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TOP 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MAUI, HAWAII | You can't miss...
You can’t miss these Top 10 things to do in Maui, HI! From zip-lining to the Road to Hana to snorkeling, check out some of our favorite activities in Maui, Hawaii! What to do, where to go, free & budget-friendly ideas. #maui #hawaii #lahaina
THE BEST ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO IN MAUI
Snorkel at Black Rock to see plenty of fish and Hawaiian Green sea turtles!
Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
We have traveled to Maui every year since 2013 and try to find something new to do every time. Although it is a small island, there is a lot to see! The island of Maui, with its lush rainforests, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches, offers an unforgettable vacation experience. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a taste of Hawaiian culture, Maui has something for everyone.
In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best things to do in Maui, from sightseeing and exploring the Road to Hana to swimming with Hawaiian green sea turtles and indulging in delicious local cuisine. So, pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to discover the sweet escape to Maui!
1. Embarking on the Hana Highway: A Maui Adventure Awaits
The Road to Hana, a winding ribbon of asphalt snaking along Maui's northeastern coast, is more than just a drive – it's an unforgettable journey. Prepare for breathtaking coastal cliffs, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and hidden black sand beaches. This iconic route is a true test of patience, but the rewards are immense.
There are so many sights to see along the island of Maui and Hana Highway is a perfect full-day activity to see its beauty. Some of our favorite stops include and amount of time you should spend there in parenthesis:
1. Black Sand Beach (60 mins)
2. Lava Tubes (30 mins)
3. Red Sand Beach (30 mins)
4. Coconut Glen's ice cream (15 mins)
5. Haleakala National Park (2 hours - if you do the long hike, and swim in the seven sacred pools)
Check out our complete guide to the Road to Hana with mile marker stops, a map, and video - Road to Hana Guide
Let someone else drive since you’re on vacation! Book a Road to Hana Tour so you can sit back and enjoy the ride!
Don’t forget to pack your reef safe sunblock and a cute hat!
2. Go Snorkeling
The best part about the end of the Kaanapali beach is the Black Rock, which is located right in front of the Sheraton Maui Resort. Where it might seem like a hideous black lava rock, under the sea you can find gorgeous coral, tons of fish, and usually see a Hawaiian sea turtle or two!
Another great spot is Kapalua Bay. Even though the clarity isn't as great as around Black Rock, there are still plenty of fish to see. On one of our swims, we saw 6 turtles! We parked in a free beach parking lot next to Merriman's Kapalua, but make sure you get there early for a spot.
Take a day trip to Molokini Crater for some of the best Hawaiian reef snorkeling! Book this snorkel tour!
See the full list of spots in our Best Snorkel Spots and beaches in Maui post (video included)!
Pro-tip: Ship snorkel gear straight to the hotel! I personally use a Cressi snorkel mask is incredible for snorkeling! You can find more in our Amazon Storefront!
Snorkeling with green Hawaiian Sea turtles in Kapalua Bay
3. Nakalele Blowhole
As the tide rolls in, the blowhole shoots water over 20 feet in the air! Located North of Kapalua (approx 8 miles), park near mile marker 38.5.
Sad news, as of January 2020, the Heart Rock has washed away and is only half a heart! :(
However, the blowhole is still there and that’s fun! :)
WARNING: DO NOT GET TOO CLOSE TO THE BLOWHOLE, IT CAN SUCK YOU IN! It’s nice to admire from a few feet away.
4. Catch the Sunrise at the Top of Haleakala Crater
We left our hotel around 3am and went on a crazy drive to the top of Haleakala at 10,000 feet, but it was worth it for this magnificent sunrise above the clouds. Side note - Josh proposed to me here!
YOU MUST HAVE A RESERVATION IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE TOP OF HALEAKALA BEFORE 7AM!
Make Your Sunrise Reservation - Reservations are available online up to 60 days in advance of your sunrise visit on recreation.gov. More info here: Haleakala Sunrise
A visitor may only purchase one sunrise reservation per three-day period.
