Top 10 Things To Do In Maui, Hawaii - Updated 2024

things to do in maui
Swadeep Singh
Swadeep Singh 
Updated
| 6 min read

Nicknamed ‘The Valley Isle’ Maui is the second-largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago and has some amazing combinations of geology. It comprises the second-highest peak of the Hawaiian Islands, mountain range, rainforest, an active volcano, and extraordinary coral reefs. This island is also not far from The Big Island, thus people seldom skip this visit. The notable attractions of this place are Haleakalā National Park, Molokini – which is often called the snorkelers paradise, and its red, white, and golden sand beaches. You’re either curious or perhaps already have an idea about this island, which is why we’re meeting on this page, either way, Trip101 is happy to assist. Today, we are showing you an index of things to do in Maui, Hawaii, so be with us if you’re concerned because we might feature some of the things which are unheard of.

1. Swim with sea turtles at Maui’s Olowalu Reef


If someone loves swimming and snorkelling, there cannot be a greater place than Olowalu reef in Maui. Due to the presence of dense corals in this turquoise lagoon, it’s labelled as the best scuba spot of this island. Together with all the goodness mentioned above, we’re recommending this place specifically to provide you with an opportunity to swim with the Hawaiian green sea turtles. You wouldn’t even have to try so hard to find some, because it’s prominently known by the turtle reef. And that’s not all, you will see 24 types of live colourful corals, manta rays, black tip reef sharks, and very many tropical fishes. If you get luckier, there is a chance to spot whales on a distance.

Swim with Sea Turtles at Maui’s Olowalu Reef

Address: Off Mile Marker 14, Olowalu, HI 96761

Opening hours: Always open

Price: Free

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2. Get brain freeze from Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice


Shaved ice isn’t a new thing, everyone might have enjoyed this summer treat at least once in their life. So why are we putting such a common item in our top-10 list? It is because of the fact that shaved ice at Ululani Hawaiian Shaved Ice is truly remarkable. As much as I remember, I have tried not more than 10 flavours during my entire growing up years, possibly you’ve tasted a couple more, but at Ululani, you can pick 45 standard flavours, and that’s only the beginning. They have more than 10 combos, multiple add-ons like creams and chocolates, and even sugar-free options. Ululani is absolutely worthwhile when you’re on this island.

Get brain freeze from Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

Address: 61 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

Website: Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

Opening hours: 10:30 am - 6:30 pm (daily)

Price: 5 USD onwards

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3. Go on a submarine tour with Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure tour


We are now recommending you something that would remain a lifetime memory, plus it will urge you for a new photo album. People have spent their dates on first-class hotels, cruise liners, and even on charter flights, but very few have ever spent a date below the sea level. This is your chance as this adventure tour produces the opportunity to exhibit the deep affection to your partner or family in the real depth of the ocean. This submarine will dive down over 100 feet (30.5 meters) where you should explore the wonderful marine life through submarine’s 40 and above windows. Such tours can be a romantic experience, yet if you’re visiting Maui with family or alone, one shouldn’t miss this wonderful opportunity.

Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure tour

Address: 658 Front St., Ste 11, Lahaina, HI 96761

Website: Maui Atlantis Submarine Adventure tour

Opening hours: 9am - 3pm (daily)

Price: 114 USD per adult, 38 USD per child

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4. Swim in a movie-worthy waterfall of The Seven Sacred Pools

Seven Sacred Pools (16040000203)
Source: Photo by user Joe Parks used under CC BY 2.0

As one can guess, these are the natural pools that are common features of tropics, the seven sacred pools are a remote yet gorgeous place on the southwest shore of Maui. The access is covered with dense forest and you’d need to have a short hike to reach here, but the pay-off will be rewarding. This location has some famous pools and one infamous bridge which is a base for cliff-jumping, but it’s our humble appeal to never-ever jump into this pool from any height. Jumping off the bridge is restricted and accidents do happen here quite often. All in all, it’s a good place to hang out when you’re in Maui, just remember to avoid weekends and rainy days.

Swim in a movie-worthy waterfall of The Seven Sacred Pools

Address: Hana, HI 96713, USA

Opening hours: Always open

Price: Free

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5. Visit the Bailey House Museum

Bailey House Museum
Source: Photo by Flickr user Smart Destinations used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This museum is a hidden gem and it will be a treat for the history lovers. Bailey House Museum is a small scaled museum that comprises the history of all of the Hawaii and Polynesia, you will see Hawaiian and Polynesian artefacts too, some from the ancient times. Along with that, one can see historical photographs, royalty portraits, a 100-year-old canoe, and many such interesting items in its exhibition. Do come if you’re interested in knowing history, skip if such activities don’t suit your type.

