Maui is known for its pristine beaches, amazing weather, dramatic scenery and surfing. The island sits on the west of the big island of Hawaii, separated by the Alenuihaha Channel. Visitors will find plenty of things to do in Maui, most of them free, from hiking adventures in the rainforest to romantic sunset walks on the beach.
For the best experience, you’ll need a Maui car rental. A rental car will give you the comfort and convenience needed on your great Maui adventure. Choose a fun convertible to enjoy the ocean breeze, or an SUV if you’re planning to hike or are traveling with kids.
- 1. Haleakalā National Park
- 2. Iao Valley State Park
- 3. Maui Ocean Center
- 4. Hana and the Road to Hana
- 5. Pipiwai Trail
- 6. Snorkeling Tours
- 7. Kaanapali Beach
- 8. Old Lahaina Luau
- 9. Waiʻanapanapa State Park
- 10. Makena State Park
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Maui
Must-see attractions in Maui
1. Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park is one of the best places to visit with your family. It is home to one of the largest dormant volcanoes, which you can climb to the top and enjoy the spectacular views. Get there early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Haleakalā sunrise before taking the winding trail up the volcano. The park also has several other trails, including the popular Pipiwai trail that you will also find on this list.
Address: Mile Marker 41, Hana Hwy
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 6 hours
2. Iao Valley State Park
West of Wailuku sits the Iao Valley and the Iao Valley State Park. It is a popular place for visitors looking to learn about the ancient pilgrimages taken by the people of Hawaii to honor their gods. Inside the park is a lump of basalt, the Iao Needle, used as a shrine by the ancient people. The park is also home to stunning trails, and you’ll want to look out for the Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop.
Address: End of Iao Valley Road
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
3. Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is the best place to visit if you want to learn more about the area’s underwater ecosystems. You can get up close and personal with the island’s nautical residents. There’s an underwater ocean exhibit and touch pools where you’ll see everything from stingrays to sharks. The Open Ocean exhibit is very popular with most visitors, and kids love the touch pools.
Address: 192 Ma‘alaea Road, Wailuku, HI 96793
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
4. Hana and the Road to Hana
To get a glimpse of Maui’s beautiful coastline, all you need to do is drive. The Road to Hana, sometimes called the Hana Highway, is one of the most scenic drives on the island. The route brings you past rainforests and waterfalls, making a stark contrast to the desert conditions found elsewhere on the island. Most who drive this road are still mesmerized by its beauty despite the hype. At the end of the road, you’ll find Hana, a small and quaint town that portrays the image of Hawaii before the invasion by mass tourism.
Address: Route 36 and 360 between Kahului and Hana
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 6 hours
5. Pipiwai Trail
The Pipiwai Trail in Haleakalā National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Located along the Road to Hana, this trail is part of the exceptional beauty of the Kipahulu District. The trail is 4 miles long and takes you through lush vegetation, three waterfalls and a bamboo forest. The waterfalls, Makahiku Falls, Waimoku Falls and ‘Ohe’o Gulch, are great, but many find the tranquility of the bamboo forest the highlight of this trail.
Address: Found in Haleakalā National Park
Entry fees: More information
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
6. Snorkeling Tours
Yes, Maui’s pristine beaches, gorgeous sunsets and verdant hiking trails are great, but one thing you cannot miss when visiting the island is taking a snorkeling tour. Set a morning or afternoon for this unforgettable experience. Seeing colorful fish, intricate coral formations and sea turtles under the ocean is something you’ll never forget. Bring your underwater camera for this experience, and don’t worry; most tour companies offer snorkeling gear.
Address: 101 Maalaea Road Wailuku, HI 96793
Entry fees: More information
Hours: Tour hours vary by tour company
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
7. Kaanapali Beach
Sitting northwest of the island, this three-mile strip of coastline is one of the best spots for surfing and sunbathing in Maui. The kids will love a day at the beach; the sand is beautiful, the water is nice and everyone will have a great time. Moreover, there are several hotels and golf courses by the beach, should you want to get into other activities. A few whale-watching and snorkeling trips launch from here, and some of Maui’s best zip lines are nearby.
Address: Just south of Kaanapali off Kaanapali Parkway
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: You can spend as much time as you want here.
8. Old Lahaina Luau
Set an evening aside on your great Maui adventure to visit Old Lahaina Luau. It’s a great experience, especially for first-time visitors and those looking to get an intro to Hawaiian culture. The experience includes colorful dances and music as well as eating traditional Hawaiian dishes. Those who put on Lahaina’s luau pride themselves on sticking to tradition, so you can expect an authentic Hawaiian experience.
Address: 1251 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
9. Waiʻanapanapa State Park
This is truly a special park. In Hawaiian, Waiʻanapanapa means glistening waters, but it is not the ocean that draws visitors to this park; it’s the black sands. The shoreline in this park is made of volcanic sediment, a stark contrast to the ocean’s blue waters and island’s lush jungle vegetation. It is a great place for snapping a few photos, and the hiking trails will take you through some of the most spectacular freshwater caves.
Address: Mile Marker 32 near Hana
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 5 hours
10. Makena State Park
This beach and park sit on the southwest end of the island; this is one of the largest undeveloped beaches on Maui. There are not many hotels and restaurants in the area, and if you’re looking for the untouched shorelines of Maui, you’ll find them. Makena Beach State Park is big and is divided into two parts: Big Beach and Little Beach. You’ll want to visit the beaches at either sunrise or sunset to see the changing colors of the sand.
Address: South of Wailea-Makena on Makena Road
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Spend as much time as you want here.
Best Places to Eat & Drink on Maui
While visiting Maui, make sure to check out the different flavors of the island. Ranging from trendy food trucks to five-star dining places, Maui has it all.
Sam Satos: This is a family-run local pit stop that has been operational since the 1930s. It is open for breakfast and lunch, serving all kinds of classic dishes. The dry mein noodle dish is highly recommended.
South Maui Fish Company: This is where you’ll find the freshest fish on Maui. Fun fact: It is a food truck parked behind a gas station, but the fish is to die for. They serve everything from fish tacos to fresh poke bowls, but the menu items change daily.
Monkeypod Kitchen: This is the best place for a fun date or girls’ night. They have two locations, and both serve fresh farm-to-table meals with a tropical flair. Make sure you leave some room for their cream pie dessert.
Maui Brewing Company: For a fun night out, think Maui Brewing Company. Maui has a growing craft beer scene, and the Maui Brewing Company is at the forefront. They have a kitchen that serves pub fare, but the real MVP are the beers.
