25 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do on Maui
From the volcanic alpine crater atop Haleakalā to the black and red sand beaches in Hāna, Maui truly has so much to see, including scenic drives, towering waterfalls, and the best diving and whale tours across all the islands!
That being said, Maui is a really big island! Unlike Oʻahu or Kauaʻi, where I’d recommend staying wherever you’d like and driving back to the same place at the end of the day, on Maui, I recommend against this. Booking only one place to stay is a bit unpractical if you plan on exploring places like the famous road to Hāna.
I say this for a few reasons. The first reason is so that you can go slow and not have to worry about a long, windy drive back in the dark. However, second, and perhaps more importantly, Maui has deer, and a lot of them! Driving at night should not be taken lightly, as the deer population on Maui reaches into the tens of thousands!
Why am I Recommending these Maui Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours for two reasons. First, venturing out to some of the local spots that I’ve listed below might not be the way you want to go, but more importantly, some experiences simply can’t be done without booking a tour.
That being said, the tour options that I’ve listed below are a great way to have a 'more guaranteed experience,' which can definitely be safer and more kid-friendly than some of my recommendations.
25 Best Things to Do on Maui
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but more importantly, I talk about what NOT to do at the end, such as how to keep your car from getting broken into. Don’t skip over the end!
1. Waiheʻe Ridge Trail
Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
The Waiheʻe Ridge Trail is one of the most beautiful day hikes on Maui!
That being said, the Waiheʻe Ridge Trail is also one of the most popular trails on Maui, but if you plan it right, Waiheʻe Ridge can be enjoyed with far fewer crowds, which I encourage you to read more about in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Waiheʻe Ridge Trail
2. Haleakalā Bike Tour
The Haleakalā National Park sunrise bicycle tour is easily one of the best things to do on Maui for a few reasons.
First, a number of operators on Maui have a relationship with the National Park that allows them to bypass the highly competitive advanced permit reservation system in order to drive up Haleakalā for sunrise. This means that by booking a bike tour at sunrise on Haleakalā, you will have the best of both experiences hassle-free!
Second, one of the best things to do within Haleakalā National Park is to simply drive the Haleakalā Hwy up to the summit. That being said, there’s truly nothing quite like enjoying an all downhill bike ride from the cold alpine summit of Haleakalā to central Maui on the windy switchbacks of this stunningly scenic drive!
3. Makamakaʻole Falls Trail (13 Crossings)
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
Makamakaʻole Falls, also known as '13 Crossings,' is very much a local Maui hike.
By this, I mean that the trail up the Makamakaʻole Stream is not a managed trail, and for this reason, I recommend hiking Makamakaʻole for experienced hikers only. I say this knowing full and well that Makamakaʻole is only a short 2-mile (3.2 km) trail.
Google Maps Directions: Makamakaʻole Falls Trail (13 Crossings)
4. Colleen’s at the Cannery
Colleen’s at the Cannery is one of the best local breakfast places on Maui!
Everything on the menu is amazing and more than enough food for one person, but beyond breakfast, Colleen’s is open late, making it a great stop for food at time of the day!
Yelp: Colleen’s at the Cannery
5. Oneʻuli Black Sand Beach (Mākena)
Mākena State Park has a number of beautiful beaches to choose from, but my personal favorite is the Oneʻuli Black Sand Beach.
Overall, Oneʻuli is a beautiful small stretch of black sand that’s almost always less crowded compared to the other main beaches in Mākena State Park. However, know that if you decide to go to Mākena Beach instead of the Oneʻuli Black Sand Beach, Little Beach just up over the hill on the right side of Mākena is considered an 'unofficial' nude beach.
Google Maps Directions: Oneʻuli Black Sand Beach
6. Molokai Sea Cliffs Helicopter Tour (Maui)
When you think of Maui helicopter tours, break them up into two categories.
First, there are helicopter tours that focus solely on Maui, including the Haleakalā Crater, the Hāna Rainforest, and the West Maui Mountains. But second, and perhaps this is the category that people don’t consider, there are helicopter tours that leave out of Maui to fly around the Molokai sea cliffs, the tallest sea cliffs in the world! In fact, all helicopter tours that fly along the Molokai sea cliffs leave out of Maui, meaning that it’s truly a Maui-only adventure!
Overall, I can tell you from personal experience exploring the ruggedness and sheer beauty of the Molokai sea cliffs, that a helicopter tour along the remote cliffs, valleys, and waterfalls of the North Shore of Molokai is second to none!
