14 Bite-Sized Things to Do on Maui

Twelve of these 14 Maui activities take two hours or less, easy to slot between beach time and a dinner reservation. Two don’t. The boat to Lānaʻi leaves in the morning and returns in the late afternoon, and the cabin at Polipoli is an overnight stay in the upcountry forest, not a drive-through stop.

The Polipoli cabin and the Lānaʻi boat trip are both stops that already made it into our 8-day Maui itinerary: block a full day for the boat, an overnight for the cabin. If you’ve only got an afternoon, stick to the quick dozen; if you can spare more time, start with these two.

Snorkel at Olowalu

Most people drive right past Olowalu, unaware that it’s a great snorkeling area. It goes by in a flash when you pass by in a car, but underwater, its reef is more than 100 acres in size. It is accessed by simply pulling off the highway and walking out into the water, which is usually calm and protected from the trade winds.

There is much to see close to shore, making it good for small children. You can also swim about a hundred or more yards offshore to explore a deeper reef. Tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and manta rays can all be spotted. Bring a picnic lunch and hang out on the white-sand beach in between dips. There are no services at Olowalu, so bring everything you need for the day.

You can see a video introduction to Olowalu in the following 2-minute video by Kalani Prince from the Aloha Stoked channel:

Take a boat to Lānaʻi

If you’re staying in West Maui, you’ll stare at Lānaʻi a lot of the time, the island clearly visible offshore. It’s a luxury-based destination, but there are two economical ways to visit Lānaʻi for the day.

1. The first is by jumping on a snorkel tour to Hulopoʻe Bay. There’s a reef there just off the coast, and snorkel boats from Maui cruise over there often and anchor up (check out the offerings from Sail Trilogy, Sea Maui, Pacific Whale Foundation, etc).
2. The second is to take the Maui-Lānaʻi ferry. It now departs from Māʻalaea Harbor, not Lahaina Harbor (the operator moved its Maui-side terminal after the 2023 wildfire), and arrives at Hulopoʻe Bay, where there is a beach park, walking paths along the cliffs, and ocean/reef access. Each one-way leg runs about $66 adult (FareHarbor books the outbound and return as separate legs, so budget roughly $132 round trip). You can head over in the morning, spend the day, and come back in the late afternoon for a really unique day trip. Bring your snorkel gear and lunch.

Hulopoʻe Bay is home both to the Four Seasons resort and a campground. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman / @hbgoodie

Have a look at our dedicated overview of Lānaʻi to learn more about its recent history, where to stay and eat, and what to do.

Spend the day at Makena Beach

Makena sits in the southeast corner of the island, one of its least developed beaches. It’s a big beach park backdropped by forests, and while it does attract crowds at times, there is a lot of room to spread out and several different entrances.

Makena beach is split in two parts: Big Beach, pictured here, and the smaller, clothing-optional Little Beach next door. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

A big part of the appeal is that there are different segments to explore. “Big Beach” is the main sandy stretch of Makena, but there’s also Oneuli Beach nearby (black sand, great for snorkeling), as well as a place called “Little Beach,” which is clothing optional. Plus, food trucks and hiking paths, like Puʻu Olai.

Aerial view of Little Beach. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Explore the ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve

If you continue south past Makena Beach, you’ll end up at the ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve. It protects more than 800 submerged acres of reefs and lava fields (from Haleakalā’s last eruption some 200 to 500 years ago), and in certain areas, guests are welcome to snorkel and kayak.

Check out the Kanahena Trail and Kanahena Beach, which is a good access point for swimming and snorkeling. As this is a conservation area, no fishing is allowed and use of proper reef-safe sunscreen (made with zinc only) is required.

Chow down at Bully’s Burgers

Bully’s Burgers (also in instagram) has grown in fame thanks to its location along the Piʻilani Highway at the far southeast corner of the island, a route regularly traveled by those making the full circle on the Road to Hāna. The burger stand sits on a working cattle ranch, serving fresh beef raised right there on the property.

Given its out of the way location, your best bet is to combine it with a trip on the Road to Hāna, or a visit to the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park.

The view from Bully’s Burgers pairs well with the burgers. Image credit: @bullysburgersmaui on instagram.

Spend the night at an upcountry cabin in Polipoli

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area sits high in the hillsides of Haleakalā at 6,200 feet and is much less visited than other natural areas on the island. The cloud forest here features a number of hiking trails through pine and conifer forests.

There is a standard campground there, but as nights tend to get cold and can be wet, we recommend something more comfortable. Most people are unaware that there is a cabin at Polipoli that you can rent out for the night that has beds, a kitchen, outside living space, and views of the valley. Rustic in nature, it’s a neat, memorable experience for those that want some time “off the grid” in the woods.

