Aloha! Justin and I went to Hawaii and to the islands of Maui and Kauai on our honeymoon about three years ago. We LOVED Maui so much we knew we needed to return one day! We went back in April, and it was just as dreamy as we remembered it. Why we love Maui so much is because you can relax or go out on some amazing adventures!
Here are our top 5 adventures you must do if you visit Maui!
1. Snorkeling
Snorkeling in Maui is unmatched. We always stay at the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Hotel right on Kaanapali Beach, and it is so close to Black Rock, which is a fantastic snorkel spot!
Every time we have snorkeled at Black Rock, we have seen sea turtles and Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a! It is free to snorkel at the beaches, but if you want to pay for a snorkeling tour, I’d recommend PacWhale.
2. Whale Watching
Whale season runs from December until April in Maui. Humpback whales come to Maui for the warmer ocean waters and for breeding and birthing. The heart of the season is January through March, but even in April we were able to see some whales!
We booked with the Quicksilver. The crew was phenomenal! Whales are a part of nature, so on our first trip out, we did not see any. They have a policy that you can rebook for free if you don’t spot any whales.
Our tip is to book your whale-watching tour early in your week so that you can rebook if needed! Werebooked and got to see whales on our second trip. It was a really cool experience. They even put a microphone down into the water, so you can hear the whale calls!
3. Road to Hana
No adventurous trip to Maui is complete without driving the Road to Hana!
This road is not for the faint of heart! It has 620 hairpin turns! If you get motion sickness, you’ll want to make sure you are prepared before taking this 64-mile drive.
Along the Road to Hana, there are so many fascinating stops, more waterfalls than you can count, and delicious treats like Auntie Sandy’s Banana Bread. The rainforest views are breathtaking, and there is even a black sand beach along the journey!
Just past Hana is Justin’s and my favorite beach, Hamoa. It’s a long day if you try to do the road in one day, but if you are East Coasters like us, you’ll have no issues waking up early, heading out, and making it home by dinner. There are also many tour groups where you can book a trip so you don’t have to do the driving!
4. Haleakalā National Park
National parks are always on our list. This one is unique in that it is a dormant volcano!
Many people book a reservation in advance to see the sunrise over Haleakalā. We have never made it or been able to book a reservation for sunrise, but we enjoy going nonetheless. I would recommend trying to go early in the day or later in the afternoon/evening to enjoy the sunset.
Haleakalā makes its own weather, so be prepared to get to the top and find it misty, raining, and with no visibility. We think the trek up is worth it! Check out the temperature on your car at the base, and then see what it says when you’re at the top, we’ve experienced a 20-degree drop in temperature from base to summit!
Haleakalā also has some trails at the end of the Road to Hana to explore on a different day. We really enjoyed the Pīpīwai Trail! Your park ticket is good for 3 days of use.
5. Kapalua Trail
This feels like a bit of a hidden gem. North of Kaanapali, you can drive to the Kapalua Trail, which is a cliffside hike with fantastic ocean views!
We also saw lots of birds’ nests, rainbows, and mansions along this trail. It wasn’t a difficult hike, and the views were phenomenal!
I highly recommend spending a morning here, grab a tea or coffee and take the 2.5-mile hike in and out. Then head to Kapalua Bay for snorkeling!
BONUS: Chasing Sunsets
Sunsets in Maui are truly a spectacle. Really, sunsets in Hawaii are an event! We loved each night joining everyone that was around to watch the sunset on the beach.
Each one is unique and spectacular. It is such a warm-hearted feeling to watch so many people, from all walks of life, stop and take in the sunset. It is a magical moment each day!
Have you been to Maui? What is your favorite adventure while you’re there?
Wx Shield 
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