7. Haleakalā National Park (Sunrise & Sunset)
Watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā, also called the 'House of the Sun,' is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do on Maui!
That being said, advanced reservations are required in order to drive into Haleakalā prior to sunrise because parking at the summit is so limited.
Therefore, if you find that getting an advanced reservation is too hard to come by, I highly recommend either booking the Haleakalā Bike Tour mentioned above or visiting the summit for sunset, as advanced reservations are not required. However, as you can see from the photos below, sunset may be an even more popular time to visit than sunrise, so be prepared for a lot cars and a lot of people!
Finally, most visitors tend to forget that Haleakalā is +10,000 ft. (3,048 m) when planning a trip to Maui, and being that most people tend to visit during the coldest times of the day, many are not prepared for the frigid winter temperatures up at the summit, especially if it’s windy!
Therefore, I encourage you to check the summit forecast here before visiting, and know that it can snow on Haleakalā, if that says anything about the weather.
Book Here: Haleakalā Summit Sunrise Reservations
8. Waikamoi Falls (Haipuaʻena)
Waikamoi Falls, sometimes called Haipuaʻena Falls, is a beautiful towering waterfall located right off the Road to Hāna.
From the hairpin turn over the Waikamoi Stream, there is a small trail that works its way up and around the lower Haipuaʻena Falls, which will eventually reach Waikamoi Falls a short distance later.
Warning
The streams along the Hāna Highway are very flashy. Big Bog, a remote bog high in the mountains above the Road to Hāna, is the wettest spot in Hawaiʻi. This means that even though it may not be raining where you are, the streams along the highway can flash flood at any time. Due to this, visitors have died while visiting some of these streams along the Hāna Hwy. I mention this to emphasize that adventuring up any trail or stream on Maui, especially on the Hāna Hwy, comes with this inherent risk.
Google Maps Directions: Waikamoi Falls
9. Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Waiʻānapanapa State Park, located just outside of Hāna, is one of the best places to explore the coast, relax on the beach, and camp for the night in east Maui!
That being said, the Hawaiʻi Division of State Parks made the decision to implement an advanced reservation system due to overcrowding in the park. This means that you are now required to make an advanced reservation to visit Waiʻānapanapa, which you can learn more about below.
Google Maps Directions: Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Who Needs a Waiʻānapanapa Parking Reservation?
Hawaiʻi Residents - This is your home, and generally speaking, there should always be a parking spot open for you! Simply show your Hawaiʻi State ID to the folks working as you drive in, and you are free to park and enjoy everything within Waiʻānapanapa State Park, excluding the cabins/ campsites, without an advanced reservation.
Visitors/ Non-Hawaiʻi Residents - All non-residents wishing to enter/ park within Waiʻānapanapa must have an advanced reservation. In summary, advanced parking reservations can be extremely competitive and hard to come by. However, by booking one of the Road to Hāna tours below, you can enjoy the best of Waiʻānapanapa State Park, as well as a number of the best stops on the Road to Hāna, without having to worry about an advanced reservation.
Note that visitors accompanying State of Hawaiʻi residents are not exempt from the entry fees.
Book Here: Waiʻānapanapa Advanced Reservations
10. Road to Hāna Tour
Coming from someone who has driven the Hāna Hwy many times, I realize how overwhelming it can be to try and plan, as there is so much to see and do. It can be stressful trying to pack it all in, especially when you factor in the advanced reservation system at Waiʻānapanapa State Park.
That being said, if you are looking for a hassle-free way to explore the Road to Hāna, as well as Waiʻānapanapa without an advanced reservation, I highly recommend booking one of the tours below. The local guides out of central Maui know the best of the famous drive to Hāna, and they take care of the advanced reservation, so that you don’t have to!
11. West Lāhainā Pali Trail
Distance: 4.6 miles / 7.4 km
The West Lāhainā Pali Trail is often an overlooked hike among visitors, but in my opinion, the Lāhainā Pali Trail, beginning from Ukumehame, is one of the best sunset hikes on Maui!
On top of this, I especially love the West Lāhainā Pali Trail in the winter because it can be one of the best places to see the Humpback whales from shore!
Read My Separate Post: West Lāhaina Pali Trail
12. Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tour
Molokini Crater, located directly between Maui and Kahoʻolawe, is the best place to book a snorkeling tour across all of Hawaiʻi! There’s truly nothing that compares to the beautiful, pristine waters surrounding the island, which is only accessible by boat on one of these tours.
