Maui is one of the most popular Hawaiian islands for tourists. In 2020, the island welcomed more than 3 million visitors — more than any of its neighboring islands. With the sheer number of fun things to do in Maui, Hawaii, it’s no wonder so many people visit every year. Whether you enjoy being far from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan epicenters, eating some of the best food you’ve ever tasted, or relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach, Maui delivers. In this video, we’re going to look at some of the best things to do in Maui on your next trip. Be sure to watch until the end to hear about one of the more extreme tourist attractions the island offers. And don’t forget to click like and subscribe to our channel, so you don’t miss any upcoming videos.
Road to Hana
The Road to Hana follows Maui’s northeastern shoreline around Haleakala National Park. It’s one of the most memorable experiences the island offers and makes renting a car a no-brainer.
The road dates back to the early days of Maui and Hawaii tourism, long before all the shopping malls and crowds arrived. It stretches for 52 miles, and you’ll cross 59 bridges — 46 of which only have a single lane. Devote a full day for the trip, or you can plan to spend the night in a bungalow at Travaasa Hana.
You’ll also find plenty of roadside stands selling smoothies, fruit, handmade crafts, and even banana bread.
Haleakala National Park
While the Road to Hana winds along the coastline, Haleakala crater takes you to the opposite extreme — the highest point on Maui. You’ll get sweeping views of the island from an elevation of more than 10,000 feet. You can drive up to the summit in a rental car or take a sunrise van tour and watch the sun come up over the edge of the crater. You can even backpack your way to the top on the famous Sliding Sands Trail.
Whichever option you choose, make sure you come prepared. Maui’s famous for its warm weather, but it can get pretty cold at the top of Haleakala. The weather can change quickly as well, so be ready for anything.
Makena Cove
It can be tough to find secluded, private space on Maui’s beaches with all the tourists flocking to the island. If the idea of discovering your own little oasis sounds appealing, Makena Cove is for you.
Most visitors are familiar with Makena Beach a little further north, but not many take the extra steps to find the cove. It’s tucked between some houses, behind a stone wall, where volcanic rock meets the Pacific Ocean. You’ll get dramatic waves, very few people, and a sense of being on your own stretch of sand. Make the trip for a mid-week sunset, and you might not even see another soul.
Pipiwai Trail
If you’d rather see the island on foot rather than out of a car window, the Pipiwai Trail is a good choice. It’s about 12 miles past Hana Town on the Road to Hana. You’ll find bamboo forests, a nicely maintained trail, and two separate waterfalls. It’s only a four-mile roundtrip, so it’s a manageable hike for almost anyone.
The trail is located inside Haleakala National Park, so it’s clean with well-maintained bridges, boardwalks, and stone steps. Stop to catch your breath in the bamboo forest, and you’ll hear the sound of bamboo trees clicking against each other in the wind. It’s the kind of moment in nature that epitomizes things to do in Maui, Hawaii.
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice
If you’ve only ever had shaved ice at your local state fair or ballpark, you’ll be in for a real surprise when you try genuine Hawaiian shaved ice at Ululani’s. It’s nothing like the chunky, ground ice you get in most places.
Ululani’s makes theirs with purified water, pure cane sugar, local fruit purees, and a generous helping of love. You’ll find lots of flavors to choose from, but we recommend trying the classic No Ka Oi, which translates as The Best. It’s an amazing mix of mango, coconut, and passion fruit. And don’t forget a generous drizzle of their coconut cream to top it off.
Ho’okipa Beach Park
Ho’okipa Beach Park is another great thing to do in Maui, Hawaii if you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path. This beach is miles away from most of the crowds on the island’s north shore. The consistent winds, big waves, and sprawling reef make it an ideal spot for windsurfing.
If you watch closely, you might even spot a green sea turtle or two. The majestic creatures blend into the exposed reefs and rocks along the beach but emerge from the water at night to rest. After spending a day on the beach, be sure to check out Maui’s famous Mama’s Fish House down the road. You can fuel up on locally-caught fish and lobster before heading back to “civilization.”
