An ultimate list of what to see and do while visiting the gorgeous island of Maui in Hawaii.
It is no surprise that Maui, an island that is a part of the Hawaiian archipelago, is a top place to vacation in the Central Pacific. The island has the world’s largest dormant volcano, the scenic winding Hana Highway, and 30 miles of beaches to explore.
If you are visiting the other islands in Hawaii, you may be interested in these posts about what to see and do on the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu.
What to See and Do on Maui
Haleakalā National Park
Haleakala’s Crater is the largest dormant volcano in the world. The National Park offers visitors an excellent view of the island. If you are looking for a short hike Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands) is only a 0.50-mile roundtrip with 50 ft elevation change to the first overlook which offers views of the crater. Be sure to drive up to the summit, you will feel like you are above the clouds at over 10,000 ft. There are several overlooks on your way up as you climb to the summit that offers beautiful views.
One of the most amazing things to do in the National Park is to watch the sunrise from the summit. This is a viral activity therefore a permit is required to watch the sunrise.
Tip: It can be very cold and windy up at the crater and summit so be sure to bring a jacket. Also, there are no services in the National Park, so bring food and water with you into the park.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
This lush, 4,000-acre valley offers hiking, a nature center, and fantastic views of ‘offering hiking, sightseeing, a nature center & views of the ‘Iao Needle. A 0.6-mile paved walking trail leads you to the scenic viewpoint of Kuka’emoku (‘Iao Needle) which rises about 1,200 feet from the valley floor. There is also a botanical garden you can walk through and interpretive signs along the way. ‘Iao Valley State Monument is extremely popular, therefore visitors must make entry and parking reservations online ahead of their visit.
Baldwin Beach Park in Paia, Hawaii
With 30 miles of beaches on Maui, there are lots of wonderful spots to choose from. We enjoyed Baldwin Beach Park in Paia because it is a picturesque tree-lined cove with a very long, wide beach with views of mountains. The beach sometimes has turtles onshore, while we did not see any turtles on the beach during our visit we did spot some swimming in the water. The park also offers lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas, and a sports field.
Road to Hana
The Hana Highway is a winding 64.4-mile-long road from Kahului to Hana. There are over 600 curves and 50 treacherous bridges along the way. There are many wonderful places to stop along the way including gorgeous waterfalls, viewpoints/lookouts, beaches, and trails.
Shave Ice
The shave ice in Hawaii is so smooth and creamy. I highly recommend adding the snow cap to your shave ice.
Luau
There are many options for experiencing a luau. Many times your hotel will offer a luau. No matter where you choose to see the show, I highly recommend taking one in.
Other options include:
- Helicopter Tour for breathtaking views of the island
- Whale Watching Tour
- Surfing Lessons
