14 Short (Less than 2 hours) Things to Do on Maui

If you’re looking for things to see and do on Maui, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve put together a list of activities we think are a great addition to any itinerary. Some require a bit of planning; others can be sprinkled in along the way spontaneously.

Maui wildfire update (September 8, 2023)

Governor Josh Green, M.D., today declared in a statewide address that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8, two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina.

Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents.

For the latest Maui emergency management and recovery information, and how you can kōkua (help) the people of Maui, visit mauistrong.hawaii.gov.

See also the sixth emergency proclamation, issued on August 19 (valid through October 17, 2023).

Map of restricted areas in West Maui after the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

update

Consider checking out some of these experiences while in Maui:

We personally vouch for every item on this list because we often do them ourselves when we have some time on our hands :). This perhaps also explains how some of them have made it into our 8-day itinerary for Maui.

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. Because it’s a luxury-based destination, most people only get as far as this vantage point – that is, they never actually visit the island. That’s fair enough, but, you should be aware 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 ($60 roundtrip). It leaves from Lāhainā and arrives at Hulopoʻe Bay, where there is a beach park, walking paths along the cliffs, and ocean/reef access. 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 its recent history, where to stay and eat, and what to do.

Spend the day at Makena Beach

Makena is one of the most unspoiled beaches on the island, located in the southeast corner. 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, can you tell why?) and Little Beach (See below). 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. Located on a cattle ranch, it offers beautiful scenery and views while serving fresh beef burgers raised right there on 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 Bullys Burgers goes well with their great burgers! Image credit: @bullysburgersmaui on instagram.

Spend the night at an upcountry cabin in Polipoli

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area is a hidden gem, located high up in the hillsides of Haleakalā at 6,2000 feet. It is much less visited in comparison to other natural areas on the island. Located in a cloud forest, it 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. How big is this break? Well, go ahead and take a look 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. It’s an incredible sight to see, not only the power of the ocean and the size of the waves, but the skill of the surfers who are brave enough to paddle out 🤙🤙🤙.

Wanna go surfing yourself? 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 hommage at Charles Lindberg’s grave

Fans and students of aviation history might gain some perspective from a visit to Charles Lindberg’s grave on Maui’s southeast coast. Lindberg 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.

Why did he choose the specific location he did, adjacent to a church along Maui’s south shore? You can read up on 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. It’s certainly worth it, so by all means, catch the sunrise if you dare (you will need 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 Haleakala 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 the madhouse that sunrise tends to be. Bring a picnic, find a spot to sit for the sunset, and plan on having a late dinner.

For both experiences, be sure you have layers – temperatures can be near freezing at the summit.

Sunsets are just as spectacular as sunrises at Haleakala. Image credit: Forest and Kim Starr on Flickr.

Bike down Haleakalā

Another great activity on Haleakalā that you’re sure to remember for the rest of your life is a biking tour down the Haleakalā Highway. There are guided tours, like this one from Bike Maui, that transport you to the summit and let you cruise downhill for 23 miles to the town of Haʻikū.

This ride is epic for several reasons. Starting a 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. Having a guide ensures your safety, and that you don’t get lost.

Explore the Makawao Forest Reserve

There are many wonderful hikes to enjoy on Maui, so by all means, 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 Hawaii’s energy plan and journey towards sustainability. 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 – that is, if it didn’t make such damn good cheese. The Surfing Goat Dairy in Upcountry Maui is probably the coolest dairy in the world, as you’ll most likely come across a goat standing on a surf board at some point during your visit.

But it’s far from a side show – the cheese will definitely take center stage on the tour. Great for families, 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 that is drawn, remarkably, 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.