Looking for a mix of tropical beaches and epic outdoor adventures? Then this is the Hawaiian island for you! You can enjoy surfing, hiking, snorkeling, and even discover the great local food scene. Join us for the best things to do on Maui Hawaii to see why it’s one of the top destinations in the Pacific!
25 Best Things to do on Maui Hawaii
1. Drive the Road to Hana
We have to start our best things to do on Maui list off with one of the most epic drives in Hawaii! The Road to Hana is an all-day cruise that takes you through the endless waterfalls, beaches, and the most beautiful nature on the island.
However, the twist and turns of this famous drive are not for the faint of heart! The Road to Hana has 46 one-way bridges and is full of hairpin turns that only experienced drivers should take on.
Since this is so popular, our best advice is to start early to avoid the traffic. Still, whatever time the drive takes, will be more than worth it for the views.
Take a look at the current prices here for rental cars. By booking in advance, you can find great deals for your visit.
→ 10 Road to Hana Tips to Know Before Taking Maui’s Most Famous Drive
2. Walk the Pipiwai Trail
It’s no coincidence that one of the most fun things to do in Maui is at the end of the Road to Hana. Haleakalā National Park features numerous hikes and walking trails with scenery that will blow your mind.
The Pipiwai Trail takes you through a bamboo forest and ends at the 400 foot Waimoku Falls. Also, don’t miss out on the Seven Sacred Pools inside Haleakalā National Park.
→ Bamboo Forest Maui: Fun Hike to the Massive 400 Foot Waterfall
3. Snorkle with Sea Life
With all the incredible sea life, there are endless snorkeling and scuba diving spots around the island. One thing we always had packed with us anytime we left our house in Maui was our snorkels and flippers.
You never know when you’ll see a pullover where you can dive right in! A few common sea creatures on Maui are dolphins, eels, parrotfish, humpback whales, and sea turtles. For a unique activity, book a Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour.
4. Visit Turtle Beach
Speaking of sea turtles, there’s a special beach where you can see them in their natural habitat! Large sea turtles can be seen floating all over the island, but group together especially at Ho’okipa Beach Park.
Make sure to respect the animals and stay behind the designated area. You’ll also want to read our complete guide to Turtle Beach Maui to learn about the surfing and other information.
5. Admire the Maui Lava Fields
Volcanoes are everywhere in Hawaii, but it’s rare to be able to walk right through a lava field. The last eruption was in the 17th century and it left the rocky remnants you see today.
Honestly, the Hoapili Trail is like taking a trip to another planet! The bumpy path goes through the forest where you’ll even meet some wild goats.
It stretches along the coast and by several rocky beaches under the Haleakalā volcano. Be sure to wear proper shoes on this Maui hiking trail.
6. Wander Through the Botanical Gardens
Maui is full of many beautiful botanical gardens and plant life to discover. Two of our favorites are the Garden of Eden and the Kula Botanical Gardens.
The Garden of Eden is located at the start of the Road to Hana, and is more than worth the stop. It features 26 acres of trails and colorful plants. The nature and views here are so special it was even featured in the opening scene of Jurassic Park!
Kula Botanical Gardens is a smaller, but just as beautiful of an attraction to see on Maui. Here you can admire more flowers and rock formations in a peaceful setting.
7. Enjoy the Maui Lavander Farm
Didn’t get enough nature at the botanical gardens? Well, the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is one of the most fun things to do on Maui Hawaii.
The coolest part is that it’s only $3 USD for admission! The best time to see the lavender in full bloom is in June or July.
Still, there is plenty to see here year-round and the views are remarkable. Also, make sure to stop into the on-site store to try some lavender flavored chocolate and coffee.
8. Kealia Coastal Boardwalk
This leisurely coastal walk is located inside the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Perfect for all ages, the smooth pathway takes you through nature and is just steps from the ocean to cool off after.