All said, if your trip is during the summer, then snorkeling at the Molokini Crater is the best and really the only boat tour that I recommend booking, as the Humpback whale tours are a winter-only activity.
13. Upper Waikani Falls
Upper Waikani Falls is a popular waterfall to stop and enjoy on the Road to Hāna, but it is one of those stops on the Hāna Hwy that has become increasingly more difficult to access over the years because of no parking signs and people putting up fences to keep visitors out.
That being said, Upper Waikani Falls is a fun stop, but be careful walking along the highway from where you’ll have to park, as the walk along the road to get back to the stream is narrow with blind corners, and it can get congested.
Google Maps Directions: Upper Waikani Falls
14. Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill
The Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Grill is a beautiful stop in upcountry Maui to grab some burgers and a drink while enjoying the cool mountain air in their beautiful outdoor seating area.
Moreover, since the Ulupalakua Ranch has such a long history on Maui, they are actively involved in some amazing conservation efforts on the island, which is where this yellow ʻŌhiʻa flower comes from! I encourage you to explore the property while you’re there, as they have an impressive amount of native Hawaiian plants to enjoy all around the property!
15. Maui Helicopter Tour
If you haven’t, read my longer breakdown about Maui helicopter tours under the Molokai sea cliffs tour up above.
That being said, these Maui helicopter tours focus solely on seeing the best of Haleakalā, the Hāna Rainforest, and the West Maui Mountains.
Moreover, if you’re trying to decide which helicopter tour is right for you, I would say that my personal preference is the Molokai sea cliffs. That’s just one person’s opinion, but there’s nothing quite like a flight along the tallest sea cliffs in the world! However, I don’t want to discount how insanely beautiful the Hāna Rainforest and Haleakalā is from above, so maybe, it’s really a coin toss.
16. ʻŌhai Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The ʻŌhai Trail is a short and easy coastal loop trail off the drive out to Kāʻanapali.
I recommend stopping for the beautiful loop to enjoy the coastal views, as there truly aren’t as many things to do along the Kahekili side of Maui’s North Shore, compared to the Hāna Hwy.
Google Maps Directions: ʻŌhai Trail
17. ʻĪao Valley State Monument
ʻĪao Valley is known for its beautiful and easy 0.6-mile (1.0 km) botanical garden trail that ends at the famous Kukaʻemoku viewpoint, more commonly known as the ʻĪao Needle.
However, much like Waiʻānapanapa mentioned above, ʻĪao Valley has changed how it manages visitors due to overcrowding issues.
Today, advanced reservations are now required to park/ visit ʻĪao Valley State Monument, which you can learn more about below.
Google Maps Directions: ʻĪao Valley State Monument
Who Needs an ʻĪao Valley Parking Reservation?
Hawaiʻi Residents - This is your home, and generally speaking, there should always be a parking spot open for you! Simply show your Hawaiʻi State ID to the folks working as you drive in, and you are free to park and enjoy everything within ʻĪao Valley State Monument without an advanced reservation.
Visitors/ Non-Hawaiʻi Residents - All non-residents wishing to enter/ park within ʻĪao Valley must have an advanced reservation. In summary, advanced parking reservations can be extremely competitive and hard to come by. However, by booking one of the ʻĪao Valley tours below, you can enjoy the best of ʻĪao Valley, without having to worry about an advanced reservation.
Note that visitors accompanying State of Hawaiʻi residents are not exempt from the entry fees.
Book Here: ʻĪao Valley Advanced Reservations
18. Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach (Hāna)
Distance: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach in Hāna is Hawaiʻi’s only red sand beach!
However, while the hike to get to the Hāna’s famous Red Sand Beach isn’t a very long trail, it’s a bit more dangerous than most visitors might think, which is why I recommend checking out my separate post before going.
Read My Separate Post: Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
19. Whale Watching Tour (Winter Only)
Across all islands, Maui has the best whale tours!
These are Humpback whales that have migrated down from Alaska during the winter months to the warmer Hawaiian waters, where mothers will give birth to their calves.
Unfortunately, this is very season-specific. Meaning, if your trip is too early or late in the winter, they may not have arrived yet, or they are already on their way back to Alaska.
Overall, while you can see the whales from beaches along the coast, the best way to experience the whales on Maui is on the water, as there’s truly nothing quite like an up-close experience through one of the local operators!
20. Pīpīwai Trail (Waimoku Falls)
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
The Pīpīwai Trail in east Maui is a relatively short adventure that ends at the towering 400-ft. (122 m) Waimoku Falls, the tallest waterfall on Maui!
