top 10 things to do in
top 10 things to do in
We loved EVERY SINGLE MINUTE we spent in Hawaii. Honestly, our list of Top Things to Do in Maui could’ve easily been 400 items long. It was so tough to narrow it to just 10. The beaches are stunning, the cliffs are rugged and breathtaking, the waters are blue and filled with beautiful fish and sea turtles. What’s not to love?
And don’t get me started on the food! We ate so many delicious acai bowls loaded with the best kinds of fresh fruit that we can’t get back in Richmond, like papaya, pineapple, guava, and more. We also fell in love with taro chips and drinks flavored with local sugar cane. I miss it so much and can’t wait to go back some day. But for now, we hope you enjoy our list of Top Things to Do in Maui.
1. Road to Hana
Obviously, the famous Road to Hana belongs on our list of Top Things to Do in Maui. The Hana Highway stretches for 64 miles from Kahului to the eastern town of Hana. Although the town of Hana definitely warrants a visit, the fun of visiting Hana isn’t just in the time spent in town but also enjoying the journey. This very popular drive is loaded with one incredible sight after another including beautiful waterfalls, stunning views of the ocean, and pristine parks and beaches. There are endless lookout points on the way to Hana. Some of our favorite stops along the road to Hana were the Garden of Eden Arboretum, Twin Falls, Wai’anapanapa State Park and Pipiwai Trail.
We also enjoyed the small markets along the way. It was wonderful to have plenty of opportunities to grab some fresh fruit and drinks en route. On the way home from Hana, we visited Paia Town and grabbed dinner. The laid back surfer vibe of this town definitely appealed to us. We certainly recommend stopping by Paia Town if you travel to Hana.
2. Fruit Tasting
A little further South of Hana is an amazing fruit farm called ONO Organic Farm which grows a ton of exotic fruits from around the globe. The owners have collected various fruits during their travels to bring home and grow on their farm. Throughout the year, they offer fresh fruit tastings based on whichever fruits are in season. We had the best time touring their farm and tasting their fruits. In fact, this is one of our most prevalent memories of our time spent on Maui.
3. Haleakala
Another memory that we’ll never forget from our time on Maui is being on the top of Haleakala. This massive volcano forms more than 75% of Maui and reaches an elevation of 10,023 feet. On the day we had scheduled to drive to the top of the volcano, the weather was dark and dreary. We were debating if we should rearrange our schedule out of fear we wouldn’t have a good experience on the summit. A local advised us that the weather at the bottom of the volcano is no indication of the weather at the top and that we should still go. That seemed odd to us but we took his advice and made the drive to the top. As we climbed, and climbed the clouds and rain got heavier as did our hearts. Until, suddenly, we drove right out of the clouds and into a clear and sunny sky. We climbed so high, that we were above the clouds!
We parked at the observatory and walked around, marveling at the sea of cotton candy clouds that stretched forever in front of us. In the distance, we could even see the summits of Mauna kea and Mauna Loa, which is the world’s largest and most active volcano on the Big Island. We stayed until it turned dark so we could witness the unobstructed view of space and count shooting stars. It got so so cold when the sun set. If you’re going to stay until dark, bring layers.
4. Explore Lahaina
We had a fun day venturing around Lahaina, popping in and out of luxury shops and art galleries along Front Street. This historical whaling village, once occupied by disorderly, drunken sailors and prostitutes, has become a very popular tourist destination drawing in the rich and famous from all over. Walking along Front Street, we felt a bit fancy, with it’s beautiful art galleries, boutique skincare and high-end clothing shops.
Lahaina also hosts Banyan Tree Court Park which has the oldest living banyan tree in the United States. This incredible tree stretches across just under 2 acres, is a quarter of a mile in circumference and has 16 trunks. It’s truly amazing to see this banyan in person and try to spot all of the little kitties that live and play amongst this impressive tree.
