Maui is the second largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago and was the seat of the former kingdom for a long time before the regency was transferred to Honolulu in 1845. Characterised by its incomparable volcanic craters and fine sandy beaches, Maui is also called ‘the paradise island’ by its guests. Erosion has created a flat land bridge (isthmus) that connects the western mountains of Maui with the Haleakala mountain region. 

Exploring the picturesque landscapes and beaches of Maui, combined with a comfortable stay in stylish hotels or resorts, make a holiday on this dream island simply unforgettable. 

In this post, I have put together the best activities and attractions in Maui, Hawaii. You’ll also find a map of Maui at the end where I’ve marked them all for you.

When is the best time to visit Maui?

Maui is located in the tropical rainforest climate zone. The average daily temperature is 25 degrees Celsius. There are no noticeably different seasons – both the amount of rain and the temperatures are the same all year round. South Maui has the most reliable chance of sunshine.

How many days are ideal for a holiday on Maui?

You should plan at least three days for your Maui holiday to not miss any of the best attractions & activities. Of course, you can also plan a more relaxed Maui holiday and take more time. Ideal would be the combination with other Hawaiian islands. Have a look at my → Hawaii Island Hopping Guide to plan your perfect trip.

• Budget-friendly: → Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront
• Mid-Range: → Maui Coast Hotel → OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort
• Luxurious: → Four Seasons Resort Maui → The Ritz-Carlton Maui

Maui, Hawaii – The best attractions & activities

After landing at the airport in Kahului, we travelled further south by car to Kihei. Most of the hotels, resorts and holiday homes are located here and in the west of Maui, as the chance of sunshine is the highest. The most beautiful beaches can be found in these rather dry areas as well. In the north and east, the clouds remain in the mountains and rain down, creating a beautiful rainforest with waterfalls and rivers. It is therefore a good idea to book a rental car to fully explore this magical island.

My Maui map with the best attractions:

1. Iao Valley State Park – one of Maui’s best attractions

Let’s start in the west, at the Iao Valley State Park – a lush green rainforest valley through which the Iao Stream flows. In the valley’s warm and humid climate, flowers can be found everywhere. Ripe fruit hang from the trees and shrubs, some of which I had never seen before.

However, most people come here to see the Iao Needle: a volcanic rock that rises 370 metres (1,213 ft) out of the jungle and is the park’s landmark. The valley is of great spiritual significance to Hawaiians, who once carried their deceased kings here. For them, Iao was the highest god, the ‘highest light’.

We then drove along the coast of West Maui – always with the fantastic cliffs in view to the right and the dense rainforest to our left – it was breathtaking. At the westernmost point, we stopped at one of the many sandy beaches to watch a beautiful sunset. We could see as far as the island of Molokai.

In the entire western area from Kapalua to Lahaina, you can really stop anywhere to get to a beautiful sandy beach. Since Maui is considered the beach paradise of Hawaii, I want to share the best ones with you as well, as they are truly some of the best attractions of Maui:

2. The best beaches in Maui

Big Beach (between Kihei and Wailea)

It is part of the Makena State Park and is often referred to as the most beautiful beach in Maui. The beach owes its name to its length of around 1.5 kilometres. The water has a deep turquoise blue color and is perfect for swimming. When the sea is rough, the breaks belong to the surfers on their surfboards.

Wailea Beach (Wailea)

Wailea Beach is a gem, as it is located directly in front of the Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons hotel. Here you can chill out on the beach or go for a wonderful swim. Water sports enthusiasts won’t miss out either. When the sea is calm, there are good conditions for snorkeling at its southern end.

Keawakapu Beach (between Kihei and Wailea)

Located off the main road, this beautiful beach is a feast for the eyes at any time of day. It is also less crowded. That’s why you can enjoy the beach feeling undisturbed and at the end of the day with a breathtaking sunset.

Hamoa Beach (Hana)

An enchanting beach with white sand and clear water in an idyllic bay, reminiscent of beaches in the South Pacific. In calm weather, the bay is ideal for swimming; when the waves are high, it attracts surfers and bodyboarders.

Napili Bay (north-west coast)

In this picturesque bay, which is shaped like a crescent moon, you can enjoy swimming, snorkelling in the deep water and watching turtles.

