Maui Activities

A 3,600-acre working ranch that hugs most of the eastern side of the island, Hana Ranch is worth a trip for the epic views alone. The sustainable ranch is home to 1,500 cattle, and it supplies much of the grass-fed meat on so many menus on the island. But even vegetarians would love Hana Ranch: It also offers world-class picnics, horseback riding, mountain biking, and personalized off-roading tours.

Miles from the ocean and high in the hills of Maui’s pastoral Upcountry, this lavender farm is a very worthy day trip—even if it means tearing yourself away from the waves for a few hours. It’s an incredibly relaxing experience to stroll among the lavender fields. There are 55,000 lavender plants here, including forty-five different varieties of lavender (and in case you didn’t know that there even were forty-five types of lavender, well, you’re not alone), spread across thirteen well-tended acres. There are also chicken coops, a shop that sells farm-made bath products, and spectacular views everywhere you look.

Part surf shop, part yoga studio, part surfing school, Pome is quintessentially Paia: Crunchy, stylish, spiritual, earth-friendly. On-site, you'll find everything from affordable Reiki sessions to Ashtanga and Kundalini, along with a surf-centric smattering of goods, like surfing animal coloring books, boards, and sunscreen wristbands. They also do a surf school, which is great for beginners (and also includes an eco-tour of Maui).

This tiny, incredibly lush private island (it’s easily accessible by ferry or charter plane) is close enough to Maui to justify a daytrip, though we think it’s worthy of a weekend stay. As of right now, it’s home to two Four Seasons properties—the Manele Bay beach resort is fresh off a top-to-bottom refresh and the forest lodge is in the midst of one right now. There's a great Asian-inspired restaurant called Lana’I City Grille, and little else—though the island’s new owner, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, has big plans to reimagine it as a sustainable, 100% eco-friendly tourist destination, meaning now is a good time to go if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet.

The perfect ending point on the road to Hana, ‘Ohe’o Gulch is also called the “Seven Sacred Pools,” and its not surprising—the seven swimming pools linked by stunning waterfalls and surrounded by lush green jungle look like something out of Avatar. The name is a bit misleading, as there are many more than seven pools, all of which are ripe for climbing, swimming, and exploring. Don’t be surprised if you see locals and tourists alike climbing the slick rocks to jump from the cliffs—to be clear, we don’t recommend it, as there are several warning signs, and there have been a few deaths here over the years. Check with your concierge before you make the trip; the area can get dangerous in wet weather, when it’s vulnerable to flooding.

Driving the road to Hana is either billed as a little touristy, or the best way to see “the real Hawaii.” (It’s actually a little of both.) It’s 50 miles from Kahului (Maui’s main airport) to Hana on Highway 36 (which turns into 370). Note: this includes some tight-hugging curves. Depending on traffic, the drive itself is only a few hours, so it makes a great day-trip (in which case it’s best to leave before sunrise). But as the old adage goes, this adventure is largely about the journey, which means taking the time to stop and enjoy everything you’re passing—e.g. Maui’s magnificent coastline, rich rainforest landscapes, waterfalls cascading into blue pools, tropical foliage galore. There are also two standout beaches near Hana: the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park, called Pa'iloa, because it’s such a sight; and Hamoa Beach, because it’s likewise pretty and a relatively easy swimming spot. If you want to make a bigger trip of it, consider staying the night in Hana; Travaasa is a solid hotel option, and there are also some fun Airbnbs in the surrounding area.

For older kids and adults who are adventure-minded, this bike ride is a popular choice. There are several companies that provide all the necessary equipment to bike down Haleakala, and offer guided tours, as well as a few that run more self-guided trips, including Haleakala Bike Co., which has been in business since 1995. Here’s the idea behind this bike adventure: You’re dropped off to explore the impressive summit of Haleakala (10,000-plus feet)—if you do an early morning ride, you get to watch the sunrise from the edge of the enormous crater (about 7 miles long and 2 wide)—and then, for safety reasons, you’re taken to a starting point outside of Haleakala National Park at 6,500 feet. From there, you zoom down 23 miles of Maui switchbacks to sea level.

Pa'ia, a sugar cane plantation village on Maui’s North Shore with roots that date all the way back to the 1870’s, serves as the kickoff point on the Road to Hana. It’s one of those quintessentially Hawaiian surf towns where the beaches are the main attraction: While Ho’okipa beach is where you want to be to watch the local surfers tackle the famously fat swells, Baldwin beach is best if you plan on getting in the water yourself as there are lifeguards on duty and the surf is mild. Après beach, hit Paia’s main drag for lunch at Hana Ranch Provisions then spend some time exploring while making pit stops for shaved ice and Maui coffee.