Best Tours and Activities in Maui

Maui is one of the most idyllic islands in Polynesia, full of beaches and dreamlike landscapes. A privileged place for surfing, snorkeling, and photography, lost in the middle of the Pacific.

If you are one of the lucky ones who are going to spend their vacations in Hawaii, I will tell you everything there is to know about the "Magic Island."

One of the most memorable experiences you can have in Maui is hiking across the island to discover its captivating landscapes.

Its unique geography is full of lush jungle, rugged cliffs, green valleys, palm tree fields, turquoise beaches, and long waterfalls that seem to go on forever.

There's no doubt that by joining a hiking trail on Maui, you'll be able to take some of the best photos of your trip.

Some of the most interesting places for trekking are Iao Valley State Park (low difficulty) or Pipiwai Trail (higher difficulty), but to witness the best views of the island, I recommend walking to the top of Haleakala volcano, the highest peak in Maui at almost 10,000 feet above sea level.

Sunrise or sunset from the summit of Haleakala is magical! A spectacle of colors that paint the sky and clouds is absolutely fascinating and not to be missed. Mark Twain himself described it as "the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed."

The warm, crystal-clear waters of Maui are one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii, as they hold a spectacular natural underwater treasure consisting of miles of coral reefs that are home to a multitude of tropical fish, sea urchins and starfish, manta rays, eels, green turtles, and even dolphins.

Having the opportunity to dive in such a beautiful natural environment is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do during your stay on the island.

One of the best areas for snorkeling in Maui is the island of Molokini, located offshore near the southwest coast. It is a large extinct volcanic cone, but so full of life that the island was named a State Marine and Bird Conservation District.

It is a place I recommend visiting during your vacation in Hawaii, but it can only be reached by boat, as is the case with Turtle Town, on Maluaka Beach, the best place to see green sea turtles in Maui. This beach is another hidden gem to admire while snorkeling.

If you are interested in diving and would like to join a sea excursion, there are many boat tours for snorkeling in Maui. Whether by catamaran, motorboat, or kayak, you are sure to find the one that is right for you.

To learn more about snorkeling tours in Maui, check out the post Diving and Snorkeling in Maui, where you'll find some very interesting options for spending a wonderful day snorkeling in Polynesia.

During a vacation packed with activities, it's sometimes nice to slow down a bit and set aside part of the day just to relax.

For those moments of relaxation, there's nothing better than taking a cruise along the coast of Maui to enjoy the sunset over the Pacific while sipping delicious cocktails and listening to live music. Sounds good, right?

Known as "The Valley Isle" for its unique geography of beautiful emerald valleys, magnificent waterfalls, and rugged cliffs, the landscapes of the island of Maui are a fascinating natural spectacle that amazes even more when its beauty is appreciated in all its glory from the sky, flying in a helicopter.

This is one of the most impressive experiences you can take home from your trip to Hawaii. The beautiful views of Maui, which seem to come from a lost world, are complemented by the adrenaline rush of flying hundreds of kilometers per hour over the Pacific. You won't be able to stop taking pictures!

Some of the most beautiful spots you'll see during the activity include Iao Valley State Park, Halawa Valley, Molokai, and Haleakala Volcano, among others.

Taking a helicopter tour in Maui is a great idea if you want to get an overview of the island by sea, land, and air, so you don't miss a single detail during your trip.

The good thing about this type of activity is that there is quite a variety to choose from. I recommend reading the post The Best Helicopter Tours in Maui to see some of the most popular options.

Exploring the Hawaiian seabed aboard a submarine could be the great story you tell your friends when you return from your trip. Can you imagine stepping into the shoes of Captain Nemo himself, diving into the waters of Maui and observing an unknown universe beneath the Earth's surface?

You won't be traveling in the legendary Nautilus from "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," but you will be able to discover the depths of the ocean aboard the Atlantis Maui submarine, a state-of-the-art vessel that will reveal all the secrets hidden underwater: coral reefs, tropical fish, sea urchins and starfish, eels, manta rays, green turtles, whales... and even a sunken ship!

