The Hawaiian tropical paradise of Maui lives up to the hype! This Hawaiian island offers priceless memory-making activities for everyone in your family—world-class beaches, stunning scenery, one-of-a-kind experiences, and time on the crystal clear water. While most tourists prioritize relaxation at their resorts, missing out on Maui’s unique activities would be a huge mistake.
While the people of Maui suffered unthinkable devastation as a result of fires in August of 2023, and Lahaina is currently rebuilding, the rest of Maui is once again open for tourism. We felt warmly welcomed by all of our hosts in the hospitality industry and were repeatedly thanked for bringing our business to the island in this challenging time.
Below is my list of the Top Ten Things to Do in Maui (post fires). Any combination of the below suggestions will help you amp up your itinerary for this Elysian island.
Download Your Own Personal Guide
After arriving at the airport, I highly recommend downloading the Guide Along app and purchasing the Maui tour. This app uses GPS mapping to provide a live narration of your journey around the island with detailed, and at times admittedly, hokey commentary on Maui’s rich history, unique topography, captivating legends, as well as excellent driving tips and specific suggestions of where to pull over and position yourself for the best jaw-dropping vista!
Maui Gold Pineapple Tour
Hawaii and its iconic pineapples go hand-in-hand! The Maui Gold Pineapple Tour in the upcountry town of Hali’imaile was super sweet. Spend ninety minutes riding through the picturesque pineapple farmland with an extremely knowledgeable guide, learning about the intricacies of the crop lifecycle and the cultivation process on this working farm.
Our favorite part was sampling the juicy pineapples while standing nestled inside acres of fields. As our guide deftly sliced pineapples with a machete, we delighted in detecting the nuanced differences in flavor profiles across various stages of ripeness. Mmmm!
We were amazed that Maui Gold Pineapple employs just four farmers who plant all of the Maui Gold pineapples throughout a staggering 1,350 acres—and they do it by hand! And as an added perk, the tour includes a souvenir gift box of tasty pineapples packaged and approved for airplane transport back home.
Farm to Taco Cooking Class
Embark on a culinary adventure where you can pick fruit and vegetables from a micro-farm and then transform your harvest into a delectable taco lunch! Our “Farm to Taco Cooking Class” at Lā Kāhea Community Farm was a stand-out experience on our vacation.
We joined two of the friendly farmer-owners, Whitney and Jakke, for an educational and interactive tour about sustainable farming and took turns gathering every ingredient needed for the day’s recipes from the trees above, plants surrounding, and even tubers hidden underground. It felt rewarding to sip refreshing raw sugar cane juice that we extracted ourselves from an electric press.
During our farm tour, my husband yanked a tremendous taro from the ground which we later chopped up into the base of our tortillas. My daughters laughed while carefully shaking ripe finger limes off the tree which then was added as zest for our tacos.
Back at the pavilion, Whitney instructed an easy-to-follow, hands-on cooking class appropriate for any skill level, where we sliced up papaya for tangy slaw, pressed taro into tortillas, and fried up some eggs into a flavorful hash. Eating the “Farm to Taco” dishes while sitting outside surrounded by the land that nourished the ingredients was a unique treat.
Who knew we liked taro so much!?! For dessert, we all devoured every morsel of our frosty banana ice cream topped with crushed macadamia nuts served in a colorful banana leaf. And I think it tasted even better knowing not just where the ingredients were grown, but also our family’s part in creating each dish.
Maui Ocean Center
Whether you have an aspiring marine biologist in your midst, need rainy day plans, or always wished you were Jacques Cousteau, the Maui Ocean Center will delight your crew. The Maui Ocean Center dedicates itself to the care and sustainability of Hawai‘i’s spectacular sea life and offers a variety of experiences, such as scuba diving with sharks (if you are certified), snorkeling atop a coral reef with an expert marine biologist, or taking an “aquari-om yoga” class.
Learn about the incredible secret world of humpback whales in the Humpback of Hawaii 3D movie in an immersive sphere theater. Little kids love touching marine life in a tidepool, watching the green turtles, and exploring displays of 40+ species of Hawaiian corals.
Our highlight was admiring all the sharks, rays, and 50+ types of colorful fish zip by while hanging out in the 360-degree-view, 35-foot-long Ocean Tunnel.
TIP: The Maui Ocean Center’s top-rated waterfront restaurant, Seascape, is a culinary treat (and can be visited separately from the Center). Read more about our recommended places to eat in Maui.
