Top Things to Do in Maui
Maui is a diverse travel destination. Sun-drenched beaches, historic plantation towns, volcanic landscapes, sub-tropical rain forests combined with fantastic dining, eclectic shops, world-class attractions and activities for all ages. An unforgettable experience awaits in Maui as you explore all there is to do on our island.
| In Hawaiian mythology, it was from the summit of towering Haleakala volcano that the great demigod Maui famously snared the sun.
Today, viewing the sunrise from Haleakala is one of the most iconic activities on the island of Maui, although there are definitely some tricks for making the experience more enjoyable. To maximize the magic of the sun cresting the horizon, here are some tips for viewing the sunrise at Haleakala Crater.
Due to the time change, most visitors who travel to Maui are naturally waking up early during the first few days of their vacation. Remember to pack warm clothing - Even though this is Maui, the temperature up at 10,000 feet can often dip below freezing.
Haleakala National Park is home to Maui`s highest peak. Rising 10,023 (3,005 m) feet above sea level, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and is where demigod Maui lassoed the sun, slowing its passage so people had more time to dry kapa (cloth) and grow food. The dormant volcano`s "crater" is actually a valley carved by erosion. Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala has been a visitor attraction since the late 1800s when Samuel Clemens wrote: "It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always."
The park`s Summit District begins at 7,000 feet (2,134 m) of elevation and reaches 10,023 feet (3,055 m). The summit`s high elevation, the lack of light, and environmental pollution, and dynamic weather patterns make it an ideal and popular place to view the sky. Due to the popularity of sunrise viewing at the summit and limited parking, Haleakala National Park now requires reservations for each vehicle entering the park before sunrise (3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.).
Reservations. A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the park from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Beginning April 7, 2021 you may book a reservation up to 60 days in advance.
Reservation Tip! Login to your account or create a new account before Haleakala National Park Summit Sunrise tickets go on sale. You can only add a ticket to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account.
Please Note: Tickets are per vehicle, not per person. Tickets are limited to one per customer every three days.
Pack some snacks - There are not any restaurants at the top of Haleakala, and it is an hour drive back down the mountain until you will find anywhere serving food. For those who need their morning caffeine, there is often a coffee stand that opens at 3:30am just past the entrance to the Kula Lodge.
Consider riding a bike - For those who want to add some excitement to their sunrise journey up the mountain, there are numerous companies who offer bike rides down the volcano where you are driven to the top and then cost down on two wheels. Since park regulations have recently changed, you will be driven to the summit to watch the sunrise and then driven back down to the 6,500 ft level where you will begin the bike ride outside of the National Park. |
| Marvel at majestic humpback whales frequenting Hawaiis warm waters from November through April. Our certified Marine Naturalists provide the most innovative and educational whalewatch ecotours in Hawaii, drawing from nearly four decades of whale research and ocean conservation. We are proud to be Maui’s top-rated whalewatch offering the most options from both Maʻalaea and Lahaina Harbors. |
| Location: |
Lahaina & Maalea |
| Phone: |
(808) 249-8811 |
| Relax on one of more than 80 beaches fringing the islands coastline.
Maui has over 30 miles of beaches, offering a handful of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The best beaches to visit on Maui depend on what kind of vacation you’re planning. Eliminate the mystery of figuring out where the best beaches on Maui are. Relax, and feel confident trusting in our experienced perspective. Plan a beautiful holiday full of all the best things to do on Maui! |
Maui Golf
| You’ll want to frame your scorecard, no matter what you shoot. Golf on Maui is that memorable. Choose from 14 courses (several of which are ranked at or near the top of the “world’s best” lists) designed by noted course architects and golfing luminaries such as Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw. The PGA TOUR’s Tournament of Champions is held here each year, so you may even see a pro in the clubhouse. You’ll see why it’s difficult to imagine a more dramatic setting for these 18-hole masterpieces, with fairways abutting ancient lava flows, tees surrounded by palm groves, and greens arched by rainbows formed in the ocean mist. From Kapalua to Kaanapali to Wailea, the views are intoxicating. But stay focused on your game. You’ll want to show off that Maui scorecard when you return home. |
Visit Paia
| Paia, Maui reflects its heritage as a unique Hawaiian plantation village that originated in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The first mill was constructed in the 1870's as the sugar industry took hold on Maui. Paia Town was established later in 1896 with the founding of a company store for plantation workers. In recent decades, Paia has become a laid back town with local businesses and a coexistence between longtime residents and those attracted by the area's world windsurfing. The unique blend of shops, boutiques, and restaurants that make up has become a destination in its own right, nestled along some of Maui's best beaches and still surrounded by sugar cane. |
| Location: |
Paia, Maui |
| Hike through Iao Valley's rainforests to view Iao Needle rising 2,300-ft.