3. The Road to Hana – you can’t miss this unforgettable attraction in Maui

One of Maui’s most spectacular attractions is the Road to Hana – the legendary panoramic road along the wild north-east coast, dotted with one viewpoint after another. Sometimes you drive past thundering waterfalls, sometimes through the middle of the jungle and then again past unique beaches – so many incredible spots and each one is an attraction itself.

However, the route is not without danger, as the road consists of 620 tight bends and 59 bridges, most of which can only be travelled on one lane. On one side of the highway there is often an endlessly high cliff face and on the other it descends several metres into the jungle or ocean. Sudden swerves are therefore difficult. You should make sure to plan the whole day for the 100 kilometres from Kahului to Hana, especially to take in the many stops that are worth seeing. An early start at sunrise is also worthwhile to beat the crowds.

The official Road to Hana only starts after a few miles from the village of Pa’ia and is marked with milestones from there. Caution: As the journey takes you along the rainier side of Maui, the weather can often be wet. So check the rain radar beforehand to catch a nice sunny day like we did.

If you prefer a guided & private tour to explore the Road to Hana with an experienced guide, I highly recommend this tour:

These are the best attractions & stops along the Road to Hana you can’t miss:

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 9 – Ho’okipa Beach Park

Shortly after Pa’ia, you will reach Ho’okipa Beach Park – a beautiful sandy beach with huge lava stones in the water and a strong swell. A dreamlike setting that is not suitable for swimming, but for watching windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts. Ho’okipa Beach is considered one of the top windsurfing areas in the world, with waves reaching up to 8 metres in winter. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the giant leatherback turtles that can often be found here. But please don’t touch them! You should always keep a distance of at least one metre from the animals to not disturb them. Touching turtles is prohibited by law in Hawaii.

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 9.5 – Waikamoi Ridge Trail

This short hiking trail leads directly through the rainforest and takes about 12-15 minutes. A wonderful opportunity to stretch your legs in the midst of unspoilt nature. It is also a good place to stop for a picnic. The Waikamoi Ridge Trail is located on the eastern edge of the Waikamoi Preserve, which protects some of the oldest trees on Maui.

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 15 – Lava rock bay (Nua’ailua Bay)

Near mile marker 15, a narrow turn-off on the left leads down to the sea and you come to a small and very photogenic lava rock bay. Here you can immerse yourself in the wilderness and beauty of nature and enjoy the views

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 19 – Upper Waikani Falls

Also known as Three Bears Falls, the Upper Waikani Falls are a true splendour. The triplets cascade down a steep rock face, merging into a gigantic fall when it rains heavily. At a bridge after mile marker 19, you can park your car at the side of the road (there are very few spaces) and then climb down the side of the bridge. The path is quite steep and you should be careful as it is often slippery.

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 29 – Local Market

There is a tiny market here that invites you to take a break. The small local stalls sell street food and handmade souvenirs. You should definitely try the tacos and the roasted coconut chips – absolutely delicious!

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 31 – Lava tube

Seeing the inside of a lava tube is a very special experience. At the Road to Hana you have the unique opportunity to do just that. Armed only with a torch, we descended into the gloomy depths through which red-hot lava once carved its way, leaving bizarre formations in its wake. You shouldn’t miss it. The entrance fee is $10.

Road to Hana Mile marker no. 32 – Wai’anapanapa State Park

A stop that is also absolutely worthwhile is at Wai’anapanapa State Park. With its beach of jet-black lava grains, it is one of Maui’s best attractions. There are various trails and opportunities for other outdoor activities here. Maybe you just want to sit on the beach and look out to sea – this place is simply enchanting.

A mini-trail leads to lava caves filled with fresh water. The path to the caves is marked with warning signs, as swimming and jumping into the crystal-clear water in the cave can be dangerous. We followed the trail despite the warnings and found teenagers swimming there – you just have to be a little careful.

Hana – the end of the Road to Hana

Finally you reach the sleepy village of Hana. Although Hana has a legendary reputation due to its location at the end of Hawaii’s most famous road, its 1200 inhabitants don’t try to take advantage of the stream of tourists that arrive here every day. Some guests may even be a little disappointed when they arrive. The village atmosphere is perhaps unexpected, but infinitely beautiful. That’s why Hana is also home to many expats who love this quiet and individual lifestyle in the midst of beautiful nature.

