Welcome to the Maui Wonderlist—a compilation of the 61 best, most quintessential, most unique things to do, places to explore, and experiences to have for the ultimate Hawaiian experience on the Valley Isle

Written by Lauren
This post contains affiliate links.
There is no place quite like Maui, Hawai’i—a magical land of misty volcanoes, jungle roadside waterfalls, miles and miles of pristine beaches and killer waves, and the winter grounds of the largest humpback whale population in the world!
(Among many other things like a rich cultural heritage of the Ancient Hawaiians and immigrant populations, and the many tropical fish and sea turtles to be found around the reefs.)
So after flying all that way, if you find yourself wanting to deep dive into all that Maui has to offer, look no further!
By sea, sky, land, and various combinations therein, here is our list of 61 unique things to do in Maui for the quintessential Hawaiian experience.
Here you’ll find our complete guide to ‘Ono grindz (good eats) and quintessential Hawaiian drinking experiences on Maui, as well as our guide to find your Mālama to give back to the land that gives so much to us.
But what’s a wonderlist, you ask?
It’s our version of a breezy bucket list—a highly-curated list of the most wonderful and awe-inspiring places, activities, and experiences so that you can immerse yourself in your destination.
It’s more about the depth of the experience, not about checking things off a list.
A note on Lāhainā: out of respect for the loss and damage done in the 2023 wildfire, we’ve removed all things Lāhainā from our wonderlist while they recover. We hope one day, we can include our beloved Banyan Tree and Front Street on this list again.
The best things to do in Maui: on land
1. Embrace the aloha spirit

Aloha comes from the Alo “presence” and Hā “breath”
When you are on the islands, you will hear Aloha a lot. But it’s also something you will feel.
Yes, Aloha is used as a greeting, in the way of “Hello”. But Aloha goes beyond that. It holds a deeper sense of connection. It embodies affection, acknowledgment, warmth, and mutual respect towards another person with “no obligation in return.”
So, don’t be shy with that Aloha Spirit—in greetings and in your actions.
Slow down, be present, and show mutual regard and respect for those around you. Be patient and kind.
Allow that Aloha Spirit to sink into your bones, and as a true traveler, carry that Aloha Spirit back with you when you go.
2. Learn some Hawaiian
Mahalo
Thank you
Also used as a parting phrase
Hawaiian / Kanaka Maoli
A person of Hawaiian blood
Kama’aina
Local or longtime Hawaii resident
Haole
A white person, not a derogatory term
kapu
Forbidden, sacred, so keep out!
pidgin
A blended language developed by Hawaiian immigrants.
Includes words, phrases, and colloquialisms drawn from the Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Portuguese languages.
Pidgin can include Hawaiian words, but is different from the Hawaiian language.
Talk story
A pidgin term for spending time with family and loved ones, sharing stories to reaffirm bonds and connection
Humuhumunukunukuapua’A
The Hawaiian State fish
Translates to “triggerfish with a snout like a pig”
3. Explore Hawaiian heritage sites + museums
Some places and ideas to get you started:
◦ ‘Iao State Monument — Pronounced eee – ow, this is the sacred resting place of Maui’s chief’s. Take a short, scenic hike (.6 miles) on paved walkway through the lush ʻĪao Valley to a viewpoint of Kuka’emoku (the ʻĪao Needle), a 1200 foot peak carved out from erosion. The valley itself was a sacred site to the native Hawaiians. It’s also the site where the Maui army was conquered, and massacred, by Kamehameha I in 1790 in his campaign for island unification.
◦ Waiʻānapanapa State Park — home to over 34 sites used by the ancient Hawaiians including a heiau (religious temple) and burial grounds
◦ Haleakalā National Park—the Kīpahulu district was once home to settlements along the coast. Come explore the remains of life there: a Pā hale (housing complex), rock walls, a Ko’a (fishing shrine), and the Kanekauila heiau (temple).
◦ Hāna Cultural Center & Museum
◦ Watch a Polynesian Wood Carving demo—learn about the history of Polynesian wood carving from a local expert and try your hand at this ancient art!
◦ Hula Dance Class for beginners
◦ Listen to a Shaka guide tour—learn about interesting Hawaiian history and legends as you drive. You’ll hear some bewildering stories of Maui’s history, as well as some that are, quite frankly, very dire. But all in all, we loved learning about Hawaiian history and all about King Kamehameha.

