The Happiness Function

We spent one week in Maui and are sharing exactly what we did to help you plan your next trip.

Maui is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there are endless outdoor activities to enjoy. Whether you’re a hiker, surfer, or nature lover — it is paradise. Here are fun outdoor things to do in Maui if you’re an adventure lover (like us).

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Best Things To Do in Maui

Maui is known for its stunning beaches, incredible hikes, and fabulous seafood restaurants.

From Haleakalā National Park to the jaw-dropping beaches, crystal clear blue waters, waterfalls, and lush rainforests, the island will make you think you’re in another world. It’s one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited.

1. Attend a Lu’au

Hawaii is world-renowned for its lu’aus. So, if you’re planning a trip here for the first time, you might like attending a traditional Hawaiian celebration.

At a lu’au, you’ll enjoy authentic Hawaiian music, dance performances, delicious Polynesian cuisine, and friendly island hospitality.

Where we went: The Old Lahaina Lu’au.

The Old Lahaina Lu’au is fantastic. The lu’au is hosted outside near the beach and includes a grand food display, Kalua Pig, Mai Tais, and talented dancers.

We had an unforgettable experience, and I’m glad we watched the show.

2. Visit Haleakalā National Park

Visiting Haleakala National Park is a must. Part of the park is on the summit of Maui’s dormant volcano, offering stunning views and opportunities to sightsee and hike.

There are two districts to visit, the Summit District and Kīpahulu District, with trails and scenic drives.

Reservations are required to enter the park if seeing the sunrise at the summit is on your bucket list.

Where we went: Read our guide to Haleakala National Park!

Travel Tip: The annual National Park Pass is accepted here, so don’t forget to bring yours from the mainland if you have one.

Buy your America the Beautiful National Park Pass online (from REI).

3. Drive the Road to Hana

The Road to Hana (aka Hana Highway) is another must-do activity. This winding highway takes you on a road trip through the lush rainforest, past waterfalls, and Maui’s pristine coastline.

Where we went: Plan a stop in Pa’ia, a local surf town. Then, outside of Pa’ia, the highway follows the coast for a while, where you can see one of Maui’s most famous surf spots — JAWS. The highway goes all the way to Haleakala National Park’s Kīpahulu District.

4. Visit Wai’ānapanapa State Park

For another adventure, visit Wai’ānapanapa State Park. It is near mile marker 32 off the Road to Hana. The park is home to rugged coastlines, black sand beaches, and a lush rainforest.

Of course, hiking and swimming are popular activities but don’t miss its hidden caves and enchanting sea cliffs.

Reservations are required for parking and to enter Wai’ānapanapa State Park and can be made here.

Where we went: We walked to the black sand beach and checked out the sea cave.

5. Witness the Nakalele Blowhole

The blowhole is a hole in the coastline through which seawater is forced up and out. It’s a fantastic sight to see.

The trail is sandy and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes. I wore flip-flops and wished I had worn hiking shoes.

Get your Hawaii packing list here!

6. Go Hiking in Maui

There are amazing hikes on Maui, from trails through the cloud forests to challenging routes up volcanic ridges. No matter what difficulty you’re looking for, Maui has a hike for you.

Where we went: Pablo and I are super relaxed when we vacation. Meaning we go with the flow. We don’t plan out every minute of every day. Instead, we have ideas of things to do and then go where the wind (and weather) takes us.

Below are the hikes we did and loved. We mixed the hikes in between beach days.

• Pipiwai Trail + ‘Ohe’o Gulch
• Halemau’u Overlook Trail in Haleakalā National Park
• Makalua-puna point (aka Dragon’s Teeth)
• Olivine Pools
• Nakalele Blowhole
• Sliding Sands Trail in Haleakala
• Sea Caves and Black Sand Beach Trail at Wai’ānapanapa State Park

Check out our guide to our favorite hikes in Maui!

7. Relax on the Beaches

Maui is well known for its beautiful beaches, whether you’re looking for a great place to relax or the perfect spot to surf or snorkel.

Where we went: You can’t go wrong selecting a beach out of a Maui guidebook (we have this one).

Below are our favorite beaches in Maui:

• Ka’anapali Beach
• Napili Bay
• Kapalua Beach
• Slaughterhouse Beach
• Makena Beach
• Big Beach
• Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach and Cave

8. Take a Surf Lesson

This tropical destination is the perfect place to learn how to surf.

Where we went: The first time I ever surfed in the ocean was in Maui. It had been a dream of mine since I could remember. We had a surf lesson from 808 Boards in Lahaina.

We surfed on the island’s west side and did our lesson around Honokowai Beach Park. Since it was my first time, the instructor took us to beginner waves.

9. Try Paddleboarding

Maui is a great place to go paddleboarding. The clear blue waters and calm waves make for ideal conditions. There are plenty of places to rent boards and paddle along the coast or take a guided tour to see some of the island’s best spots.

Where we went: You can rent stand-up paddleboards from 808 Boards.

10. Go Sea Kayaking

Maui is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and kayaking is a great way to see it. The water is crystal clear, and the coastline views are stunning. We saw lots of people kayaking near the beaches.