Visit the Bailey House Museum

Address: 2375 A Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793

Website: Bailey House Museum

Opening hours: Mon to Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on sunday)

Price: 7 USD per person

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6. Shuck your own pearl at Pearl Factory Hawaii's Original Pearl-in-the-Oyster

things to do in maui | shuck your own pearl at pearl factory hawaii's original pearl-in-the-oyster
Source: instagram

Perhaps you do not have this idea that you’re really close to pearls when you’re in Hawaii. These gems are valued by the native since centuries, and with the modern time, the state is also exporting its famous pearls. You should also get a fine pearl from here before you fly back home, to make this experience even exiting, visit the Pearl-in-the-oyster factory. Here, you would get a chance to shuck your own pearl from a live oyster, every oyster is guaranteed to have pearl, and their specialists will help people to choose a better one. Eventually, it shall be your luck if you get a double, a triplet or even a black pearl.

Pearl Factory Hawaii's Original Pearl-in-the-Oyster

Address: 858-1 Front St., Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina, HI 96761

Website: Pearl Factory Hawaii’s Original Pearl-in-the-Oyster

Opening hours: 9:30am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 150 USD onwards

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7. Explore the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm (12)
Source: Photo by Flickr user Kristina D.C. Hoe... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

All the plains are violet here but it is not the Mediterranean, it is Maui’s Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm, the largest lavender fields of Hawaii. Tour this farm if you’re curious to do some activity that’s not clearly guessed with Hawaii because at 4000 feet (1200 meters) above the sea level on the heavenly slopes of Haleakala, this 13.5-acre (5.5 hectares) farm will give you sights of lavender fields, protea flowers, olive trees, and hydrangeas. Additionally, you would be able to shop for lavender products too that were procured here.

Explore the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

Address: 1100 Waipoli Rd, Kula, HI 96790

Website: Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 3 USD

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8. Embrace Maui kitsch at The Birdstand


Macaw parrots have a lifespan of over 50 years in captivity, the random fact was shared with you as we are about to propose an activity which would hold a very high reconnection value with your generations to come. I’ll explain, how about clicking pictures with these magnificent birds with your wife on your first honeymoon, and then coming back to Hawaii after so many years and clicking the same pose again at the same spot with your next generation, possibly with those same old birds. That ‘now and then’ photograph would be invaluable.

The Birdstand

Address: 658 Wharf St, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761-1266

Opening hours: 24 hours

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9. Go Zip-lining in Ka’anapali (from USD 214.0)

Zip-lining is always a fantastic experience, and when you add this adventure to some of the beautiful places on earth, the value multiplies. At the final spot of our list, we are sharing this precious activity tour which is positioned on the West Maui Mountains in Ka’anapali. It is an eight-line zip-line course that extends roughly two miles or little more than three kilometres. The zip-linings will hook you up for about three to four hours. Bring your Go-pros or even smartphone cameras and record videos to revisit those moments forever.

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8 Line Ka'anapali Zipline Adventure on Maui

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

300 reviews

10. Watch the sunrise over a volcano at Haleakala Crater (from USD 299.0)

Haleakala peak stands over 10,000 feet (3055 meters) tall from the sea level, and we do not feel that you need an explanation on why it is called the best spot on this island to watch the sunrise, sunsets, and the high terrain. We are starting our list with this activity as this should be your priority as well, approaching the summit is also not a very big deal. By joining this tour, you will be guided along with 13 or fewer excursionists, this group will reach to the top through bikes which will be supplied to everyone, all extra gears, warm jackets, food etc will also be provided. Not just this summit will be astonishing to you, but also the downhill bike ride will be a memorable adventure.

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Haleakala National Park Sunrise Bike & Zipline Tour

Duration: 8 to 9 hours

1 review

The best season to visit Maui

Although this little island possesses different microclimates - Haleakalā, and the West Maui Mountain receives as much as 400 inches (1016 centimetre) of rain, while some central parts like Kahului would take up to 30 inches (76.2 centimetres). Long story short, we must avoid rainy season to get the full use of our vacation, which is why one should avoid going between November and March. Maui is bliss in the summers, and also holds many festivals between April and September, like Maui Onion Festival, Aloha Festival, etc.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Also known as Bobby, Swadeep Singh is a businessman since 2013 but he has forever nurtured a passion for writing. Traveling never makes him exhausted, which is why he's never known turn down any...Read more

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