A small number of last-minute tickets are released online two days beforehand.
There are also great Haleakala Tours that will take you to the top (after all, you’re on vacation). If you’re adventurous, there are tours that will take you to the top to see the sunrise, then coast back down to the bottom on a bicycle!
Don’t like to get up early? I don’t blame you! Sunset is lovely too and after it sets you are in the perfect setting for stargazing! Look up for the Milky Way!
Pro-tip: BRING A SWEATSHIRT! It gets really cold at 10,000 feet!
See more details and our full itinerary: How to Spend 4 Days in Maui
5. Go Scuba Diving
We loved scuba diving with the company, Extended Horizons in Lahaina. Not only do they go to the best spots but also have the best dive guides! The dive site, Cathedral I, was one of my favorite dives - we went in a cave! See our video compilation and reviews here: Best Scuba Dive Sites in Maui
We even achieved our advanced certification with Extended Horizons. We did a night dive which we saw so many crustaceans and fish with the glow of a flashlight while also experiencing the glow from bioluminescence.
Not certified? Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaii, is also a great place to go under the sea without getting wet! Located in Maalaea, which you’ll most likely pass to and from the airport, see the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere!
Pro Tip: Whale watching is also fun during the months from November to May! Maui charters will do sunset cruises, or day cruises. Look out for humpback whales!
Please protect the reefs and get reef-safe sunscreen:
6. Get a Massage
Need I say more? We like to do the couples massages at the Spa at Black Rock at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, which is also our favorite place to stay. There are many locations around the resort to get a massage – the spa, lawn, or even near the beach, anywhere you go, you won’t regret it. You’re on vacation, you deserve it!
Check out our Hotel Review: Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
7. Go shopping and have some great food!
Lahaina – The fire in 2023 was beyond devastating to Maui and unfortunately most of the shops on Front Street are no longer there. There is the Lahaina Cannery Mall with a few stores, food trucks in the parking lot, and they often have cultural Hawaiian events!
Make sure you visit the Banyan tree, a gorgeous tree that covers over half an acre! It survived the fires, thankfully!
Whalers Village - Located on Kaanapali Beach right next to the Westin. Here you will find shops you would normally see in most malls (Oakley, Sephora, Tommy Bahama) but also has restaurants (Hula Grill, Monkeypod, Leilani’s, fast food options) and of course, an ABC Store.
Whalers Village - Kaanapali - Maui, Hawaii
Sand People – I have to mention this shop as it is only found in Hawaii. It’s like an Etsy store full of coastal home goods, locally made jewelry and clothing. My FAVORITE! There are a few - Whaler’s Village and Front Street in Lahaina.
The Shops at Wailea - Located among the hotels along Wailea beach, you’ll find restaurants (Lineage, Tommy Bahama, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Cheeseburger in Paradise), clothing shops, a market, and ABC Store.
Related Post - Check out our favorite restaurants here: Best Maui Restaurants
8. Get Some Hawaiian Shave Ice
Shaved ice + flavored syrups + macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom = YUM!
There are so many locations all over Maui, you really can’t go wrong with any of them! My favorite combo is pineapple and coconut syrup with macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom – pretty much an ice cream pina colada (minus the alcohol)!
Pro-tip: The Shaved Ice location in Whalers Village (Ka’anapali Beach) has spoons that change colors with the temperature!
HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE MAUI HAWAII
Also, check out my favorite ice cream place, Coconut Glen's Ice Cream!
9. Go Zip-lining
There are a lot of places that offer zip-lining, yet we went to the original (they even have zipline.com)! We used Kaanapali Zip Line Adventure, known for their award-winning 8-line, and had a blast. Stunning views from Lahaina to Kaanapali and 8 different lines cascading down the mountain! At the end of your last zip line you can drop into a lake! Our guides were so nice and had so much energy that we laughing the whole time! Check out these other great tours as well: Zipline Adventures
Don’t forget your GoPro! You can even get a mount for your helmet!
