Amazing Maui Activities for an Authentic Hawaiian Experience
Maui is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its geography is basically just two massive volcanoes separated by a lush green valley. Despite being one of the more touristy islands, There’s still plenty of traditional culture to discover. In fact, the town of Lahaina was the former capital of the Hawaiian kingdom. This island offers a mix of outdoorsy adventure and relaxing beach resorts. Two to three days here should be enough to get the main attractions. Here’s the top 5 best experiences to enjoy on Maui!
5. Drive the Infamous Road to Hana
I do have mixed feelings about it, but no trip to Maui is complete without surviving the notorious Road to Hana. This treacherous route is only 64miles but has over 600 curvy hairpin turns, 50 one lane bridges, and countless steep drop-offs. The Road to Hana is the epitome of “Its about the Journey not the destination” emphasized by the underwhelming Hana town. The whole point is to stop at the dozens of waterfalls, beaches, and food trucks along the way.
It takes about 2hrs from the town of Kahului to reach Hana (longer with frequent stops) but try to allocate an entire day if you plan on driving back. We recommend starting before 7am and getting back before the sun sets. The drive isn’t that terrible as long as you take it super slow (max speed of like 30mph) and are prepared to stop around every curve. If driving this treacherous highway sounds more like a nightmare than a dream, there’s always the more expensive but more relaxing tour guide route. Here’s a quick itinerary with the best highlights of the journey:
- Road to Hana depart at 6am
- Twin Falls 6:38am – 7:38am
- Garden of Eden Arboretum 8:08am – 9:09am
- Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread 9:34am – 10:34am
- Upper waikani falls 10:45am – 11:45am
- Coconut Glens 12:00pm – 12:10pm
- Waiʻānapanapa State Park 12:30pm – 3:00pm – (Reserve permits in advance for this one)
- Hana – Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill 310pm -410 pm
- Wailua Falls 4:30pm – 530pm
- Back to Hotel 7:30pm
4. Watch the Sunrise from the Haleakalā Volcano
For more sketchy road trips, try the drive to Haleakalā National Park. The summit rests at over 10,000ft and will reward you with one of the best sunrises of your life. The weather at the top is unpredictable, but it is often cold, rainy, and windy so be sure to dress warm. Plan to leave between 3am and 4am, especially if you want to make it in time for sunrise. Permits only cost $1 but will need to be bought a least a few weeks in advance. If you want to kick back while an expert does all the crazy driving, then signing up for a guided tour is a good option.
3. Feast at the Old Lahaina Luau
As we mentioned earlier, Lahaina used to be the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom. So this makes the perfect place to try a traditional Hawaiian Luau. The Old Lahaina Luau in particular focuses specifically on Hawaiian culture (no fire knife show) but the ambiance is authentic. The menu is filled with all types of traditional Hawaiian food of the highest quality so you’ll definitely enjoy the feast. Although the price tag is ridiculously expensive ($230 per person!) it is a once in a lifetime experience that symbolizes the essence of Aloha. We recommend booking at least 1 month in advance and choosing the floor seating for the best views. For cheaper Luau options in Maui, check out some of these. Also check out our review of the Toa Luau for a side by side comparison.
2. Relax at the Beautiful Maui Beaches
Finally time for the relaxing Hawaii vacation you had in mind. Maui is home to some of the nicest beaches in the United States, anywhere from golden to black and to red sanded beaches. A few of the best ones to visit are the southern beaches of Makena, Ulua, Wailea, or Kaanapali Beach. Good news is all beaches on Maui are public and free for anyone to visit.
1. Snorkel at the Molokini Crater, just off the Coast of Maui
Okay now back to Maui’s adventurous side, snorkeling at a sunken offshore volcano! The Molokini Crater is a crescent shaped volcanic crater whose other half has been reclaimed by the sea. It offers some of the clearest waters in Hawaii for snorkeling, where you’ll spot gardens of coral reef and countless schools of fish. Sign up for a luxury catamaran or a speed boat rafting tour to gain access to this exclusive diving spot. We recommend going earlier in the morning, to avoid the turbulent waves of the afternoon.
Maui is the perfect destination for those looking to immerse themselves with Hawaiian culture and landscapes but also have the opportunity to relax on pristine beaches. While most of the excursions are exhausting all day endeavors, there are still some scattered moments of tranquility to be found. The average speed limit across the island is 30mph, so you’re pretty much forced to slow down and take in the moment. Use this travel guide for tips on planning your first trip to Hawaii. Stay tuned for more of our Hawaiian adventures! Until then, thanks for reading and keep leveling up.
Here’s our first experience and honest review of the Old Lahaina Luau!
Here’s our full Road to Hana experience!
Check out our full Maui travel vlog for the perfect way to spend 3 days on the island!
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