Things To Do When It Rains In Maui Hawaii
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What to do when it's raining in Maui Hawaii?
We've rarely had to ponder this because we live in south Maui where it barely ever rains. Whenever it DOES rain, we usually just work. But recently, we had some friends staying with us from the mainland during a serious downpour. They we're really not happy about the lack of options when it rains here in Maui.
We began brainstorming, and we came up with this list:
1. Dine
It's always a safe bet to get some grinds. Many restaurants can be found on the water and/or with great views that are sheltered from the rain. Up north, you'll find Mama's Fish House on the oceanfront. Down south, you'll find Five Palms in Kihei and Ferraro's in Wailea. In Maalaea, you'll enjoy views of the harbor at Buzz's Wharf. And on the West side you'll find Mala Restaurant as well as many other restaurants along the water in Lahaina. Finally, Upcountry you can try the Kula Lodge which has views of the entire island.
2. Glow Putt
Glow in the dark miniature golf is indoors and can be a great way to enjoy some family fun. It's located in Lahaina town on the west side of Maui.
3. Aquarium
The Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea Harbor has a huge shark tank with a glass tunnel through it. There are also many other smaller tanks with all types of sea life that can only be found in Hawaiian waters. Almost all parts of the exhibits are under cover. The petting tanks are outside.
4. Surf a Man-made Wave
You'll be wet anyway, so why not try surfing a fake wave where there's no risk of sharks or dangerous currents.
5. Shopping
Lahaina has some awnings along Front Street, and the Shops at Wailea are all covered. Get some gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family back home. This is the best time to do this.
6. Movies
Yeah, you've got the same movies back home, but sometimes it's nice to have an excuse to go see the latest ones.
7. See a Show (indoors)
There are plenty of indoor shows like: Ulalena, Cirque Polynesia, Warren & Annabelles Magic Show, and more. They're a lot of fun and unique to Maui.
8. Find a Pool with a Hot Tub
The pools feel the same whether it's raining or not. Take a swim and enjoy the hot tub afterwards. When it rains, people tend to stay away from the pool so you may have it all to yourself.
9. Explore Resort Amenities
(game room, bar, spa, massage)
Most resorts have plenty of leisure options for when it rains. Take advantage of your expensive accommodations by using what you're paying for.
10. Stay in Bed
If it's your honeymoon or you're getting married, it's your responsibility to spend a portion of your stay in bed. If it's raining, you have even more reason to.
11. Walk in the Rain
When do you ever get a chance to enjoy the rain back home? It's almost undoubtedly warmer in Hawaii than where you're from, so take advantage! Beaches will be empty, and you can enjoy the rain without freezing. (Caution: in the winter, you may find that even in Hawaii rain can make you feel really cold. Make sure you don't stay out too long.)
Things NOT to do when it rains:
1. Go Hiking
When there are heavy rains, streams turn into rivers and dry creak beds become torrential floods. Flash floods are dangerous because it's very difficult to predict them. The weather might be sunny and dry at the bottom, but the top may be raining heavily. This makes for a sudden volume of water being pushed your way. Be careful!!
2. Go Surfing, Swimming, or Snorkeling in the Ocean.
The ocean does some strange things when it rains. The surface can get rough, the water clarity will diminish, and all the little fish will come towards shore to feed on things being washed in from the land. The problem with this last part is that little fish attract BIG fish. Sharks are much more likely to confuse you for lunch when it's raining.
3. Luau
The best Maui luaus are held outdoors, so if it's raining, you'll likely be cancelled. Watching anything for a long period of time in a down-pour can be a downer.
4. Driving Excessively
Driving in the rain is dangerous anywhere. On Maui, it can be particularly dangerous because many of the roads are 1 laned, thin and winding. The Road to Hana is a good example of this. If rain is coming down excessively, you'll find that many roads will be flooded and impassible. Besides road conditions, there are a lot of idiots that don't know how to drive in the rain too. Staying home will keep you from sharing the road with these schmucks.
We hope this was helpful. Let us know if there's anything we may have missed!
Photos courtesy of Natalie Brown. All Rights Reserved.