10. Enjoy a Lu'au
DRUMS OF THE PACIFIC LU'AU HYATT
The Drums of the Pacific Lu'au encompasses Hawaiian traditions with fun! The Rhythms of the Polynesian ritual will have you dancing along at the Hyatt Regency Maui on Kaanapali Beach. A traditional Hawaiian feast is served buffet style with an open bar and is better than the Lahaina Luau. Despite the fact the drinks are a little watered down, I found it highly entertaining and was captivated by the fast-moving hips to the beat of the drum in the traditional Hawaiian dance. Find a luau near you: Best Maui Luaus
How about a festive outfit for the evening:
Before you go, check out everything you need to pack for Hawaii here: Packing Checklist for Hawaii
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Terrifying Shark Scuba Dive at Stuart's Cove - Nassau, Bahamas | Video Included!
SHARKS?! ARE YOU CRAZY? Yup. Stuart’s Cove is famous for their Shark Scuba Dives and also offer a variety of different Bahamas scuba dives. I had been to the Bahamas before and had admired the sharks in the tanks at the Atlantis resort, but never thought I’d be inches from them!
SHARKS?! ARE YOU CRAZY? Yup. It sounded like a good idea when we signed up, well maybe not a GOOD idea, but sounded like fun. Stuart’s Cove is famous for their Shark Dives and they offer a variety of different dives. I had been to the Bahamas before and had admired the sharks in the tanks at the Atlantis resort, but never thought I’d be inches from them!
*SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL VIDEO!*
Reef Shark Dive - Bahamas
SHARK DIVE ADVENTURE IN THE BAHAMAS
We went with the Shark Adventure Two-Tank Dive and there was NO CAGE! Stuart Cove’s Shark Adventure takes you deep down to get up close and personal with the Caribbean Reef sharks. We were staying at the Atlantis Resort, which they arranged for pickup as part of the dive package.
See all Stuart Cove dive packages including shark feeding, shark awareness, shark shooting (video), reef dives, and Snuba! Our scuba dive with the sharks in the Bahamas cost $182 for a 2-tank dive, all equipment, and shuttle to the dive shop and back to the hotel! Not a bad deal!
Once we arrived at the dive shop, we suited up and headed for the boat. There were many briefings on how this dive was going to work and that you need to stay calm so the sharks stay calm. The sharks really don’t want to eat you, but if you move your arm real quick they might think it’s a fish. Soooo basically I just didn’t move for 30-40 minutes.
We did a regular free swim dive first to get comfortable seeing sharks but not getting too close. There were a few sunken barges that were cool to check out and could see the sharks from a safe distance.
I don’t see any sharks behind me…
Then it was time for the Shark Dive! The briefing included clear instructions that we would all come down and head to the “Arena” where we would be placed in pairs, creating a semi-circle for the Divemaster to put on his greatest show. We were told to either sit on our knees or lay on your belly. There was a bit of a current, so it was harder to balance on my knees and I ended up slowly moving down to my belly.
The bait box and my new friend
Once you enter the Arena, the Divemaster brings out the bait box and feeds them like pets! Sharks would swim by almost knocking you over with their fins! There were more sharks than I had anticipated but it was pretty cool!
The sharks are so large and scary looking but there was one that looked like he was smiling. Although I think a hook ripped the side of his mouth, so let’s go with smiling. It was terrifying and amazing; I’m so glad we have it on video so we don’t have to do it again (but I highly recommend the experience😉)!
HAPPY SHARK WEEK EVERYONE!
This is my smiling shark friend! Doesn’t he look happy to see me?!
Now for our Shark Dive video!
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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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Shark Dive Bahamas
Shark Dive Bahamas
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Best Scuba Dive Sites in Maui, Hawaii - Reviews and video included!
Maui has some exceptional dive sites filled with gorgeous reefs and tropical fish. We’ve scoped out some of the best dive sites in Maui along with some great dive shops. Check out our discoveries and reviews; you can’t miss seeing the Carthaginian Shipwreck or the lava tube into what is called First Cathedral. Maui divers come from Lahaina to Wailea, as there are plenty of fish to see!
