1. Whale Watching

This one honestly depends on the time of year, but it will always be one of my top 5 things to do in Maui. The whales arrive in late November—that’s when you’ll usually see the first ones—and then they stay through April. You might catch a few at the tail end in May, but it’s not going to be very many. So, if whale watching is your number one goal, you really want to target the months of January, February, and March. That’s when you’re going to see so many whales you won’t believe your eyes.

If you can get a hotel on Kaʻanapali Beach, that’s where you’re going to feel like the whales come right up to say hello. And a balcony room is even better! At night, you can actually hear them breathing as they go by. It is one of my very favorite sounds in nature.

My personal favorite whale watching company is the Pacific Whale Foundation. Not only do they host great whale watching trips, but their scientists are also working to preserve the whales’ habitat and learn things about them. You’re contributing to both science and your own adventure at the same time with every dollar that you spend!

2. Slaughterhouse Beach

The beach has several names, officially Mokulēʻia Bay, but Slaughterhouse Beach is what I’ve been calling it since I was a little kid. I have been visiting here since the 1980’s, so it is clearly one of my top 5 things to do on Maui.

Apparently It gets its spooky name from an old Honu’ula Ranch slaughterhouse that stood on the cliffs in the 1960s.

You must be able to hike down some significantly steep stairs, but once you get down the stairs, it opens into a beautiful cove. This is the best beach for boogie boarding and just actually standing out in the waves.

When the tide is lower, you can walk out about 100 yards, and it’s still only chest-deep for an adult. Many people love to just relax in the cool water and enjoy the marvelous views. If it’s the right time of year, you can see whales breaching right from the cove. We saw several at Thanksgiving time, if you can believe it!

It is so fun to watch all the boogie boarders, from the littlest children all the way up to those who look like they are professionals. I’ve seen 360s and all kinds of other tricks on the boogie boards there at Slaughterhouse.

If you are a beach sitter instead of a boogie boarder, it’s also a perfect place. You have a great view of Molokaʻi, I think, and you can just sit and watch the waves and enjoy the sunshine—along with the entertainment of the boogie boarders, of course.

3. Haleakalā Crater

The drive to Haleakalā is absolutely one of my top 5 things to do on Maui. You go from the beach level all the way up to the top of the mountain in just the space of about an hour. The drive is fun and beautiful; you go from being in the sunshine, and often you drive right through the clouds and up to the crater. You can go on hikes, you can see the observatory, and you can do all kinds of things while you’re up there. But don’t miss the opportunity to see the rare silversword, a volcanic plant that is so different than the rest of the island!

Getting to Haleakalā requires a little bit of effort on your part before your visit, depending on your preferences.

How to visit Haleakalā

First, if you want to go for sunrise, there are tickets you need to get in advance on Recreation.gov. Some people love to go for sunrise. I am not an early bird, so there is no way I’m going up Haleakalā at 3 AM to watch the sunrise! If you are, phenomenal—if that’s your thing, you need to plan and book your tickets on the first day they become available – roughly 60 days in advance. Those sunrise tickets go fast!

For the rest of us who are late risers, it’s even easier—you don’t even need a sunrise reservation if you visit during the day! You will need a national park entrance pass per car.

4. Turtle Beach (Hoʻokipa Beach Park)

This beach is close to the airport. If you are doing an airport run to pick up family, stop at Turtle Beach. It makes it very easy to sneak in one of my top 5 things to do on Maui.

There are strict rules in Hawaii about approaching the turtles, so stay back, please—don’t be one of those people! View them from a safe distance.

On the day we were there last, a few months ago, we could see probably 50 turtles or more. Amazing!

There are two viewing options — you can see them from the beach level, and you can see them from up above on the rocks near the parking lot.

The beach is always stunning with all the lava rock in contrast with the blue water and the sand of the beach. Don’t miss the sunset here!

5. Hāna Highway

You do not want to take this one if you have any form of motion sickness!

This is a windy, windy road. It is also the only way to get to Maui‘s famous black sand beach. If you want to go to the Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, you need to plan and get reservations on the official Hawaii State Parks reservation site. I recommend you purchase your parking and entry pass when they become available, 30 days before your visit. One pass is required per vehicle.

You cannot go that day and get in. You need to buy advanced tickets! I cannot stress this enough.

The tickets have a timed entry, so prepare wisely to enter within the first 30 minutes of your ticket window. If you are late, you may not be allowed into the parking lot.

The Black Sand Beach is a two-hour drive from Paia, so plan accordingly.

For those of you who have hearty stomachs and want to take on the Hana Highway. It is amazing, it’s beautiful, and it’s narrow, and you get to see some of the best views you will ever enjoy in your lifetime. I love the drive, and I don’t get sick personally, so I would do it again and again.

I’ve given you several ideas of what to do when you visit Maui, but if you would like help booking your Hawaiian experience, as a travel agent, I can help you have the best experience possible.

Many people assume that because you can book a vacation on your phone in your pajamas, you should. (Hint: you shouldn’t.)

Honestly, there is a huge difference between renting a hotel room online and creating a seamless, stress-free travel experience. As a trusted travel advisor, my job isn’t just to press “book”—it’s to act as your strategist, advocate, and safety net. I’m here to serve you, my client—not the travel industry.

If you are wondering, “What does a travel agent do?” here is what I do as a modern travel agent to make your life and your vacations infinitely better.

What Does a Travel Agent Do: We Handle the Overwhelm (and Save You Time)

The internet gives all of us everything at our fingertips, but that leads to decision fatigue and 45 open tabs in your web browser.

