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Maui is a dream for the active traveler. It's been consistenly chosen as the best island in the world. There are so many things to do that you'll never be able to do them all in just one visit. Here, however, are some starters with some inspiration from the Maui Visitors Bureau.
1.  Attend a Luau
Several hotels stage beachside luaus featuring Hawaiian foods such as kalua pig, cooked in an earthen oven, poi and haupia (coconut pudding), along with a buffet of more familiar foods. There is lots of Hawaiian music, hula, and even fire dancing. In Lahaina, on a specially built, open-air luau grounds next to the ocean, the Old Lahaina Luau is one of the finest luaus in the world, offering excellent Hawaiian food and entertainment in an unparalleled setting.
More: Luaus on Maui
2. Bike
Few places are more friendly to bikers than Maui. It is possible to bicycle from the East End of the island at the Wailea Resort to Kapalua on the West End. Much of the ride is along a spectacular shoreline road. There are guided downhill bicycle tours down part of Haleakala, through the flower farms and small towns of Upcountry to the beach at Paia. In 38 miles, the elevation drops 10,000 feet. Bicycle rentals are available all over the island.
More: Maui Land Activities | Biking
3. Dine
Maui is Hawaii's dining epicenter, with a restaurant for every taste. Maui has attracted enthusiastic chefs who make national headlines using fresh local produce from Upcountry farmers. From lavish hotel dining rooms to lunch counters serving plate lunches, Maui's eateries are pleasing and diverse. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and Mexican are among the specialty restaurants. The pride of the island, Hawaii Regional Cuisine, is served at many award-winning restaurants.
More: Maui Restaurants
4. Water Adventures
Maui has some of the finest dive spots in Hawaii, with dozens of reputable operators. There are two marine conservation areas, one at Honolua Bay on West Maui and the other at Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater offshore at Wailea. Boats at Lahaina and Ma'alaea offer a number of dive and snorkel excursions. Glass bottom boats and a pleasure submarine open up the wonders to non-swimmers.
More: Maui Ocean Activities
5. Drive
One of the world's most scenic drives is located on Maui - the Hana Highway - with 54 bridges in 56 miles along a winding lava shore, through old plantation towns, past miles of beaches and through towering forests. A drive to the summit of Haleakala is also a must. Haleakala crater appears like the surface of an alien planet and the views of Maui from the summit are amazing. Car rentals are often included in hotel or airline packages
More: Hana Highway Photos
6. Hike
Walk into a rainforest echoing with the songs of birds found nowhere else on the planet. There are trails to waterfalls with plunge pools for swimming, and walks into valleys so deep they never see a sunrise or a sunset. There are trails into the dramatic lunar landscape of Haleakala crater. There are trails and nature walks for every level of skill. A free Maui Recreational Map is available from Maui's Department of Land and Natural Resources.
More: Maui Land Activities | Hiking
7.  Shop
The island abounds in galleries, international shops, designer boutiques and shopping malls. Many carry Maui specialty items and products unique to Hawai?i. These include hand-turned bowls and objects of beautiful native woods; hats woven of lau hala; hand painted resort fashions; and one-of-a-kind jewelry, glass work, and art. Lahaina is a shopper's paradise. There is also a weekly swap meet in Kahului and numerous other craft fairs and farmer's markets across the island.
For shopping enthusiasts, there is nothing quite like the exquisite Shops at Wailea. This shopping center highlights the finest brands in fashion, handbags, jewelry and more. Set in the beauty of the South Maui sun, storefronts in this luxury complex are interspersed with galleries of fine art. Take a piece of Maui’s talent home with you or you can choose from a selection of international artists. The Shops at Wailea also provide fine dining and live entertainment.
More: Flea Markets (Swap Meets), Farmers Markets and Craft Fairs on Maui | Shops at Wailea
8. Sightsee
Visit nostalgic plantation towns, tour the historic preservation district of Lahaina, see the biggest Buddha outside of Asia, stop at old Hawaiian churches, or visit a museum dedicated to Maui's whaling history. Walk through an aquarium and watch the fish swim around and above you, or marvel at the beauty of Iao Needle and the West Maui Mountains. Drive to the pools of Oheo Gulch or under the canopy of giant redwood trees in Olinda. The choices are endless.
More: Lahaina | Upcountry Maui | Paia | Hana & Oheo Gulch
9.  Swim and Snorkel
There are more than 80 beaches on Maui and 120 miles of coastline. The beaches come in sands of gold, black, green, red and pure, shimmering white. And while you're at it, grab a snorkel and mask and commune with turtles and many species of fish. The waters of Kapalua, at the north end of Ka'anapali Beach (near Black Rock), and in Makena are ideal for snorkeling, especially early in the morning. Many hotels rent snorkel gear, or you can rent it from one of the many dive shops around the island.
More: Snorkeling | Surf | Beaches
10. Watch Whales
From November through April, Maui welcomes the humpback whales - Hawaii's largest seasonal visitors. They come to Hawaii to mate and give birth. Maui's south and west coastlines provide abundant opportunities for watching this endangered species, and various companies offer whale watching excursions aboard both power and sail boats.
More: Humpback Whales of Hawaii
11. Golf
The Valley Isle is known for its beauty—and so are its golf courses. Maui has two distinct areas where the bulk of the accommodations and golf resorts are situated. Maui’s famous west side, which features the bustling old whaling village of Lahaina, delivers 36 holes at both the Kaanapali Beach Resort and the Kapalua Resort.
