With waterfalls, beaches, rainforests, volcanic landscapes and incredible ocean experiences, choosing what to do on Maui can be one of the hardest parts of planning your trip.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, family-friendly activities or something you simply can’t experience at home, there are plenty of memorable Maui activities to consider.
When deciding on the best things to do on Maui, one of the easiest ways to narrow your choices is to think about the kind of Maui vacation you want. Do you prefer land or ocean adventures? Active experiences or relaxing days? Half-day activities or full-day excursions?
Also consider where activities are located. Maui may look relatively small on a map, but driving times, winding roads and sightseeing stops can turn an activity into a much larger part of your day than expected.
A good Maui itinerary leaves room to enjoy where you are instead of simply moving from one reservation to the next.
Here are some of the best things to do on Maui to help you get started...
1. Experience a Maui Waterfall Adventure
For travelers looking for something beyond a traditional sightseeing tour, waterfall rappelling offers an entirely different way to experience Maui’s rainforest.
Rappel Maui operates in a privately owned rainforest valley at the Garden of Eden Arboretum along the Road to Hana. Guests learn to rappel down jungle cliffs and waterfalls using ropes, a harness and specialized equipment. No previous rappelling or climbing experience is necessary. Guides provide the equipment, instruction, and support throughout the experience.
One thing we’ve learned from introducing visitors to waterfall rappelling is that
many people arrive having never rappelled before.
Some don’t even know that “rappelling” is the name for lowering yourself down a cliff or waterfall using ropes and specialized equipment.
That’s part of what makes the experience so different from simply stopping at a waterfall overlook. You aren't only looking at Maui’s rainforest and waterfalls—you’re entering the canyon and experiencing them from a completely different perspective.
For travelers who consider outdoor adventure one of the best things to do on Maui, waterfall rappelling offers a way to experience the island that goes far beyond traditional sightseeing.
It’s an especially good choice for visitors searching for unique things to do in Maui, Maui outdoor adventures, or fun activities in Maui.
2. Drive the Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is one of Maui’s best-known experiences, but one of the most important things to understand is that the road itself is a major part of the experience.
Waterfalls, rainforest scenery, coastal views and interesting stops begin long before you reach Hana. Trying to fit every possible stop into a single day can make the experience feel rushed.
Rappel Maui is located at the Garden of Eden Arboretum between mile markers 10 and 11 on the Hana Highway. Because we see visitors traveling this route every day, one of the most practical pieces of advice we can offer is to:
allow more time than you think you’ll need.
Driving conditions, weather, traffic, and spontaneous stops can all affect your schedule.
For many first-time visitors, the Road to Hana belongs near the top of any list of the best things to do on Maui. If it is on your Maui must-do list, decide whether the drive itself will be your main activity for the day or whether you want to combine part of the route with a scheduled experience.
3. Visit Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā offers one of Maui’s most dramatic changes of scenery.
The summit rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level, creating an environment that feels worlds away from Maui’s tropical beaches.
Sunrise is famous, but sunset, hiking and daytime sightseeing can also make Haleakalā one of the top attractions on Maui.
Don't assume that beach weather means summit weather. Temperatures at higher elevations can be considerably cooler, so bring proper clothing and check current National Park Service conditions and requirements before heading up the mountain.
4. Go Snorkeling
Maui’s waters make snorkeling one of the island’s most popular activities.
Depending on the location and conditions, snorkeling can provide opportunities to see tropical fish, coral and sea turtles. Visitors can snorkel from beaches or take a boat excursion to offshore locations.
Ocean conditions matter.
What looks calm one day may be very different the next, so check current conditions and follow local safety information rather than choosing a snorkeling location solely from an online list.
For travelers creating a list of must-do activities in Maui, an ocean activity such as snorkeling also provides a nice contrast to a day spent exploring the island’s rainforests and mountains
5. Take a Hike
Maui offers hiking experiences ranging from relatively easy walks to more challenging trails.
Depending on where you go, you can encounter rainforests, bamboo, volcanic landscapes, coastal scenery and waterfalls. Conditions can change with the weather, particularly in areas where rain can affect trails, streams and waterfalls.
Choose trails right for your ability, pay attention to current conditions and closures, and respect private property.
If waterfalls are what interest you most, it’s also worth deciding what kind of experience you want.
There is a big difference between hiking to see a waterfall and descending beside or through one on ropes.
Travelers looking for the second experience are usually looking for waterfall rappelling—even if they didn't know what it was called before coming to Maui.
6. Try Surfing
Surfing is closely connected to Hawaiian culture, and Maui is a memorable place to try it.
Beginners can take lessons with an instructor and learn basic paddling, positioning and wave-riding techniques. More experienced surfers will find a variety of conditions around the island.
