I love Maui. I wish I could live there permanently, but since I can’t, I will visit as often as I can throughout my lifetime. There are countless things to do in Hawaii, but here are my top 5 things to do on Maui.
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.
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.
