Maui, the valley isle, is expensive, but worth it. There are some great activities available on Maui that WON’T break the bank! They range from Under $25 to free. With options for the whole family from body surfing to free hula shows.
Try some of the following suggestions for a great and inexpensive time!
General: One great way to save money on Maui is to use the natural resources to your advantage!
From the Shore
Enjoy the Sunsets – There is nothing more spectacular than a Maui sunset. Sip in a tropical drink (virgin or alcoholic) and enjoy Mother Nature’s finest work.
Reading – Bring your own reading material, or visit the historical public library and sit on the beach, by the pool or pick a nice shady spot.
Picnicking – There are many beach parks that have picnic tables and barbeque pits.
Stargazing – Hawaii’s seclusion allows you to view the night sky unobstructed by big city lights and tall buildings. You can even go to the top of Haleakala Crater to view the stars. Join a group, with electronic telescopes, or do it on your own.
Whale Watching – Watch the 400 humpback Whales that winter in Maui from the beach or your lanai.
Try Beachcombing – Find seashells at Kanaha Beach Park or Waiehee Beach.
Surf Watch – Watch the surfers from any shore.
Scuba Dive – Introductory and experienced divers can take part in a myriad of dive locations from Kaanapali to Makena.
Body Surf – Let the cool blue water of the Pacific Ocean move you as you body surf in some of the most spectacular locations.
Go Surfing – You can take a two hour surf lesson from an experienced instructor, or if you would rather just rent a board and head out on your own, there are many locations throughout Maui that can accommodate your needs and abilities.
LOCAL EVENTS – Maui is famous for Halloween (also called Mardi Gras of the Pacific), The Taro Festival, The Makawao Rodeo, The Maui County Fair. There are way to many fun things happening year round to list. Check our Calendar of events to see if anything is going on during your stay.
Playgrounds – Kihei’s Kamaole and Kalama Parks have free swings, slides, and jungle gyms.
Play Tennis – Tennis courts available at Kaanapali Alii
Go Camping – Kanaha Beach, Hosmer’s Grove, Waianapanapa Park, Oheo Gulch.
Go Hiking – Haleakala, West Maui Mountains, over fifty trails.
Attend a Golf Tournament – Mercedes Championship (January), Ka’anapali Classic.
Whaling Museum – Hawaii’s largest collection of whaling artifacts from Lahaina’s whaling era, Short films on whaling and whales, photomurals, graphics, a large scrimshaw collection and gift shop. Free tours by a certified marine naturalist may be arranged. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Free.
TIP: Whale watch for free from the shore, or get on a boat. You might be able to save money by combining 2 boat trips, like a Whale watch and a cocktail cruise.
Beaches:
With 120 miles of coastline, Maui offers more than 30 miles of spectacular beaches. On these shores you’ll find white, black and red sand. Perfect for surfing and windsurfing, as well as, some of the best swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Many offer beach parks with lifeguards, picnic facilities and restrooms.
West Maui Beaches:
Kaanapali Beach: Kaanapali Beach is three miles of white sand with easy walking access from all Kaanapali hotels. Puu Kekaa, also known as Black Rock, on the northernmost section of the beach is excellent for snorkeling.
D.T. Fleming Beach Park: This classic Kapalua beach is great for boogie boarding and offers picnic tables, restrooms and lifeguards.
Launiupoko Beach Park: Just south of Lahaina, this local favorite offers a unique natural pool surrounded by a lava rock wall excellent for small children. Picnic tables and restrooms are available.
Puamana Beach County Park: It has all the facilities you may need with picnic tables, bbq grills, and restrooms. A popular Maui surf spot for longboarding, Puamana Beach Park is a great place to swim and snorkel as well.
Puunoa Beach: Also called Baby Beach – located in the north end of Lahaina Town. Calm and pristine white sand beach ideal for swimming, snorkeling or wading. A very safe, family friendly destination.
Iao Valley & lao Needle
Iao Valley’s sheer green walls are adorned with long, slender waterfalls. It is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Maui.
On the road up to it from Wailuku is the Tropical Gardens of Maui, 808/244-3085 http://www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com; open weekdays)
Further into the valley, you will find the nonprofit Hawaii Nature Center 808/244-6500, http://www.hawaiinaturecenter.org
Rainforest Walks can be booked at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Lahaina
Sugar Cane Train: although this trip is admittedly very touristy, the Sugar Cane Train from Lahaina to Ka’anapali is a pretty fun outing, along six miles of incredible scenery at the foot of the West Maui Mountains. The conductor even sings! You must note that there is no longer any sugar cane being grown on the West Side of Maui, but the golf Course views are just as pretty.
Friday Night is Art Night, Front Street. Lahaina Arts Society, Lahaina voluntary donation for exhibit gallery: The old whaling streets of Lahaina are now filled with outstanding art. The galleries open their doors Friday Nights so you can meet the artists. Many galleries offer appetizers and beverages.
There is a Complimentary Hawaiian Music and Hula Show, nightly held in the Tiki Courtyard of the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel. The show is open to the public the Hawaiian music is played from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the hula show from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For Aloha Friday, there are local crafters making their products in the lobby and courtyard between 9 a.m. and noon, and at 11 a.m. on Fridays the staff gets involved by performing songs and hula, as well
The three-acre Maui Ocean Center at Ma’alaea Harbor is more than just an aquarium, it is also a cultural experience, with an exhibit called “Hawaiians & the Sea,” which features the bonds of the Polynesians with the Pacific. The exhibit displays authentic hooks, traps, and nets. The guides at the Maui Ocean Center even refer to the sea creatures by their Hawaiian names.http://www.mauioceancenter.com. Contact the Online Concierge for tickets and more information.
Cliff Diving Ceremony, Sheraton Maui. This dramatic sunset show features a lone male diver lighting torches atop Black Rock, then plunging 100 feet into surging Pacific waves.
Arts & Crafts
The Arts and Craft Fair at the Lahaina Civic Center is a great place to buy souvenirs to take home for your friends and family, or for yourself – Sunday $1 admission. A great place to save money on Hawaii – made products.
Take an Art Class at Kapalua Art School for adults and children, ages 4 ½ and up. Prices for classes range from $10 for ceramic painting to $110 for kids’ all day programs. The Kapalua Art School also offers Yoga and dance classes. See http://www.kapaluaart.com for a complete listing and schedule of classes.
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