Before going, I recommend reading through my separate post, as visitors have been known to mistakenly take the wrong trail to the ʻOheʻo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), instead of the Pīpīwai Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Pīpīwai Trail (Waimoku Falls)
21. Private Maui Guide
I provide a lot of Hawaiʻi hiking information throughout my blog, but even then, many of these adventures could be more comfortably done with a local guide.
The reason I like these guided options below is because there’s truly an adventure for everyone, which can be tailored for different levels of experience by booking through one of the local guides.
22. Buying Local Hawaiian Coffee
While Hawaiʻi may have a reputation for its famed Kona Coffee, I found my favorite by a long shot to be 100% Maui Coffee from the Maui Coffee Company! Locally, it can be bought at Safeway stores and Target, but to make it easy, you can order it below on Amazon, so that you don’t have to fly home with it.
In my opinion, Maui Coffee is the best, followed by 100% Kauaʻi Coffee. I put these two before anything grown on the Big Island, which in third I choose 100% Kona Gold Roast by Lion Coffee. This is just one person’s opinion, but I’m only saying to not let the famous Kona name convince you that it’s the best.
23. Twin & Caveman Falls
Twin Falls/ Caveman Falls is a privately owned stop located right at the beginning of the Hāna Highway, where visitors have the opportunity to see not one, but two beautiful waterfalls only a short distance from the trailhead.
Since Twin Falls is so popular, I recommend getting arriving early, which is especially important if you plan on making this your first stop before heading on a full day of adventures along the Hāna Highway.
Google Maps Directions: Twin & Caveman Falls
24. Waioka Pond (Venus Pool)
Between Hāna and the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park is a little-known local swimming and cliff-jumping spot called the Waioka Pond.
That being said, be aware that the short trail to get there runs along private property, so I ask that you please be respectful and don't bring any negative attention to this local spot.
Don’t be loud, don’t leave trash, and don’t park illegally. Parking is limited, but you can find more spots a little further up the road if the ones right next to the entrance are taken.
Google Maps Directions: Waioka Pond (Venus Pool)
25. Maui Lūʻau
This is one of those things where there’s no non-touristy way around it.
However, I hope you have taken a number of my recommendations from this list because if so, give yourself a nice night out at one of these Lūʻaus.
Below, I have provided a number of Lūʻau options to choose from, which can be found across Maui’s south shore.
What NOT to Do!
Don’t ever leave bags or anything valuable visible in your car.
Treat Maui like you would any crime-ridden city, and you will be fine. Smash and grabs happen often, especially to cars that are obviously rentals. Some of my favorite trailheads have glass all over the place because people just don’t understand this.
Don’t look like a tourist.
This is a hard one, but hear me out. I’m recommending some local things in this blog that will potentially take you to parts of the island where you don’t want to stand out, and this goes back to my number one under this section. Tourists are good, easy, and vulnerable targets for crime and petty theft.
So how do you not look like a tourist? Try not to make your rental look like a rental. Don’t have your rental full of suitcases, beach toys, and towels that you just got from the ABC store.
Take any rental car stickers/ logos off the side of the car. I’ve seen rentals with stickers over the door seals to show that it has been through enhanced cleaning.
I’m really just trying to come up with things that come to my mind when I can obviously spot a tourist. To me, tourists really stand out to me when they pronounce the names of other islands wrong.
Do NOT approach or harass our native wildlife.
This happens all too often with visitors harassing our endemic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals. There are strict penalties for doing this, and visitors have been hunted down and prosecuted because of social media posts in the past.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal, among many other native Hawaiian species, are on the federal list for endangered species. This also goes for sensitive mountain environments like Haleakalā that are home to some of the rarest species in the world. Please use common sense.
Native Hawaiian Plants on Maui
I wanted to include this last section on this post because this is a subject that’s personal to me.
The native plant biodiversity in Hawaiʻi is insane! 90% of the native plants that you will see around the islands are found nowhere else on earth, and I say these things for two reasons.
The first is that I ask that you please do everything you possibly can to minimize your impact on our trails because so many of our native plants are at risk of extinction. The second is that if you have personal interest in the subject or may be curious about something that you found, I wrote a separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants. I wrote it to help others around Hawaiʻi ID anything that you might be curious about.
For example, this species in the photo below can only be found on the island of Maui and nowhere else on earth.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
Visiting Other Islands
If you are heading to another island on your trip, check out some of my personal recommendations here for Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokai, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in my separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