I’ve always loved swimming and have a love for marine creatures. Maybe it was watching the Little Mermaid hundreds of times when I was little! I was so happy when Josh wanted to get scuba certified so we could explore what is really under the sea. 5 years later and with over 35 dives all over the world, we can’t get enough! We go scuba diving every time we visit Maui, and have discovered some great dive sites. We’ve also encountered some great dive shops which make it easy for us to just show up and they bring the gear! We usually bring our own fins and masks so we can also snorkel around the hotel - See BEST SNORKEL SPOTS IN MAUI if you’re interested in snorkeling!
Let’s get into the reviews and don’t miss our video of these sites at the end!
For a complete breakdown of where to eat, stay, and what to do, see our Maui Travel Guide.
Lanai’s First Cathedral
Best Dive Sites in Maui
Maui Reef Fish Guide
The great part about Maui is that you can hop on a boat and get to a great dive site anywhere from 20-45 mins. Some hotels and dive shops will do beach dives where you can walk right into the water and start exploring right off the shore! When traveling to sites by boat, we typically stay on Kaanapali Beach and prefer to depart from Lahaina, but if you stay in Wailea there is another marina that is nearby.
Click HERE to check dive conditions in Maui for the day before you head out. If the visibility is poor and the current is strong, the dive is not pleasant. It’s often warm enough that we can just wear a rash guard and not need a wet suit!
Molokini Dive Sites
Molokini is a small inactive volcano visible from the south end of Maui. There are relatively shallow areas to snorkel as well as deeper areas to dive down to. Here are some great Molokini Snorkel Charters.
Molokini Crater was once used as a practice area for bombing in World War II! Learn more about the crater history and check out their really cool infographic HERE!
On our first trip with Lahaina Divers, we went to dive sites known as Aquarium and Reef’s End. We disembarked from Lahaina and it took us about 45 mins to get there. There were many vibrant colors of coral and fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, Moorish idol (black and yellow banded fish), Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby, White Spotted Pufferfish, Barred Filefish (‘O’ili), Parrotfish, and a spotted eel. We even saw reef sharks and a barracuda - catch it at the end of the Molokini section of our video below!
On our second trip, we decided to check out the Backwall and had two dives with Maui Diamond Sea Sports. We were staying in Wailea and took off from Maalea Harbor (behind the Aquarium) which took around 25 minutes to get there. Once we jumped in, the water was so clear and so blue! We caught a white-spotted eagle ray swim by, a spotted eel, and many beautiful fish including white-spotted puffer and spotted butterflyfish - both native to the area.
Molokini Backwall - Spotted Eagle Ray
Lanai Dive Sites
From Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina, you look directly across to the island, Lanai, which looks like it is so close! With a quick 20-30 min ride from Lahaina Harbor, there are quite a few dive sites to explore at the south tip of Lanai.
My favorite site is the First Cathedral. Crafted from a lava tube, once you swim through a tunnel there is a large area, about 2 stories high with holes in the back that look like stained glass of a cathedral and a rock in the middle that is known as the alter. Within the “cave,” you will often find lobsters on the sidewalls and pufferfish swimming around.
Wash Rock is also a great site that has gorgeous coral formations and a lava tunnel called the ‘Tunnel of Love.‘ Within the tunnel, we found a sponge crab, as well as sculptured and regal slipper lobsters. Look out for giant moray eels and tiny nudibranch, they’re both in this ecosystem! See all of this in our video below!
Wash Rock - Regal Slipper Lobster
The Secret Cove dive site was buzzing with tons of fish when we visited! Plenty of long nose butterflyfish, yellow are typical, but the all-black long nose butterflyfish are native to the area. We swam around the cove and through it!
