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From watching the sunrise above the clouds at Haleakalā to swimming beside sea turtles in quiet bays, the things to do in Maui are as varied as the island’s landscapes. You can spend your mornings hiking along ridges with ocean views and your afternoons learning the meaning behind traditional chants at a sunset luau. Every area offers something different, like volcanic slopes, rainforest trails, protected reefs, or historic valleys. If you want to see more than just beaches, Maui gives you chances to walk, drive, swim, and listen your way through its most meaningful places.
10 Best Things To Do In Maui
These things to do in Maui show you the island’s natural beauty, cultural depth, and quiet places that stay with you long after you leave.
1. Drive The Road To Hana
Photo: dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons
Driving the Road to Hana gives you a front-row seat to Maui’s raw, untouched landscapes. As you make your way along the winding coastal highway, you pass thick jungle canopies, cliffside drop-offs, and dozens of natural stops that don’t appear on any standard map. This drive is all about exploring at your own pace, whether you pull over for a quick walk to a waterfall or pause to photograph a quiet cove tucked below the road. You’ll want to stop often for short hikes to hidden spots like Twin Falls or to dip your feet at the black sands of Waiʻanapanapa.
Location: Starts from Kahului to Hana
Timings: 24*7
Average Cost: N/A
Nearby Attractions: Wailua Falls, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Seven Sacred Pools
2. Watch Sunrise At Haleakalā National Park
Watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā is one of the most striking things to see in Maui. The sun rises above a blanket of clouds, lighting up the crater and the slopes below in slow layers. You will be standing on the edge of a dormant volcano, surrounded by reddish rock formations and volcanic cinder cones that stretch as far as the eye can see. After sunrise, you can walk part of the Sliding Sands Trail or stop at lookouts like Kalahaku Overlook on your drive back down.
Location: Summit Area, Haleakalā Highway
Average Cost: $30/ ₹2,550 (entry fee)
Nearby Attractions: Hosmer Grove, Sliding Sands Trail, Kalahaku Overlook
3. Snorkel At Molokini Crater
Photo: Farid Askerov, whereisfarid / Wikimedia Commons
If you’re wondering what to do in Maui, snorkelling at Molokini Crater is remarkable if you want to experience marine life in calm, clear waters. The crater is located a few miles off Maui’s southern coast and can only be reached by boat. Most boats leave early from either Maalaea or Kihei, and the ride to the crater usually takes about 45 minutes. Once you arrive, the water is exceptionally clear, often more than 100 feet deep in visibility, making it easy to spot coral structures, colourful reef fish, and even the occasional reef shark or eel gliding near the ocean floor.
Location: Off the south coast of Maui, accessed via Maalaea or Kihei
Average Cost: $130 / ₹11,000
Nearby Attractions: Turtle Town, Makena Beach, La Perouse Bay
4. Relax At Kaanapali Beach
Photo: Jess Loiterton / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you’re looking for both comfort and scenic coastline, spending a day at Kaanapali Beach is the best. The beach stretches for over three miles along Maui’s western shore and is lined with fine white sand that’s easy to walk barefoot. The water stays calm near the shore, making it suitable for swimming or floating without strong currents. Just north, Black Rock draws people for casual snorkelling and cliff diving in the late afternoon. You can walk the paved beach promenade that links resort areas with beach cafés and small shops.
Location: West Maui, near Lahaina
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Black Rock, Whalers Village, Hanakao’o Park
5. Attend A Luau Show
Photo: Aldward Castillo / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
A traditional luau gives you a direct window into Hawaiian music, dance, and storytelling in one evening. These shows take place outdoors, usually at beachfront venues in Lahaina or Wailea, and most of them begin just before sunset. Once you’ve checked in, a staff member places a flower lei around your neck and guides you to a table facing the performance stage. The evening starts with a spoken introduction that covers the origins of hula, chants, and other traditional elements you’ll see. Dancers step onto the stage in rhythm with live chants, with each movement reflecting a specific story.