If you’ve never surfed before, professional instruction is a much better introduction than simply renting a board and choosing a beach on your own. Conditions vary considerably by location and day.
7. Go Whale Watching in Season
If your Maui vacation falls during whale season, seeing humpback whales can become one of the highlights of your trip.
Whale-watching excursions offer an opportunity to observe the animals from the water while learning about their behavior and annual migration to Hawaiian waters.
This is one Maui activity where the time of year matters.
If whale watching is important to you, check current seasonal information when planning your trip rather than assuming it will be available year-round.
8. Zipline Above Maui’s Landscape
Ziplining is another option for travelers looking for adventure activities in Maui.
Courses vary, but the experience generally combines speed, elevation and scenic views. It can be a good choice for families with older children, couples and groups who want an organized outdoor activity without necessarily devoting an entire day to it.
When comparing adventure activities, look beyond price.
Consider the amount of actual activity time, location, physical requirements and what kind of scenery or experience is included.
9. Kayak or Paddle Maui’s Coast
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding provide another way to experience Maui from the water.
Guided kayaking excursions are available in several areas, while paddleboarding can be an enjoyable choice when ocean conditions are appropriate.
These activities can work particularly well in the morning, leaving the remainder of the day available for sightseeing, a beach visit or another Maui activity.
10. Spend Time at the Beach
Not every day needs an itinerary.
It’s easy to fill a Maui vacation with reservations and excursions and forget to leave time simply to enjoy being on the island.
Maui’s beaches vary considerably, and leaving some unscheduled time gives you the flexibility to swim, walk the shoreline, watch the sunset or simply relax.
A good itinerary often has some empty space in it.
11. Experience a Hawaiian Luau
A luau can add Hawaiian food, music, dance and storytelling to your vacation.
Experiences vary, so look beyond the menu when choosing one. Consider the setting, cultural program, size of the event and overall experience.
A luau can also work well as an evening activity after a day spent exploring elsewhere on the island.
12. Explore Upcountry Maui
For a completely different view of the island, spend some time in Upcountry Maui.
The higher elevations around Kula and Makawao offer rolling landscapes, farms, local businesses and views that feel quite different from Maui’s beaches and resort areas.
Upcountry can be especially appealing to visitors who enjoy scenic drives and want to experience another side of Maui rather than spending their entire vacation near the coast.
How to Choose the Best Maui Activities for Your Vacation
The best things to do on Maui will be different for every traveler. With so many popular things to do in Maui, trying to do everything can quickly turn a vacation into a checklist.
Instead, choose a few experiences that show you different sides of the island.
Active vs.
Relaxing
Balance physically active days—such as hiking, surfing or waterfall rappelling—with beach time, scenic drives or a leisurely Upcountry day.
If you’re planning a particularly active excursion, consider what you’re doing immediately before and after it rather than stacking several demanding activities into the same day.
Land vs.
Ocean
Some of the top activities in Maui happen in the ocean, while others take you into landscapes you won't see from the beach.
For your first Maui vacation, consider experiencing both. A snorkeling or kayaking day feels completely different from exploring Haleakalā, the Road to Hana or Maui’s rainforest.
Half-Day vs.
Full-Day
Pay attention to more than the advertised length of an activity. Driving time matters on Maui.
The Road to Hana can easily become a full-day experience, while some scheduled activities take only part of the day. Look at where each activity is located before deciding which experiences can realistically be combined.
Families vs.
Adults
Check age, weight and physical requirements before booking adventure activities.
At Rappel Maui, for example, many guests are first-time rappellers, but participants still need to meet the tour’s age, weight and physical requirements. Knowing those requirements before booking helps families choose an experience that is right for everyone in their group.
Make Your Maui Vacation Your Own
There is no single perfect list of Maui tourist attractions or best things to do on Maui that works for everyone.
For some travelers, the perfect Maui day might mean snorkeling followed by an afternoon on the beach. For others, it might be watching the sunrise from Haleakalā, exploring the Road to Hana or stepping backward over the edge of a rainforest waterfall.
After spending years introducing visitors to one of Maui’s more unusual outdoor adventures, we’ve seen that some of the most memorable vacation experiences are often the ones travelers hadn't originally planned—or even known existed.
When building your Maui must-do list, leave room for something new.
The best things to do on Maui aren't necessarily just the famous attractions, they can also be the experiences that let you see a side of the island you didn't expect.
If you’re looking for one of the more adventurous and unusual things to do on Maui, discover what it’s like to leave the waterfall overlook behind and experience the rainforest from an entirely unique perspective.
Ready for a Maui Adventure?
See what a Rappel Maui experience is like, find answers to frequent questions, or choose your tour.