The Food Of Paradise Exploring Hawaii's Culinary Heritage – Hawaii is an absolute tropical paradise here in the US, and Maui is the best (and my favorite) island of them all!
To put it simply, Maui is just one of those destinations that holds a special place in your heart. Although we’ve only been twice (first for our honeymoon, which I highly recommend, and again recently for our 8-year wedding anniversary), Dan and I are masters at packing our itineraries with the best places and things to do. do when we travel, so it’s safe to say we pretty much did it all (including driving the entire island in one day – more on that later, haha).
The Food Of Paradise Exploring Hawaii's Culinary Heritage
From stunning beaches, clear waters and tropical landscapes, to laid-back vibes, fresh fruit and seafood, Maui has it all! And the best part? Due to its warm tropical climate, you can visit almost all year round!
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Want to reserve your own slice of Aloha? Whether you’re looking for a relaxing Hawaii vacation, an adventure-filled visit, or a mix of both, I’m here to help you plan your best travel experience by sharing the best things to do when you visit the beautiful island of Maui. !
You’ll definitely want your own car to explore Maui. Although the island is relatively small, everything is spread out, so driving yourself will be more appropriate, especially if you want to see some of the interesting places on this list. I recommend renting a car in advance with Discover Cars or Turo.
There are so many things to do and see on the beautiful island of Maui! I’ve rounded up the top 28 for you below (in no particular order).
If you’re going to Maui, you can’t miss Haleakala National Park. This place is out of this world – you can see the sunrise AND the sunset from the top of a huge dormant volcano, and trust me, I think the views are worth waking up early for! The name Haleakalā is Hawaiian for “House of the Sun.” According to Hawaiian mythology, a god named Maui climbed the mountain and looped the Sun’s rays to lengthen the day. You will understand this legend so clearly when you see the beautiful fiery red sun rise above the clouds!
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Haleakala Summit is truly a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should have on Maui. And because of its popularity, you’ll need to book a reservation to see the sunrise. If you’re looking to mix some adventure into your Haleakala sunrise tour, I highly recommend the Self-Guided Downhill Bike Tour. After you’re done watching the most amazing sunrise of your life, you can cycle down the volcano on a self-guided tour at your own pace for fresh air and beautiful views. Don’t forget to stop along the way to take pictures and have a delicious breakfast at Kula Bistro! If you can’t go on a sunrise tour, don’t worry, the sunset is just as beautiful, if not more so, especially if you stay until after sunset to gaze at the stars.
Driving the famous Hana Highway (aka Hana Highway) is an absolute must! It’s honestly my favorite thing to do on Maui! This scenic route offers some of the most beautiful views of the island. From towering waterfalls, otherworldly beaches and fresh local food, the Road to Hana is not to be missed!
There are two ways to see the Hana Highway: you can choose to drive the Hana Highway on your own or with a tour. Personally, I prefer to explore at my own pace when it comes to travel, so if you feel like it, I recommend driving yourself so you can do the same! Get the Road to Hana audio tour with GPS map or book a Road to Hana group tour here.
There are over 40 stops you can make along the Hana Road, so if you’re planning on seeing them all, make sure you start your day as early as possible to ensure you have enough time (and to avoid the crowds). If you want the full Hana experience, you can drive the entire Hana Highway (it circles the entire island of Maui) in one day, or you can take a half-day trip to see some of the more iconic spots like Black Sand. Beach, Seven Sacred Pools and Twin Falls.
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Story Time: On our first visit to Maui on our honeymoon, Dan and I left the Trail to Hana a little later than we had planned. Because we drove the entire Hana Highway we ended up coming home in the dark of the countryside (there is absolutely no light pollution or street lights here), which at first seemed a little scary, but as we crossed an open clearing we looked up to find the most beautiful sky full of stars I have ever seen in my entire life! We immediately stopped and sat on the hood of our rental Jeep to enjoy the magical landscape of bright speckled cumulus clouds and shooting stars. I won’t lie, I cried because it was such a surreal experience haha. Without a doubt a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget!
Maui’s waves attract surfers from all over the world, with popular spots like Ho’okipa Beach Park and Honolua Bay. And even if you’re a beginner, Maui is one of the best places to learn. Find a surf lesson in Maui here!
Story Time: It has always been my dream to learn to surf and our honeymoon in Maui was the perfect time to do it! Honestly, paddling was the hardest part for me (I have zero upper body strength haha) but our instructor was a gem, he towed me by holding the front of my board with his big toe! I admit I felt a little embarrassed that I had more strength in my big toe than I did in my arms, but I did so well surfing the waves that he asked Dan if he had surfed before, so that definitely made me feel better haha) .
The historic town of Lahaina is home to many art galleries, restaurants and shops. It’s a beautiful waterfront area where you can stroll around to shop, admire local art, and eat great food. If you like abstract art, check out artist Nemish, you can find some of his work at Sargent’s Fine Art. We fell in love with his “Legend of Maui” painting!
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Maui has some of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii, where you’ll find crystal clear waters and a wide variety of marine life, including coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and even reef sharks. Some of the best places to snorkel are: Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay, Napili Bay and Black Rock.
Experience traditional Hawaiian culture at a luau, where you can enjoy hula dancing, fire knife performances and a feast of delicious Hawaiian food. There are many Luau experiences to choose from, but the Old Lahaina Luʻau is the most authentic and top-rated on Maui. We loved our experience there!
Maui is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Peak whale watching season is from December to April, so if this activity is on your bucket list, be sure to plan accordingly.
There are several ways to see these amazing creatures: take a whale watching excursion, visit a lookout (Lahaina Pali Trail, McGregor Point Lookout, or Wailea Beach Path are great spots), take a scenic helicopter or airplane flight, or go on a cruise! Find a whale watching excursion
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Get a bird’s-eye view of Maui’s stunning landscape, including waterfalls, valleys and beaches by taking a helicopter tour of the island. Don’t get me wrong, the sunrise at Haleakala National Park was an amazing experience, but the DOORS OFF helicopter ride over Maui and Molokai is one of the most epic things we’ve done and I highly recommend it. If you’re not a fan of helicopter doors, don’t worry, they have a door option!
Maui’s many calm bays, such as Napili Bay or Kihei Bay, are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)! You can choose to rent and explore on your own, take a lesson, or go on a group tour. Find a Maui SUP experience
We LOVE Mama’s Fish House and recommend it to anyone visiting Maui. The menu changes based on the fresh local catch, their food and cocktails are delicious, the staff are amazing, and the desserts are to die for (I still dream about the Polynesian Black Pearl dessert, pictured above). In addition, the restaurant is located on the beach, so it makes for beautiful photos and a dining atmosphere.
Due to its popularity, definitely make a reservation well in advance! When we visited in August 2022, we didn’t realize how long the wait had been since our last visit in 2014 (they booked 4-6 months in advance), unfortunately we couldn’t make a reservation, but we still wanted to.
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