Watch the big-wave surfing at Jaws (winter only)

If you’re traveling to Maui during the winter months, you may have the opportunity to lay eyes on one of the island’s largest surf breaks: Jaws, or Peʻahi, as the Hawaiians call it. Watch for yourself:

During your winter visit, you’ll want to keep an ear to the ground. If you hear that Peʻahi is breaking, follow the crowds out to Maui’s north shore and find a spot along the cliffs to watch. The waves are massive, and paddling out takes real skill 🤙.

See our introduction to surfing on Maui that includes pointers on local surf classes and surf spots in our overview of water activities on Maui.

Pay homage at Charles Lindbergh’s grave

Fans and students of aviation history might gain some perspective from a visit to Charles Lindbergh’s grave on Maui’s southeast coast. Lindbergh was a huge fan of Maui and had a vacation home there. When he became sick with cancer, he decided he wanted to be buried on Maui and lived his last eight days on the island.

He chose a spot adjacent to a church along Maui’s south shore; read more of the history here before you stop by.

Watch the sunset from Haleakalā’s summit

In recent years, catching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā has turned into an extremely popular activity, so much so that you now need a reservation and permit to enter the park for the sunrise. Plan to leave your hotel by 3 a.m. or so to make it in time (see also our guide for seeing the sunrise and sunset from the Haleakalā summit).

But, if you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, try the sunset from the summit. You won’t need a reservation or permit, you don’t have to get up early, and it won’t be as crowded as sunrise. Bring a picnic, find a spot to sit for the sunset, and plan on having a late dinner.

For both experiences, bring layers: temperatures can be near freezing at the summit.

Sunset colors at Haleakalā’s summit rival sunrise. Image credit: Forest and Kim Starr on Flickr.

Bike down Haleakalā

Another activity on Haleakalā is a biking tour down the Haleakalā Highway. Bike Maui runs several tour options that transport you to the summit and let you cruise downhill for 23 miles to the town of Haʻikū.

This ride covers a lot of ground. Starting at 10,000 feet, where the air is cold and you’ll most likely be wearing layers, you descend down through a variety of microclimates, the air gradually getting warmer until you’re forced to stop and shed layers. As the climate changes, so do the ecosystems, from the high alpine desert and wooded upcountry to the tropical forests down below.

A guided option adds route knowledge and support on the tricky sections; check current tour details before booking, since Bike Maui’s guided-vs-self-guided lineup has changed in recent years.

Explore the Makawao Forest Reserve

Maui has dozens of hikes worth doing; look through our 15 favorite hikes on Maui and pick your favorite. That said, if you’re trying to avoid the crowds, you may be interested in a visit to the Makawao Forest Reserve in Upcountry Maui.

The reserve is mostly known to mountain bikers, who cruise down its trails at 2,500 feet above sea level. There are also hiking (or shared) trails that explore the terrain as well, a mix of eucalyptus, pine, and tropical plants, like wild ginger. Consider renting a mountain bike (try Bike Maui) or enjoying an afternoon hike in this underappreciated area.

Visit a sunflower farm and learn about Hawaiʻi’s energy plan

Sunflower fields have become popular as photo backgrounds on social media, but in Hawaiʻi, they play a more serious role. In fact, they’ve become a big part of Hawaiʻi’s energy plan and its shift toward sustainable power. More than 100 acres of sunflower fields are grown in Maui with the intention of being harvested and converted into bio-diesel fuel. You can read more about the process here.

There are multiple sunflower crops per year, so to find out if they are in bloom, call Maui Tropical Plantation. The fields are adjacent to the complex, and if they are in bloom, parking there is the safest (and legal) way of seeing the fields.

Visit the Surfing Goat Dairy

This one could be considered a tourist trap, if it didn’t make such damn good cheese. The Surfing Goat Dairy in Upcountry Maui is known for exactly what its name promises: you’ll likely come across a goat standing on a surfboard at some point during the visit.

But it’s far from a side show: the cheese takes center stage on the tour. The tour includes a walk through the farm, and you’ll get a glimpse of the farm and the process of making goat cheese, then get to sample a variety of styles, from feta and French to tropical flavors, like mango and lilikoi. And, of course, there will be goats.

Taste vodka made from pineapples and ocean water

You might be surprised to hear that Maui has two vodka producers: Ocean Vodka and Haliʻimaile Distilling Company. Both have an interesting story behind their creation, and you might consider stopping by for a tour and tasting.

• Ocean Vodka is made using fresh water drawn from a natural spring 3,000 feet deep off the coast of Kona.
• Haliʻimaile’s  Pau Maui Vodka is made not from grain or potatoes, but from pineapples.

Hey, there are worse conversation starters at happy hour.