A paved 0.6 mile walk provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (a.k.a. the ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature which abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. Learn about the plants brought by the Hawaiians who settled in ʻIao Valley by taking a short walk through a botanical garden.
This valley is rich in cultural and spiritual values and is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790. |
| Location: |
Iao Valley, West Maui |
Snorkel Cruise
| From swimming in sight of dolphins to exploring Maui’s most vibrant coral reefs and volcanic craters, there are many different snorkel tours to choose from. |
| Aloha and welcome to Surfing Goat Dairy. Our Dairy Farm is located on the beautiful slopes of Maui's Haleakala Crater in lower Kula and has been producing award winning 'Maui Gourmet Goat Cheeses' for over 9 years. Come and take a tour of one of the Islands top Ag-Tourism venues and learn more about our goats and cheeses and what we have to offer. We hope you enjoy your visit to Surfing Goat Dairy and as they say in Hawaii... 'Da Feta Mo Betta!' |
| Location: |
3651 Omaopio Rd, Kula |
| Phone: |
808-878-2870 |
| Savor local kine grinds (local food) at Takamiya Market in Wailuku. Tucked away in sleepy Happy Valley, an old-time neighborhood in Wailuku, Takamiya Market lies hidden in the shade of a few gently swaying palm trees. However, don't just pass it by your taste buds will thank you later. This small, family-owned grocery store has been selling yummy local grub to Maui residents for over 60 years, and the result is a long history of many very happy opus (pronounced OH-poo, the word `opu` means `tummy` in Hawaiian). |
| Location: |
359 N Market St, Wailuku |
| Phone: |
808-244-3404 |
| Sample pineapple wine at Tedeschi Winery on Ulupalakua Ranch. A visit to our vineyard is not only a memorable adventure for the wine enthusiast, but a chance to experience the beauty of the island in an unparalleled way. Stroll between the rows of grapes and run your fingers through the rich volcanic soils that sustain our vines and give each of our varietals their distinctive character. In our 23-acre vineyard, you get away from it all and escape to a little slice of island paradise that is made available to few. At sunset, this experience offers an unbelievable perspective of the island that can't quite be put into words. Join us outside, in the center of one of the most unique vineyards in the world. Experience a tasting of our estate wines that is designed to be as exclusive as the ground you stand on where the flavors and aromas of our unique wines blend with the fresh mountain air and the warm glow of the majestic Maui sun disappearing behind the horizon. |
| Location: |
14815 Piilani Hwy, Kula |
| Phone: |
808-878-6058 |
Makawao Town
| Get in touch with your inner paniolo (cowboy) in Makawao Town.
Located on the mid-slopes of Maui's Haleakala volcano, Makawao has one foot in its plantation past and another in its thriving arts community. This charming town was once named one of the top 25 arts destinations in the United States.
Makawao is the biggest little town in the region locally known as Upcountry Maui and is famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Since the late 19th century, horseback-riding paniolo have wrangled cattle in Maui's wide-open upland fields. The Makawao Rodeo, held yearly on the Fourth of July, is Hawaii`s largest paniolo competition and has been an Upcountry tradition for more than 50 years. The weekend events include a parade and traditional rodeo competitions such as barrel racing, calf roping and bareback bronco riding, all with a few Hawaiian twists. |
| Location: |
Makawao, Maui |
Agriculture and Dining tour
| Taste Maui's edible treasures on an agriculture and dining tour |
| Grab island souvenirs and snacks at the Maui Swap Meet on Saturdays in Kahului. A Saturday-morning market with over 200 vendors selling food, crafts & more. Small admission fee. |
| Location: |
310 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului |
| Phone: |
808-244-3100 |
Windsurfing
| Gawk at topsy-turvy windsurfers from Hookipa Beach |
