Things to Do in Maui

Choose from 37 Fun Things to Do in Maui

Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery

There's something special about where Ocean organic vodka is made "” perhaps it's the fact that it's created on a Maui farm or that it's the only spirit made with organic cane sugar and deep ocean mineral water. Situated on 22,000 square feet of grass near the base of Mount Haleakala, the farm and distillery have scenic views of their sugar cane plants and the surrounding coastline.

Tours of the distilling process and farm take place daily, emphasizing the importance of organic farming and sustainability. With an emphasis on environmentally and socially conscious practices, the tour gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into production from start to finish. There is even a small herb garden on volcanic soil that produces the flavors for the cocktails they serve. Visitors can sample both the sugar cane juice or mineral water and the finished product.

Practical Info

Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery is located at 4051 Omaopio Road in Kuna, Maui. It is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, with tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 am. The tour costs $10 (ages 12 and over).

4051 Omaopio Road, Kuna, Maui, USA

Daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, with tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 am

Tours are $10 for ages 12+

From $ 199

Ulupalakua Ranch

In the southern region of Maui near Haleakala lies Ulupalakua Ranch, the second largest cattle ranch on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Ulupalakua Ranch covers 18,000 acres stretching from the ocean up the sloping side of Haleakala Volcano. The ranch reaches an elevation of 6,000 feet at its highest point. Visitors to the ranch will mostly hang out at 2,000 feet, which still boasts incredible views of Maui and the nearby islands of Lanai and Molokai. The views are a big draw of Ulupalakua Ranch, but they aren't the only reason people like to visit it while traveling in Maui.

Ulupalakua Ranch also has many activities visitors can partake in. Horseback riding is available through Makena Stables. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy visiting as Ulupalakua Ranch is home to the only winery on the island. Sporting clay shooting is also available, which lets you shoot at a variety of stands, some with moving parts.

Visitors will also learn more about Maui's history through visiting Ulupalakua Ranch as it was originally founded in 1845 and still focuses on upholding the traditions and culture of Maui as well as preserving the island's agriculture and nature areas.

Practical Info

It's easiest to get to Ulupalakua Ranch by car. To get there, take Highway 37 if coming from the north or Highway 31 if traveling from the southeast.

HC 1 Box 901, Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

From $ 325

Wailea

The town of Wailea is located on Maui's southwestern coast, known as a beach resort with spectacular beaches and luxury resort hotels.

Wailea itself is relatively small, with a population under 6,000, but it's home to no less than five resort hotels – including two huge luxury properties. There are a number of really excellent beaches, such as Ulua Beach, Polo Beach and Wailea Beach, and there are three golf courses that make Wailea a popular draw for golfing vacations, too.

Even if you're not staying in one of the fancy beachfront hotels, you can still enjoy Wailea's gorgeous scenery. Put on your walking shoes and head for the coastal nature trail that winds along the water. It's paved, so it's easy going, and it'll give you an up-close look at an abundance of unique Hawaiian plants. In the morning, the trail is full of joggers, and in the evening, it's an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Practical Info

Wailea is about 16 miles from Maui's main airport in Kahului and 28 miles from Lahaina. If you're visiting in the winter months, keep your eye on the water as you're walking the coastal trail – it's a pretty good spot for whale-watching.

Wailea, Hawaii, USA

From $ 149

Paia

Once a little sugarcane town, tiny Paia was brought to world notice by the windsurfers who discovered its first-class waves. It’s now known as the windsurfing capital of the world.

The town’s old plantation-style wooden buildings are now home to funky bars and restaurants, craft shops, surf stores and art galleries.

The town’s windsurfing hub is nearby Ho'okipa Beach. Pull up a towel and watch the surfers in action, or head to calmer Baldwin Beach for a paddle.

Practical Info

The town of Paia is on the mid-north coast of Maui, just a little inland from the beach between the towns of Kahului and Haiku. It’s a delightful stop on the scenic Road to Hana.

