Things To Do
Hana Highway (AKA Road to Hana)
We drive the Road to Hana almost every time we go to Maui. The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana Highway, is a 64.4-mile scenic drive on Maui, Hawaii, famous for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and coastal views. It's a journey of over 600 turns and 50 bridges, connecting Kahului to the town of Hana. The drive is known for its natural beauty, including waterfalls, beaches, and hiking trails. The Road to Hana can take the majority of the day, so it is recommended to leave early in the morning. Parts of Road to Hana can often be closed due to weather and road degradation, so you should check the road conditions the day before/morning of. Most people just do the Road to Hana up to the Kipahulu District in Haleakalā National Park. We recommend doing the 3.5-mile Pīpīwai Trail hike at the national park then driving back. Definitely stop at one of the several stands on the side of the road for amazing banana bread!
Drive/Bike/Hike Mount Haleakala
Haleakalā is a massive, active shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui and is part of Haleakala National Park. If you want to see the most beautiful sunrise of your life, go super early! Our favorite option is to book with a bike rental company, which will drive you up the mountain so that you can easily bike downhill. If you are interested in the biking option, we recommend Maui Bombers. You can also drive a rental care or book a shuttle. For more info, check out https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm
Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
We absolute love snorkeling on Maui and swimming with the turtles. There are dozens of shops throughout the island where you can rent or buy snorkel gear. Most Airbnbs/VRBOs and resorts have snorkels that you can use for free as well. All beaches in Maui are public, so no permit or special access is needed to go into the water. You can also book a snorkel tour to Molikini Crater, a crescent moon-shaped island off the Maui coast. We have (surprisingly) not gone scuba diving in Maui, but there are also plenty of scuba diving companies.
Surfing
Like snorkeling, there are plenty of surf spots in Maui, ranging from beginner to advanced. The best time of day to surf is generally in the morning. Our favorite beginner spot is The Cove in Kihei, which has a convenient surf shop to rent boards just across the street. To check out surf spots, we recommend the Surfline app/website.
Hiking
Like the other outdoor activities, there is no shortage of hiking trails in Maui. Popular trails include the Waihe'e Ridge Trail with panoramic views, the Pipiwai Trail leading to Waimoku Falls, and the Kapalua Coastal Trail along the coastline. For the ultimate trio activity of hiking, snorkeling, and beach time, we love the Honolua Bay Access Trail. This 0.6-mile out-and-back trail leads you through a lush rainforest jungle, ending at Honolua Bay, renowned for some of the best snorkeling in Maui.
Cliff Jumping at Black Rock in Ka’anapali
People have been cliff jumping at Black Rock in Ka’anapali for a long time. Known by locals as Pu’u Keka’a, this large outcrop is made up of lava rock and is a place of cultural significance. Ancient Hawaiians believed the souls of those who died would leap into the spirit world at this sacred spot. Additionally, it’s believed that Black Rock was one of King Kahekili’s (1737-1794) favorite places to jump, Maui’s last ruling chief and a prolific cliff jumper in his time. This beach and the area surrounding the rocks also has amazing snorkeling. Kelsey often has her snorkel gear in hand so that she can snorkel after jumping off the cliff.
Check Out Makawao, a Hawaiian Cowboy Town
Makawao is the biggest little town in the region locally known as Upcountry Maui and is famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Since the late 19th century, horseback-riding paniolo have wrangled cattle in Maui’s wide-open upland fields. This eclectic town has cute shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Nakalele Blowhole
We happened to just stumble across the Nakalele Blowhole while driving around the island. This natural spout shoots up to 100 feet in the air—the view from the hilltop is impressive enough, but a hike down a rocky trail will let you get up close and personal. Approaching from the island’s west side is a lot easier than the drive from the east, and you may find the descent down to the geyser challenging. Wear appropriate footwear, as the area can be slippery and dangerous, and time your visit during high tide when the water spouts are at their most impressive. You can also check out the Nakalele Point lighthouse, a short walk away.
Fishing Charters
There are several fishing charters with bottom fishing, sport fishing, and deep sea fishing options. There's also kayak fishing options!
Golfing
There are plenty of beautiful golf courses throughout the island, especially in the Wailea and Kaanapali areas. Our wedding venue is actually located next to a beautiful golf course, Wailea Golf Club.