The 22 best things to do in Maui

Got that car playlist sorted? Then you’re ready to take on the Road to Hana, a magnificent drive through beautiful Maui with some jaw-dropping sights along the way. You can choose to do it by car, or book a certified tour with an experienced guide (and much bigger windows!). The 65-mile route can take you a whole day, and you need to take it slow due to some seriously windy corners. Stop off for some beach fun along the route, and sample some tacos from a street-side food truck. 

If you really want to experience a Maui night out, don’t miss Old Lahaina Luau. This is a fantastic and authentic Maui restaurant, with extra cocktails, live music and dance nights for even more fun. Dine looking out over the ocean and take in those delicious views. Here you’ll find steak, poke, chicken, summery salads and more, and enough drinks to get you dancing the night away. 

Not only is Haleakala Crater the location where, according to Hawaiian mythology, the demigod Maui lassoed the sun, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places you could possibly watch it rise. You really have to be up early to see this magic unfold, as it can take up to two hours to reach the summit, and reservations are required to enter the district during the wee hours. Bundle up: the Haleakala Visitor Center’s elevation is nearly 10,000 feet and much cooler than sea level.

Explore more than 500 years of history over 65 sites in Lahaina Town. Start at Baldwin Home Museum, the oldest surviving house on the island of Maui, then visit a courthouse, lighthouse, and more before arriving at the legendary Banyan tree. Over 145 years old, this massive tree has grown 16 separate trunks, and, at 60 feet high, it is the tallest Banyan in the United States.

While wine tasting might be the last thing you imagined finding on a tropical island, Maui’s Ulupalakua Vineyards is a great excuse to take a scenic drive through Upcounty. Tour the estate to see historic buildings and learn why this was a favorite spot of Hawaiian royals, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapi’olani. Taste a range of regular grape-based wino, but make sure not to miss out on the pineapple wines unique to this area.

As of 2023, Maui Whale Festival celebrates 43 years of whale education and advocacy while giving the public amazing views of these incredible mammals during peak humpback season. Festivities include whale watching, film screenings, a craft fair, and more.

Maui’s mountain and valley terrain are perfect for producing a balanced coffee bean, and visitors will find a sensational cup at Maui Coffee Roasters in Kahului. From pour-overs to lattes, you’ll find the freshest harvest from local estates at this eco-friendly roaster. Savor a housemade crab melt for lunch and follow with a nitro cold brew for a dose of afternoon energy.

If you want to expand your culinary horizons via Maui’s bounty of seafood, head to the casual eatery Paia Fish Market for an easy ordering experience. Try the mahi-mahi if in the mood for a flaky white fish, or dig into opah, a Hawaiian fish that supposedly brings good luck. Once you pick your protein, you choose its preparation: grilled, blackened, Cajun-style, or sautéed in butter and lemon.

Known as the Seven Sacred Pools, the Pools of 'Ohe'o provide the swimming experience of your dreams. Surrounded by a lush rainforest and bamboo trees, these cascading waterfalls and natural pools are East Maui’s most popular attraction. Visit on a sunny day, as the area is closed off for safety when the weather is wet.

Offering more than 50 flavors, it is nigh on impossible to choose one favorite shave ice topping, so go for three or more. Combine mango and guava with passion orange for a refreshing island favorite, or try pineapple with coconut and lime for a sweet-tart treat. Pro tip: there is almost always an eager line of customers here, so try the beachside location at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort for a quick pick-me-up without the wait.

For a completely different vibe to Maui’s beach scene, head inland to ranch country and visit Ali'i Kula lavender farm. General admission is only $3, and a free self-guided walking tour offers sweeping views of the island and gardens. When done wandering the grounds, shop the on-site market for aromatherapy goods and lavender honey.

It may seem odd to find penguins in Maui, but these African black-footed cuties are perfectly at home in warm climates. Seven quirky characters reside at Hyatt Regency Maui, and each morning they put on an energetic display during their feeding sessions. You’ll find them diving into their pond, showing off torpedo swim skills, and cooling off in the shade.

The instructors at Kaanapali Surf School are serious pros, but they’re also famous for encouraging first-timers. They’ll start with a land-based lesson on technique and safety, then follow you out into the break to guide your ride. Kaanapali’s waves are gentle and consistent, making this a great entry-level experience. Trust us when we say there’s nothing like catching that first wave all on your own.

On a crystal clear night, Maui’s skies light up with a spectacular display. To fully appreciate the nocturnal majesty of this slice of paradise, take a guided astronomical tour hosted at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Spend the night stargazing with powerful telescopes while nibbling on chocolate strawberries accompanied by sparkling wine as the astronomy director shares stories of celestial navigation.

Explore living reefs, see rare corals and check out a turtle lagoon at the Maui Ocean Center. Then watch sharks, rays, and large fish interact as part of the impressive ‘Open Ocean’ exhibit, where guests wander through a glass tunnel and take in overhead views. One particularly exceptional attraction of this immersive marine life experience is the 3D humpback whale sphere that will leave you in awe.

While you can find sea turtles at a few different beaches in Maui, the safest bet for spotting them is Maluaka Beach. Lovingly referred to as Turtle Town, this beach is home to a large population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. As an added perk, the beach is not often crowded, so you’ll enjoy a leisurely ocean swim in calm waters.

Forget walking: the best way to experience the rolling hills of a Maui pineapple plantation is to ride through them on horseback. Saddle up at Ironwood Ranch in Napili, and you’ll soon be giddying up through rain forests, green mountainsides, and (yes) pineapple fields like a regular Hawaiian ranch hand.

One of Hawaii’s must-try culinary treats is loco moco, a hefty serving of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and thick gravy. This is serious comfort food, and you’ll find variations of the delicacy at every turn. Chef Joey Macadangdang goes the traditional route with a powerful flavor punch at his quick-serve casual eateries. Pro tip: a winning combination is loco moco with Joey’s famous garlic chicken with a sweet soy glaze and sriracha aioli – just bring a companion with you. 

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Maui’s marine and wildlife while snorkeling or sailing around the island. To make a positive impact during your visit, consider volunteering with Pacific Whale Foundation, even for just a few hours. Options range from debris monitoring to coral reef protection, and you’ll gain a broader appreciation for these precious ecosystems combined with the buzz of knowing you did something helpful with your holiday.

Forget tourist T-shirts and keychains: the annual Made in Maui County Festival boasts over 75 vendors selling exciting local products, from artisan craft goodies to jewelry and freshly-baked goods. Sample local olive oil and honey, peruse hand-painted fabrics and hand-crafted leis, and take home one-of-a-kind gifts. Give in to temptation and dine at more than a dozen on-site food trucks featuring acai bowls, shrimp plates, and island barbeque. 

Hop on the passenger ferry connecting Maui with Lanai to expand your horizons—literally. While it’s the smallest of the state’s inhabited islands, this part of Maui County offers a full range of activities off the beaten path. Lanai is home to the ideal terrain for four-wheel excursions and horseback riding, though you’ll also find unique crafts and mouth-watering eateries in Lanai City. You might also want to visit the Lanai Cat Sanctuary to mingle with more than 600 island kitties.

Chief Kahekili, a Maui king in the 1700s, dove from the top of lava rock cliffs at Puu Kekaa – commonly referred to as Black Rock – and into the ocean waters below. This tradition is reenacted with a free sunset torch-lighting ceremony before a warrior diver takes that same grand leap. If you feel brave, head over in the daytime to try this cliff dive or snorkel the clear waters below to see a great selection of sea life while others belly flop.