Baldwin Avenue, Paia 96779, USA

Free

From $ 125

Bailey House Museum

The Bailey House is a historical house and museum operated by the Maui Historical Society. It houses the largest collection of Hawaiian artifacts on Maui, many dating back to the 19th century when the house was built. The home was constructed as a mission in 1833 on what was then the royal compound of Kahekili, the last ruling chief of Maui, and the second story contains many of the koa wood furniture that belonged to the missionary Edward Bailey, who lived in the house. The first floor contains remnants of native Hawaiian life, from wooden bowls and utensils to spears and shark teeth used in battle. The museum also houses a private collection of Edward Bailey's paintings of Maui along with the oldest surviving photographs of the island.

Outside you can view dozens of native Hawaiian plants in the house gardens. There is a 100-year-old outrigger canoe and a historic surfboard that belonged to Duke Kahanamoku in an outdoor gallery beside the entrance to the house.

Practical Info

The Bailey House Museum is located at 2375-A Main Street in Wailuku on the island of Maui. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for children 12 and under. It is closed on Sundays and major holidays.

2375-A Main Street, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793, USA

Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays and major holidays.

$7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for children 12 and under.

From $ 153

Maui Ocean Center

When you can't get enough of sea life in the waters around Maui, then head for the Maui Ocean Center in the town of Wailuku.

Opened in 1998, Maui Ocean Center is an aquarium featuring only sea life that lives around the Hawaiian islands. It's the largest tropical aquarium in the western hemisphere, and features an enormous Open Ocean tank. There's an acrylic tunnel through the tank, giving visitors the feeling of truly being underwater.

Among the diverse array of sea life in the 60 exhibits at the aquarium, you'll see octopuses, stingrays, turtles, sea horses, moray eels, jellies, and sharks, and you'll learn about dolphins, whales, and monk seals "“ not to mention thousands of fish. Maui Ocean Center also has the largest collection of live corals in the country.

Practical Info

Maui Ocean Center is open daily from 9am-5pm, with extended hours July-August when it's open until 6pm. Tickets are just under $30 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $19 for children ages 3-12. You can also get passes good for one week. Certified divers may book a dive into the huge Open Ocean tank in order to go swimming with sharks and stingrays. Dives last about two hours, reservations are required, and the cost is $199 per diver.

192 Maalaea Road, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793, USA

Daily from 9am-5pm, with extended hours until 6pm in July-August

$30 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $19 for children ages 3-12

From $ 28

Molokai Island

Molokai, Hawaii’s fifth largest island, is only 10 miles (16 kilometers) across at its widest point. The small island packs a big punch in terms of natural beauty—it’s home to the world’s highest sea cliffs and longest continuous fringing reef. It’s often considered the most Hawaiian of islands, thanks to its largely Native Hawaiian population.

The Basics

What Molokai lacks in development it makes up for in pristine beauty. Visitors find two volcanoes, sprawling white-sand beaches, and the sacred Halawa Valley, all in a compact package. While the island is worthy of a stay in its own right, visitors pressed for time can catch the highlights on a helicopter tour from the neighboring island of Maui.

While Molokai is beautiful from the air, it also offers numerous worthy attractions on the ground. Hike or ride a mule down the towering sea cliffs of the Kalaupapa Peninsula, visit a former leper colony within Kalaupapa National Historical Park, learn about sugar cane production at the Molokai Museum, do some shopping in the small town of Kaunakakai, or watch the sunset from Papohaku Beach, considered one of Hawaii’s best.

Things to Know Before You Go

Molokai is a must-see for travelers wanting to get off the beaten path.
Helicopter tours to Molokai range in length from 45 minutes to an hour.
If staying on Molokai, you’ll need a rental car or taxi; there is no public transportation on the island.
Don’t forget hiking boots and everything you’d need for a day at the beach.

How to Get There

Visitors have only one option for getting to the island—by plane. Daily commuter flights aboard local regional airlines depart from both Honolulu (Oahu) and Maui airports.

