Planning your trip to the beautiful island of Maui can be an overwhelming task. There is so much to see and do! Our team at Get Away Today loves to visit the Hawaiian islands and have created this article to help keep planning simple.

Come enjoy island life with us as we go over our top things to do in Maui.

If you’re coming from the U.S. mainland, chances are you will be awake very early on your first day in Maui.

Use the time change to your advantage and wake up to the sunrise on the top of Haleakala (hah-le-ah-kah-lah). Mount Haleakala is a dormant volcano that towers at 10,023 feet, high above the clouds.

Check your weather app for the sunrise time on Maui, then give yourself an extra 30-45 minutes before sunrise to arrive at the top of Haleakala. Add that to your drive time and set an alarm or two because you don’t want to miss this incredible sunrise.

The drive will take you up the winding mountainside where you’ll park and wait at the top to view the dramatic sunrise. And while you are still in Hawaii, it is cold up here—bring jackets, beach towels or blankets because you’ll want them to keep you warm.

We brought our winter coats and used them as pillows on the flight so they weren’t completely useless to us, but it was strange bringing them to Maui!

When you finally reach the top, you can see for miles and miles with an airplane-like view. If clear skies are in the forecast, you’re in for an incredible start to your Maui vacation. From the top you can even see Mona Koa on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Don’t forget, you will likely need reservations for sunrise at Haleakala. After sunrise you can hike the trails, check out the visitors center or head down to explore more of the island. Be sure to pack any water, drinks or snacks since availability at the summit is extremely limited.

You’ll definitely want to take the easy walk up to see the beautiful and famous Iao (EE-yow) Needle. This park is an amazing place to see thick, lush, green rain forests and gorgeous scenery all around. We felt like we had arrived in Jurassic Park!

This 4,000-acre, 10-mile long park is home to Maui’s 1,200-foot Iao Needle. This iconic green-mantled rock overlooks Iao stream and has plenty of easy hiking trails, outlooks and sightseeing opportunities.

If you’re looking for the lush, rainforest and tropical oasis on Maui, this spot is definitely it. You can also stop by the Hawaii Nature Center, which is also located within Iao Valley.

Reservations are required for Iao Valley State Park and Monument.

The road to the town of Hana provides one of the most scenic drives in the world. When you decide to take this trip, it’s so important to truly focus on the drive rather than the destination.

Along this road you will encounter 620 curves and 59 bridges. Narrow lanes provide for slow, meandering visitors and quick locals passing by who are more comfortable navigating its many turns.

You’ll want to make sure you decide ahead of time what areas you’d like to stop and explore. Parking is often just a narrow dirt patch on the side of the road—most locations do not have designated parking lots.

The road to Hana drive takes a long time, so keep in mind you won’t have time to stop at each attraction in one day.

Some of the most popular stops along the road to Hana include:

• Twin Falls
• The Garden of Eden
• The Bamboo Forest
• Waianapanapa State Park
• Black Sand Beach
• Hana Bay
• Seven Sacred Pools

One Get Away Today employee shares,
“I loved Black Sand Beach—just to sit there and listen to the way the waves sound as they rolled onto the black sand and back out again. It was a completely different sound than I am used to hearing. It was so soothing and unique.”

You will need a reservation to enter Waianapanapa State Park, including Black Sand Beach

Let’s face it...the real reason many dream of visiting Hawaii is the beautiful beaches! Maui has so many to offer – from Ho’okipa Beach where you can watch the windsurfers, to Makena Big and Little Beaches where you can enjoy a day of swimming and sunbathing, to Black Rock Beach where you can swim with the turtles and cliff jump, to DT Fleming Beach where the waves are perfect to body surf all the way in to shore.

There are enough beaches here to explore for weeks and weeks! Our favorites and consistently top ranked Maui beaches are:

• Ka’anapali Beach - West Maui
• Kapalua Bay - West Maui
• Honolua Bay - West Maui
• Kamaole Beaches - South Maui
• Makena Beach State Park - South Maui
• La Perouse Bay - South Maui
• Baldwin Beach Park - North Shore
• Ho’okipa Beach Park - North Shore
• Waianapanapa State Park - Road to Hana

Lahaina is a historic, charming beach that was devastated by 2023 wildfires. Lahaina Town was once a vibrant, bustling destination full of opportunities to shop, eat and take in the sites. It was also home to some 3,000 displaced residents.

Despite the devastation, the famous Banyan Tree at the center of town stands tall at more than 140 years old. Its miraculous recovery signifies the life and regrowth that is Lahaina Town.

Lahaina continues to slowly rebuild and reopen. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to eat, shop at local West Maui vendors. But please, be respectful and mindful of the local residents as they continue to rebuild and reopen.

At the northern tip of Maui you’ll find the famous Nakalele blowhole. We love climbing and hiking all over the rocks and watching in awe at the powerful geyser-like water show the blowhole provides as the waves and tides come in. The views here are breathtaking!

Although there are many things to see and do, we always suggest setting aside time to stay and enjoy your resort!

Spending time as a family together relaxing, swimming in the pools, walking the beach and taking in the breathtaking Maui sunsets are memories you will cherish for the rest of your lives.

There are so many accommodation options throughout Maui ranging from condos with full kitchens to budget family friendly hotels to luxurious and romantic resorts. Start your Maui vacation search online or by calling our agents at 855 GET AWAY.

You’ll soon see for yourself why Maui is the second most frequented of the Hawaiian Islands!