Lahaina and Kaanapali Dive Sites
Carthaginian II Shipwreck is a great site to explore! There is a long history to the ship, it was originally built in 1920 in Germany and after a few rebuilds over the years, it was eventually named the Carthaginian and was even featured in the 1966 movie, Hawaii. After filming, Carthaginian was purchased by the non-profit "Lahaina Restoration Foundation" (LRF) and in 1967 was flipped to a whaling ship museum and tourist attraction. However, Carthaginian was destroyed after it ran aground on the Lahaina Reef on Easter Sunday 1973. A replica was made of the Carthaginian from the ship, Komet. After installing 15 short tons (14 t) of cement and steel ballast to balance the rigging, it was renamed Carthaginian II and restored over several years. In 1980, the ship was opened again as a floating whaling museum. However, the addition of ballast allowed moisture to seep into the inside of the steel hull, which rusted to a point where it nearly split in half. As it was too expensive to keep it afloat, the LRF decided to sink it and make it a tourist attraction. On December 13, 2005, the boat was towed and sunk to create an artificial reef in the water at a depth of approximately 97 feet (30 m), 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) off the coast near Puamana Beach Park.
When we dove the Carthaginian, we saw an undulated moray eel under the ship, a small white tip reef shark lurking around, butterflyfish, endemic cleaner wrasse, yellow fingeat fish, and Spongebob attached to the side of the ship.
Carthaginian II Shipwreck
We love to stay at the Sheraton Maui beach resort and we’ve heard the night dive is pretty great on Black Rock. We have yet to do it, but we did a night shore dive at the site, Airport Beach, and saw bioluminescence glow at the bottom! Once we went shore diving during the day, Airport had a pretty Hawaiian coral reef, an abundance of fish, and a few eels that we encountered.
Olowalu
Just south of Lahaina is Olowalu and a long stretch of beach. Just off the shore is a great dive site Olowalu Reef, also known as turtle reef, where turtles often come in to have their shells cleaned by other fish. Rumor has it that there is a rare manta ray cleaning station and a blacktip reef shark nursery, but we didn’t see them. We did see a turtle swimming around and precious corals that were very vibrant with plenty of tropical fish to see.
Olowalu Reef Turtle
Best Dive Charters and Shops in Maui
Great dive shops and companies make it easy to just show up to the boat and they provide all of the dive gear along with great dive guides: Extended Horizons, Lahaina Divers, and Maui Diamond Sea Sports.
We’ve had the most dives with Extended Horizons, and we even got our advanced certification on one of our trips! We love their crews and guides! The guides would group us into small groups with those at a similar caliber that can keep up with each other. There are usually 2-3 groups with 3 pairs in each group. Water is provided and a light snack between and after dives. At the end of each trip, they put everything we need for our dive book on a board so we can easily remember and document our dives! If you’re looking for a dive school to get your certification, contact Extended Horizons or click here for more!
Lahaina Divers and Maui Diamond Sea Sports are very similar to Extended Horizons, but their boats are a little bigger and usually have more people. They also provide gear, water, snacks, and have great dive guides.
Extended Horizons always makes it easy to remember our dives!
Whale Watching in Maui
If you dive between November and May, you have a chance of seeing or hearing the blue whales as they migrate past Hawaii. Usually, you can see them spout water then after a few minutes if you’re lucky you can catch them breach or a glimpse of their tail come up and out of the water! If you listen to the beginning of our video below, you can actually hear them in Molokini! We didn’t see them underwater, but they did come up and breach the water a few times when we were on the boat! Book your whale watching tour with one of these tours on Activity Authority - recommended by a local!
BEST SCUBA DIVE SITES IN MAUI VIDEO
Most of the dive sites and tropical creatures mentioned above can be found in this video:
Scuba Diving Packing Essentials for Maui Divers
Don’t forget to pack the following for your dive:
Sunscreen
Towel (we take the pool towels from the hotel)
GoPro or underwater camera - with batteries
Sunglasses
Fins
Mask - I love the Cressi Pano 3, finally a mask I can see out of and it doesn’t leak for a fairly inexpensive price
PADI or dive certification card
Dive book
Tote to hold all of these things!
Please note, this is not a sponsored post, and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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