4. Listen to local troubadours
Nothing gets you into the Hawaiian state of mind quite like hearing the strum of the ukulele and soothing island sounds of local musicians, especially when paired with the beach and a cold drink.
Some of my favorite places to hear some live tunes (outdoors at night) are around the Kāʻanapali Beachwalk, head to the Sheraton Maui pool and Lelani’s on the Beach.
South Maui Gardens also hosts free live music events most days in addition to their paid evening hula show (a must see!)

5. Learn how to make a lei
A lei is a necklace made with flowers, leaves, shells, berries, nuts, seeds, and sometimes even feathers. They are made, given, and gifted with love—a physical embodiment of aloha. Lei are seen as the embrace of a loved one.
Head up to Haku Maui in Makawao town to attend one of their weekly lei workshops. If you happen to be one of the guests at a Wailea resort such as the Fairmont Kea Lani or the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, you can attend one of their regular lei making workshops.

6. Throw up a Shaka
A Shaka is a friendly gesture made with your pinky and thumb out and shaking your hand.
It’s sometimes referred to as the “hang loose” gesture, and can also mean thank you, take it easy, right on, and things are going good.

7. Swim in waterfalls
- Twin Falls
- Twin Falls
- Twin Falls
(Or rappel off one with Rappel Maui)
Many of the waterfalls along the Road to Hāna provide swimming opportunities. The easiest to access are the three at Twin Falls, the first main stop. Be ready to be refreshed because the waterfall pools here are bracing.
You can also book a private tour for a real VIP experience with Maui Waterfall Plunge Adventure.

8. Get in touch with your inner paniolo with horseback riding
A paniolo is a Hawaiian cowboy.
Makawao is the paniolo town of Maui. So when you want to get your cowboy on, head Upcountry and saddle up.
◦ Thomson Ranch horseback riding
⁃ Morning two hour rides are $200 pp
◦ Triple L Ranch horseback riding
⁃ Learn the history and culture of Maui ranching legacies while providing support for their non-profit The Spirit Horse Ranch, their equine-assisted therapy program
⁃ Two hour ride: $200 pp
⁃ Three hour ride with lunch: $300 pp
◦ West Maui Activities
⁃ Morning and afternoon rides
⁃ 1.5-2.5 hours
⁃ $188 pp
Cowboys and cattle and horses were in Hawaii before the American West!
9. Harleys in Hawaii: ATVs, Bikes, and Motorcycles, oh my!
If you’re looking for a little more horsepower, explore the island on an ATV with Maui Off-Road Adventures or 4 Wheel with Maui Mountain Activities.
Or carve your own path with a non-guided rental of the scooter, slingshot, or motorcycle variety.
Or go the more leisurely route with a good old fashioned bicycle.

10. Take a hike
- Waikamoi Nature Trail
- Waihe’e Ridge Trail
Our top recommendations:
Kapalua Coastal Trail (an easy 2.5 miles) in Kapalua and the Ke Ala Loa a Maui/Piilani Trail (a moderate 2 miles out and back) at Waiʻānapanapa State Park for those quintessential aquamarine coastal views.
Take the jungle route on the Waikamoi Nature Trail (an easy mile loop) along the Road to Hāna or the iconic Pīpīwai Trail—a 3.8 mile forested trail to the Waimoku waterfall in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park.
Along the way you’ll encounter:
◦ The ‘Oheo’o Gulch—small waterfall and pools, sometimes called Seven Sacred Pools
◦ An overlook of Makahiku Falls
◦ A bamboo forest
11. Rent a Jeep Wrangler
Did you even go to Maui if you didn’t rent a Jeep Wrangler and drive with the top off? I’ll leave that for you to decide.
12. Take a scenic drive (or three)
Take that top off and hit the winding road!
Road to Hāna is the most well-known and popular drive on Maui (it is in fact, the drive to do). But there’s also the less well known and slightly more treacherous Kahekili Highway along the western shores of the windward side where you can stop off at local art galleries, and the more accessible, but no less beautiful Honopiilani Highway on the leeward side.
And don’t forget YOUR SHAKA GUIDE!
13. Ascend 10,023 feet to Pu’u’ula’ula—the very top of Haleakalā—and overlook all of Maui
Haleakalā is Maui’s eastern volcano, which stands at a high of 10,023 feet, making it one of earth’s tallest volcanoes!
It is an active (though currently dormant) shield volcano that last exploded sometime between the end of the 1400s and 1600.

