Are you ready to travel but not yet sure which destination to pick? Do you want a place that’s ideal for rest and relaxation? What about high-adventure and sweat therapy? The options right now can be overwhelming. If you want a little bit of everything and especially primo weather… we’ve got just the place. Maui should be your next choice for an unforgettable getaway. Here are the Top 10 Reasons to Book a Maui vacation:
1. Beaches
Maui is home to more than thirty miles of beautiful beaches, which also means it has the most swimmable shorelines than any other Hawaiian island. The west coast has an abundance of sun-drenched spots including the gorgeous and free south shore spot known as Wailea Beach. This beach is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world because of great public access and just enough shade along the mile-long coast and lagoon.
If you’re looking for a splash of color, try the red sand beach along the hidden cove of Kaihaululu. And you really don’t want to miss the black volcanic sand on Honokalani Beach at Wai’ānapanapa State Park, which Conde Nast readers recently ranked as one of the best island beaches in the world.
2. Outdoor Activities
Sunshine and adrenaline go hand-in-hand, and your trip to Maui offers endless opportunities for thrill-seeking experiences. For those who want to stay on land, you can take a guided hike through the lush rainforest or cycle 37-miles down the slope of a volcano to the beach.
If you’re looking for water sports, there’s an abundance of aqua adventures here. Snorkeling and scuba diving among thousands of tropical fish in the reefs around Maui can be done any time of year. The Molokini Crater is an especially legendary dive location because of its crystal-clear water with near-perfect visibility. Beginners and experts love surfing, with plenty of locations no matter your level of experience. Plus, Maui has world-class water for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and paddle boarding too!
3. Local Food
Maui is home to innovative cuisine and food connoisseurs can get their fill at high-end restaurants, farm-to-table experiences, and gourmet food trucks. Across the island, you’ll find shaved ice treats and poke bowls filled with ahi pulled fresh from the ocean.
Did you know Maui is home to more than 800 farms? They make the most of the region’s rich, volcanic soil and provide eateries with ingredients for dishes that fuse local produce, traditional recipes, and island inspiration. Brunch is always a good idea, and it becomes a GREAT idea at Papa’aina, a harbor-front hot spot inside Maui’s oldest hotel.
If you’re looking for something to grab and go, try celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon’s popular takeout spot TIN ROOF, with daily specials that put a unique Filipino spin on some of his favorite Hawaiian dishes.
4. Road To Hana
There’s no better way to forget your daily commute back home than to zig-zag along the 52-mile northeastern shore drive known around the world as simply – The Road to Hana. HI-360 is a twisty-turny highway filled with breathtaking coastal scenery. Plan a day trip and enjoy picturesque panoramas of rainforests, sea cliffs, and swimming holes. Be sure to pick up some snacks at roadside stands and food trucks along the way! You’ll find tropical delights like fresh sliced pineapple and coconut ice cream. Pro tip: Near mile marker 16.5 you can take in an amazing view of the peninsula and pick up a warm slice of banana bread from Aunty Sandy’s.
5. Volcanos
Maui is also known as The Valley Isle and owes much of its abundant natural beauty to two now-dormant volcanos. From any spot on the island, you can see one of them, with the shield volcano Hale’akalā making up 75% of the island. The most recent lava flow erupted sometime between 1420 and 1620, and although the US Geological Survey considers it an active volcano, they say you aren’t likely to see any lava flowing out of again it anytime soon. That safety note makes hiking in this special place and watching the daybreak while standing at the top of the 10,023-foot summit even more enjoyable!
Maui’s other volcano – Mauna Kahālāwai is much older, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. They estimate it to be1.7 million years old! The last eruption for West Maui Volcano, as it is also known, was more than 300,000 years ago. Today the area is home to Pu’u Kukui Preserve, the largest private nature preserve in Hawaii.
6. Wildlife
Snorkeling or taking a ride on a glass-bottom boat while visiting Maui can give you a great opportunity to see an incredible variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, and the wonderland around a coral reef.
If you’re scuba certified, you can even schedule a dive with sharks at the Maui Ocean Center. But you don’t have to get wet to see ocean wildlife. Stay dry and get a good view at the same time on your visit to the Aquarium of Hawai’i by checking out the 750,000-gallon ocean tank with a 54-foot-long acrylic tunnel that you can walk under to see tiger, grey and white tip sharks from a safe distance!
If you want to learn about whales, The Humpbacks of Hawai’i Exhibit and 3D Sphere exhibit at the Ocean Center is the place to go. Find out about the 10,000 Humpback whales that migrate from Alaska to give birth and mate in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Maui every winter. Then, catch a Whale watch tour out of either Ma’alaea or Lahaina Harbors to get a close-up look at the 40-ton mammals in the wild with Pacific Whale Foundation.
7. Waterfalls
Maui has some of the world’s best waterfalls! Seize the day and lace up your boots for a hike through the lush rainforest to reach the base of any one of the numerous amazing waterfalls on the island. Many of the falls can be found on the east side, near the Road to Hana. The 200 foot Lower Puohokamoa Falls is one of the first waterfalls you’ll encounter on the drive and can be seen from a lookout point 0.8 of a mile past Mile Marker 10.
Another really cool thing about Maui waterfalls… you can actually swim in some of them! Also near mile marker 10 on the Road to Hana, you’ll find the Waikamoi stream and waterfalls.
Another great spot to splash around is at The Seven Sacred Pools (‘OHE’O Gulch) in the middle of Hale’akalā National Park.
8. Shopping
No matter if you’re looking for high fashion from designer boutiques or crunchy granola from a farmer’s market, Maui has great shopping opportunities. You can peruse the waterfront views while shopping along Front Street in Lahaina or look for bargains at two Maui malls; Whalers Village in Kaanapali or The Shops at Wailea.
Check out the farmer’s markets in the Upcountry and Farmers Market Maui in North Kihei for fresh produce and other locally grown goodies. There are also six historical town districts on the island, and you’ll find unique tchotchkes in each. Another option – Check two things off your list by taking in the panoramic views from the slopes of Hale’akalā while browsing for one-of-a-kind souvenirs at the gift shop at Ali’l Kula Lavender Farm.
9. History & Culture
Hawaii has a rich and diverse culture that springs from several sources. While you visit Maui you can learn about the history and traditions of the island’s original inhabitants by attending an authentic luau, like Old Lahaina Luau, or take a hike and see the ancient stone art known as Ki’l poha. The Olowalu Petroglyphs can be found along a basalt cliff in West Maui.
History buffs can learn more about the island’s history at The Bailey House Museum. Schedule a customized walking tour on Maui with Open Eye Tours, with knowledgeable guides taking you to archeological sites and the walled fish ponds used in Hawaiian aquaculture for centuries known as Loko i’a. Did you know Hawaii also has a history of cowboys? They’ve been wrangling cattle since the late 19th century and an eclectic mix of them can still be found at Makawao Town in upcountry Maui.
10. Aloha Vibes
There are thousands of reasons to make Maui your next vacation. For those who want to explore, there’s something for everyone on this island full of hidden gems. The weather is idyllic here no matter the season, and the radiance of nature is celebrated every day in ways that fill all your senses. On any given night year-round, you can watch magnificent sunset colors on the beach while you listen to the sound of the conch shell blowing on the ocean breeze. A trip to Maui is a trip to paradise. The Valley Isle is a special place where you can find locals and travelers joyfully sharing life in the spirit of Aloha.
Remember, Ali’I Resorts is the #1 vacation rental for South Maui condos. Options range from affordable to luxury price points. You can stay oceanfront, from Kīhei to Wailea-Makena.