Planning a vacation today—especially highly complex trips like a multi-generational Disney Cruise Line vacation, a European cruise, or a split-stay theme park itinerary—requires navigating a maze of dynamic pricing, booking windows, dining reservations, and park policies. And that’s just the first step!

As your personalized travel concierge, what does a travel agent do? I take care of the mess and turn it into a finely crafted experience. What does a travel agent do? I handle the phone calls, the modifications, and the headaches of planning so that everyone is happy and on the same page, so that you can focus on the fun.

In addition, I have spent countless hours in training and experiencing things firsthand so you can enjoy the experience. I know the dining booking window, the best places to eat, and when to get your Lightning Lanes or excursions so you don’t miss the experiences that are important to you.

Cruises and theme parks are where having an expert in your corner pays off the most. From securing exclusive onboard credit to getting priority cabin upgrades, read about the hidden perks of booking a cruise through an advisor.

How Working With a Travel Advisor Works (Step-by-Step)

If you haven’t used a travel agent before, you might worry that reaching out commits you to a high-pressure sales pitch. The modern vacation planning process is actually incredibly collaborative and stress-free. Here is exactly what it looks like when you work with me:

• Step 1: The Discovery Consultation: We chat about your vacation dreams, your budget, your travel style, and your specific family needs.
• Step 2: The Custom Proposal: I go to work researching options, putting together a curated itinerary tailored specifically to your family.
• Step 3: Seamless Booking: Once you approve the plan, I secure your reservations, staterooms, and initial deposits.
• Step 4: Concierge Management: I track your dining windows, watch for shore excursion openings, monitor for price drops, and handle the logistical heavy lifting.
• Step 5: 24/7 Travel Support: You head out on vacation with a dedicated advocate in your back pocket, ready to assist until you return home.

What Does a Travel Agent Do: Booking Online vs. Booking With a Travel Advisor

To see the real value of a modern travel agent, it helps to look at the data side by side.

To see the real value of a modern travel agent, it helps to look at the data side-by-side. In fact, according to the Phocuswright U.S. Travel Agency Landscape Report, travelers are rediscovering the human connection in a massive way—propelling travel agency gross bookings to a staggering $125 billion.

What does a Travel Agent Do: We Turn Your “Trips” into Tailored Lifelong Memories

Generic search engines don’t care about your family. They don’t know about Grandma’s knees that don’t work well or that your nephew only eats chicken nuggets. That’s where I come in as your travel agent. When considering “What does a travel agent do?”, I treat your family vacation just like I would my own. It’s my highest priority. And my first job is to listen to your preferences and help curate the best vacation for you and your family.

I don’t pick random hotels with the highest Google listing. What I do as your travel agent is find the hotel that matches your child’s favorite character or fits your whole family.

If you want a quiet anniversary trip, I’m here to help you find the tailored “magical moments” that will fit your family’s wishes. From restaurants to daily pacing plans, that’s what I do as your travel agent. I match a vacation to your family’s rhythm.

My advice doesn’t just come from random Google searches either. I’ve spent my time with boots on the ground, so I can tell you exactly what you do and do not want to do on a given vacation. Visiting parks and taking cruises make sure I have the most up-to-date knowledge to prevent hiccups in your travel. For an example of how that benefits you, check out my review of Disney Cruise Line and why it’s the ultimate family vacation.

The Ultimate Travel Safety Net: What Happens When Things Go Wrong?

Imagine this scenario: It’s 6:00 AM, you are at the airport, and your connecting flight to your cruise port gets abruptly canceled.

If you booked your vacation through a giant automated booking engine, your reality looks like standing in a 200-person service line at the gate while desperately refreshing an app on your phone, trying to reach a robot chatbot.

If you booked with a travel advisor, your reality is completely different. You send me a single text message, go sit down at an airport restaurant, and have a coffee. While you relax, I am already on the phone rebooking your connections, rearranging your private port transfers, and notifying the cruise line. You have a real human advocate who knows your name fighting for you.

The Cost Question: Do Travel Agents Cost More?

Some people mistakenly think that using a travel advisor costs them more money. In reality, my planning services are built directly into the vendors’ cost of your vacation, meaning you pay the exact same price whether you use me and my experience or not. But even better than that, I am constantly monitoring your reservations for new discounts to save you even more money!

If you want a deeper look at the backend of the travel industry and want to make sure there are truly no hidden catches, check out our full breakdown on how travel agents actually get paid.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Agents

Do travel agents charge a fee?

While some agencies charge flat planning fees for highly intricate, independent European land itineraries, my planning services for cruises and Disney vacations are built into the vendor cost. You pay the exact same price booking through me as you would booking directly with the cruise line. Often, I can save you money by reviewing all sales available to find the best offer for you.

Can a travel agent get me a better deal than Expedia?

While base cruise and Disney prices are generally standardized across the industry, travel advisors often have access to exclusive group blocks, special onboard credit promotions, and unique amenities that public search engines don’t offer. More importantly, we monitor your trip for price drops after you book.

Do I lose control of my trip if I use an agent?

Absolutely not! You maintain total control over your vacation choices, dining preferences, and budget. I act as your personal assistant—I handle the long hold times, the paperwork, and the fine print, while you make all the fun decisions.

Do Travel Agents only book Disney Vacations?

No! We book all types of vacations; that is what a travel agent does. That includes Disney vacations, Universal vacations, cruises, Hawaiian vacations, all-inclusive resorts, and custom itineraries, too. Custom itineraries will require a planning fee outside of the commissions paid by suppliers.