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, snorkelling and photography, lost in the middle of the Pacific.

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

One of the most memorable experiences you can have in Maui is to go hiking around 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 is no doubt that by joining a hiking trail on Maui, you will be able to take some of the best photographs 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 colours 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 trove 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 snorkelling in Maui is the island of Molokini, located offshore near the south-west 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 you visit during your holiday 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 snorkelling.

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

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

During a holiday 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 kilometres per hour over the Pacific. You won't be able to stop taking photos!

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 travelling 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 beneath the water: 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 holiday in Maui. You'll feel the excitement and adrenaline rush as the vessel descends 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 transport 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 queues that form at the entrances.

So, if you are spending your holiday in Maui but would like to visit the neighbouring island of Oahu to see Pearl Harbor on an organised 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 great fun!

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

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

The Ocean Centre 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 Centre, 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 two 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 road where we discover unusual and beautiful landscapes. As it happens, Hawaii has one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Road to Hana, where the important thing is not the destination (the small village that gives it its name) but the journey itself.

Road to Hana is a spectacular 72-kilometre route along the north coast of Maui with 620 sharp bends and more than 50 bridges that will lead you to wonderful landscapes of virgin jungle, large waterfalls, palm tree fields, steep cliffs and idyllic 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 bends that you are not familiar with.

To avoid any risks behind the wheel during your holiday, 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 favourable 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.

What's more, during the boat trip you'll have wonderful views of the Maui coastline and learn lots of interesting facts about these majestic creatures from the captain and crew.

If you want to find out more about Hawaii's 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 organised so that they too can enjoy a fantastic holiday 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 Centre aquarium, riding the Atlantis submarine, climbing to the top of the Haleakala volcano, snorkelling in Molokini, visiting Pearl Harbour and countless other things. You'll have a blast!