14. See snow on Haleakalā
You might not have thought seeing snow in Hawaii was possible, but that only makes the experience all the more magical.
The summit at Haleakalā National Park is dry, cold, windy, and arid. 30 mph winds are not uncommon—like windburn strong.
In summer, average temperatures range from mid-60s°F to lows of high-40s°F. In winter, average highs top in the high-50s°F with lows in the 40s°F. However, with the wind-chill temperatures can reach below freezing at any time.
15. Experience the anuenue, the Spectre of the Brocken at the summit
When you can see your own shadow, surrounded by a rainbow, on the clouds in front and below you!
Ancient Hawaiians believed they were seeing their souls, and the rainbow meant that their souls would be taken care of in Heaven after they passed into the great beyond.
16. Birdwatch endangered Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Haleakalā is home to what remains of Maui’s native forest birds.
Be on the lookout for Honeycreepers:
◦ kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill)
◦ ʻākohekohe (crested honeycreeper)
◦ ‘ālauahio (Maui creeper)
◦ ʻIʻiwi (scarlet honeycreeper)
◦ ʻApapane
◦ ʻAmakihi
17. Stargaze on top of a volcano
Haleakalā National Park also happens to be the best place on the island to stargaze.
Head out on a guided Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Tour with Dinner or see the stars with Maui Stargazing.
18. Explore Pā’ia town for those north shore vibes
Pā’ia is a quaint surfer town on the north shore full of character, charm, and hippies (don’t be surprised if you see most locals going barefoot in these parts). In some ways, Pā’ia feels like it stands still in time, but it’s full of cute shops, good eats, hidden gems, and all the chill vibes.
◦ eat at Paia Fish Market
◦ shop for souvenirs in Lilikoi Paia Maui and Lele by Adelina on Baldwin Avenue
◦ drinks and snacks at Paia Bay Coffee Bar (now Belle Surf Cafe)
◦ nightcap at Vana Paia
19. Explore Upcountry
“Upcountry Maui” is, well, up country. It’s the elevated range (aka the slopes) around Haleakalā.
Up here you’ll find cooler weather, expansive views out over the land to the sea, an even slower pace of life, farms galore, local grinds, a plethora of choices to get you out and connected to the land and its people, Makawao Town, and, of course, Haleakalā National Park, a currently dormant (but still active!) volcano.
20. Stay at a spa
The Oasis at Ho’omana Spa
Do yourself a favor and book yourself some time with Native Hawaiian and cultural practitioner Jeana Iwalani Naluai.
Ho’omana Spa offers a variety of traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massages and several Hawaiian spa rituals “steeped in ancestral teachings, offering an authentic and empowering spa experience.”
Lumeria Maui
Retreat to 5.6 acres overlooking the north shore and central valley featuring a swimming pool, meditation labyrinth, wellness spa, on-site farm to table restaurant, outdoor fire pits, gathering spaces, yoga studios, and a hammock forest to rest and restore between all your adventuring!
21. Buy a hat from Aloha Hat Company
Say less, you had me at fedora.

22. Hunt a wild pig
While this one might be a little bit on the Lord of the Flies side of things, hear me out.
Pigs, while not native to Hawaii, have been an integral part of the culture here since they were brought over by the Polynesians. However, because they’re not native, they have been known to cause mass mayhem and damage to the forest system. Which is why hunting is used to keep the population in check.
Yes, you will need to obtain a hunting license before you arrive (which does require a hunter’s safety card), but if you really want to experience an authentic, primal connection to ancient Hawaiians and their way of life—there is no better way to do it.
Head out on an adventure of a life time with Lopaka’s Aloha Adventures. Lopaka’s uses only the traditional “dog and knife” or spear method of hunting.
23. Shop local
Kuhikuhi
Discover Native Hawaiian owned businesses
Maui Nui First
Eat, shop, play, live, work, stay, support local
Pop-up Makeke
Shop local Maui vendors
Kula Marketplace
Great assortment of local goods—from food (wine, honey, chocolate), bath and beauty products, home decor, and souvenirs
24. Get a hula girl for the dashboard back home
Mine is named Lola, and the small honu in her hands is Maui POG.