You now have the option of spending the night in Hana. However, we continued to follow the coastal road, which became more and more of an off-road track the further south we travelled. As it got darker and darker and the road is not really well lit, it was very adventurous. Fortunately, the route was no problem with a jeep. We reached our flat in Kihei shortly before midnight.

4. Kaihalulu Bay Red Sand Beach

This hidden little bay with its red sand lies just a few minutes behind Hana and is definitely on my list of Maui’s best attractions. It lives up to its name, as it means: roaring or rushing sea. However, the surrounding lava rocks protect the small beach from strong waves. We experienced a wonderful sunset here after our journey along the Road to Hana. We had to climb around a cliff to get there, as there is no direct access. But it was worth the effort: we had Kaihalulu Bay all to ourselves.

5. Haleakala National Park

Haleakala – an extinct volcano – rises over 3,055 metres (10,022 ft) above sea level and gives Maui its unique image. It seems as if it wants to protect the island for all time.

Haleakala National Park is an absolute highlight and is definitely one of Maui’s best attractions. It offers two completely different regions: Craters and lava formations on one side and bamboo forest and waterfalls on the other. Numerous hiking trails invite you to explore the fantastic landscape and nature. The most popular activity is a hike on the Sliding Sands Trail, which allows you to hike above the clouds.

We travelled by car on the Haleakala Crater Road, which zigzags up to the volcano so that you are thrown back and forth in the car. Unfortunately, the weather got progressively worse the higher we got. At the summit, which was surrounded by clouds, it was pouring with rain. After a short stop, we returned to the main road, but we discovered something else beautiful on the volcano: the unique ‘silver swords’, which can only be found in the alpine ecosystems of Hawaii.

6. Visit Molokini and Turtle Town – two of the best activities in Maui

These two spots are often combined, as they are located not far from each other off the south-west coast of the island and can be reached by boat. Definitely a must on my list of Maui’s best sights.

Molokini is a sunken volcanic crater that still partially protrudes from the sea as a small crescent-shaped island. It encloses a huge snorkelling paradise that is home to more than 240 different marine animals, such as reef sharks, octopuses and yellow trumpet fish. At the back of the island, manta rays, dolphins and moray eels like to frolic in the sea. Molokini is therefore one of Maui’s most popular diving areas. The island itself is home to numerous seabirds that raise their young here.

Another well-known and very popular snorkelling spot on Maui is Turtle Town, where – as the name suggests – you can swim with turtles. Don’t miss out on this amazing activity in Maui, because the cute little guys are simply adorable – for me, that’s a reason enough to come back here again.

7. Maui Wines – a Maui insider tip

After our visit to the Haleakala crater, we discovered a winery by chance on our onward journey. Maui Wines not only grows grapes to make wine, but also produces the unique pineapple wine. The fruit for this also comes from plantations on Maui. After a guided tour and tasting of the different types of wine, we drove back with unexpected impressions (and a 12-bottle crate in the boot). The small winery is absolutely worth a detour and is located on a restored historic site. What a unique activity in Maui!

8. Whale watching – one of the best activities in Maui

Every winter, from December to April, around 12.000 humpback whales come from Alaska to the warm waters of Maui to mate and give birth to their calves. The west coast of Maui is their most important breeding and nursery area. Humpback whales like to stay close to the coast, which favours the observation of these cute animals that love to jump up into the air. Please make sure you choose an animal-friendly tour that is organised by experts and marine scientists. My recommendation:

Maui is adventure, but also pure relaxation and can hardly be described in words. The wild, unspoilt nature in particular, with its diverse faces, invites you to immerse yourself in it. Its many beautiful beaches are an absolute dream and perfect to stroll along with breathtaking sunsets. Maui gives you an unforgettable break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our first visit left a deep impression on us and was unfortunately far too short.

Hawaii will always make my heart beat faster and Maui has now found its place in it. You don’t really need to recommend Maui because you’ll see that the island speaks for itself once you get here.

I hope my post with the best of Maui’s activities and attractions has inspired you to include the Hawaiian island in your next holiday plans. Combined with the other islands, a Hawaii island hopping trip is an unforgettable holiday. You can find out more about it in → my Hawaii Travel Guide.

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