When to Get There

The weather on Molokai remains in the mid-80s throughout the year, with slightly more rainfall in winter and a combination of sunny skies and calm seas in summer. For a local cultural experience, plan to visit during the Ka Molokai Makahiki Festival in January or the Molokai Ka Hula Piko in May.

Molokai’s Leper Colony

Kalaupapa National Park is home to the remains of a colony where patients with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) were once isolated from the rest of Hawaii’s population. Of the 8,000 people who lived and died at the colony—most of them Hawaiian—only a few remain, cured of their disease but living out their lives in this isolated environment.

State Highway 450, Kaunakakai 96748, USA

Free

From $ 123

Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park

A pleasant stop on the road to Hana, the Puaa Kaa Park offers the chance to take a scenic break from the long drive. Stretch your legs on its dirt path to nearby waterfalls and natural pools. The farther you're willing to walk, the taller the waterfalls become and many people bring a picnic to enjoy as a part of this diversion.

Totaling five acres the area here is lush with tropical plants which, with the sound of the waterfalls, create a distinct rain forest feel. Picnic tables are set against scenic backdrops, and fish and tadpoles are visible in the shallower pools. Watch for wild birds and mongoose. The walking paths here are not rigorous, but a refreshing dip in one of the pools is a highlight for many on a hot day.

Practical Info

Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park is just past mile marker 22 on the Hana Highway (Road to Hana). It is open daily from 6am to 6pm, and there are parking and restroom facilities.

Haiku, Hawaii 96708, USA

Daily 6am-6pm

From $ 125

Royal Lahaina Luau

The Royal Lahaina luau is a family-friendly evening of oceanfront entertainment set inside of Ka’anapali’s Royal Lahaina resort. More economical than some of the larger shows in town, children will love getting on stage and trying their hand at the hula, and adults will love the buffet of Hawaiian food and open-bar of tropical drinks. Mai-tais and Blue Hawaiians are paired with luau classics such as kalua pig, lomi salmon, and bowls full of poi, and everyone can agree towards the end of the night that the fire dancers are the overall highlight. Oftentimes, the twirling staffs are a fitting end to a fiery sunset which has given way to darkness, the last rays having disappeared over the horizon which is visible from your oceanfront seat.

Since the Royal Lahaina luau is located in the Ka’anapali resort district, the luau grounds are only a short drive from neighboring hotels, or, if you’re staying in the immediate vicinity, you can reach the luau on your own two feet by taking a leisurely stroll down the beach. Once inside, learn about the history of Polynesia as it’s told through chanting and dance, and gradually lose yourself in the rhythm an oli (chant) as you sip your drink beneath a rustling palm.

Both entertaining and filling, the Royal Lahaina luau is a great evening for groups traveling with children, and the affordable ticket price and casual atmosphere make it a family evening that you’re sure to remember long after you’ve left the islands behind.

2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA

$50 and up per person

From $ 112

Waihee Ridge Trail

Tropical jungle and gorgeous valley views await along the popular and moderate Waihe'e Ridge Trail following an elevated spine in the West Maui mountains. From the ridge you’ll enjoy 360 degree views of the valley connecting Maui’s two halves, Maui’s riotous northern coast and undulating mountains that look as though someone took a massive green satiny cloth and draped it loosely with wrinkles and folds over tall hills. Waterfalls stream between the crevices and from several vantages the trail overlooks multi-tiered Makmakaole Falls, which rains down into a small basin from some 250 feet above.

The just under five-mile round-trip hike starts north of Kahului and ascends steeply from the 1,000-foot elevation at the trailhead to its zenith at Lanailili at 2,563 feet. The well-maintained path meanders over jutting tree roots and its sides are dotted with guava trees, ohi'a and tall ferns. Keep an eye out for native forest birds like the bright red 'apapane honeycreeper. At the end a picnic table offers respite overlooking a mist-shrouded valley. The return follows the same route.