5. Maluaka Beach
This beach is one of several known as “TurtleTown” because it’s a great spot for swimmers and snorkelers to mingle with sea turtles in their natural habitat. In fact, we were lucky enough to witness a giant sea turtle as well as a seal climb up the beach to enjoy the warmth of the sun side-by-side. This beach is a little lesser known than others in the area which means smaller crowds. That’s always a bonus!
6. Drive Along North Shore
Less known to us than the Road to Hana was the treacherous stretch of often single-laned road called Kahakili Highway which hugs the northwestern tip of Maui from Kahului to Kahakuloa Village. Not for the faint of heart, highway 340 runs 16.5 miles north to south and can be extremely intimidating, for good reason. This challenging bit of highway is definitely the scariest activity on our list of Top Things to do in Maui. It will lead you across single lane bridges, needle you around hairpin turns and teeter along steep cliffs. As scary as this all sounds, the reality is much scarier. Do not take this highway lightly and do not take it in bad weather.
All that said, the dramatic beauty that you’ll see along this route is very well worth the 5-mile-per-hour, white-knuckled drive. We cannot emphasize enough that you should enjoy this drive but, seriously, respect it. The stunning northern shoreline of Maui is unforgettable. We loved stopping at the Nakalele Blowhole and spotting Heart Shaped Rock. And we also highly enjoyed the tiny market stand on the side of the road where we purchased the most delicious freshly made taro chips. They were perfectly crunchy and salty.
7. Kaanapali Beach
There’s a lot to love about this mile-long beach. The waters are super easy to access and there are tons of shops and restaurants connected by a well maintained concrete sidewalk. Black Rock at one end of the beach offers a fun spot from which you can cliff-jump into the ocean below. If you’re not up for taking the plunge yourself, it’s still really fun to watch the more adventurous jumpers take the leap. There’s also great snorkeling in the waters around Black Rock.
8. Hookipa Beach
If you’ve been all around Maui but have failed to spot a sea turtle, head over to Hookipa Beach at sunset where you’re guaranteed to spot not just one but many turtles. They love to climb up the beach and rest among the rocks where they’re safe from predators and protected from tourists.
This is also a perfect beach for surfers and windsurfers. The shape of the shore here creates some pretty serious swells. If you’re not skilled, do not try to venture into the water but hang out on the concrete observation area and enjoy watching the professionals at play.
9. Waianapanapa State Park
Just before you hit Hana, you must spend a little time exploring Waianapanapa State Park. This incredible, 122-acre state park has tons of trails, lava tubes, a native hala grove, freshwater caves and a black sand beach. The black volcanic sand of Pailoa Beach sets a striking contrast against the lush, bright greens of the flora and deep blue hues of the water to create a stunning scene. Along the many trails, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular ocean views. And there’s even remnants of an ancient roadway built in the 15th century under Chief Piilani, known as King’s Highway.
A grisly Hawaiian legend spins a tale of Popoalaea, a Hawaiian princess who attempted to escape her cruel husband, the Chief Kakae. She hid from him just inside the entrance of the freshwater cave. Tragically, she was discovered and killed in one of the pools. At certain times of the year, tiny red shrimp fill the pool turning the usually crystal clear water red like the blood of the slain princess. But aside from that horrific tale, the park is absolutely gorgeous.
10. Pipiwai Trail
Between Hana and ONO Organic Farm lies Pipiwai Trail. Four miles round-trip in length and very well-maintained, this trail guides you past so many pools and waterfalls that you’ll lose count. It includes the 400 ft Waimoku Falls, before dropping you onto a boardwalk that leads through a dense bamboo forest. Listening to the wind move through the bamboo and the hollow percussion of the stalks strike against one another will make you feel so zen that you won’t have a worry in the world.
So that’s our list of Top Things to Do in Maui. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed experiencing these amazing activities. Let us know in the comments below about your favorite things to do in Maui.
About Us
We love traveling together to see incredible places and eat as much delicious vegan food as possible. This site is our way of helping you plan your perfect trip based on our experiences.
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