25. Visit a farm
Maui takes its farm life seriously, and I for one, am here for it.
Whether you’re looking for alpacas, lavender, goats, coffee, chocolate, butterflies, bees, or just general produce—Maui has got the experience for you.
Not to be missed, is the Maui Butterfly Farm in Lāhainā. Get hands on experience as you walk through Hawaii’s only walk-in butterfly house and learn about the good work the folks here are doing to revitalize Hawaii’s declining butterfly populations.
While you’re there stop by Olowalu General Store + Fruit Stall.
The best things to do in Maui: ‘Ono grindz
‘Ono grindz (good eats)
‘Ono is the Hawaiian word for anything that is pleasing, good, and enjoyable. ‘Ono is that which brings joy and happiness. True, it is often used to describe delicious foods, but it encapsulates so much more than that!
It’s an expression and embodiment of the Hawaiian spirit—one that is deeply connected to the land and sea, and rooted in community, ohana, and Aloha.
Grindz is a Hawaiian Pidgin (slang) word for food.
Mix the Native Hawaiians deep connection and love of the land with a smattering of immigrant influences over the centuries, and what you’ll find on the Hawaiian islands is a unique take on cuisine unlike anywhere else.
Any trip to the Valley Isle (or any Hawaiian island really) would be remiss if you didn’t indulge in some good (and unique) ‘Ono grindz!
26. Essential Hawaiian foods to try while you’re on Maui:
Poke (poke-ay)
Local made chocolate
Coffee
Spam Musubi
Fried canned meat and white rice
Malasadas
Portuguese sugar-dusted donuts
Shave Ice
Poi
A traditional Hawaiian dish made from the pounded roots of a taro plant. (Please note, poi is not for everyone, as in, I believe it to be an acquired taste. I did try it at dinner one night. That being said, it is a very honored dish in native Hawaiian culture and if you don’t like it, keep your mouth shut.)
Huli Huli chicken
Chicken marinated in soy sauce with a pineapple juice and brown sugar glaze
Lau Lau
Meat or fish wrapped in taro leaves and cooked
Kalua pork
My personal favorite! Kālua is the Hawaiian word for cooking in an underground oven (called an imu)
Plate lunch
Two scoops of rice, macaroni or potato salad, and grilled fish, beef, pork, or chicken
Hawaii is the only state that grows cacao and coffee beans!
Essential Hawaiian dining experiences to have while you’re on Maui:
27. Drink a Blue Hawaiian
Bartender, hit me with that dreamy coconut-y, pineapple-y, rum and signature namesake blue curaçao concoction. And don’t forget the pineapple wedge and tiny umbrella. Mahalo!
28. Visit a Farmers Market
Hawaii is a rich and fertile land. Its geographical location and tropical climes allow it to grow some really unique things. Plus, locally grown food is going to be fresher (and tastier) than imported produce.
◦ Upcountry Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings
◦ Hāna Farmers Market on Friday afternoons
◦ Farmers Market of Maui Kīhei Monday-Friday
◦ Napili Farmers Market Wednesday and Saturday mornings
◦ Maui’s Fresh Produce Farmers Market Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
29. Go to a Food truck park
The food truck park scene on Maui is exceptional!
Many are in lots with covered seating areas strung with lights for that warm evening ambiance glow and live music.
◦ Honoapiilani Food Truck Park in Kāʻanapali
◦ Plate Lunch Marketplace in Kahului
◦ Food Truck Park across the street from Costco in Kahului
◦ Kīhei Food Truck Park in Kīhei
◦ South Maui Gardens Food Truck Park in Kīhei
◦ Hāna Food Trucks
Erica and Jordan of The Hawaii Vacation Guide get into all the deets here
30. Get Lei’d at a Lūʻau
Lei’s are an embodiment of aloha, an embrace of a loved one.
If you’re pregnant, an open lei will be draped around your neck. It is considered unlucky to give a closed or tied lei to a pregnant woman.
A lu’au is a Hawaiian feast. Literally translated means taro leaves, that would be used to wrap laulau: a traditional dish of steamed pork, chicken, or fish.
Other traditional Hawaiian feast foods include kalua pig that is cooked in an imu (underground oven) and poi, a paste made from the pounded roots of a taro plant.
Most shows will feature storytelling through dances and cuisines from across Polynesia. But do your research because each one is different. Some are buffet style, some are table family style, some have fire dancers while others do not, some have ocean views and some do not. You get the idea.
Hula is the storytelling dance of Hawaii. It evolved as an act of worship using mele (chants), hands and body movement.
Hula ‘auana
The modern form of hula that uses instruments and vocals. This is what most people think of when they think of hula—women sashaying in grass skirts with a ukulele.
Hula ‘olapa or Hula kahiko
Traditional hula uses only chants and percussion. It is a disciplined art form that takes years to learn and master.
Expect to pay anywhere from $175-$275 per person.
Are lu’au’s touristy AF? Yes. Do I still absolutely love them? Also, yes.
If you go to Hawaii, you should absolutely attend one.
I attended Feast of Lele and could not recommend them more, but sadly, at the time of writing they still hadn’t reopened post-wildfire.
Here are some more luau options:
◦ Old Lahaina Luau
◦ Drums of the Pacific Lu’au at the Hyatt Regency Resort
◦ Gilligans’ Island Luau
◦ Wailele Luau
◦ Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui
◦ Te Au Moana Luau at the Wailea Beach Resort Marriot
◦ Myths of Maui at Royal Lahaina Resort
Another show that’s not a traditional luau but worth mentioning is the South Maui Gardens Hula and Fire Dancing Show on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings.