Learn to Surf
If you’ve ever seen videos of surfers riding huge waves, there’s a good chance they were in Hawaii. And Maui is home to some of the most iconic surfing destinations on the islands. You’ll find spots like Honolua Bay, Ho’okipa Beach Park, and Peahi — also known as Jaws.
If you’re new to surfing, those spots will be a bit much, but you can take a private surf lesson to learn the basics. There’s nothing quite like riding your first wave in the paradise of Maui.
Go Whale Watching
If you’re looking for things to do in Maui, Hawaii between December and April, whale watching is the perfect activity. Roughly 10,000 humpback whales swim from the Gulf of Alaska to Hawaii every year, where they birth and nurse their calves in the warm, shallow water.
The Auau Channel between Maui and Lana’i is one of the best spots to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures. You can see them from shore or from the water on a boat, kayak, paddleboard, or canoe. Or, if you really want to get a close look, you can go scuba diving and see them in the water.
Old Lahaina Luau
A trip to Maui isn’t complete without taking in at least one luau. There are plenty to choose from but Old Lahaina Luau is one of the most intimate, authentic experiences you can get. The service is great, the food is fresh (and amazing) and the performers are something to see. You can even book a spot up front with traditional floor seating to get the full luau experience.
Grandma’s Coffee House
If breakfast and a hot cup of coffee are your thing, head to Upcountry Maui and Grandma’s Coffee House. You’ll get a hearty breakfast and a hot cup of coffee. Grandma’s has been roasting and blending local Maui coffee since 1918 and it’s hard to beat. Four generations on, they grow, harvest, process, and roast the coffee in-house. Stop in on the weekend to try the cornbread eggs benedict. It’s the perfect follow-up to watching the sun rise from the Haleakala crater.
Help Keep Hawaiian History Alive
The Hui o Wa’a Kaulua or Assembly of the Double-Hull Canoe is a non-profit organization on Maui that helps keep the tradition of Hawaiian canoe building, way finding, and voyaging alive. They offer a range of educational programs for local students and are always looking for volunteers to help with their projects. Of course, you can simply make a donation if you don’t have enough time to help in person.
Island Hopping
While there are lots of great things to do in Maui, Hawaii, you’re not far from the other islands. It’s easy to make a day trip, especially to Lana’i — known as Hawaii’s “Most Enticing Island.” It’s a short 9-mile ferry ride from Maui and it offers a different but equally cool experience.
Lana’i doesn’t have a single traffic light and it offers a rugged beauty and quiet. There are two Four Seasons Resorts on the island if you want to spend some time there, one on a lava cliff at Manele Bay and another at the rugged Lodge at Koele. Or if you want to experience nature in the truest sense, camp out on Hulopo’e Bay Beach.
Kaanapali Beach
If a busier, more modern spot is your thing, it’s hard to beat Kaanapali Beach. The popular stretch of Maui coastline runs for 3 miles along the island’s northwest coast. While it’s a busier spot, you’ll still find plenty of space to surf and sunbathe. Just be careful when swimming — the currents can be deceptively strong.
Kaanapali was Hawaii’s first planned resort and it features several popular hotels and restaurants, two golf courses, and the Whalers Village shopping center. You can also watch the daily cliff diving spectacle at sunset, which is meant to pay tribute to King Kahekili — the last independent king who ruled in the 1700s.
Back Side of the Road to Hana
While the Road to Hana is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Maui, it only goes so far. Once you get past the Kipahulu area, you venture into what’s known as the Back Side of the Road to Hana. The roads along this stretch are harder to traverse and can be a bit dangerous in some kinds of vehicle.
It’s also important to keep in mind that this stretch of road is unauthorized, meaning most of the major car rental companies don’t allow you to take their vehicle on it. If you venture into unauthorized territory and have an accident or car trouble, you’ll be responsible for the cost of rescue and repairs. It’s not worth it for most people, but if you’ve got the means to drive the road safely, you’ll have a story to tell.
Which of these things to do in Maui, Hawaii are at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this video, be sure to click the like button, subscribe to our channel, and click the notification bell to be sure you never miss a video.