Maui Alpaca and Angora Bunny Farm Visit
Surprise your crew with a magical, up close and personal visit with a herd of alpacas and a colony of angora bunnies. First, we giggled throughout the hour we spent feeding and learning about fluffy alpacas.
When not entertained by visitors like us, these well-cared for, adorable animals frolic in acres of hillside pasture. Our crew loved making new alpaca “friends,” named Kala, Kauri, Cedar, Cassie, Cinder, and Sassy. Next, we took our seats in the Angora bunny village, laid towels on our laps, and felt a wave of calmness as we gently pet the beautiful, bushy bunnies.
Our enthusiastic guide then demonstrated how she weaves alpaca and Angora hair into delicate fiber using an old-fashioned wooden spinning wheel. My family left this educational and exciting experience with hundreds of smiling photos!
Haleakalā National Park
Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind ethereal sensation of frolicking above the clouds when you visit the dormant volcano at Haleakalā National Park. While most tour books and travel bloggers suggest visiting this park at sunrise (which my husband and I did on our honeymoon 25 years ago), our sunset visit proved to be just as magical and so much easier for our crew than waking up at 2 AM!
Feel like you are on the moon as you gaze out over the volcano’s colorful crater with its fantastical, Dr. Seuss-like cinder cones and surreal landscape. Of course, for those who seek adventure, you can look into hiking or camping or even biking (all the way down the mountain)!
TIP: Book your parking pass ahead of time to guarantee park entry. It can be very competitive to snag a sunrise pass. Dress in layers to prepare for the severe drop in temperature as you rise 10,023 feet above sea level.
The Road to Hana
With 600+ hair-raising twists and turns and 50+ toe-curling bridges, the Road to Hana is an unforgettable day trip not for the faint of heart. Keep in mind that the journey – full of cascading waterfalls, black and red sand beaches, tranquil bays, colorful gardens, fresh fruit and smoothie stands, and spine-tingling views—is more important than the destination itself, the quaint and tiny town of Hana.
Once you arrive in Hana, be sure to check out the beauty of the Pools of ‘Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools) before turning back around for the second half of your adventure. TIP: Book in advance your timed entry to the dramatic black sand beaches of Waiʻānapanapa State Park.
Prior to embarking on the Road to Hana, stop into Paiai’s Hana Picnic Lunch Company for some coffee and picnic supplies – you’ll thank yourself later. Grab a snack along the way at Aunty Sandy’s for banana bread and take a pit stop in the afternoon for shaved ice at one of the roadside stands. Also, download the Road to Hana tour from the GuideAlong app which makes this ride so much easier and more interesting.
Surf Cycling Maui and Four Winds Snorkel Ride
Maui offers many creative ways to experience its vibrant ocean life. After researching the seemingly endless boat tours available, we picked the highly-rated Four Winds II, which offers several options. Four Winds II boats snorkel trips to the famous volcanic Molokini Crater or to the beautiful Coral Gardens, both full of marine life and green sea turtles.
You can also opt to go whale watching or take a sunset cruise. For those who prefer to avoid getting wet but want to “soak” it all in——treat them to a totally immersive glass bottom viewing room that invites you to stay dry while watching marine life and snorkelers swim right beneath you! What a magical experience to enter the sea world safely and comfortably if swimming or snorkeling is not your thing.
Want to glide over the waves? Owned by two local Hawaiian brothers, Surf Cycling Maui, is an eco-friendly, aerobic way to have a blast while exploring this island’s beautiful ocean! As you leisurely pedal through the surf on a sea-bike, you’ll snap pictures of turtles, fish, and other ocean creatures. This tour lets you relax in the serene setting while learning about the island’s history, geography, and beauty.
Note: Sadly, we had to cancel our back-to-back reservations for sea-biking and snorkeling at the last minute because I woke up not feeling well that day, but they are both at the top of our list for our next visit.
Iao Valley State Park
This hidden gem located in West Maui’s verdant rainforest is reminiscent of the lush jungles of Vietnam. Take the easy half-mile paved walk uphill to view the towering 1,200-foot-tall Kuka‘emoku (‘Iao Needle), which is a massive leftover lava chunk draped in green leafy vegetation.
TIP: Be sure to reserve a parking pass in advance for this park’s very limited parking spaces.