If you've never been on a submarine to explore the depths of the ocean before, this is a fun and unforgettable adventure to experience during your vacation in Maui. You'll feel the excitement and adrenaline rush as the ship dives into the depths of the Pacific!

Want to know more? Don't miss the post Atlantis Submarine Tours in Maui.

Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited sites in Hawaii due to its international historical significance and is a must-see even if you are not staying in Oahu but in Maui, as there are tours to Pearl Harbor from here that will take you to see the iconic US naval base whose attack by the Japanese air force in December 1941 changed the course of World War II.

Although you can visit on your own, in my opinion, taking a plane trip to Pearl Harbor from Maui is the best option, as you won't have to worry about finding transportation to Oahu and then to the naval base, or queuing at the ticket office of this National Monument to get tickets on the day of your visit. This can be quite complicated, considering the long lines that form at the entrances.

So, if you are spending your vacation in Maui but would like to visit the neighboring island of Oahu to see Pearl Harbor on an organized tour, I recommend reading the post Excursions to Pearl Harbor from Maui, where you will find more details about this and what to bring on the excursion.

During your trip to Hawaii, I'm sure you'll want to go to a traditional luau party on the island. They're super fun!

You may have heard of them but not know exactly what a luau party is. It's a Hawaiian celebration centered around music, dance, and traditional island cuisine. All with plenty of aloha spirit!

They are also a fascinating expression of Polynesian culture that every traveler should experience, so put on your best clothes and get ready for a magical experience at sunset!

The Ocean Center Maui is considered one of the 10 best aquariums in the world.

The close relationship between Hawaiians and the sea is well known, so taking a tour of this aquarium is an excellent way to learn about the marine life of the archipelago (with an ecosystem that is unique in the world) and its conservation, as well as Hawaiian culture and values.

During your visit to the Maui Ocean Center, you will see species native to Hawaii such as tropical fish, moray eels, octopuses, manta rays, sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and many more.

The aquarium is usually busiest in the mornings, so if you want to visit without the crowds, I recommend going after 1 p.m. It takes about 2 hours to see the entire facility, so it's a good plan for any time of day.

No trip is complete without a road trip, an exciting adventure on the open road where you can discover unusual and beautiful landscapes. Hawaii happens to have one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Road to Hana, where the important thing is not the destination (the small town that gives it its name) but the journey itself.

Road to Hana is a spectacular 72-kilometer route along the north coast of Maui with 620 sharp curves and more than 50 bridges that will lead you to wonderful landscapes of virgin jungle, large waterfalls, palm tree fields, steep cliffs, and paradisiacal beaches that will remain etched in your memory.

Although you can do this road trip on your own by renting a car in Maui, my advice is that if you want to get to know the island's landscapes, it is better to join one of the tours that explore Road to Hana, as it is a road full of curves that you are not familiar with.

To avoid risks behind the wheel during your vacation, it is best to put yourself in the hands of local guides who know the terrain perfectly and will show you the most spectacular sites safely, so that all you have to worry about is enjoying the views!

With its shallow, warm waters, Maui is an excellent place for whale watching. Every winter, humpback whales leave the cold waters of Alaska and head to Hawaii to reproduce, give birth, care for, and feed their young.

These animals are known for being unpredictable and fierce, but that doesn't deter thousands of people who dream of joining a cruise to get a close-up view of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

If you are one of them, you are in luck because Maui is an ideal destination for whale watching due to its favorable water conditions. You can enjoy a very special experience by participating in one of the various whale watching boat tours available on the island that venture out into the Pacific Ocean.

In addition, during the boat trip you will have wonderful views of the Maui coastline and learn many interesting facts about these majestic creatures from the captain and crew of the boat.

If you want to learn more about Hawaiian humpback whales and boat tours, I recommend reading the post Whale Watching in Maui.

In Hawaiian culture, family (ohana) is very important, which is why children are always welcome on the islands and many activities are organized so that they can also enjoy a fantastic vacation in Hawaii.

In Maui, there are many things to do as a family, such as spending a day at the beach, whale watching at sea, visiting the Ocean Center aquarium, riding the Atlantis submarine, climbing to the top of the Haleakala volcano, snorkeling in Molokini, visiting Pearl Harbor, and countless other things. You'll have a blast!