31. Drink a Mai Tai at a tiki bar
Mai Tai’s, one of the most popular Tiki drinks, are made of rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice and orgeat (a nuanced almond syrup). It is yummy deliciousness.
Though tiki bar themes are oftentimes overly romanticized and Americanized ideas of what tiki culture is, we love a theme here at wilder + wonder and appreciate their basic premise—a celebration of tiki culture (including Polynesian and Oceanic cultures) that includes dangerously rum-heavy concoctions and a deep commitment to tropical, nautical, retro aesthetics.
Some choice selections to acquire your Mai Tai:
◦ South Shore Tiki Lounge and Vibe Bar Maui in Kīhei
◦ Kitchen 5315 Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Kapalua


32. Caffeinate at a coffee shop

It could just be me, but nothing saws Hawaii like a cute, tropical coffee shop serving up delicious honeyed lattes.
If you’re looking for a specific coffee kind of vibe, head to Pā’ia. Here you’ll find Belle Surf Cafe and Paia Bay Coffee.
In South Maui, if you’re looking for excellent coffee (but less so focused on the vibes), we highly recommend Island Press Coffee in Lāhainā and Kraken Coffee at the Kīhei Food Truck Park.
33. Buy that fresh Maui gold from a roadside fruit stand
Pineapple. Fresh Maui gold, is pineapple.
Huelo Lookout Stand, for instance, is a great place to get one. The aforementioned farmers markets would also be a good place to acquire a pineapple.

34. Eat dinner beachside in Kāʻanapali

For all those oceanside, sunset over the beach views while you wine and dine until the tiki torches get lit:
◦ Hula Grill
◦ Lelani’s on the beach
◦ Burger Shack at Fleming Beach
35. Eat fresh Maui chocolate
- Hana Gold Chocolate Farm
- Hana Gold Chocolate Farm
As the only US state that grows cacao beans, it’d really be a shame to come all this way and not taste some locally grown and crafted chocolate.
Stop by Ku’ia Estate Chocolate in Lāhainā for a ninety minute bean to bar chocolate factory experience. Or head out to their farm for a Guided Cacao Farm Tour & Tasting.
Or visit Hana Gold Chocolate Farm, one of Hawaii’s first cacao plantations, on your way to Hāna. They make the most delicious small, daily-made batches of chocolate-y goodness. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and given a fun, brief overview of what the cacao growing, harvesting, and processing cycle looks like while you wander around the shop porch.
36. Dine at one of these notable Maui restaurants:
Cafe O’Lei at THE Plantation HOUSE in Wailuku
Fresh, local, and family-owned with beautiful views and lanai seating
Paia Fish Market in Pā’ia and Kīhei
Counter service with fresh, laid back fare
MAMA’S FISH HOUSE in Pā’ia
Major date night vibes for a night out. Fresh catch brought in daily. Make sure to make reservations (they book months in advance!)
HALI’IMAILE GENERAL STORE in Hali’imaile
Award-winning farm-to-table restaurant with a retro Hawaiian vibes
LEODA’S KITCHEN AND PIE SHOP in Lāhainā
Save room for pie!
BURGER SHACK at Fleming Beach in Kapalua
For all the beachside lunch vibes! One of the most scenic dining locales on the entire island
37. Visit a winery or brewery
Spend a picturesque afternoon drinking wine at MauiWine with scenic panoramic views over the island, get your Jack Sparrow on at Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery, or sip all the seltzers at Maui Brewing Co.
The best things to do in Maui: by sea and on land
38. Have the perfect beach day
- Po’olenalena Beac
- Keawakapu Beach
Photography by Jacob - Oneloa Beach
Our top five picks for the perfect beach day are Black Rock Beach in Kāʻanapali, Po’olenalena Beach in Kīhei, Keawakapu Beach in Kīhei, and Kapalua Bay Beach or Oneloa Beach in Kapalua.
What makes them our favorites? They’re all on the leeward side of the island—so think perfect weather, sandy beaches, and crystal clear calm waters.
39. Drive up to your own private beach
- Papalaua Wayside Park
- Papalaua Wayside Park
Both Papalaua Wayside Park and Ukumehame Beach Park along the Honoapiilani Highway on the leeward side of the island are idyllic strips of sandy, tree-lined beaches with underwater reefs that you can pull right up to.
Just find a spot, back the Jeep up in between the trees, and enjoy your own little slice of beach paradise all to yourself. Just you, the sun, the sea, the sand, and the sand crabs.
All in all, it’s an ideal spot to layout in the sun, swim in the clear shallow water, and put the snorkel gear on and explore the labyrinthine network between the underwater rocky reefs. Or hang up a hammock between the trees.
40. Black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Wild, rugged volcanic coastline with a black sand beach and sea caves.
You must book your time slot and parking at Waiʻānapanapa State Park in advance ($10 per vehicle). Make sure to open up your reservation QR code on your phone’s browser and screenshot it before you hit the road because chances are good you will not have service to access it when you need it.
41. Visit the only red sand beach in the world at Kaihalulu
Getting to this otherworldly scenic cove in Hāna is quite the undertaking, but to see the only red sand beach in the world? Might be worth it.
42. Explore Tide Pools
Some good spots to explore are the south end of Napili Bay, the Olivine Pools in Kapalua, Baby Beach on the north shore, Keawakapu Beach and Mokapu Beach in South Maui.

