Maui > Top Ten Lists > Free Activities
Top Ten Free Maui Activities
The following are opinions from a poll taken by Maui Information Guide of Maui visitors and what they felt were their favorite free Maui activities. Most of the listed activities require some gear/items/ride, which technically doesn’t make them free. But, this is as close as we could get to listing the most popular activities for those on a budget on Maui. Enjoy!
Free Maui Activities
#1 – Going To The Beach
Of course, hitting the beach with friends/family is really the best thing to do on Maui. It’s relatively free, and almost always perfect. The south and west of Maui have the best weather year-round. Kaanapali Beach on the upper west side is a favorite for visitors and is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world. Makena Beach is also world-class on the south side. Make sure to bring plenty of sunblock! You might want to splurge and rent/buy an umbrella too (but go earlier in the day to avoid the wind.)
#2 – Watching Sunset
Grab something to drink and kick up your heels with a folding chair on the south or west side of Maui. Sunsets can be good on the North side too, but you get the mountains blocking a large chunk of it. This is a local pastime that is an event in itself. Find a good spot near the water about an hour beforehand and enjoy good company and beautiful colors.
#3 – Snorkeling from the Shore
If you don’t have snorkeling gear, you can rent it for pretty cheap at a local snorkel shop. Many companies offer snorkeling gear at dirt cheap prices for mediocre equipment. It works, but the silicone stuff is much better and worth a few extra bucks. Most people do boat trips, but you’ll find great snorkeling off the shore if there’s no swell in the water. Make sure to always have a buddy with you, and know-how far you’re going out. Currents can be dangerously deceiving!
#4 – Visit Art Galleries
The art galleries of course would rather you buy a piece, but there’s no harm in just looking. A crowded art gallery is good for business, and it gives salesmen people to talk to. Lahaina‘s Front Street has a myriad of art galleries along with Upcountry’s Makawao Town.
25 Things To Do On Maui
#5 – BBQ and/or Picnic
There are parks with BBQs all over Maui, many of which are on the water. Pick up some grub, get some charcoal and lighter fluid, and make some delicious grinds with an ocean view! Make sure to clean up after yourselves, and clean the old charcoal out of the grill.
Another unique thing to do is visit the Maui Tropical Plantation and feed the ducks. You can picnic under trees while watching fish, ducks, turtles, and all kinds of birds in one of the most peaceful and beautiful spots on Maui. They sell duck food in the gift shop. It’s one of the better activities to do with little ones. Admission is free, so you can save your money for one of the boutiques or a stellar meal at the Mill House Restaurant.
#6 – Hiking
There are hundreds of great hikes to do all over Maui. The more popular ones are the safest and easiest to find. Ex. Twin Falls, Seven Sacred Pools, etc… These Maui hikes are over excellent trails and have no chance of trespassing.
#7 – Sunrise (Haleakala Crater)
Watching the sunrise is best done at the peak of Haleakala Crater. Unless you’re staying overnight in Hana, you’ll have trouble finding a good sunrise over the ocean. The crater isn’t always clear of weather, but when it is, you’ll get a view that can only be described as heavenly. There are plenty of ways to get to the top. Take a van tour, bike tour, or drive yourself. Keep in mind that it can get below 0°F (-17°C) at the peak, so bring plenty of warm clothes. Also, leave VERY early because the drive-up will take hours. You’ll need to pay a fee to enter the park, but it’s minimal.
#8 – Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is famous for majestic waterfalls, wild coastline, and lush jungle. Make the drive and you’ll never forget the experiences you have along the way. You can do van tours, but you can also rent a car and do a GPS tour, CD tour, or wing it.
#9 – Whale Watching From The Shore
Of course, whale watching in Maui is always better from a boat, but you can see them pretty well from the shore (depending on where you’re at.) The cliffs along the Pali (the winding road between Lahaina and Wailea) have a few pull-offs with great views from high up. Bring binoculars and a chair. You can watch them from the beach too. Make sure you come in the wintertime. They come to Maui every year from December to around April, but February is usually the best month.
#10 – Surfing
You can rent a surfboard or go bodysurfing. Board rentals are pretty cheap, but make sure you know what you’re doing. Surfing in Maui can be more dangerous than they look, and almost every spot good enough to surf is breaking over sharp reef. If you decide to Stand Up Paddle Surf, go to a spot that has a lot of other SUPs. Surf small to tiny waves and stay away from regular surfers. There’s a lot of tension in the water these days about stand-up.