The south side of Maui, which lies in the wake of Haleakala, is home to two resorts, Wailea (54 holes) and Makena (36 holes). The other four Maui courses accessible to visitors are located between Pukalani and Wailuku including Maui’s excellent Waiehu Municipal Golf Course, which overlooks Kahului Bay.
More: Golf on Maui
12. Visit The Island Of Lanai
Away from the crowds and hustle of everyday life, Lanai is a destination of exquisite, untouched tranquility. This Island is a true getaway. Here you can wrap yourself in the elegance of two world-class resorts and enjoy the peaceful seclusion that has earned Lanai the name, “Hawaii’s Most Enticing Island.”
The smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, Lanai offers big enticements to its visitors. Two high-caliber courses make it a mandatory stop for golfers. Enthralling sights like the rock formations of Keahiakawelo are scattered throughout the island. Plus its luxurious resorts offer ample opportunities to relax and rejuvenate. It’s true that Lanai isn’t for everybody. And that’s exactly why so many fall in love with it.
More: Lanai
13.  Ride the Railroad
Though the plantation days of the sugar industry are in the past, the railroad left from that time remains. Sit back and enjoy a ride on the rails of The Sugar Cane Train. You’ll learn Hawaiian history and take in panoramic views of the West Maui mountains on this six mile trip that includes traversing a giant wooden trestle. The BBQ buffet at sunset with live Hawaiian music is a perfect way to end the day with the kids. Train leaves out of Lahaina.
More: The Sugar Cane Train
14. Take a Helicopter Tour
Take a Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters to anywhere on Maui or Molokai--truly awesome. You also get a video of your flight. For the best viewing, get the earliest flight in the morning as possible. What you see in an hour from the air, will take you days of driving around Maui to see.
More: Helicopter Tour
15. Go See The Lahaina Banyan Tree And Lahaina Courthouse
 This Maui sightseeing landmark commemorates the 50th anniversary of Christian Missionary work in Lahaina, Hawaii. Imported from India in 1873, the Lahaina Banyan tree was planted when it was just eight feet tall. Now, the tree is a whopping 60 feet tall, and contains over 12 thick trunks. If you're looking for amazing sights in Maui, be sure to visit the Lahaina Banyan tree, one of the largest Indian Banyan trees in the world.
Made from the materials of King Kamehameha III's former palace, the Lahaina Courthouse is a major part of Maui sightseeing. Featuring a custom house, post office, collector's office, money vault, police court, courtroom, and several staff offices, Lahaina Courthouse was innovative and important during its time. Since the end of its official operation in the late 20th century, this attraction has brought private foundations and government offices together to help raise money to preserve Hawaiian heritage.
More: Banyan Tree | Lahaina Courthouse
16. Whalers Village Museum
This large complex provides tourists with a fun-filled day of activities. Stroll around the shopping center, eat at any number of quality restaurants, and be sure to stop by the Whalers Village Museum in Maui. Tours are available, during which visitors will learn what it was like to be a sailor in the early 1800s. Home to one of the world’s largest reconstructed whaling ships, this museum is a fascinating stop. Plenty of artifacts and scrimshaw are also on display.
More: Whalers Village Museum
17. Visit Haleakala Crater
If you want to touch Maui’s history, you can go straight to its volcanic source. Haleakala Crater, the active but dormant volcano known at the “House of the Sun” crests the sky at 10,000 feet in elevation. You can drive up through the clouds to experience the rare landscape and sweeping views the crater provides. Known for epic sunrises and sunsets, the area is rich with explorations any time of day.
More: National Park Service
18.  Take A Walk On Front Street, Lahaina
Take a walk on Front Street, Lahaina...have a drink at Kimo's. Enjoy a burger at Cheeseburger In Paradise, a busy place at one end of the famous seawall in Lahaina...try a Loco Moco™ or a Royal Ali' Cheeseburger™ for breakfast...GREAT! Dinner at Lahaina Grill is always a winner as is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Front Street is more than just restaurants...it's an experience, with shopping galore from art shops, brand name clothing, tee shirts, sun glasses and more, you will enjoy a wal on Front Street..
More: Kimo's | Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. | Cheesburger In Paradise | Lahaina Grill | Front St Quicki Guide
More Do's & Don'ts
You'll definitely need to rent a car, while on Maui. Everything you'll want to see or do will requires driving. You can get better rates, if you go for weekly rates on the rent a car. Tie a ribbon on your car antenna, so you can find your car amongst the sea of rent a cars (they all look alike).
When driving around Maui, look in your rear view mirror occasionally and if you are holding up traffic, show some "Aloha" and use your turn signal and pull over to let the locals pass and they will wave to you with two fingers (aka shaka sign) instead of the infamous one finger.
Wear sunscreen always (even when cloudy) and rubber slippers (aka flip flops). Don't get matching aloha wear, whatever you do. Don't try to speak pidgin (local slang). Don't feed any animals or fish anywhere, ever. Remember to take nothing and leave nothing.
There is crime in paradise, so don't keep valuables in your car or trunk (there are trunk buttons inside the car). Don't leave your wallet on the beach when you swim, and play it smart.
Please note, when you are walking around, you may run into Activity Sales people. They only sell certain activities, from which they receive sales commissions from. They don't represent all the different Maui companies. Their recommendations are generally based on the highest commission rate, not what is always in your best interest.
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