43. Behold the Nakalele Blowhole
Yes, it is just essentially high-pressured seawater skyrocketing into the air in a dramatic fashion. And we love it. Most spectacular spectacle at high tide and high surf.
A few notes:
◦ Use common sense — you’re next to the ocean. Anything can happen.
◦ Don’t get too close to the blowhole (people have died here)
◦ Don’t turn your back on the ocean
◦ Don’t take rocks from Hawaii, as to not incur the volcano goddess Pele’s wrath (but seriously though)

The best things to do in Maui: out on the sea
44. Get in touch with your inner Blue Crush and take surf lessons

I recommend waiting to book these until you get on island and meet with instructors in person to see if they’ll be a good match for you. It’ll be no problem to book a session or two that day or during your stay.
45. Outrigger canoeing
Get your Moana on with this ancient Hawaiian sport!
An outrigger canoe is a canoe with floats (called ama) attached to one side of the hull to provide balance and support. Outrigger canoes were the first ocean-voyaging ships and were used by the Polynesians to explore the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
◦ Sail, paddle, snorkel tours with Maui Sailing Canoe
◦ Drop in with the Kihei Canoe Club on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings (instruction provided)
Begin with E Ala E, a traditional chant to welcome the rising sun. Sail in the bright red and gold wa`a’s (canoes), learn about Hawaiian culture and local sea life, and end with a Mahalo chant
46. Kayaking + paddle boarding
Kayaking is a great way to get out on the water and explore some areas of Maui you couldn’t otherwise access!
Because you’re going out on the ocean, I highly recommend going out with an experienced guide!
47. Snorkel with sea turtles
Rent some gear from locally owned Auntie Snorkel or The Snorkel Store and head to Black Rock Beach, Olowalu Beach, Po’olenalena Beach, Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay, or Honokeana Cove to snorkel with some Hawaiian green sea turtles!
Consider doing a guided tour out to turtle town for your best chances.
Please practice snorkel safety and remember, to give our flippered friends some space.
No doubt, spotting a honu out in the wild is a magical experience. But don’t be a dick.
Be curious, but use common sense and give them some breathing room. They aren’t aggressive, and generally don’t seem to mind having humans in their proximity, but getting all up in their business can put unneeded stress on them and exhaust them at the expense of doing all the sea turtle things they need to do, like coming up for air and eating their veggies.
So if you happen to get to experience the magic of a wild sea turtle encounter, be cool and take it all in.
Or combine both—kayak to go snorkeling!

