Things To Do
Haleakalā National Park ($)
Haleakala National Park, a top attraction on Maui, boasts a dormant volcano crater with a desert-like landscape, sacred sites, and a waterfall-laden tropical oasis. Named “house of sun,” the park spans 30,000 acres, though most visitors focus on specific areas. The summit, over 10,000 feet above sea level, offers a breathtaking sunrise experience (reservations and a small fee required). A winding road (Route 378) leads to the top, where thin and chilly air necessitates layers.
Maui Snorkeling Tours ($$$)
Snorkeling near Maui’s beaches or on a tour is popular. Many hotels offer complimentary snorkeling equipment, and some even arrange boat tours. Visitors can explore well-known spots like Ka’anapali Beach, Kapalua Bay, and Honolua Bay from the shore. Top tours visit Molokini, a crescent-shaped island off Maui’s southwestern coast with 250 species of fish. Lana’i is another top snorkeling destination with the Hulopo’e Marine Preserve.
'Iao Valley State Monument ($)
‘Iao Valley State Park, a 4,000-acre park in Central Maui, offers visitors a chance to admire something other than the beach. It boasts a verdant landscape and striking rock features, most notably the ‘Iao Needle’, a 1,200-foot-tall rock formation formed by erosion and adorned with tropical foliage. The most popular hiking trail is the 0.6-mile ‘Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop, a paved walkway leading straight to the iconic rock formation and through a botanical garden.
Maui Ocean Center ($$)
Consider spending time at the Maui Ocean Center, a facility that offers visitors a chance to learn about Hawaii’s underwater ecosystems and get up close with the island’s marine life. The 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit houses hundreds of fish, rays, and sharks, and features a 53-foot-long acrylic tunnel. Visitors can also learn about green sea turtles at the Turtle Lagoon and experience the underwater world of humpback whales with a 3D showing every half-hour in the Humpbacks of Hawai’i Exhibit and Sphere. For those seeking a closer encounter, the Open Ocean exhibit offers a cage-free shark dive with over 20 sharks (SCUBA certification required, additional fees apply).
Wailele Lu'au ($$$)
We did this on Seth's first visit to Maui. Nestled amidst a stunning sunset, this intimate seaside show weaves ancient mo‘olelo (stories) into a mesmerizing tapestry of powerful ‘oli (chants), graceful hula (dances), and vibrant performances.
Maui Pineapple Tour ($$)
At the Maui Gold Pineapple Farm, visitors learn how pineapples grow on the ground, not on palm trees, and are harvested. The 1 1/2-hour tour takes visitors via an air-conditioned bus into the fields and includes a visit to the packing plant. The best part is taking a fresh pineapple home.