Location: Multiple venues including Old Lahaina Luau and Feast at Lele
Average Cost: $130 – 200 / ₹11000 – 17000
Nearby Attractions: Lahaina Historic Trail, Banyan Tree Park, Front Street
6. Snorkel With Sea Turtles At Honolua Bay
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons
Snorkelling at Honolua Bay is one of the most rewarding things to do if you’re looking for calm water and high chances of spotting green sea turtles. The bay is part of a Marine Life Conservation District and sits just north of Kaanapali. You reach it by a short walk through a shaded forest trail off Honoapiilani Highway. The entry point is rocky, but once you’re in the water, the visibility is excellent, especially in summer. Coral patches spread out beneath the surface, and turtles are often seen feeding close to the reef edge.
Location: North of Kaanapali, off Honoapiilani Highway
Average Cost: $15 / ₹1,300
Nearby Attractions: Nakalele Blowhole, DT Fleming Beach Park
7. Explore Iao Valley State Monument
Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons
Iao Valley State Monument is tied closely to Maui’s early battles and political history. Just outside Wailuku, the valley is home to the Iao Needle, a tall, narrow rock formation that rises more than 1,200 feet above the stream below. Dense vegetation covers its steep sides year-round. It stands above the valley floor and served as a lookout during battles between Hawaiian chiefs, including the famous Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790. A short paved walkway leads you to a viewpoint facing the Needle, and another trail loops down to the riverbed.
Location: Central Maui, Wailuku
Average Cost: $15 / ₹1300
Nearby Attractions: Kepaniwai Park, Maui Tropical Plantation
8. Visit Maui Ocean Center
Photo: Richard N Horne / Wikimedia Commons
Spending time at Maui Ocean Center is one of the most educational things to do, especially if you want to learn about the island’s marine life without getting in the water. Located at Maalaea Harbor, the aquarium focuses entirely on native Hawaiian sea species. Each section of the centre is designed to match real environments found around Maui, including reef shallows, tide zones, and deeper offshore waters. You can observe reef sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and native fish in large, open tanks, with detailed information panels that explain their role in the marine ecosystem.
Location: Maalaea Harbor
Average Cost: $39.95 / ₹3,400
Nearby Attractions: Maalaea Beach, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
9. Hike Waihee Ridge Trail
Photo: rjb Studios / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic things to do if you want sweeping views of valleys, mountains, and coastline without an extreme climb. The trailhead is located in West Maui, just off the Kahekili Highway, and starts with a steady incline through eucalyptus and guava trees. Early sections offer views of the ocean and the Waihee River below, while higher points open up to ridgelines that cut across the West Maui Mountains. There’s a small car park near the entrance, but it fills up fast, especially early in the day or on weekends.
Location: West Maui Mountains, north of Wailuku
Nearby Attractions: Makamakaole Falls, Mendes Ranch
10. Take A Whale Watching Tour
Photo: Richard Sagredo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Joining a whale watching tour is one of the most popular things to do in Maui between December and April, when thousands of North Pacific humpback whales arrive in the warm waters off the island to breed and give birth. Most tours leave from Lahaina or Maalaea harbours and last around two hours. Boats range from small rafts to larger catamarans with onboard naturalists who explain the whales’ behaviours as you spot them. It’s common to see tail slaps, fin waves, and even full breaches if you’re lucky.
Location: Lahaina Harbor and Maalaea Harbor
Average Cost: $50 – 90 / ₹4200 – 7600
Nearby Attractions: Lahaina Town, Baby Beach, Banyan Court Park
Maui offers more than just scenic beaches. The things to do in Maui connect you with nature, culture, and wildlife in ways that feel both real and memorable. You can hike volcanic valleys, watch whales just offshore, or enjoy hula at sunset—all without going far. With so much to see and do, a little planning goes a long way. Start exploring the best of Maui today with TripXL and make every day count.
Cover Photo: James Wheeler / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