48. Go scuba diving
If you want to get a little more involved than a snorkel expedition, go a little bit deeper perhaps, consider doing a scuba dive with a dive company!
If you’re an experienced diver with your own gear, some top Maui dive spots are Cathedrals II off Lana’i and Back Wall of Molokini (both of which will require a boat to get there).
Some good shore dive locations are Black Sand Beach, Ulua in South Maui, Makena Landing, Five Graves/Five Caves, Black Rock, Honolua Bay, and Mala Wharf.
49. See humpback whales breach in the distance
Nearly 10,000 Koholā (Humpback whales) make their way to Maui every winter (December April).
This makes the waters off the leeward side of Maui the seasonal home to the densest population of humpbacks on the globe!
The winter months (Mid-February to late March) is the prime time to spot them. There are so many of them off the leeward coast that you can spot them breaching from the beach (sometimes even the road)!
The best places to look are off the leeward side in the ‘Au’au Channel—namely, Black Rock Beach, Lahaina Harbor, and Maalaea Bay. And the best times to see them are during the day.
I highly recommend you get out on the water to go check out these momma’s up close and personal!

50. Listen to whale song under the water
Only lone male humpback whales sing and they are the only whales that sing underwater!
Serenading from a depth of 60 feet below the surface, their tunes can go on for forty minutes and be heard up to 12 miles away. (Though lower frequencies may be able to travel much, much farther, like 10,000 miles longer.)
They’re very vocal. You can hear them with the naked ear or capture it on a GoPro to playback later. Take a note from Dory and try out your best Humpback dialect, if you feel so inspired.
Humpback whale songs can travel up to 10,000 miles!
51. Set sail on a cruise
Maui has so many cruise and sailing options to chose from—sunset pleasure cruises, dinner cruises, snorkel sails, pure sailing trips, whale watching tours, you name it. Pick your pleasure and set sail.
52. Spear an invasive fish
You could head out on a deep-fishing charter (there are plenty to chose from in Maui) or you could head out with Maui Spearfishing Academy to free dive and spear the invasive roi (peacock groupers) instead!
53. Jet the sea on a Wave Runner or Flyboard
Rentals are available from Jet Ski Maui mid-May to Mid-December. They close during whale season.
54. Watersport’s: wind surfing + foiling
Wind surfing is the result of attaching a sail to a surfboard, and Maui is world renowned for its wind surfing. If you’re up for a long learning curve, the adrenaline of wind surfing could be the next challenge you’re looking for.
No wind sports out on the waves before 11am.
Beginners are welcome at Kanaha Beach
Foiling, or hydrofoiling, is wind surfing (with a board and sail) but with a foil attached under the board which lifts it above the water. This reduces drag and creates a the sensation of gliding through/over the water.
See HST Windsurfing and Kitesurfing School and Action Sports Maui for all your surfing/paddling adventure needs.
55. Swim with sharks
You could go to the aquarium. Or you could get in it.
At Maui Ocean Center, you can spend a tranquil forty minutes on an aquatic adventure of a lifetime amongst the twenty plus sharks, string rays, and fish in the 750,000 gallon tank.
This dive is only opened to certified SCUBA divers and only open three times a week, so book in advance.
The best things to do in Maui: out on the sea + up in the sky
56. Parasailing
Parasailing is when you’re attached to a parachute via a seat sling and are lifted off the back of the boat and into the air. At less than ten minutes of flight time, it’s more amusing than thrilling, and not for those afraid of heights, but it’s a fun way to get out on the water and up in the air.
The best things to do in Maui: up in the sky
57. Take a helicopter tour
Getting up in the air and getting a Birdseye view is at the absolute top of my list for the next time I’m in Hawaii. All the first hand stories I hear is that it is absolutely incredible and a must-do!
There are several main routes helicopters fly in Maui:
◦ West Maui and the Molokai sea cliffs
◦ Over Haleakalā
◦ Hāna and waterfalls
58. Zipline through the air
Harness up and zip through the air and over the jungle.
59. Powered hang gliding
Take to the skies in a trike and fly like a bird with Hang Gliding Maui. Trikes take off and land on regular runways (not off a cliff) and are safer than paragliders.
60. Sky diving in Hāna
Head up in a Cessna 182 with Maui Skydiving for an epic once in a lifetime adventure.
The best things to do in Maui: Mālama
A’ohe hana nui ke alu’ia.
When a task is done together, no task is too big.
Mālama: to cherish, to take care of, to attend, to preserve and protect, to give back
Mālama is recognizing your part in the collective, our kuleana (responsibility) to the ‘āina (land)—even as a visitor. Mālama is a practice, a connection to the land and to each other.
Adding a volunteer day or afternoon to your Maui itinerary is becoming increasingly popular among tourists and travelers to the islands. And for good reason too!
Because there’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty and doing the work to protect and preserve a place you love so much to make you feel connected to the spirit of the place and its inhabitants.
