Good to know
Good to Know
- Haleakala sunrise viewing is a popular bucket-list experience but requires early 3-7 AM reservation ($1 per vehicle) booked in advance via Recreation.gov; daytime visits do not require sunrise reservation.
- The Road to Hana is a scenic but winding 60-mile coastal drive with 600+ turns and one-lane bridges; best experienced early morning or as part of guided tours to avoid congestion.
- Flash flooding is a serious hazard at waterfalls and streams; avoid waterfall pools during or within 24 hours of heavy rainfall, and always check weather before swimming.
- Haleakala summit is approximately 30°F colder than coastal areas; bring warm layers despite tropical setting.
- Swimming in Molokini Crater's Seven Sacred Pools (Ohe'o Gulch pools) is currently prohibited; Kuloa Point Trail offers viewing of lower falls instead.
- Snorkeling is generally accessible year-round; Honolua Bay conditions are calmer in summer months.
- Maui has multiple beaches with 81 total; Ka'anapali Beach, Napili Bay, Baldwin Beach, and Big Beach are particularly popular.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is recommended to protect marine ecosystems.
- Many water sports require swimming ability and comfort in ocean conditions; some activities have minimum age requirements (e.g., surfing lessons typically recommended 8 years+).
- Park entrances are cashless; bring credit/debit card or pre-purchase passes online.
- Camping van reservations at Wai'ānapanapa State Park are unavailable July 2026-March 2027 due to comfort station construction.
Hiking
Major Trails
Pipiwai Trail
- Features
- Bamboo forest, multiple waterfalls, 400-foot Waimoku Falls, lush jungle streams
- Location
- Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu District
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Distance Miles
- 4.5
- Elevation Gain Ft
- 849
- Parking Included With Park Entry
- Yes
- Notes
- No swimming at Waimoku Falls; 2-mile hike to reach main waterfall
Sliding Sands Trail
- Features
- Mars-like volcanic terrain, red and gray ash landscape, crater interior views
- Location
- Haleakala National Park, Summit District
- Difficulty
- strenuous
- Notes
- Altitude adjustment needed at 10,000 feet elevation
Waihee Ridge Trail
- Features
- Mountain panoramic views, varied terrain
- Location
- Central/West Maui
- Difficulty
- moderate to strenuous
Iao Valley Trail
- Features
- Lush valley with scenic needle formation
- Location
- Iao Valley State Monument, Wailuku
- Difficulty
- easy to moderate
Road to Hana Waterfalls (Multiple)
- Features
- Accessible via scenic 60-mile coastal drive with numerous waterfall stops including Twin Falls, Wailua Falls, Puaa Kaa Falls
- Location
- East Maui Highway (Hana Highway)
- Difficulty
- varies by stop
- Notes
- First waterfall at Mile Marker 2; road has 600+ turns and one-lane bridges
Fishing
- Note
- Fish caught on charters typically remain property of charter company; check policies when booking
Types
- Shore fishing (no permit required, free)
- Offshore sport fishing (larger fish like tuna)
- Bottom fishing (family-friendly, smaller fish)
Surfing
- Lesson Price Note
- Group lessons ~$75-120 per person; semi-private 2-4 people $99-130 per person; private lessons $150-200 per person; typically 2 hours
Beginner Locations
- Lahaina Harbor (gentle waves)
- Kalama Park (Kihei)
- Ka'anapali Beach
- Makena Bay
Lesson Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 200
- Amount USD Min
- 75
- Currency Local
- USD
- Amount Local Max
- 200
- Amount Local Min
- 75
Intermediate Advanced
- Ho'okipa Beach Park (powerful waves, experienced surfers only)
- Honolua Bay (right-hand point break)
- Ma'alaea (Freight Trains wave, advanced only)
Snorkeling
- Price Note
- Tour prices vary by duration and location; equipment rental often included
Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 150
- Amount USD Min
- 50
- Currency Local
- USD
- Amount Local Max
- 150
- Amount Local Min
- 50
Top Locations
- Molokini Crater (boat-required, most popular)
- Turtle Town (south coast, best for sea turtle viewing)
- Black Rock (Ka'anapali Beach, shore access)
- Honolua Bay (summer snorkeling)
- Kapalua Bay
- Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve
Scuba Diving
- Introductory Dive Price
- $150
- Price Note
- Per dive; certification courses are additional investment
Popular Sites
- Molokini Crater (back wall for advanced divers)
- Lānai Cathedrals (underwater lava formations)
- Mala Wharf (shore dive, reef and wreck)
- Black Rock Kaanapali (shore dive)
- Turtle Town
- Honolua Bay
Certified Diver Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 200
- Amount USD Min
- 100
- Currency Local
- USD
- Amount Local Max
- 200
- Amount Local Min
- 100
Paddling And Kayaking
- Description
- Multiple options including Hawaiian outrigger canoe tours and kayak adventures
Locations
- Kalama Park (Kihei) - SUP lessons
- Wailea point (outrigger canoe tours)
- Makena Landing Park (kayak and hike tours)
Organized Activities
Outrigger Canoe Paddling
- Locations
- Throughout island
- Description
- Hawaiian paddling clubs with racing and recreational options; cultural educational component
Zip-lining
- Description
- Aerial adventure parks available
Horseback Riding Tours
- Description
- Available throughout island
Parks And Protected Areas
Haleakala National Park
- Type
- National Park
- Location
- East Maui
- Entrance Fee
- $30
- Fee Notes
- Vehicle pass valid 3 days; $25 motorcycle; $15 per person on foot/bicycle; sunrise entry 3-7 AM requires additional $1 per vehicle reservation via Recreation.gov
- Description
- Spans 10,023 feet volcanic summit with alpine cinder deserts, shrublands, and tropical rainforests. Two districts: Summit and Kipahulu.
Wai'ānapanapa State Park
- Type
- State Park
- Location
- East Maui, near Hāna
- Description
- Features black sand beaches, lava tubes, and lush rainforest scenery along the Road to Hāna.
Iao Valley State Monument
- Type
- State Park
- Location
- Central Maui, Wailuku
- Description
- Lush valley with historic significance and natural landscapes.
Kāʻanapali Beach
- Type
- Beach Park
- Location
- West Maui
- Description
- Sandy shores suitable for swimming and water activities; free public access.
Mākena Beach
- Type
- Beach Park
- Location
- South Maui
- Description
- Pristine stretches of sand on the south shore.
Honolua Bay
- Type
- Marine Life Conservation District
- Location
- West Maui
- Description
- Excellent snorkeling with marine life; calm waters summer; popular winter surf break.
Molokini Crater
- Type
- Volcanic Crater (boat-access only)
- Location
- Off southern coast
- Description
- Crescent-shaped submerged volcanic crater 3 miles offshore; crystal-clear waters with 250+ fish species.
Cycling
Options
- Haleakala Downhill Bike Tour (scenic descent from summit)
- Mountain biking and trail cycling available
- Road cycling tours
Whale Watching
- Season
- winter months (January-March humpback whales)
- Location
- Lāhainā Harbor and boat tours
- Description
- Spinner dolphins visible year-round; seasonal humpback whale sightings
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.nps.gov
- 2.haleakalanationalparkhawaii.com
- 3.entrance-fee.com
- 4.gohawaii.com
- 5.hawaiiactivities.com
- 6.viator.com
- 7.viator.com
- 8.viator.com
- 9.seamauisurf.com
- 10.getyourguide.com
- 11.riverstothesea.com
- 12.hawaiianoceansports.com
- 13.hawaii-guide.com
- 14.mauikayakadventures.com
- 15.lovebigisland.com
- 16.dlnr.hawaii.gov
- 17.hawaii-guide.com
- 18.hikemaui.com
More About Maui
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.