While you may find yourself perfectly content lounging on the beach all day and maybe indulging in a tropical cocktail while in Maui, those looking for more adventure and or/activity on their vacation will be happy to find that there is plenty of great things to do on Maui. Maui is the Hawaiian archipelago’s second largest island in size (behind the Big Island), and the third most populated island (after the Big Island and Oahu). As one of the most popular and visited islands in the archipelago, there is a great mixture of fun things to do on Maui. From beautiful hiking and biking trails, to golf courses, to great dining and great snorkeling opportunities there is certainly no shortage of popular things to do in Maui. With all of Maui’s beautiful beaches, great dive spots, plenty of sunshine and gorgeous waterfalls, no traveler to this Hawaiian island will find him or herself bored on this gorgeous island.
Head off shore and go Snorkeling in Maui
Maui is known as one of the best snorkel and dive spots in the Hawaiian islands. With many great bays and coral reefs, there are plenty of beautifully bright and colored tropical fish for travelers to look at as they float above the amazing marine scenery. Maui is also home to several Marine Life Conservation districts, which were created to preserve the marine life below.
Get some excercise Mountain Biking on Kaupo Road
If you are looking to do a little more than eat, drink and work on your tan when you’re in Hawaii (although there’s nothing wrong with that if you ask me), than there are plenty of opportunities to get out and get some exercise on the island. Kaupo Road is a 40 mile bike ride that takes you through some of Maui’s most gorgeous scenery—allowing you to not only work your muscles, but also take in some breathtaking landscapes.
Work on your whole body tan at one of Maui’s nude beaches
Nude sunbathing in Hawaii might be illegal in a technical sense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen all of the time. Here’s where to go to find the prime spots to shed your suit. If you are dying to get rid of those tan lines, you can head to one of Maui’s few nude beaches, though keep in mind that nude beaches are rarely where the people you’d actually want to see naked hang out.
Go on a day-trip to Molokini
No, Molokini is not the name of a Hawaiian cocktail. This small island located off the coast of Maui is a bird sanctuary and is off-limits to humans, but snoreklers and divers will find a huge array of beautiful sea life just off the coast of this tiny island. There are several tour companies that do trips for eager snorkelers and divers who want a chance to check out the underwater crater and the more than 250 fish species who hang out here.
Learn how to kiteboard at the Kiteboarding School of Maui
If you are up for a real physical challenge and getting an adrenaline rush all at the same time, then you may want to considering learning how to kiteboard while you are in Maui. Whether you are beginner wanting to learn the basics, or an advanced kiteboarder looking to increase your skill level, this kiteboarding school can help teach you the ropes of this sport.
Go horsebacking riding at Mendes Ranch
The Mendes Ranch is a working cattle ranch in Maui that offers horseback riding tours around their 3,000 acres of land. The trips are two hours long and are safe enough for the whole family to enjoy. The trips are guided by actual cattle ranchers from the property.
Play Golf at the Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course
Many people come to Hawaii just to be able to play 18-holes on some of the most beautiful and well-designed courses in the country (if not the world), so golfing travelers should not miss playing a few rounds of golf during their stay on Maui. The Dunes golf course, situated between south and west Maui is one of the best golf courses in the islands. If you’d like to try out a few different courses during your stay, you can find out where to golf in Hawaii and figure out which course is your favorite.
Watch college basketball at the Maui Invitational
Calling all basketball fans—are you one of those people that sinks into a deep depression after the excitement of March Madness is over and you know you have to wait until the following winter to watch more college hoops, the Maui Invitational can be the perfect way to get your basketball fix and have an excuse to travel to Maui. Every year over Thanksgving weekend, some of the nation’s top college hoops teams are invited to Maui to participate in this exciting pre-season tournament.
Drive the Road to Hana
If you want to really experience and see the beauty of Maui, a good way to do it is by driving the Road to Hana. Although the 68-mile round-trip journey can take all day because of the curvy road and one-lande bridges, the road itself is designated as a national historic site. Travelers who set out on this journey from Kahului to Hana will wind their way past incredible vistas, waterfalls, and through cute Hawaiian villages—making the jouney a great way to see and experience Maui.
Hike or camp at Haleakala National Park
Mt. Haleakala is not only the highest mountain in Hawaii, but it is also the largest mountain in the world when measured from the sea floor to the summit at over 10,000 feet. From the base to the summit, visitors to this national park will pass through as many different ecological zones as on a trip from Canada to Mexico. The top of the mountain is also a fabulous place to watch beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the Pacific Ocean.
Take a ride on Maui’s Sugar Cane Train
If you are looking for an interesting way to see the island, than hop aboard Maui’s sugar can train, which runs between Ka’anapali and Lahaina. The short half hour journey while keep travelers entertained with a singing conductor who indicates points of interest along the way and some truly beautiful scenery. If you are lucky, you’ll even catch a glimpse of humpback whales off the coast December through April.
Go wine tasting at Maui’s Tedeschi Winery
When you first think of traditional Hawaiian food, you probably first think of eating Dole pineapple, sipping Kona coffee and snacking on macademia nuts, but Maui is also home to the Tedeschi Vineyards, which is located on the 20,00 acres of Ulupalakua Ranch. Sample Tedeschi’s truly Hawaiian creation—Maui Blanc wine, which is made from pineapple juice.
Check out sea creatures at the Maui Ocean Center
If you are too afraid of sharks to actually get in the water, or are looking for the perfect activity on the rare rainy day in Hawaii, then visiting the Maui Ocean Center is a great way to spend part of the day. The Maui Ocean Center is actually the largest tropical reef acquarium in the Western Hemisphere and lets visitors get up close and personal with sharks, tropical fish, sting rays, octopus, moray eels, sea turtles and more sea creatures.
Eat at Maui’s Best Restaurant–Hali’imaile General Store
While you probably aren’t thinking about fine dining when you hear the name Hali’imaile General Store, this three-star restaurant has regularly been rated as one of the best restaurants on the island. Executive chef Bev Gannon is an award winning chef and is known for her great Hawaiian recipes and has even published a cookbook full of the famous and very tasty dishes featured at this restaurant.
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You’re right on about there being no shortage of things to do in Maui! When my husband and I were there, we never ran out of things to do!
Some of our favourites:
1)snorkeling
2)explore the Hana lava tube
3)hiking through the jungles of Mt. Haleakala National Park (on the Hana side of the island)
3)hiking through Iao Valley State Park
4)our trip to the summit of Mt. Haleakala (it was fantastic, even though we did NOT go in time for the sunrise!)
5)driving the Road to Hana
6)Mt. Haleakala zipline tour
7)Helicopter tour