Mālama is really a moment where your soul gets to show up and connect with the soul of the land—its culture, its people, its creatures. It’s an exchange of energy.
So whatever your skills, passions or interests (planting native trees, cleaning up beaches, helping rebuild and maintain traditional Hawaiian fish ponds, walking dogs from the local shelter), there is a volunteer opportunity for you to give back to the islands while you’re there.
61. Find your mālama
La‛akea Village Farm
“La’akea is a life sharing community that includes intellectually and developmentally disabled youth and adults dedicated to discovering, supporting, and enhancing the contribution of each individual through meaningful opportunities and productive work.”
Work alongside residents on the farm out in the fields and in the garden.
Ka’ehu
“KA’EHU is a nonprofit organization with the goal to restore the land and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian culture using a community-based, inclusive, family-oriented approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture.”
Whether you’re called to the land or sea, Ka’ehu has something for you!
Mālama ʻĀina — work in taro patches, restore streams, clear overgrowth, remove invasive species, and plant native plants
Mālama Kai — beach clean up along the shores of Ka’ehu Bay
Maui Humane Society’s Dog on Demand
Sign up to spend an afternoon exploring and playing with a pup who needs a break from the shelter! Take your dog on a hike or to the beach or even out to lunch!
Common Ground Collective
“Our organization strives to teach community members, volunteers, and students how to grow food, and provides essential knowledge and hands-on training for the efficient management of properties, all while creating and nurturing connections within the community in order to successfully get products out to market for purchase.”
Common Ground Collective is made up of passionate group of diversely talented and trained individuals with experience in sustainability, business, research, agriculture, politics, law, and hospitality whose goal is to combine their knowledge and skills “to increase food security, economic and educational opportunities in Maui County though hands-on assistance and education.”
Has helped to provide over 230,000 meals and 15,000 produce boxes to those affected by the wildfires
Wash fruit
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Noon-2pm
Haiku office
Garden
Thursdays
9am-12:30pm
Haiku House Common Ground Community Garden
Pacific Birth Collective
“We are a community-based collective growing a network of service providers and island families dedicated to education, support, and advocacy for birth and wellness choices across Hawai’i” including indigenous rights and access to Traditional Midwifery practices.
Work in the donation center
Help sort and organize donations, and fill orders needed by the community
Delivery drivers are also needed
Hungry Heroes Hawaii
“We are a food redistribution organization that receives food from community members and farms withs surplus, as well as growing our own. We have a phenomenal team who prepare nourishing meals and personally deliver them to the unsheltered heroes of Maui.”
Kitchen work
Delivery drivers
Farming at Hua Momona Farms
Upcountry Strong
“Community effort to feed the hungry, show love, and support”
A community-based organization working to get food and supplies to those who need it
Volunteer opportunities are ever-changing, check the Facebook link above for current needs.
The abounding joy and respect for the ‘āina and each other, the slower pace, the deep, peaceful presence—these are the lifeblood, woven into the day-to-day living, that sustains the unique way of life on the islands.
As a traveler to Maui, you have a really special opportunity to show up and engage with it all: the food, the flora, the fauna, the language, the land, the culture, and the people.
There are so many things to do in Maui, so many opportunities, for us to get the quintessential Hawaiian experience.
Talk story with some locals, try some ‘Ono grindz at a food truck park, attend a lu’au, learn the history and heritage of the land and its people, find your mālama, swim (or paddle or snorkel or surf or set sail—so many options) out into moana’s expanse, explore tide pools, see Maui from above on a helicopter tour, summit Haleakalā, drive a Jeep Wrangler down the winding road to Hāna, see a humpback whale breach in the distance.
Embrace that aloha spirit. Throw up a Shaka. Say mahalo and mean it.
Feel that trade wind breeze on your skin. Dip into crystal clear waters. And let your soul rest.
It’s more than just the people, though, that make Maui, Maui. It’s the very land itself, from sea to mountain. The soul of the place is very strong here.
Stop and listen—can you feel it?
Mahalo!
The Maui Collection
About Lauren
Reader, writer, traveller, itinerary-creator & mapmaker extraordinaire
Detroit-born, Nashville-bent, everywhere-bound, some of her favorite things include drinking coffee, eating in roadside diners frequented by locals and truckers alike, reading entire guidebooks front to back, visiting local bookshops, spirit questing in New Mexico, watching wildlife documentaries, listening to unapologetic amounts of Taylor Swift, and sitting in aisle seats. To name a few.

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