The Kealia Coastal Boardwalk is also a great place for bird-watching enthusiasts.
9. Eat at the Local Food Trucks
It’s no secret that Maui (and most of Hawaii) has plenty of high-end restaurants to get a meal. Nevertheless, we preferred a different style of eating on the island.
Everywhere you go you’ll find food trucks selling everything from tacos to BBQ and delicious poke bowls. There are locations around the island with multiple food trucks.
This will make it easy for everyone in your group to find something they like. You’ll also see them across from major beaches and at farmers markets.
10. Stroll By the Luxury Hotels
In other places in the world, the beaches in front of luxury hotels may be exclusive… But not on Maui! This means the most coveted stretches of sand are actually open to the public.
The Wailea Beach Walk is a 1.7 mile long paved path that runs by the Fairmont, Four Seasons, and famous Wailea Beach Resort.
On the West side of the island, you can do a similar hike on the Kapalua Coastal Trail. Spending the day at these beaches and admiring the luxurious hotels is one of the top things to do on Maui.
11. Happy Hour at Maui Brewing Co.
Thirsty yet?? Well, in addition to its delicious coffee and tea, Maui has some awesome local beer. Our favorite place to grab a drink is at Maui Brewing Co in Kihei.
They have a fun outdoor area with picnic tables, and even a happy hour with discounted beer and pizza. It will be hard to not grab a growler to-go when you taste the refreshing flavors at Maui Brewing Co.
12. Shop at the Farmers Markets
There are so many fun things to do in Maui Hawaii for outdoor lovers, and that includes the numerous farmers markets around the island. In fact, there are so many, it seems like you could hit one in a different town every day of the week.
Even if you’re not a huge shopper, it’s still exciting to stop in at the farmers market and stroll around. There are food trucks, smoothie stands, and plenty of fresh fruit to buy.
→ Our 7 Favorite Maui Farmers Markets & Local Fruit Stands
13. Haleakalā Volcano Summit
Remember we mentioned visiting Haleakalā National Park and the Pipiwai Trail earlier? There is actually a way to get to the summit… And it’s a volcano!
Drive up the winding roads to the top of Haleakalā, where you’ll spot the Observatory. From here, there are both short hikes and all-day treks that take you around the crater.
Another one of the most fun things to do on Maui is to visit the National Park for sunrise. You can reserve tickets but do so in advance directly on the National Park website as they sell out fast.
If you prefer you can even book a Haleakalā National Park sunrise group tour! Although the National Park pass is good for 3 days, it’s on the completely opposite side of Haleakalā from the Road to Hana.
Try and plan to do both within that 3-day span so you only have to pay the $30 charge once. If you visit a lot of National Parks in the U.S. you can consider getting an annual pass, too.
14. Try Huli Huli Chicken
By now you can probably tell this island is full of unique food and local dishes. While you’ll find plenty of fresh poke and acai bowls, what they’re truly known for is Huli Huli Chicken.
From our experience, some of the best Huli Huli places are just random stops on the side of the road. It’s typically marinated in ginger, brown cane sugar, soy sauce, and spices.
Trust us, when you see that chicken spinning over an open grill it’s time to pull over and grab a bite! Here’s more of our favorite Maui food options and drinks to enjoy on your first visit.
15. Climb the Waihee Ridge
We hope you brought your hiking boots! The Waihee Ridge Trail is fairly steep, but the 2-3 hour roundtrip climb is so worth it for the views.
The clouds are constantly moving over the ridge, which makes for some incredibly beautiful scenery. Make sure to get there right at 7am when the gates open to get a parking spot.
Otherwise, you’ll be adding an extra mile uphill hike to your day from the lower lot. Read all about our experience on the Waihee Ridge Trail and why it’s the one Maui hike you can’t miss!
16. Take a Beach Walk at Mākena State Park
Up for another beach walk? Mākena State Park may be one of the only ones you have to pay for on the island, but this is something you should totally pony up the $10 for.
