There’s so much to do on the island of Maui, but most visitors don’t know where to start. We’ve decided to list fun things to do in Maui to give our viewers locally preferred options.
61. Go Camping
With gorgeous campgrounds all around the island, as well as on our neighbor islands, camping in Maui County is a wonderful and cheap way to visit. The hikes around the various Maui campgrounds are spectacular.
62. Go Horseback Riding
Though Upcountry Maui is viewed as cowboy country, you can find good horseback riding all over the island. Both Makena and the West side offer horseback tours on Maui. This is a wonderful way to see the sprawling shoreline, including ocean cliffs, remains of lava flow at La Perouse Bay, beaches, and high elevation views that will leave you in awe. The perfect activity for families and small groups, and a great way to see local wildlife as well!
63. Watch Spinner Dolphins
La Perouse is a regular area for Spinner Dolphins to congregate in the morning, often circling around the area in pods to rest before going out later in the day to feed.
You can either go snorkeling, scuba diving, or watch them from a kayak. The lucky few may even see them swimming alongside humpback whales!
64. Visit Molokai
Molokai is home to world-class golf and a serene lifestyle. Exploring this island is something special that is mostly appreciated by those looking for a little peace and quiet. There isn’t a single stoplight on the island, and Molokai is home to the steepest sea cliffs in the world. Mule rides down the cliffs are offered for the adventurous, and surfing is best in the winter months. Daily ferries are offered from Maui to Molokai, or visitors can choose to book a seat on a small plane instead. Definitely worth a visit!
65. Take a Picnic
You can find everything you need from fine wine and cheese to sandwiches and lemonade at the shops all around the island. Take a trip upcountry and find an empty meadow with views of the island. Or take a trip to Hana and stop at one of the many waterfalls or ocean overlooks. Put together a delicious Hana Picnic Lunch.
66. Take a Photo Safari
Grab your cameras and set out in any direction. You’re bound to find brilliant landscapes to capture as well as unique plant and animal life. Check out this list of the Top 10 Places for Awesome Pictures on Maui, including some of our favorite spots like Iao Valley, Hana’s Wai’anapanapa State Park, Makena Cove aka “Secret Beach”, Molokini Crater, Haleakala Crater and scenic views through the bamboo forest along Pipiwai Trail.
67. Go Skim Boarding
South Maui has a whole skim boarding scene at Big Beach, Makena. The waves break right on shore there offering opportunities for short barrel rides and big airs. We’re very lucky to have some incredibly talented Maui skimboarders. CAUTION: These waves are HEAVY even when they look small. Body surfers and swimmers die here every year.
68. Ride the Sugar Cane Train
Enjoy a relaxing scenic trip on the Sugar Cane Train between Ka’anapali and Lahaina. You’ll be transported back to old Hawaii on this historic locomotive. A perfect activity for the whole family and a great way to celebrate the Holiday season. Running for a short time each Christmas, you’ll ride to Santa’s village where you’ll see Santa and sing carols. It’s a blast!
69. Maui Golf Courses
Maui, Molokai, and Lanai have some of the world’s best golf courses. Wailea and Makena in the South of Maui, and Kapalua on the Upper West Side feature some of the best Maui Golf courses.
70. Cliff Diving
From Black Rock in Ka’anapali to the rock cliffs at Venus Pools, Maui is notorious for really good cliff diving areas. Make sure to know where you’ll be landing before jumping and whether it’s deep enough. CAUTION: Just because a local person can clear a landing doesn’t mean you can. We’ve seen some local boys making some pretty sketchy landings that they’ve probably seen and done 10,000 times. Some of these spots are pretty dangerous.
71. Kayaking
Kayaking in Maui is affordable and fun. After an hour or two in a kayak, you’ll have seen Maui marine life as well as received great exercise.
72. Go Body Surfing
Not all beaches on the island are good for body surfing due to lava formations, shallow reef and dangerous waves. When you find the right sandy beach, body surfing can be awesome. Some beaches, like Big Beach in Makena, look perfect for body surfing, but are actually dangerous shore pound. Instead, head to Hana’s Hamoa Beach for a wonderful body surfing experience on one of Maui’s top-rated and scenic beaches.
