Hawaii is our top-selling destination each year and Maui is the most popular island. So, what do we recommend for our clients who just can’t get enough of the Aloha vibes? We’ve gathered a list of our favorite things to do in Maui!
Maui Brewing Company: This is a great way to get “off-property” from your hotel and mingle with some locals, our most favorite of all the things to do in Maui! The Maui Brewing Company brewery is located just 10-15 minutes from the Wailea area resorts. It offers a brewery tour, tasting flights, a restaurant with a fun Hawaiian pub-style menu, and live music. They also have a brewpub in Lahaina.
Shopping and BBQ in Paia: A cute little town that serves as the gateway to the road to Hana and worth a visit even if you don’t want to do the full scenic drive to Hana. The town has a nice mix of kitschy tourist shops and higher-end boutiques and art galleries. Willie Nelson is a local resident and he fits right in with the vibe of this town. I like to go for some window shopping and BBQ lunch at Charley’s Saloon.
Dine at Mama’s Fish House: This is a long-standing favorite restaurant on Maui. The menu at Mama’s Fish House features fresh catch local seafood and the decor is a classic tiki bar style. It makes for a really fun night out! Or, go for lunch and stop by the neighboring Ho’okipa Lookout where you can often spot seals and turtles resting on the beach.
Day trip to Lahaina: This is a historic village just south of the Kaanapali beach resort area (about a 45-minute drive from Wailea). The Old Lahaina Courthouse features a small museum that highlights the island’s British history and a town park famous for its dramatic banyan tree. The marina is still pretty active with local fishing and you can sometimes see market stalls selling fresh-caught mahi-mahi; this is also where you can catch the Ferry to Lanai so there’s always plenty of traffic, perfect for good people watching. If you’re looking for a good variety of things to do in Maui with a good dose of convenience, Lahaina has shopping, cafes, lunch spots, and a little bit of nightlife – a little something for everybody.
Sunrise at Haleakala: You can do this on your own with a rental car or join a tour. I recommend the downhill bike tours – they bus you up to the peak for sunrise viewing and then you bike your way down with a stop for a breakfast picnic along the way. Pre-booking is now required by the National Park Service so plan ahead for this one!
Luau in Lahaina: Dedicated to upholding and showcasing Hawaii’s traditional music, dance, and food, Old Lahaina Luau provides the opportunity to experience just that. You’ll want to make a reservation in advance, as they book to capacity nearly year-round. But, Old Lahaina’s dedication to hookipa (hospitality) in allotting 1 employee per 12 guests, provides a special and unforgettable experience.
Makawao: Stroll through Makawao, a Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town that shows a new side of historic Hawaii. You’re sure to see at least one of these cowboys, and if you’re lucky you might find one riding down the street on a longhorn bull! Aside from people watching, you can visit any of the local shops, the “Rodeo General Store,” or T. Komoda Store & Bakery, a legendary bakery throughout Maui and beyond. They usually sell out early in the day – think before 10am – so you’ll want to get there early.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm: This 13.5-acre farm is home to thousands of lavender plants as well as hydrangea, olive trees, succulents, and other flora. Ali’i Kula also sells a variety of products made with the lavender grown onsite, from organic lavender spritzer to culinary grade lavender.
Surfing Goat Dairy: Located in Kula near the Haleakala Crater, the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm is known for its award-winning goat cheeses and more. You can stop by for a variety of tours, ranging from a quick half-hour casual tour of the farm to the more hands-on “evening chores & milking tour,” or simply stop by the shop and sample cheeses, peruse soaps, and see what else the farm is producing.
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery: Made with organic sugar cane and deep ocean mineral water, Maui’s own distillery prides itself on utilizing local resources to create quality spirits. You can reserve a tour of the Ocean Vodka facility, which includes a sampling of their vodka, or stop by the gift shop any day of the week.
Maui Wine: Settled on the slopes of the Haleakala volcano in Paia, Maui Wine highlights the history of Hawaiian culture as they showcase classic wine varieties, as well as some unique to the island. You can enjoy their famous pineapple wine and Ulupalakua staples in various luxury tasting rooms or outside overlooking the island landscape, and you can also take a tour of the vineyard any day of the week, no reservations required.
A FEW HOTEL-SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS:
Four Seasons Maui at Wailea: Spring for a cabana! This is the perfect solution when your not looking for things to do in Maui! The pool cabanas at the adults-only pool at the Four Seasons Maui make for a special treat; there are only 6 of them so they can sell out. The experience includes a comfortable poolside cabana with reserved lounge chairs and shady lounge under the cabana with a mini fridge and TV. The cost is $780 for a full day an includes a bottle of prosecco with mixers for tropical fruit mimosas (you can also exchange for cocktails) and light snacks served throughout the day. If you don’t want to pay full price, you can always check with the cabana staff that day and if a cabana hasn’t been rented out by noon, you can get it at a discount for the afternoon.
Andaz Maui at Wailea: Visit the Apothecary! Included in your spa experience, the Apothecary Room at Andaz Maui Wailea offers the unique opportunity to use local ingredients and create your own personal scent to be used during your treatment. You can also purchase extra to take home as a souvenir. Borrow from the Ourisman Travel Signature Scent recipe if you’re looking for some inspiration!
- Macadamia nut body butter
- Marigold (heals skin irritation; great after a day in the sun!)(3 portions)
- Helichrysum & maitake mushroom (reduces stress in tissue) (2 portions)
- A blend of pikake, mango, and amber scented oils
Montage Kapalua: Toast to the sun at the Champagne Hale! This Veuve Clicquot pop-up bar is the perfect spot for an “après-sun” treat. “Hale” in Hawaiian means house or home, which is a perfect description of the little hideaway perched on the cliff-side with incredible sunset views. The Champagne Hale isn’t available every day, so plan ahead and let us help you coordinate your plans with the hotel concierge.