Practical Info

The Na Ala Hele sign-marked trailhead is 0.9 miles inland up Maluhia Road. Find Maluhia Road near mile marker 6.9 off Kahekili (Highway 340) by the Boy Scouts’ Camp Maluhia north of Waihee town. Follow the signs through a small pasture before passing through a cattle-proof gate and entering the forest. The gate is open at 7am and closes at 7pm.

Start early (before 8am) for clearer valley vistas—as the day wears on, moisture condenses into cool clouds that shield some views. Wet weather and muddy conditions are not uncommon.

Kahekili Hwy., Wailuku, Hawaii 96793, USA

From $ 114

Molokini Crater

When was the last time you had a snorkel adventure inside of a sunken Hawaiian volcano, or enjoyed a freshly cooked BBQ lunch on the deck of a sailing catamaran? Thanks to its calm, crystal clear waters, bright coral reef, and 250-plus species of tropical fish, Molokini Crater is the most popular spot for snorkeling tours on Maui. Spend a day on a snorkeling tour as you explore the protected marine preserve and come face to face with some of Hawaii's most colorful marine life.

The Basics

Travelers can spend time swimming, snorkeling, and diving at the crescent-shaped caldera, where ocean depths range from 10 to 60 feet. All trips include snorkel gear as well as a scenic boat ride, and the chance to splash in the clear blue water at one of Maui's best snorkel sites. Sail and snorkel adventures generally last about five hours and offer roundtrip transportation from hotels in Lahaina and Makena. Some Molokini snorkeling tours also offer scuba diving for certified divers.

Beat the crowds with an early Molokini tour.
Be sure to bring sunscreen and a swimsuit.
Snuba diving is available as an upgrade on many Molokini snorkeling tours.
Private charters are available for personalized experiences.

How To Get There
Set off Maui's southern coastline, Molokini Crater is only accessible by boat, powerboat, or raft. Popular departure points include Maalaea Harbor and Kihei Boat Ramp. The Molokini snorkel tours that leave from Maalaea Harbor are on large, stable boats, whereas tours that leave from Kihei Boat Ramp are on small rafts that are faster and bumpier, shortening the overall travel distance.

When To Get There
Mornings offer the calmest conditions at this tropical caldera, and the earlier you get there the better. Tradewinds can be strong in summer, making for a thrilling ride back. Winter tends to have lighter winds, plus the added bonus of potentially spotting humpback whales.

Why Molokini Crater Offers the Best Snorkeling in Hawaii

Because Molokini is three miles offshore of Maui, you never know what you're going to find. Eagle rays, dolphins, and harmless reef sharks will frequently mingle with resident critters like parrotfish and octopus. In winter if you dive a few feet below water, or go on a scuba or snuba dive, the haunting song of humpback whales reverberates in the distance. Note that Hawaiian green sea turtles are rarely spotted at Molokini Crater, which is why many boats include a second snorkeling trip at "Turtle Town" off of Maui's southern coast.

Molokini Island Preserve, Makena Bay 96753, USA

Free

From $ 71

Wailea Beach

Although the Wailea resort complex is graced with numerous beaches, the epicenter of the beach scene will forever be Wailea Beach. Voted as the #1 beach in America in 1999, this stretch of golden sand which fronts the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons resorts offers everything from snorkeling and standup paddling to outrigger canoe paddling and playful bodyboarding. Fun-loving yet undeniably luxurious, Wailea Beach is the postcard of luxury you would expect from a Maui resort complex.

Even though private cabanas line the shoreline (and there is a great chance of spotting a celebrity), Wailea Beach is a public beach and is open to anyone in the community. Public parking lots are found at neighboring Ulua Beach as well as next to the Four Seasons, and a two-mile coastal path connects Wailea Beach with Polo beaches, which is a similar island favorite.

Although there is never a bad time to find yourself on Wailea Beach, summer can be a bit more prone to large surf which can make bodyboarding dangerous and churn up the visibility while snorkeling. On most days of the year, however, Hawaiian green sea turtles can be spotted off the point, and the waters are calm and clear with just enough wave action to frolick in the surf.