73. See a Magic Show
Kupunaha Maui Magic as well as Warren & Annabelle’s Magic Show offer some great family entertainment. We originally thought it would be cheesy and not fun, but we visited Warren & Annabelle’s and literally cried laughing. So much fun.
74. Go to a New Church
One thing Maui is not short of is Churches. Some are simple, and some are very old, ornate and beautiful. On your drive back from Hana, make sure to stop at the beautiful Palapala Ho’omanu Church in Kipahulu to visit the final resting place of explorer Charles Lindbergh. Worship in a new place and make new friends on Maui.
75. Explore Lava Tubes
Tours run regularly to check out the caverns and tubes that lava flows have left here on Maui. This is an activity you’ll experience in very few other places. To explore these Hana lava tubes on your own, make sure to stop at Wai’anapanapa State Park on your journey along the Road to Hana, where you can walk inside a large one that sits directly on a black sand beach and offers views of crashing waves, sea cliffs, and ocean arches.
76. Visit The Maui Tropical Plantation
Along with being a venue and event space, this plantation is home to beautiful gardens, a duck pond, shopping and ziplines, and much more. You could spend a whole day here, and we have many times! The Maui Tropical Plantation is a special place. Hop aboard the Tropical Tram Tour, visit the Bailey Historical House, watch experts husk coconuts, and even visit the Mill House for special events and outdoor live music shows.
77. Spear Fishing
Spear fishing should be left to professionals that know and understand the fish of Hawaii. If you do your research, you can join these pros and experience a whole new way of fishing. See our first Maui spearfishing experiences.
78. Miniature Golf & Bumper Boats
Central Maui is home to Maui Golf & Sports Park, which offers an assortment of fun activities for the whole family, including miniature golf, rock climbing, bumper boats and x-treme trampoline. Grab a bite to eat at Maalaea Harbor or check out the wonderful Maui Ocean Center and head next door afterwards for some fun in the sun. They are open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm, so stop here to enjoy scenic views, fun activities and celebrate a great day in paradise!
79. Submarine Tour
Atlantis Submarine will take you to depths of up to 120 feet to visit sunken ships, tropical reefs, and marine life that you could otherwise only view if scuba diving. This is an easy way for anyone to experience Maui from below.
80. Chill by a Resort Pool
If you’re not staying there, don’t even try. The oceanfront resorts of Maui have lavish pools. These impressive swimming pools often capture visitors for most of their stay. One of the best pools is at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. The biggest and most kid-friendly resort pool is located at the Grand Wailea Resort with plenty of slides and swim-up bars. The Four Seasons Resort in Wailea also offers a great adult pool for guests 21 and over.
81. Visit Historic Lahaina Town & Banyan Tree Park
The old whaling town of Lahaina is rich with history. Before it was a whaling harbor, it acted as the meeting place for Hawaiian kings to throw huge parties. One of Lahaina’s prominent features is the Banyan Tree Park that extends over an entire block.
82. Hunt for Deer
Maui is one of the few places in the world that allows hunting almost everyday of the year. Christmas is the exception. There is no limit to how many deer you kill. Basically, a dozen deer were brought to Maui in the 80s and since then, have grown to a population of around 20,000 due to the lack of predators. They cause thousands of dollars in damage every year to golf courses and private land and are now hunted to help control the growing population of this Maui invasive species.
83. Botanical Gardens
Maui offers many different botanical gardens all around the island. We have some of the most unique and beautiful flowers on Earth. We love visiting the Garden of Eden along the Road to Hana. We sometimes spend the whole day there.
84. Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Another great way to see Maui’s underwater life is by Glass Bottom Boat. Enjoy ocean views above and below without leaving your seat. For those who still want to enjoy the unique marine life and ecosystem in Hawaii’s waters without scuba diving or snorkeling, this is a wonderful way to experience the best of both worlds! Grab a comfortable seat, bring some friends and watch as experienced scuba divers show you what to look for as they explore in front of you.
85. Practice Archery
Lanai Island has archery offered at a modern range. Archery dates back to the 15th century and can be experienced now on the Pineapple Island.
