Maui easily ranks in my top five favorite places in the world. Growing up by the ocean in Ventura, California, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the sea, and Maui’s stunning beaches have me coming back again and again—I’ve visited five times so far! From breathtaking landscapes to unforgettable adventures, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do on this island. Below, I’ll share my top five must-do experiences that you won’t want to miss. And trust me, be sure to rent a car—you’ll thank yourself later for the freedom to explore!
Spend a day exploring the road to Hana
Driving the Road to Hana is an all-day adventure, so it’s important to start well-rested and ready for the journey. For a more relaxed experience, consider staying a few nights in the area to fully enjoy everything the region has to offer without feeling rushed.
I’ve done the Road to Hana both ways—starting from the popular north side and, more recently, from the south side, which I now prefer. Why the south? It’s the road less traveled, meaning fewer crowds and a more peaceful drive. Plus, you avoid the sun setting in your eyes while navigating those nerve-wracking single-lane roads, making the journey much more enjoyable. There are so many great stops along the way!
Get your guide also has a Full day sightseeing tour of the road to Hana if you prefer sightseeing with a guide over driving and navigating yourself.
Pools of ‘Ohe’o & Waimoku Falls
The first place you should go is Pools of ‘Ohe’o (commonly referred to as the 7 sacred pools). As long as the water isn’t too high you can swim in these. At the same location, there is a beautiful 5 mile round trip hike to the 400ft Waimoku Falls. On the way you wander through luscious greenery, a bamboo forest, see a massive banyon tree, and finally you get to the falls. If you’re outdoorsy, it’s well worth the trip.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
The next stop I would go to is the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach. The sand is literally quite red and the bluffs above the beach are stunning. If you have time you can hang at the beach for a while and get into the ocean. The currents can be strong though so be careful!
Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach
My favorite spot visually is the Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach. The colors of the crystal blue ocean and lush greenery against the black sand are stunning. I could’ve roamed around for hours, but unfortunatley we didn’t have a lot of time to explore. If you have the opportunity I would try and stay mid way somewhere along Hana so you can take your time to see all the nooks and crannys.
Watch the sunrise from Haleakala
You have to wake up in the middle of the night to head to Haleakala and drive to the top, but it’s a great experience! At the peak of this extinct volcano you watching can watch the sunrise from high above the clouds. Bundle up for this experience, it’s cold and windy so I recommend bringing a beanie, gloves, and layers. Even it’s it’s 80 degrees at sea level it will be cold at the top.
You can drive up yourself, or head there on a mountain bike tour. The mountain bike tour drives you to the top, then equips you with helmets and bikes to start an exhilarating trip downhill for 23 miles! We went with Maui Bike Co. and had a wonderful experience. You can take your time and stop for breakfast along the way. If you’re an adventure junkie like me, this is way to do Haleakala.
Dive or snorkel with sea turtles
Sea turtles are protected in Hawaii, so you can find them everywhere! I’ve seen a sea turtles everytime I’ve gone diving, and even a few times when I’ve gone snorkeling in Maui. Some great places to snorkel are Honolulu Bay, Wailea, and Kihei. You can also easily book a tour to snorkel or dive. Maui Dive Shop were top notch! They prepped all our supplies for us, as well as a great spread for breakfast and lunch. I’d highly recommend them.
There are also many amazing snorkeling tours you can take with Get Your Guide:
There is a Dolphin and snorkel adventure from Lahaina to Lanai. I did this once and it was pure magic.
A 5-hour snorkel or snuba to Molokini Crater. Molokini has a plethora of fish and of course, lots of sea turtles as well. Or you can do a Lana’i or Turtle Town afternoon snorkel.
Splurge on lunch or dinner at Mama’s Fish House
If you’re going to splurge on a great meal (or many!), make a rezzie at Mama’s Fish House. It’s crazy expensive but it’s the best meal I’ve ever had on the island! And I’ve been to Maui four times. To give you an idea it’s around $50 a plate, $18 a drink.
Relax, Swim and picnic at D.T. Fleming Park or Slaughterhouse Beach
D.T Fleming Park is a beautiful beach overlooking Honokahua Bay. Bring a picnic here and swim or snorkel in the warm clear blue ocean. There is a large parking lot here as well as public bathrooms. Choose this over Slaughterhouse if you have children because it’s easier to access.
Just north of D.T. Fleming Park is Slaughterhouse Beach. While it sounds scary, the name comes from ranch tanning and storage sheds that were located on the cliff’s edge above the ocean. The buildings were torn down in the 60’s, but the name stayed. This beach is such a gem. It’s a little cove surrounded by lush cliffs. It’s the perfect place to spend a day relaxing, bring a towel, picnic, a good book or some magazines and enjoy the 80 degree water and gorgeous view. Note that this is a trek down a long staircase to get here, it’s a bit more remote.
