that NorthShore Zipline Co is closed on Sundays.
Haleakala National Park
Towering over the island of Maui and visible from just about any point, Haleakalā Crater is a force of nature in every sense. At 10,023 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano is the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes—and skyscapes. Haleakalā means “house of the sun” in Hawaiian, and legend goes that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day last longer.
Many visitors wake up early to drive to the Haleakalā Visitor Center, the best spot to watch what may be the most spectacular sunrise on earth.
East Maui – Hana
East Maui doesn’t have many tourist attractions, but the biggest reason you come to East Maui is to drive along the legendary Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana
The Hana Highway begins in the town of Kahului in Central Maui and snakes along the island’s northern coast for 52 miles. The drive to Hana can take as few as 3 hours or last an entire day, depending on how many pictures you stop to take and food stands you sample. It took my husband and I an entire day.
Blog Post Alert
Take a journey with me on the Road to Hana!
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