Voted the “Best Island” by Conde Nast Traveler for years, Maui (also known as the “Valley Isle”) is a beautiful island that is home to quaint towns, communities of artists, stunning beaches, and sacred lands. It’s less populated than Oahu, the busiest of all the islands, but still has plenty to do. Maui offers the perfect mix of activities and things to do during your stay. Here are seven things you must do and see while visiting Maui.
Best Things to Do During Your Visit To Maui
1. Road to Hana
Known as one of the most scenic drives in the word, the Road to Hana is a 64.4-mile long highway stretch that features 620 different curves and 59 bridges. It’s a long drive, so definitely plan your stops along the way. Some of the most popular stops include the Garden of Eden, Black Sand Beach, Hana Bay the Seven Sacred Pools, the Bamboo Forest, and Wainapanapa State Park.
2. Haleakala National Park
Mount Haleakala is a dormant volcano that stands at 10,023-feet high and offers incredible views above the clouds. It is located in Haleakala National Park, which covers 33, 265-acres and is home to endangered species. Go for a hike and immerse yourself in nature amongst volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rain forest
3. Lahaina
This historic beach town is full of character and history, and is a great place to come shop, eat, and visit some historical points of interest. The former capital of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845, Lahaina attracts 80-percent of Maui’s tourism every year, and has a huge art scene as well. There is also a famous Banyan Tree in the town square that is more than 137-years-old that spans out to almost an acre.
4. Iao Valley State Park
Known for its natural beauty and historical significance, Iao Valley is a popular destination for visitors to Maui and is a lush landscape filled with dense rainforest, cliffs, and its prominent lava formation known as ‘Iao Needle.’ Things to see and do here include hiking along the Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop, which includes a small botanical garden with indigenous plants.
5. Nakalele Point & Blow Hole
Located at the northern tip of Maui is Nakalele Point (Nakalele means “the leaning” in Hawaiian). Many come here to see the famous Nakalele blowhole, which is a great spot for climbing and hiking across the rocks. The point and blowhole are located to the easy of Poelua Bay, and are the perfect place to take in the stunning show of water going out the blowhole as the waves and tides crash in.
6. Spa Grande
Located at the luxurious Grand Wailea Resort, Spa Grande is the best spa on Maui and has been voted among the top 10 spas in countless magazines. Come and enjoy a relaxing spa treatment after a long day of hiking in one of 40 treatment rooms in the 50,000 square-foot spa. Special features include a Roman tub, cascading waterfalls, Swiss jet showers, a Japanese furo bath, and five specialty baths.
7. Black Rock Beach
Rated one of the beach beaches in the world, Kaanapali Beach is a three-mile long stretch of white sand on Maui’s western shore. At the north end of the beach is a prominent rocky peninsula and snorkeling spot known as Black Rock, which has perfectly clear waters and is a great spot for seeing turtles. The water starts at around eight feet of depth and reaches 25 feet as one moves around the point. Many incredible fish have been spotted here, including snapper, butterfly fish, and mackerel.
This article was written by Kamala Kirk.