Or, if watersports aren’t your thing, the string of cabanas and beach umbrellas are the perfect spot for kicking back with a good book, a cold drink, and simply listening to the surf crash on the shore. Flanked on both sides by palm trees and resorts, Wailea Beach is a dream getaway for the resort-loving crowd, and even those who prefer their lodging a bit more low-key will appreciate the island beauty which radiates from the shore.

Wailea Beach Park, Kihei, HI 96753, USA

From $ 93

Road to Hana

With 64 miles of black sand beaches, waterfalls, and bamboo jungles, the Road to Hana is a must-see for any Maui visitor. The two-lane route, also known as Hāna Highway, connects Kahului with the tiny town of Hana in east Maui, offering scenic views, plenty of excursions, and some of Hawaii’s most beautiful scenery along the way. Read on to learn how you can make the most of your trip on this beautiful island.

The Basics

Most Hana tour options tend to be long, full-day trips, as the drive is slow-going with many twists and turns, taking at least three hours to drive the winding route. Don't be surprised when the path gets narrow—you'll pass over 59 bridges, 46 of which are only a single lane wide.

Small group trips offer a comfortable, air-conditioned ride via van or mini-coach with an expert tour guide who'll give you the inside scoop on the history and legends of the Valley Isle, while a private tour will include a driver who will stop wherever you’d like. Despite the narrow road’s name, most tours continue further south past Hana Town before turning around and returning to Kahului.

Road to Hana Popular Attractions

Some of the sights you can visit on your Hana adventure are the famous Seven Sacred Pools of Oheo, the Twin Falls waterfalls, the Ho'okipa Lookout, Honomanu Bay, the two arboretums, the Hana Lava Tube, and Wai'anapanapa State Park. For a piece of history, make a stop at Palapala Ho’omau Church, set on the coast in Kipahulu, where famous aviator Charles Lindbergh is buried. The town of Hana itself is tiny but lovely, and has many nice beaches.

Things to Do While Touring Hana

Stop at the Oheo Gulch to take a dip in the Seven Sacred Pools, or enjoy a range of short hikes through tropical rain forest, such as the four-mile Pipiwai Trail, a part of Haleakala National Park. If weather permits, take in the views at Keanae Lookout; rappel or zipline alongside one of the beautiful waterfalls; grab lunch in Paia Town; and check out ancient lava formations in the Ka’eleku Cavern. You can also take to the skies to see the Hana Highway on a helicopter tour or a day trip from Oahu, flight costs included.

Some travelers opt to take their own road trip along the famous Road to Hana, spending the night in Hana before heading back to the west side of the island. If you're interested in cycling, you can either rent a bike and go on your own, or book a cycling tour.

Amenities and Accessibility

Here are a few things to know before you go.

Those considering the self-guided option should note that select rental car companies don’t allow their vehicles on the Hana road due to gravel and rocky paths.
Some rock climbing may be required at the Seven Sacred Pools; however, Wai'anapanapa State Park has worked to improve its pathways for safer and more comfortable travel throughout the area.
Not all day trips include meals, so consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy at a scenic stop en route. Some options do include a continental breakfast for your early start.

State Highway 360, Hana, Hawaii 96713, USA

Free

From $ 125

Waianapanapa State Park

The legendary “Road to Hana” drive seems to indicate that the town of Hana itself is the goal, but you'd be crazy to miss a visit to Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Spending some time in Wai'anapanapa State Park is reason enough to stay overnight in Hana. It's a lush and gorgeous park just outside of Hana, and one of its most well-known features is the small black sand beach of Pa'iloa. It's a beautiful beach, to be sure, lovely for swimming or simply sunbathing, but there's more to this park than just a beach.

Wai'anapanapa has two underwater caves you can visit that are filled with a combination of fresh and salt water. You can go swimming in these pools, too. This area also has historical significance, too, as you'll see when you visit the ancient burial sites. There is also a trail that winds three miles along the coast, from the park all the way into Hana Town itself.

