Maui Activities
Air Tours | Luaus, Shows & Nightlife | Ocean Activities | Land Activities
If you're wondering what are the best things to do in Maui, brace yourself for multiple options. Maui Activity categories range from Air Tours, Land Activities, Luaus and Shows, Ocean Activities, and much more. In the following, we'll discuss the many great activities available in each category and where to get the best price. We'll also tell you which vendors offer the highest quality services for the money.
Below is a list of each category's best Maui activities. If you'd like to learn more about each one as well as which vendor offers the best price for the most fun, follow the appropriate link to the full page.
Maui Air Tours
Maui Helicopter Tours are by far the most popular of the air tours. Ranging from 30 to 65 minutes, you will never forget your flight around Maui. Our favorite is the trip through the West Maui Mountains and over to Molokai. The island of Molokai has the highest waterfalls in the world, which drape over sea cliffs into the ocean. More Maui Helicopter Tours>
Maui Airplane Tours are an incredible way to see the islands from a small low flying
airplane. With the additional speed, you can even see active lava flows on the nearby island of Hawaii. More Maui Airplane Tours>
Luaus, Shows and other Nightlife Activities
You'll be surprised by how much there is to do in the evening if you plan right. A few of the options include Maui Luaus, entertaining shows, and ocean cruises for sunset with dinner.
Maui Luaus are great ways to experience an authentic Hawaiian meal and the learn of the cultural influences of the islands. With dozens of luaus to choose from throughout the islands, a Maui luau will be more traditional and offer you what you're specifically looking for. Some luaus are romantic while others are better for the kids. Whether you're going as a newlywed, or as a family, there's something for you. More Maui Luaus>
Maui Shows range from highly developed theatre to extremely entertaining magic shows. If you haven't already heard of Ulalena, you should read on and experience a spectacular show. The gorgeous landscapes and pristine beaches of Maui aren't the only things possessing magic on our island. Some of our magic shows rival Las Vegas in their illusions and are far more comedic than most stand up routines. More Maui Shows>
Maui Dinner Cruises are always a favorite for those who live on the island as well as visitors. For the price of a nice meal on land, you can experience a Maui sunset over the water while enjoying a delicious meal and sipping refreshing cocktails. In season, you can even watch whales breaching by your boat. We highly recommend a Maui sunset cruise with dinner. More Maui Dinner Cruises>
Maui Ocean Activities
The best part of Maui, in our humble opinions, is our magnificent ocean. Above and below, you'll find more activities available than any other category.
Maui Snorkeling is a great way to explore our reefs and abundant tropical sea life. It's also one of the best priced activities on the island. If you take a boat trip to Molokini Crater or walk into the ocean in front of your resort, you'll most likely see large green sea turtles, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, and brilliant colorful reef. More Maui Snorkeling>
Maui Scuba Diving is world-renowned. You'll find everything in a dive that you'd ever want. Easily accessible, you can see shipwrecks and sea caves as well as do wall dives, boat dives and shore dives. Maui is home to diverse underwater topography for you to explore with scuba. Experienced divers can dive at night and even with reef sharks. You don't need to be an experienced diver to explore the wonders of scuba. Maui has many excellent scuba schools that can train you and get you in the water the first day of class with a professional dive master. It takes less time to get certified to dive in Hawaii than on the mainland. If you're not interested in spending 3 days of your vacation learning to scuba dive, there are alternatives. Snuba is an easy way to try scuba without much training. Many of the boat charters in Maui offer equipment and training for a quick and exciting dive.
More Maui Scuba Diving>
Maui Submarine Tours are another great way to see the underwater world of Hawaii. The best part of this fun activity is that you can experience the ocean world without getting wet and you'll be in a comfortable seat. This activity is particularly attractive to those who have trouble getting in the ocean as well as for families with very young children. From glass bottom boats to fully submergible submarines, you can be a part of the underwater ocean world with little trouble.
Maui Fishing Charters are prevalent on the island. Between the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokai are many different kinds of tropical fish. Some of the boat charters are quite reasonably priced and can assure you a great time. With a variety of boat sizes and styles, you can be selective and make sure you get the right vessel for the occasion and group size.
