Choose from 37 Fun Things to Do in Maui
Kaanapali
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Maui Cruise Port
Maui has great beaches, including white-sand Kaanapali Beach near Lahaina, so don’t be afraid to spend your whole day in port on the sand.
How to get to Maui
Ships dock in Kahului Harbor on the north coast or anchor off Lahaina on the west coast. If you’re not taking an organized tour, you’ll want a rental car to get around the island. Most of the rental companies have shuttles from each port to take you to one of the airports to pick up your car.
One Day on Maui
The Road to Hana is a must, so plan your day around that. The 68-mile (109-km) journey (technically highways 36 and 360) starts in Kahului and travels east along the northern coast of the island to the town of Hana, on the eastern end of the island. The road takes you through the lush rainforest and over nearly 60 bridges. Stop whenever you like to check out waterfalls and amazing coastal views.
When you reach Hana, continue about 45 minutes past town if you’d like to swim in Ohe'o Gulch, a series of pools and waterfalls in Haleakala National Park.
Make sure you keep an eye on the time. Each way, the journey can take 2.5 to 3 hours, longer when you make stops.
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La Perouse Bay
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Kaumahina State Wayside Park
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Kaanapali Beach
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Alii Kula Lavender Farm
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Maui Tropical Plantation
- The Maui Tropical Plantation is a must-see for families.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Much of the plantation is wheelchair accessible.
Kahului
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Little Beach
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Kalaupapa National Historical Park
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Makena
Makena is home to some of Maui's best beaches, including Big Beach—one of the only stretches of Maui's shoreline that has been entirely protected from development—and nearby Little Beach, which is known as the island's clothing-optional outpost and hosts drum circles led by sun worshippers. Snorkeling is also especially popular in Makena, and pods of spinner dolphins have been known to frequent the waters of Keone’o’io.
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Maalaea Harbor
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Iao Valley
The iconic rock pinnacle known as the Iao Needle is the focus of Maui’s Iao Valley State Park.
Rising 2,250 feet (675 meters) into the air, the unusual plant-covered peak rises from the Iao Valley floor, surrounded by rainforest-covered volcanic craters, pools and streams.
The pinnacle was used as an altar, and the evocative location was the site of a famous battle between Kamehameha and the warriors of Maui.
Come to the Iao Valley State Park to follow easy hiking trails along tumbling streams. Views take in the Iao Needle, all the way across the rainforest to the coast at Kahului.
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The Iao Valley is on the western side of Maui, 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the regional town of Wailuku. To get here from Wailuku, head west along Iao Valley Road.
Kaeleku Caverns
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Hana
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Honolua Bay
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Haleakala Crater
- Sunrise tours typically require very early start times, with most tours starting hotel pickup around 2 or 3am.
- The weather can be chilly at Mt. Haleakala’s high elevations, especially before sunrise and after sunset. Bring layers and comfortable shoes, and be prepared for rain.
- There are no gas stations or outlets to purchase food within Haleakala National Park.
- Some facilities at the summit are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, including the Park Headquarters Visitor Center, Haleakala Visitor Center, and Hosmer Grove picnic area.
Kapalua
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Bamboo Forest
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Lahaina
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Lahaina is well-known for its year-round sunny weather, but the popular whale watching cruises are only available in the winter when the humpback whales are migrating. If you're flying directly to Maui, chances are you'll land at Kahului Airport, which is about a 45-minute drive from Lahaina on Route 30.