Practical Info

Wai'anapanapa State Park is located at mile marker 32, just before you get to Hana. There's no entry fee to get into the park, and parking is also free. There are camping facilities, including restrooms, drinking water, and outdoor showers, so you can spend the night here before heading back on the Road to Hana.

Hana, Hawaii, USA

From $ 164

Makawao

Makawao is a town in Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country beside the slopes of Maui's Haleakala volcano. The Paniolo culture of horseback riding and cattle wrangling has been present here since the 19th century, with green hillside pastures and ranches throughout the area. The Paniolo influence can still be felt "” with horse-hitching posts in the streets and with the unique architectural style of the downtown buildings. Rodeos take place some weekends here, the largest of which is held annually during Fourth of July.

In the past, plantations covered this densely forested area. The name "˜Makawao' means "eye of the forest." The higher elevation in this area makes it especially conducive to agriculture, including pineapples and the Maui onion. Today, the town of Makawao is known for its thriving art scene. As such, there are dozens of art galleries, shops, small restaurants and boutiques to explore along the town's main street.

Practical Info

Makawao is located in what is known as the Upcountry of Maui. To get there, travel from Kahului (the airport) up the Haleakala Highway and turn left onto Makawao Road.

Makawao, Hawaii, USA

From $ 372

Surfing Goat Dairy

Fresh cheese fans will love this working farm’s Island-take on a traditional goat dairy on the slopes of Haleakala. Pens near the entrance underscore its unusual name—happy kids and off-duty does climb on a playground of elevated and colorful old surfboards. In total, Surfing Goat Dairy’s 42 acres are home to more than a hundred Swiss Saanen and French alpine goats that provide milk daily, the basis for fresh cheese and all-natural goat’s milk products created onsite.

Started by German expats and supported by a crew of workers that includes a regular rotation of college-aged goat farming interns, Surfing Goat Dairy runs short daily tours of its milking operation and three room dairy. Tour-goers can feed alfalfa to baby goats and will receive a brief overview of the cheese-making process and the equipment used to pasteurize, ripen and form the cheese. Tours include tastings from a selection of their 30 goat cheese flavors such as “Rolling Green” made with garlic and chives and “Purple Rain” made with Maui lavender. In addition to their small gift shop, which also sells soaps, truffles and t-shirts featuring the farm’s happy ungulates, fans will be comforted in the fact that that hotels, shops and restaurants throughout the Islands and as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas and Phoenix import and feature their cheeses.

Practical Info

The Surfing Goat Diary is located at 3651 Omaopio Road in Kula. They are open from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. Sundays. General 20-minute tours are led on demand between 10 and 3:30 Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays for $12 adults and $8 children. Other tours including the “Evening Chores and Milking Tours” and 2-hour “Grand Dairy” experience require advance reservation.

3651 Omaopio Rd,, Kula, Hawaii 96790, USA

Open from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. Sundays. General 20-minute tours are led on demand between 10 and 3:30 Monday-Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

$12 for adults and $8 for children

From $ 750

Wailuku

The city of Wailuku sits on the northern coast of Maui, once a major tourist destination on the island and now a commercial and governmental center. As the Maui County seat, Wailuku is home to the county government and was historically home to some of the Kingdom of Hawaii's most esteemed leaders. It was also a major center of the sugar cane industry in Hawaii in the 19th century.

The town is situated on the coast, but at its back is the mouth of the Iao Valley, a gorgeous and lush state park that was sacred to the old Hawaiian gods and a burial ground for Hawaiian royalty. The valley was also the setting for a legendary 18th century battle in the fight to unify the islands as one kingdom. Visitors to Wailuku today can explore the city's historic monuments, browse its unique local shops and restaurants, and use it as a base for visiting the Iao Valley.

Practical Info

Wailuku is a short 10-minute drive from Kahului Airport, Maui's main airport. It has a very different feel from the more touristy parts of Maui, and lacks the big resort hotels.

Wailuku, Hawaii, USA

From $ 144