You can find places to rent kayaks while visiting with a quick Google search.

11. Snorkeling in Maui

Bring snorkeling gear or rent some (we brought ours). Maui is a snorkeler’s dream, as long as weather conditions permit. You don’t want to snorkel when there is rain, overcast, or wind. The water can get cloudy.

Where we went: We snorkeled quite a bit from our condo on the west side of Maui. There were beautiful sea turtles everywhere, and the water was crystal clear. We also snorkeled at Napili Beach, where Pablo saw sea turtles. We also went snorkeling in La Perouse Bay. There was a lot of sharp coral at La Perouse Bay, and I don’t recommend it for beginners because it is remote.

Below are other popular places to snorkel in Maui, where you can book a tour:

• Molokini Crater
• Fishbowl

12. Whale Watching

From November through May, Maui is considered one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. The clear water and abundant marine life make it an ideal spot for sighting humpback whales.

Where we went: We did a lot of whale watching from our condo, and while driving along the coast. You can see the whales easily off in the distance. Pack some binoculars to better see whales off in the distance.

We did not do a tour, but while you’re in Maui, people can recommend boat tours for whale watching, where you can get closer to the whales. Ask around when you get there if you want to do a tour. That way, you can see what the weather is doing before committing.

Maui Travel Tips + Our Experience

How Many Days Should You Spend in Maui?

We recommend planning to stay for at least seven days. You want to be able to explore and rest. We went sightseeing for two days before we ever hit the beach, and there was so much to do.

Tips To Travel on a Budget

We try visiting destinations like locals as much as possible. This means we typically rent a car and a vacation rental/condo. We buy groceries to cook, research local guidebooks, and get recommendations from friends we meet.

We do free activities to keep the costs down and use a guidebook to navigate.

We have this Maui guidebook. You can get it on Amazon.

Buy Plane Tickets in Advance

We typically buy plane tickets to Hawaii four to six months in advance.

Coordinate dates with your accommodations before buying your plane ticket to ensure they are available.

Shop plane tickets on booking.com.

Planning Tips for Pet Owners: Here are some tips on what your pet sitter needs to know before planning a vacation.

Get Travel Insurance

We never take big trips without traveler’s insurance. Whenever we book trips in advance, we always purchase insurance.

We use Travel Insurance Master (link to the company we use).

Rent a Car in Advance

Renting a car is such a good idea. However, from our experience, renting months in advance (like four to six months) is wise.

A car allows flexibility to drive to the island’s incredible beaches and hiking trails. It also allows you to rent and stow gear such as surfboards, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment.

Most, if not all, of the big-name car rental companies are in Maui. Pick your preference and price. We also usually do this when we book our plane tickets.

Find a rental car on booking.com.

Plan Where To Stay

Like plane tickets and rental cars, places to stay in Maui can be booked months in advance, especially during peak visitation. You want to plan ahead.

People tend to stay on the west and northwest sides of the island near Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, and Napili. The West Coast and Honoapiilani Highway are lined with vacation rentals and resorts.

You can also stay to the southwest towards Wailea. Wailea has beautiful beaches as well, like Big Beach.

Where we stayed: The Kulakane in Lahaina was spectacular and offered world-class views steps from the ocean. We could see the whales jumping out of the water from our balcony.

Best Time of Year To Visit

We like to visit the Hawaiian Islands in January or February. We are off-season travelers (meaning there are fewer crowds).

My husband and I enjoy the weather this time of year; it mostly has a spring feel and is not too hot. You can wear shorts and a bathing suit but don’t always need air conditioning.

Most importantly, during this time of year, there is whale watching.

Food in Maui

We only ate out two times during our week stay. We went to the Old Lahaina Lu’au and Fish Market Maui. Fish Market Maui had the best coconut shrimp I have ever had.

We purchased groceries or fruit from local grocery stores and fruit stands. Then, we made food at our condo and took picnic lunches the rest of the time.

Bring reusable water bottles in your suitcase. Then you don’t have to buy water. We also brought an insulated grocery bag, which acted as a grocery sack, and a cooler for lunches.

A Note on Sunscreen

Did you know certain sunscreens have chemicals that can harm the coral reef ecosystem? Hawai’i has a ban on sunscreens containing coral-harming chemicals.

Be sure to use coral reef-friendly sunscreens.

Have Fun Visiting Maui

Maui is amazing. The scenery is breathtaking, and the locals are so friendly. With its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and towering dormant volcano, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the great outdoors.

We hope this guide helps you plan all the best Maui activities for your next trip.

While visiting, please be a respectful tourist. Maui is still recovering from 2023’s wildfire.

Mahalo,

Ashlee & Pablo

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Get More Hawaii Travel Inspiration:

• Pipiwai Trail & the Bamboo Forest: One of the Coolest Hikes in Maui
• Haleakala National Park: 12 Things To See
• 7 Awesome Hikes in Maui You Need to Trek
• Hawaii Packing List: Here’s What To Pack For Your Trip

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