Maui is a tourist’s dream destination. Everything the island offers, whether an extension of its natural beauty or a construction built to tantalize travelers, seems geared to making every visit fun and memorable. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, and volcanoes, all packed into a breathtaking landscape. You’ll have an opportunity to enjoy scuba diving, kayaking, and venturing above the cliffs via helicopter. If you want to take a break from the island’s natural wonders, you can enjoy Maui’s numerous golf courses, shops, spas, and energetic nightlife.
A trip planned is a trip enjoyed. Which is more the reason to plan your budget and itinerary and ensuring that you have adequate travel insurance coverage. Often times, shopping around for last minute travel deals can often cost you more than you expected. Conduct your research diligently and from credible sources only and double check that you’re actually getting a great deal.
There’s no way we can provide a complete itinerary for you and your family since preferences are unique to each traveler. But we can give you a few ideas for making the most of your visit.
Below, we’ll briefly describe several fun activities to add to your list, and suggest a few quality hotels at which to stay. You’ll also learn about the island’s best restaurants as well as the most convenient ways to get around during your stay.
Fun Activities To Enjoy On Maui
One of the most memorable aspects of Maui is its beauty. Once you venture away from the noise and bustle of the city, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a tropical paradise. Much of the time you spend on the island will be spent enjoying it. From beaches and parks to clear, blue waters and towering, jagged cliffs, the scenery is awe-inspiring.
With that in mind, here’s a quick roundup of the activities we recommend:
#1 – Visit Lao Valley Park
Numerous hiking trails cut through Lao Valley, giving you a close-up perspective of the terrain. Sometimes lush and other times rocky, the entire park can be traversed in 4 to 5 hours. You’ll see towering vegetation-covered peaks – including the 1,200-foot Iao Needle – rising from dense rainforest. Cost of entry: free, though be prepared to pay a small fee for parking.
#2 – Visit Wailea Beach
Soft sand and luxurious, blue waters await you at Wailea Beach. Located in the southern section of the island, the relatively short beach (approximately 450 feet) offers a gorgeous view of the ocean. Maui is gifted with an ideal climate for relaxing on the sand, making a trip to Wailea a “must-do” activity. Cost of entry: free.
#3 – Visit Waianapanapa Park
Once you’ve seen one state park on Maui, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong. Waianapanapa, a 120-acre expanse, hosts dark sea caves and black sands juxtaposed against the white surf of the nearby waves. You’ll find hiking trails and campgrounds further inland. Two quick notes of caution: first, wear good shoes. Unlike Wailea, which is ideal for relaxing in the sun, the shore of Waianapanapa Beach is filled with small rocks that are hard on the feet. Second, take plenty of water. Cost of entry: free.
#4 – Go Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a favorite activity among both residents and tourists. The waters surrounding Maui are filled with beautiful corals and schools of colorful fish. You may even be treated by a visit from monk seals and spotted eagle rays (both harmless). One of the most popular snorkeling sites is Molokini, formed by a volcanic crater that is partially underwater.
Best Places To Reserve A Room On The Island
Maui attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year. As you might expect, the island hosts myriad hotels in order to accommodate them. Most of the resorts located in close proximity to the water are luxuriously designed and the rooms come with price tags to match.
A lot of travelers return to the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui each time they visit the island. The resort offers both suites and villas next to the water. A daily buffet can be found at the Kea Lani Restaurant, which overlooks the ocean. Rates range between $600 and $800 a night.
Kaanapali Alii is a bit more moderately priced than the Fairmont Kea Lani. According to guests’ accounts, it is no less comfortable. The hotel sits near the shore, giving guests a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean. The rooms provide kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and washers and dryers. Rates start at $400 a night and climb to $700 during the peak tourist season.
If your hotel budget is a bit smaller, consider reserving a room at the Hotel Wailea. The resort offers fewer amenities, but still provides everything you’ll need to enjoy your stay. And while the facility is located inland, and thus doesn’t offer an ocean view, it provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding terrain. Also worth noting, you can enjoy meals at the on-site Capische restaurant, which specializes in Italian cuisine. Rates start at $250 a night and rise to $400.
You can, of course, find less expensive lodgings at numerous other hotels. For example, rooms at the Lahaina Inn range between $150 and $200 a night. And at the Plantation Inn, you can often find vacancies priced at $170 a night. Don’t let the low rates fool you; the accommodations are comfortable and charming.
Top Restaurants To Visit On Maui
There’s no shortage of great places to eat on the island. In fact, Maui prides itself on its delectable food. While some of the dishes are a bit overpriced and cater specifically to tourists, a little digging can uncover a number of culinary treasures. The following restaurants provide an impressive balance of good service, great dishes, and reasonable prices.
Fans of shellfish will want to visit the Sansei Seafood restaurant. Hugely popular with tourists and residents, it prepares traditional Japanese foods, such as sushi, with a contemporary flair. Sansei all but ensures a packed house by running promotions to draw folks in during the slow hours. Many people consider Sansei the place to find the best sushi in Maui.
The Mala Ocean Tavern is another local favorite. Located next to the water, it provides guests with a fantastic view to enjoy during their meals. The Tavern blends American cuisine with seafood, resulting in flavorful dishes such as the mahi mahi ala plancha, avalon seared sashimi, and the lava rock grilled organic half chicken. Entrees range in price between $20 and $50.
The chef at the Pineapple Grill, Ryan Luckey, is known for using local ingredients to prepare his dishes. That includes veggies from local farms and fish taken from nearby waters. The meals offer a distinct Hawaiian flair, which you can taste in the Evonuk Farms herb grilled monchong, Captain Crosier’s seafood bouillabaisse, and the Kona Kampachi “Nanbanzuke”. Entrees are priced between $20 and $40.
Best Way To Get Around The Island
If you’re planning to visit various sites on Maui, rent a car. It’s the most convenient method of transportation. Although the island offers public transportation, it’s very limited, sticking to the most populous routes.
Don’t be fooled by the large number of taxis you see when you arrive on the island. Although they are plentiful near the airport, they are decidedly less so in other parts of Maui. Many seem to operate solely to shuttle tourists back and forth between the airport and their hotels.
Having said that, you can call a taxi to take you to various places on the island during your stay. Be aware, however, that the rides can be costly. Renting a car is less expensive and gives you more freedom.
How Much You’ll Pay For A Round Trip Ticket
Airfare from Canada to Maui is reasonably priced. Because Maui is such a popular travel destination, numerous flights leave the major hubs each day. A round trip ticket in coach class from Toronto will cost approximately $550. The same trip from Vancouver will cost approximately $650. If you’re planning to leave from Montreal, expect to pay $600. If this is still outside your price range, consider some travel insurance tips to help you save money for your holidays in the future.
As you would expect, peak travel seasons are likely to carry slightly higher prices. Meanwhile, the slow season is sure to give way to promotions from the airlines that slash ticket prices by 30% to 40%.
Maui is a picturesque location. It offers a display of beautiful beaches, heart-stirring terrain, and natural spectacles. Whether you’re visiting the island to relax, surf, or explore, you’ll likely return home vowing to visit again in the future.
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