4 Favorite Things to Do in Maui

Ahhh…a week in paradise. No setting could be more perfect than Maui for a rejuvenating vacation, and with a little planning, you can experience all the best the island has to offer. Here are some attractions sure to help you fall in love with Maui and experience a vacation you’ll never forget. And if you’re ready to purchase your own perfect piece of paradise, local real estate expert Kevin Spaise guides you through the process of making Maui your home away from home.

 

Maui offers unmatched tropical beauty. The Road to Hana is arguably one of the most popular Maui activities. Rent a vehicle and explore 52 miles of roadways through dense foliage and switchback turns, passing beautiful waterfalls. Scenic overlooks abound, making this a great full-day excursion. It’s always a good idea to start early in the morning to beat the crowds and allow plenty of time to stop and explore all along the way.

 

Haleakala National Park contains the largest dormant volcano crater in the world. Take a drive up to the peak of 10,000 feet above sea level, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the island and the ocean beyond. Then descend into the crater and explore the desert-like climate within. The most popular hike here is found at the base, a 4-mile trail called Pipiwai, which leads through a variety of terrain to Waimoku Falls.

 

For an only-in-Hawaii shoreline experience, visit the beaches of Wai’anapanapa State Park. The water here is gorgeous, made even more outstanding by the sharp contrast between it and the black volcanic sand. Take time to explore the caves in this park and enjoy a swim in the pools located within.

 

Of course, if you remain a landlubber, you’ll miss exploring some of the most stunning natural beauty of Maui: the coral reefs and endless variety of colorful fish and other aquatic life just beyond the water’s edge. Plan an excursion — or several of them — with the knowledgeable dive team at the Scuba Shack. They offer dive experiences for a variety of skills and interests.

 

Maui offers a variety of shopping centers, resort boutiques, and local markets. These popular samplings will give you a full range of retail experiences. Along the Ka’anapali beachfront, you’ll find the beautifully situated Whalers’ Village. Among the 90 stores in this open-air shopping mall, you'll find boutique stores, a selection of native arts and crafts, and restaurants with waterfront views, perfect for a midday respite and taking in the waterfront views.

 

Maui Mall may look like a traditional shopping mall in some regards, but it comes with a distinctly Hawaiian flair. It has built a reputation for offering excellent entertainment as well, such as regularly scheduled Polynesian dance demonstrations and live music performances.

 

Fine, upscale brands such as Gucci and Prada co-mingle with other familiar stores and art galleries at The Shops at Wailea.  Here you’ll find a distinctive piece of art to carry home as a souvenir.

 

Get back to nature and turn Maui shopping into a sightseeing opportunity at Maui Nui Farmers’ Market. At this 40-acre farm, customers can take tours and observe local agriculture or purchase local produce, flowers, and plants.

 

Because so many visitors come to Hawaii to decompress and get away from it all, a variety of fabulous Maui spas offer a full array of pampering opportunities and sensory indulgences. These are among the most popular — book your treatments to learn why.

 

Zensations Spa’s featured service is the Macadamia Body Scrub, which utilizes locally sourced natural ingredients to hydrate and soothe skin. Or you can request the traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, whose repetitive rhythms will knead away every bit of stress and tension.

 

At Ho’omana Spa, reserve a Lomi Ili Ili Hot Stone Massage, where a blend of heated lava stones and deep massage transport you into a state of total relaxation. You will also enjoy the Aloha Spa Ritual, a triple-feature indulgence that begins with a milk and honey bath, followed by a sugar body polish and a Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage.

 

The resort Spa Montage Kapalua Bay celebrates the healing gifts of the ocean with the Journey Through the Ocean treatment. Ideally set in an outdoor massage “room,” the beauty of nature itself helps to revitalize you. Two massage therapists will conduct synchronous massage and exfoliation. The Vitamin Sea Brightening Facial will target dark spots and tension, promotes healthy skin, and leave you aglow.

The freshest of seafood served with island flair can be enjoyed in Maui’s fine dining establishments. Among the many delectable options, these consistently rate as the best restaurants in Maui:

 

Mama’s Fish House warns diners that they can be fully booked as much as three or six months in advance, so be sure to book your reservations as soon as you begin making your travel plans. While at Mama’s, try the macadamia nut-crusted Hawaiian Kampachi served with lobster or skillet seared Opah with sweet potato hash.

 

Nuki offers patrons Japanese small plates to allow guests to sample a wide variety of culinary treats. Guests also enjoy an extensive variety of sushi rolls paired with sake or wine options.

 

 

Experience Asian fusion dining at Lineage. Whether you’d enjoy a selection of small plates or one of many shareable options, your appetite will be fully satisfied…but you just might want to leave a little room for dessert. Otherwise you’ll miss out on the Pandan bread pudding or the warm dark chocolate brownie s’mores.

All these memorable things to do in Maui are simply enough to whet your appetite to explore  other treasures this piece of paradise has to offer. If you should find yourself loath to leave — or perhaps you’ve become convinced that you need to return to the Maui lifestyle frequently — connect with real estate Kevin Spaise. He will be happy to provide an islander’s perspective on all the benefits of vacation ownership in Maui and he can answer any questions you may have.

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