The waves are usually massive here and can be quite dangerous on the wrong day. For many, this is the go-to spot for boogie boarding or body surfing on Maui.
Yet, we recommend just taking a nice long beach walk if the waves are too big. If you make the climb up the small hill on the right side it will take you somewhere a little more secluded.
Just beware that what’s known as “Little Beach” is clothing optional.
When traveling to Maui, we recommend booking your flight directly with Hawaiian Airlines. Also, check out our Hawaiian airlines review!
17. Experience the Iao Valley
Iao Valley is a gorgeous part of Maui to experience. Unfortunately, the popular Iao Tableland hike was closed when we visited.
However, we still really enjoyed the drive through the mountains and walking around the river and forest. The switch up from the ocean to a river dip was just what we needed that day!
18. Row a Traditional Canoe
Surfing, snorkeling, and swimming are so much fun, but have you ever paddled a traditional Maui boat? We didn’t think so!
One of the most popular places to do this is at the Kihei Canoe Club. The tours will take you out on the ocean, where you can see some of Maui’s marine life.
Depending on the season, you’ll have your chance to see dolphins, sea turtles, and even whales. All while getting some exercise on the water!
19. Visit the Maui Winery
Not a Maui beer fan? You’ll be happy to know that Maui has something for every traveler’s taste buds.
Maui Wine is not just the island’s only vineyard, but it’s the oldest in all of Hawaii. Here you’ll find 23 acres of grapevines that sit near the scenic Haleakala Volcano.
This is the best place to taste the famous pineapple wine made with real gold pineapples. Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, visiting the vineyard is one of the best things to do on Maui Hawaii!
20. Savor the Road Side Treats
While Huli Huli Chicken is obviously a must-try in Maui, there are so many other delicious treats. Pretty much anywhere you go on the island you’ll see colorful roadside stands.
Here they serve everything from tropical fruits to Hawaiian shaved ice and tacos. Our #1 thing we got on the side of the road was definitely the warm banana bread. So good!
21. See the Lahaina Banyan Tree
Lahaina is one of the most historic towns in all of Maui. On your visit, be sure to stop by and see the largest Banyan tree in the United States.
**Our deepest sympathies go out to the people affected by the wildfires in Lahaina. Please keep this in mind when planning your Maui travel.
22. Grab a Pie at Leoda’s Kitchen
We hope you’re ready for some dessert! Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop is one of the best places to eat on Maui. Known mostly for their scrumptious pies, this local shop will keep you coming back for more.
The banana cream is amazing and the chocolate macadamia nut is one of the tastiest pies we’ve ever had.
23. Explore the Small Historic Towns
Maui is full of interesting history and that can be seen best in the small towns of the island. Many of the cultural attractions are found in Hana, Paia, Wailuku, and Makawao, much of which pre-dates colonial times.
There are specific museums in these towns that detail the history of farming, the arrival of Europeans, and island life hundreds of years ago. Check out the Hana Cultural Center and Makawao History Museum during your travels.
24. Hike Into the Hana Lava Tube
The Road to Hana has so many wonderful stops, and the Hana Lava Tube is easily one of the most unique. The tunnel was created almost 1,000 years ago by molten lava sliding down a hill.
These days, you can adventure down into the dark tube into a real cave. As you can see, this is just one of the best hikes on Maui to experience during your trip.
25. Watch the Sunset in Kihei
After all these fun things to do on Maui, it’s sunset time. There is no better way to end your day than with an ice-cold drink, as you watch the colors change over the ocean.
We were lucky enough to experience many Maui sunsets, but our favorites were in the town of Kihei. Pull up a chair in the sand and enjoy!
→ 10 Best Beaches in Maui to See on Your First Visit
We hope our list of the best things to do on Maui Hawaii gives you some inspiration for your own trip! Also, be sure to check out these amazing things to do in Waikiki if you’re visiting Honolulu.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
