Aloha !

There’s usually one thing on your mind when you visit Maui: beach.

But most visitors quickly realize… hitting the beach all day every day isn’t sustainable. In fact, it’s a one-way ticket to dehydration and a bad sunburn. Maui’s sun is unforgiving, and if you’re not used to the tropics, you’ll quickly get burnt out (no pun intended).

Fortunately, every corner of Maui offers fun things to do that don’t involve sand, sun, and salt.

Here are five activities to bookmark on Maui when you’ve had enough of the beach.

Maui Ocean Center

Explore Maui’s underwater world without so much as getting your feet wet. The Maui Ocean Center is Hawaii’s largest aquarium, showcasing marine life such as tropical fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. There’s even a planetarium-like theater with a 3D film about Maui’s humpback whales. Most of the exhibits are indoors, with cool AC – perfect for when you need a break from the sun!

Explore Small Historic Towns

Maui’s small historic towns deserve a stop on every itinerary. Head over to Wailuku to explore local boutiques, thrift stores, and coffee shops. You can also check out the Maui Historical Society museum to learn more about Hawaiian culture and settlement on Maui.

A few miles to the east, Paia is a former plantation town on the coast with a handful of local restaurants, gift shops, and art galleries. Up the road, Makawao is rooted in “paniolo,” or cowboy culture. This small town is the gateway to Upcountry Maui, and is home to unique specialty shops, the famous Komoda Bakery, and lots of history.

Brewery Tour or Wine Tasting

Did you know South Maui is home to the largest brewery in Hawaii? Maui Brewing Company’s flagship brewery in Kihei spans a whopping 85,000 square feet – and it’s powered by solar energy! Book a brewery and tasting tour to explore MBC’s brewery and taproom and learn how its beers are produced.

If beer isn’t your thing, take a leisurely drive to the rolling hills of Ulupalakua for a wine tasting at MauiWine. The wines are delicious, and MauiWine’s historic estate is well worth a visit. Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time.

Birdwatching at Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National Park

Maui is home to birds found nowhere else in the world. In fact, Hawaii’s endemic bird species arrived millions of years before the first humans, making them the original inhabitants of the islands. Head up the mountain to Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National Park to see rare species like the scarlet-red ‘i‘iwi or the tennis-ball-green Maui ‘alauhio. While you’re there, it’s the perfect time to explore Haleakala summit and the park’s visitor centers.

South Maui Shopping and Spa Day

Treat yourself to a shopping and spa day in South Maui. (You too, fellas!) South Maui has a wide range of shopping and spa options. In Wailea, you can explore the shops in the Shops at Wailea and Wailea Village, and head to one of the many resort spas in the area. In Kihei, check out local wares in the Kihei Kalama Village or South Maui Gardens, then visit one of Kihei’s locally owned spas for a massage or spa treatment.

With so many unique experiences waiting beyond the beach, Maui offers countless ways to recharge and explore. When you’re ready for a break from the sun and salt, you’ll find the island has so much more in store.

Mahalo for reading. A hui hou!

Warmest Aloha,

The Ali'i Resorts Ohana