Maui Activities
Along with its incredible natural beauty and many attractions, another reason Maui is such a popular vacation spot is the abundance of fun things to do on Maui! From the summit of Haleakala to the Hana Highway and on to West Maui's white sand beaches, a Maui vacation is a favorite for families, as well as honeymoons and weddings. The offering of abundant, thrilling Maui activities, as well as the natural beauty, will make your Maui vacation unforgetable. It's no wonder that Maui has been voted "Best Pacific Island" for the past 12 consecutive years by readers of Conde Naste Traveler.
If you plan on exploring Maui by car, check out this link, "Maui by car", for a summary of what to expect along the way, as well as the many attractions.
Land Activities
Several Maui tours are conducted on Haleakala, including bicycle adventures coasting down the mountain, as well as horseback riding tours of the crater. On a Maui vacation you have the option to choose from zip-line adventures, hiking to cascading waterfalls and through lush jungles, or taking one of the ATV tours. You will also find a wonderful variety of Hawaiian luau with top-notch Polynesian entertainment and Hawaiian and continental cuisine.
Air Tours
Maui Helicopter tours provide breathtaking views of not only Haleakala but the hidden beauties of this island (80 percent of the island is inaccessible by car), including steep canyons, amazing waterfalls and lush jungles. Nature has carved steep canyons, which has made way for beautiful waterfalls. Other sights that you may witness on helicopter tours are the Iao Valley and Needle, Nakalele Point, Honokohau Valley, Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua and some tours even venture over to Molokai Island. Another popular activity that is a combination of water and air activity is paragliding. You will be able to see surrounding sights as well as the beautiful coral reefs and fish below as you are wisped into the air from a platform on the stern of a boat.
Water Activities
| Sport Fishing | Submarine Tours | Scuba Diving | Snorkel Cruises | Whale Watching | Surf Lessons |
Because of the comfortable water temperatures and mild ocean conditions along with the abundance of sunshine, West Maui is a water playground in paradise. Snorkel cruises and diving charters take you to the partially sunken volcano crater of Molokini, which hosts a coral reef teeming with marine life. If you rather stay dry you can see the dephts of the ocean via a submarine adventure. From December through April, the humpback whales frolic and give birth in Maui's waters, so if your Maui vacation is set for this time of the year, be sure to add a whale watching tour to your list of "things to do on Maui". For the angler a vacation on Maui wouldn't be complette without taking in the excitement of deep sea fishing.
Maui Attractions
A top rated family attraction for Hawaii (Zagat survey, U.S. Family Travel Guide), the Maui Ocean Center coupled with Maui's beaches would alone qualify Maui for a best beach vacations list. Then there's Haleakala, another one of the many popular Maui attractions. Translated from Hawaiian, the name means "house of the sun," and this dormant volcano of Haleakala offers amazing sunrise views to those who gather at the summit above the clouds.
No Maui vacation is complete without the "Road to Hana" on your "things to do on Maui" list. The Hana Highway is a step back in time to a slower paced Hawaii. Be prepared to be amazed at the beauty of this stretch of East Maui's coastline, from its myriad of waterfalls lined with flowering vines to ancient trees and sweeping blue vistas. The Hana Highway will take you to another of the most famous of Maui's attractions, the Seven Sacred Pools.
As for nightlife, the seaside town of Lahaina offers a variety of entertainment and dining establishments. Cultural activities can be found here as well as many other places on Maui. Even veteran Maui travel enthusiasts find new and exciting things to do on Maui with each visit.
Maui Travel Facts
Maui offers more swimmer friendly beaches than any other Hawaiian island.
Approximately 3,000 humpback whales (nearly half the entire world's population of these gentle giants) winters off Maui's shores, making Maui the whale watching capital of the world.
With 728 square miles, Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands.
Average Temperature at Sea Level: 75 to 85° F.
Maui's motto is "Maui is no ka oi!" translating to "Maui is best!" Many celebrities who make their homes or second homes here would agree, including best selling inspirational author Wayne Dyer and internationally famous Hawaiian musicians: Keali'i Reichel, Keola Beamer and the group, Hapa. Former Beatle, the late George Harrison also lived on Maui.
Maui County includes the smaller islands of Lanai and Molokai.
Airports: Kahului, Maui's main airport, services direct flights to and from the United States and Canada.
For the best vacation deals on Maui, book for the off season, and as with any Hawaiian vacation, plan to reserve your spot for special activities and tours well in advance, especially if your Maui vacation will take place during the summer, spring break or over any major holiday.
