Planning a Maui family vacation? Maui is a great place to take the entire family because of its deep-rooted tradition, beautiful landscape, and abundance of recreation opportunities. A family vacation on Maui offers the perfect opportunity to make lasting memories and experience the Hawaii culture.
Whether you’re looking to get adventurous in the great outdoors or learn about the community and history of Maui, your options are endless. Here are a few of our favorite things to do on your Maui family vacation.
Hiking
While Maui is home to some strenuous and advanced hikes, it also features several trails that offer beautiful views that even the littlest kiddos can handle. The Kapalua Coastal Trail is an easy and flat 1.9 mile-trail that hugs along the coastline. This scenic trail is perfect for a sunset walk. Another great and family-friendly hike in Maui is the Kaanapali Beach Boardwalk, which is a 4.4-mile out-and-back trail that features a 500-foot elevation gain. This trail passes by a few spots where you can stop off for lunch or to just take in the landscape.
Whale Watching
Seeing a whale in wildlife will make everyone in the family feel like a kid again, and Maui is the place to go for whale watching. Local whale watching companies offers small group tours for every level of whale watchers. You’ll find tours range from 1.5-hour, 2-hour, and 3-hour tours, and more. Whale watching is most popular during the winter season when humpback whales travel to the warmer waters of Maui.
Kayaking
A kayaking and snorkeling tour is great for older kids and young teenagers. Kelii’s Kayak Tours offer 2.5-hour and 3.5 to 4-hour tours. It’s recommended that kids be at least 10 years old for the longer tour. The entire family will love watching tropical fish, sea turtles, and even humpback whales in their natural habitat. The team at Kelii’s knows the best spots to view marine life.
Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park is one of Maui’s most popular attractions, and for good reason. Known as the “house of the sun,” Haleakalā sits along the southeastern coast and is known for the Haleakalā Crater, which sits more than 10,000 above sea level. This park has more endangered species than any other park in the National Park Service, making it an ideal place for kids to learn about the precious and fragile ecosystem of Maui.
Maui Tropical Plantation
The Maui Tropical Plantation not only offers families an inside look at the process of planting, growing, and harvesting Hawaii’s most iconic produce, it features the longest, fastest, and highest zip line on Maui. Traveling with younger kids? The Maui Tropical Plantation also has a family-friendly zip line course for kids as young as five. You’ll learn about Hawaii agriculture on the tropical express tour, which takes you along lagoons throughout the entire plantation. Be sure to grab something to eat or drink here, like a coffee, fresh smoothie, or ice pop.
Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is one of the most iconic drives on Maui. If your family is renting a car while on the island, this adventure surely cannot be missed. The Road to Hana features many stop off points where you can view waterfalls, scenic ocean views, and learn about the area’s history. There are a lot of stops, so plan ahead to check out just a few stops on the Road to Hana. You can even take a guided tour of the year if you’d prefer to simply take in the sights.
Old Lāhainā Luau
The Old Lāhainā Luau captures the essence of culture and tradition on Maui. Voted one of the Top Luaus in Maui, this traditional Luau and feast have been running since 1986 on Maui. The entire family will get to experience Hawaiian cuisine, music, cultural dances, and demonstrations. Reservations are required ahead of time, which includes food and drinks as well. It’s an experience that the family will not soon forget.
Begin planning your Maui family vacation today. Maui is home to an abundance of things to do with the entire family, no matter what kind of excursion you’re planning. Our Maui vacation rentals offer the perfect home base for your adventure. Browse our selection of West Maui condos and homes to find the ideal place to unwind and relax with your family. Have any questions? Contact us directly for more information.