Aloha Adventure: Trails, Tides & Mai Tais

Haleakalā National Park: It is home to Maui’s highest peak, offering stunning views from its volcanic summit, often above the clouds. Visitors can explore the otherworldly landscapes of the dormant Haleakalā Crater, witness breathtaking sunrises or sunsets and hike through lush rainforests or the stark volcanic terrain. It does get cold because you are so high up on the volcano, so definitely dress warm. If you plan to see the sunrise, be sure to reserve in advance. Bike Maui is a tour company that takes you to the top of the peak, where you can bike all the way down! The ride is completely downhill, allowing you to glide through the clouds — it’s an amazing experience and not strenuous at all.

Snorkeling/scuba diving: There are so many bays to snorkel in on Maui. The water is incredibly clear and there is an abundance of fish and sea turtles! I recommend Black Rock, Kapalua Bay, Napili Bay, Turtle Town, Honolua Bay and Ka’anapali Bay for snorkeling. If you plan on snorkeling a few times, it would be worth it to buy your own gear. There are a lot of ABC stores that you can buy a mask, snorkel and fins at. Most of the beaches have snorkel gear to rent or purchase as well.

Boating: There are many different boating options - whale watching, fishing charters, snorkel tours, submarines, sunset rides, etc. I recommend the Gemini Charters snorkel sail catamaran, which includes drinks and a delicious lunch. They offer a variety of cruise options, varying in length and destination. Every time I’ve been to Hawai'i, I’ve done a snorkel catamaran cruise, and it’s always been one of my favorite experiences. We’ve seen plenty of turtles, dolphins, fish, whales and even sharks!

The Road to Hana: This is a full-day journey to Hana, which is a town on the far east side of the island. It is completely about the “journey” and not the destination, so I do recommend going with a guided tour or researching in advance so you can make the most of it. There are many stops along the way, including many waterfalls, nature trails, a botanical garden, beaches, lookouts, the best banana bread hut, etc. The drive is very curvy, so it can also be stressful to drive yourself. I don’t recommend this activity if you are easily carsick.

Luau: A classic Hawai'i tourist activity but actually very fun to experience at least once. Most typically include bottomless food/drink, usually a pig roast and then an amazing show! I recommend the Grand Wailea Luau and the Royal Lahaina Luau.

Helicopter tour: Truly an amazing way to see the landscape of Maui from the sky and see a lot of the waterfalls and cliffs! We used the company Air Maui.

Hiking:

There is a lot of amazing hiking on Maui. I recommend using the app “All Trails” to find hikes, trailheads and parking.

• Waihe’e Ridge Trail — If you’re going to do any Maui hike, this is it! It’s about a four-mile out and back moderate hike. The hike takes you through beautiful cliffs and valleys and is truly one-of-a-kind with incredible views the entire hike. It took us about two hours total with stops for snacks/photos.

• Kapalua Coastal Hike- A 2.5-mile out and back easy hike that takes you through lava fields alongside the ocean of West Maui.

• Nakalele Blowhole — A natural “blowhole” in the lava fields that you can easily hike to. Sometimes is very active and sprays a lot of geyser-like spurts, sometimes is milder.

• Hiking at Haleakalā National Park

Golfing:

• Kapalua Golf— The Plantation Course is famous for hosting the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions. This course offers challenging terrain and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

• Ka’anapali Golf Courses — Located near Lahaina, this club offers two courses, the Royal Ka’anapali and the Ka’anapali Kai, both set along the scenic west Maui coastline.

Visit Ka'anapali:

• Whalers' village - An outdoor shopping center with stores/restaurants. I love Island Vintage Coffee and Choice Health Bar for acai bowls, Monkeypod for food and drinks and Honolua Surf Co. for apparel.

• Black Rock Beach for snorkeling, swimming and “cliff jumping” off Black Rock.

• Ka'anapali Beach is an amazing huge public beach and has a great walking/running trail along the beach.

Visi Paia:

Somewhat of a “hippie” town, very laid back with lots of shops, restaurants and live music

• Ho’okipa Beach Park — It is an amazing spot for surfing, with a lookout at the parking area where you can watch the surfers in action. Down on the beach, you’ll often find many sea turtles resting.

• Shopping and restaurants downtown.

• Paia Farmers Market

Visit Wailea:

• Wailea, Polo and Makena beaches are great and South Maui is the best spot for sunsets!

• Visit the Shops at Wailea for shopping and restaurants

Breakfast and coffee:

• Island Vintage Coffee - Located in Whaler's village. My favorite place to grab a latte.

• Choice Health Bar - Amazing acai bowls and smoothies. Two locations in Paia and Ka'anapali.

• Paia Bay Coffee - Tucked away in a tropical garden, it offers a laid-back vibe and fresh, organic breakfast options like acai bowls and avocado toast.

• The Plantation House - Located in Kapalua, this is an upscale spot with a breathtaking view of the ocean and golf course.

• Gazebo Restaurant - Famous for its oceanfront views and delicious breakfast such as the macadamia nut pancakes.

• Brekkie Bowls

• Akamai Coffee

• Honolulu Coffee

Lunch and dinner:

• Monkeypod - One of my favorite restaurants in Maui and has the best happy hour. You must get the Mai Tai here! There are two locations - Ka'anapali and Wailea.

• Maui Brewing Co - Hawai'i’s largest craft brewery, known for its locally made, island-inspired beers. They offer a variety of craft brews (my fav is the Coconut Hiwa Porter), all brewed with a focus on sustainability. Their two locations in Maui (Ka'anapali and Wailea) also feature a vibrant taproom and restaurant with delicious food and scenic views. If you're not a beer person, they have delicious hard seltzers as well!

• Paia Fish Market is a popular local spot in Paia known for its fresh seafood and casual atmosphere. They serve dishes like fish tacos, burgers and grilled catch-of-the-day plates, all made with locally sourced ingredients.

• Mama's Fish House is an iconic, upscale restaurant in Paia, renowned for its fresh, locally caught seafood and stunning oceanfront setting. The menu highlights daily catches from local fishermen, with each dish beautifully prepared and inspired by Hawaiian flavors. This is a great spot for a nicer dinner out!

• Sprout Vegan Kitchen - A plant-based restaurant in Wailea offering fresh, locally sourced dishes with a focus on health and sustainability. Their menu features a variety of flavorful options, from nourishing bowls and sandwiches to creative daily specials. You definitely don't have to be vegan to enjoy this spot!

• Merriman’s - Located in Kapalua, this farm-to-table restaurant offers stunning ocean views and a menu that showcases fresh, local ingredients with Hawaiian and global influences.