Beach and Ocean Views
Throughout Maui, take your pick of some of the world’s very best beaches. With over thirty miles of beaches to choose from, you will be sure to find the perfect fit for your gang–those fronting the rough surf along the Kapalua cliffs, the touristy stretch beside the Kaanapali boardwalk, the golden sand picture-book waterfront in Wailea, or the secluded and rustic Makena beach.
Whether you want to swim, snorkel, surf, sunbathe or picnic, you won’t be disappointed. TIP: Check safety warnings at each beach. Many Maui beaches are often too dangerous to swim.
Retail Therapy
If you are into the latest shopping trends, craving some uniquely-Hawaiian souvenirs, or just want to escape the heat or the rain, Maui offers plenty of options at different price points. For luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, and a selection of gourmet restaurants like Lineage, Tommy Bahama, and Ruth Chris, head to the open-air Shops at Wailea.
If you prefer independent boutiques and art galleries, visit Upcountry Maui to stroll around Paniolo, a Hawaiian cowboy town, as well as the artistic community of Makawao, known as the “biggest little town.” Be sure to drop into T. Komoda Store for their famous cream puffs and The Maui Cookie Lady for a mega-sized sweet treat! Other unique neighborhoods to stroll include the quaint shops on the main streets of Wailuku, a small town full of locals, and Paia, a laid-back surfer town.
Where to Stay
We were obsessed with our week-long stay in paradise at the perfectly-located, oceanfront Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Wow! Wow! Wow! As you enter the open air lobby and set eyes upon the world-class art, the dazzling oceanfront view, and the upscale tropical vibe, you will immediately exhale and activate vacation mode.
This mega-resort which sits on one of the world’s best beaches and truly has it all. Some standouts at this recently renovated luxury property include a newly-opened spa, a 24-hour expansive gym, high-end boutiques, kid-friendly activities, an on-site luau, and special musical events.
Your whole family will delight in choosing which pool is their favorite. Enjoy spending the day in the 2,000-foot-long activity pool that includes nine pools on six different levels, all connected by river, and our family’s highlight—the lava tube 3-story-drop 262-foot-slide! Relax at the all adult (18+) Hibiscus Pool or toast to your vacation at the cozy swim up bar in a hidden grotto.
One of this hotel’s biggest perks is the array of on-site restaurants, where guests can indulge in options including, for example, Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻs seafood menu with its atmospheric thatched huts and gorgeous ocean views, Botero Lounge’s creative dishes and cocktails, Olivine’s coastal Italian cuisine, and Loulu’s convenient gourmet market-café.
The Grand Wailea’s friendly and professional staff welcomed us upon arrival with genuine Hawaiian hospitality and this sentiment extended to everyone we encountered throughout our stay—including the front desk, parking valet, housekeeping, poolside attendants, and restaurant staff.
Enjoy one of the world’s most vibrant sunsets from your suite’s private lanai or from a cabana, or from one of the many on-site restaurants, or simply with your toes in the sand. For those looking for the ultimate upgraded experience, consider booking your stay in the resort’s Napua Tower, a tropical retreat with custom-designed guest rooms and suites, accompanied by a classy lounge offering a delicious selection of food and beverages.
As you wander around this resort’s forty acres of perfectly-manicured Hawaiian gardens, stunning art installations, secluded spots for reflection, and calming waterfalls, you will feel the everyday stress evaporate from your body. All guests can participate in beach yoga, outdoor fitness classes, and cultural lessons, such as hula and ukulele.
This article merely scrapes the surface of all there is to do while vacationing in Maui. Other activities to consider include a day trip to the nearby island of Lanai, ATV riding, outrigger lessons, surfing, golfing, attending a luau, visiting a lavender farm, touring liquor factories, taking a helicopter tour, ziplining, horseback riding, and so much more.
Maui is open and ready for business! For current and helpful trip planning advice, check out the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau website. Don’t miss a chance to experience the magic of Maui, while also helping to support the people of an island who hugely appreciate the business to help them rebuild.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This guest post was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a freelance travel writer, has been traveling all her life…40 countries and loving it! Originally from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former big firm lawyer, lives near Philadelphia. Travel is her passion. As soon as one vacation ends, Lisa busily plans her next adventure for her non-stop family of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t just visit the destination…live it!” You can follow Lisa on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
DISCLAIMER
The author was provided with discounted and/or complimentary tours, admissions, and meals so that she could try them and review them for your information. All opinions are her own. Most images courtesy of Lisa Grabelle unless otherwise noted.
Pin it for later!