Maui Kayak Tours are incredibly popular especially on the South and West side of the island. These areas are ideal for kayaking because of the lack of swell especially in the winter. Other than kayaking for exercise and great views, some people kayak to different snorkel or dive spots on the island. We've also seen people fishing from kayaks.
Maui Ocean Rafting is a wonderful alternative to the bigger boat trips. These tours are more economical and highly adventurous. Whale watches are especially fun on a raft. We've had friends at arms length from humpbacks off the South coast of Maui on these rafts. You can also get to Lanai and explore more closely the sea caverns and arches with an ocean raft.
Maui Sailing voyages are unparalleled when it comes to enjoying the open water and Maui ocean breezes. With multiple vessels to choose from and many activities, you'll be sailing around Maui just the way you'd like to. Sunset sails and snorkeling trips are great options.
Maui Surf Lessons are well worth the time and effort. The West and South of Maui are famous for their slow rolling waves, perfect for learning to surf. There are many great surf schools on Maui with professional and patient instructors to get you on your feet. In fact, many of these schools promise that you'll be surfing by yourself on your first day out. You can even get lessons in windsurfing and kiteboarding. Being the windy island of Hawaii, you're sure to get what you need to learn these exciting and challenging sports. More Maui Surfing>
Maui Whale Watch Tours will bring you right up close and personal with the migrating humpback whales. There's nothing like seeing a huge whale completely exit the water and make an enormous explosive splash. These gentle mammals are so graceful and beautiful that you might find yourself going more than once in the season. The boat tours are inexpensive and great for the family. Some of the boats have hydrophones from which they will project the whale's song over the speakers live as they sing. More Maui Whale Watch Tours>
Parasailing and Jet Skiing is available when the whales have left Maui waters. Parasailing is easy to do and a spectacular way to see Maui from high. Jet ski rentals are fun and exciting as well.
Maui Land Activities
Maui Ocean Center is one of the more affordable and exciting things to do in Maui. The aquarium is unrivaled with Hawaiian sealife and the experience is unforgetable. This is a great activity to do on land where you can experience the ocean without getting wet! More Maui Ocean Center>
Maui Biking the volcano is greatly popular year round. The island of Maui is home to the Haleakala Crater, a dormant volcano 6500 feet high. Your tour guides will shuttle you to the peak to watch the sunset (if early enough) and let you glide down 38 miles of road. The views all along the way are truly magnificent. Haleakala is the largest resting volcano in the world and offers 21 switchbacks throughout the green rolling hills. For a novice or experienced rider, the trip down Haleakala doesn't fail to impress any visitor. More Bike the Volcano>
Maui Road to Hana Tours are a relaxing way to see all the sights along Hana Hwy. Your informative tour guide will drive for you so you may enjoy the views. This is the easiest way to see everything without missing any waterfalls, or great beaches along the way. More Road to Hana>
Maui Camping is a great way to the island and to save some money on accomodations. There are many parks available to camp at all over the island. Hosmer Grove is popular as well as Kipahula next to the Seven Sacred Pools of Hana or the Oheo Gulch. More Maui Camping>
Maui Ziplines exhilarate you as you rush over and through forest tree lines. Ziplining is a fun activity for the whole family that will give you a taste of adventure while also enjoying amazing views. More Maui Zipline Tours>
Maui Horseback Tours bring you back to nature as you traverse ranch land on a beautiful gentle horse. The horseback trials are all easy for the beginner and the tour guide is knowledgeable and professional. Some offer picnics with breath-taking views of all of Maui. More Maui Horseback Tours>
Maui Golf Courses have become world famous for their beauty and well-built holes. There are some great world-class courses as well as sub par courses here on Maui. But even the worse courses boast ocean views and near-perfect weather. More Maui Golf Courses>
Maui Hiking is a great activity to do and can be completely free! Though we do suggest you take a hiking tour with a guide that knows the area well. The best spots are hard to find, and you don't want to wander on to private property. Taking a guided hiking tour is suggested for these reasons among others.
Maui ATV and Buggy Tours allow you to visit spots on the island that are inaccessible to regular vehicles. Besides having the luxury of seeing hidden Maui locations, you'll have a ton of fun.