The Best Things to Do on Maui
During the Shoulder Seasons

The best times to visit Maui, with regard to the weather, demand for accommodations, and how crowded or not the island is, are the months of April, May, August, September, and early October. These have come to be known as Maui’s “shoulder months.”

What to do in maui during shoulder seasons

Maui’s warm tropical climate is pretty consistent all year round, with daytime highs of 75-85°F. At the coastal resorts at sea level, temperatures rarely get below 60°F, even in the coldest winters. In other words, the weather on Maui is typically great for visitors all year long. The only time Maui’s weather isn’t great is when a winter storm hits the island with clouds and rain, but those don’t happen often.

If you experience rainy weather on Maui, don’t worry. The rain showers are typically short and are quickly followed by more sunshine and, if you’re lucky, rainbows. Rainbows are said to be a sign of good luck in the islands, and mean that you’ll return one day if you spot one.

01

Visit Haleakala National Park for Free!

The last week of April is National Park Week all across the US. During this time, entrance fees are waived to all 400+ national parks. Maui is home to Haleakala National Park, a stunning 30,000-acre expanse containing five different climate zones, spectacular views, and the tallest peak on the island.

It is a must-see even if you aren’t visiting during National Park Week! Head up to the top of this massive volcano to take in an incredible daybreak view from the highest point on Maui at sunrise. Enjoy the orange and red-colored dawn of a new day set amidst the clouds. The sublime beauty of this sight has inspired so many people, including the great Mark Twain.

The magical Maui sunrise at the 10,023-foot-high Mt. Haleakala Crater greets many bleary-eyed visitors who are willing to wake up as early as 3 am to make the trek to experience it. If you crave a breathtaking view without all of the company, consider taking a stroll up before sunset. Pack a picnic dinner and some beverages, and toast to a stunning display of color as the sun descends into the clouds. Maui is no ka oi (the best) for good reason!


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02

Travel the Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is well known the world over for being one of the go-to attractions in Maui. It’s such a long, beautiful drive full of incredible sights and stops. The Road to Hana is a 52-mile stretch of highway with winding and narrow one-lane sections. As such, it requires your full attention to navigate safely. Plan to take your time and make an entire day of it, or let someone else do the driving while you relax and enjoy the scenery.

No matter which time of year you drive it, the road to Hana is beautiful, but the drive can be tricky. Most tour companies will pick you up at your accommodations and make stops for treats and photos. Be sure you make time to stop at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread on the Ke’anae Peninsula. Since 2003, Aunty Sandy’s has become a must-stop destination for their hot, fresh-baked banana bread. They have been featured in numerous magazines and publications, and most recently on Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted.


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03

Go Surfing!

Maui offers more surf breaks for beginners than any other Hawaiian island. A good beginner surf spot should have easy access for those who have not surfed before. There should also be a friendly and non-competitive vibe in the water and a lack of dangerous obstacles like reefs, rocks, and rip tides. The shoulder season is a great time to visit Maui’s beaches because they are typically less crowded.

Kaanapali Beach is a scenic surf break in Kaanapali. It can be found just outside the Kaanapali Alii Resort and to the right of the Marriott. This beach is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s also a top place to learn to surf on the island.


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04

Tour the Sacred Garden

The Sacred Garden of Maliko is tucked away in the rainforest of the North Shore’s Haiku area. It’s an incredible botanical garden, spiritual center, and hub for the Maui health and wellness community. Within the Sacred Garden, you’ll find two medieval-style labyrinths, a sweet spiritual gift shop, a nursery, the “Mother Shrine,” and so much more. Every type of spirituality is represented on this fantastic property and all are welcome to enjoy this peaceful space!

A fun thing to do during the evening here is the nighttime labyrinth walk. Each full moon, Eve Hogan, Labyrinth Facilitator and author of Way of the Winding Path, offers a presentation on the labyrinth and how to get the most out of walking it. This is followed by the walk of either one or both of the 11-circuit and 7-circuit labyrinths and a discussion.


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05

Visit Iao Valley State Park

Iao Valley is the famous site of the battle where King Kamehameha defeated Maui’s warriors in 1790, leading to the unification of the Hawaiian Islands. There are easily accessed walking trails that range from mild to moderate in difficulty.

The most popular walk is the Iao Needle Lookout, a trail that leads hikers to a breathtaking view of the Iao Needle. This 1,200-foot natural rock pinnacle is covered in lush tropical foliage and extends out over the valley and up above the clouds. There’s also a trail that follows a winding stream, looping through a botanical garden full of native Hawaiian plants.

You will find informative signs along the way that share information about the history and ecology of this area. Keep in mind that this is one of the wettest parts in all of Maui, so bring your rain gear just in case.


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06

Snorkel Molokini Crater and Turtle Town

Molokini Crater and Turtle Town are the two best sites to snorkel and you can see both on a trip with Pride of Maui. These top-notch snorkeling locations are not to be missed, and this comfortable catamaran has exceptional features and amenities, so you’ll travel in comfort.

Molokini Crater is a designated marine sanctuary that sits just off Maui’s coast. It is one of only a few partially-submerged volcanic cones of its type found in the world. Here you will experience some of the best snorkeling that Maui has to offer! Its calm waters and incredible visibility will allow you to view hundreds of species of fish and corals that call Molokini home.

Once you’ve explored Molokini Crater, Pride of Maui will take you on a quick ride out to the coastal area known as Turtle Town. Turtle Town is home to hundreds of colorful fish and a large population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. The water here is calm, and you can swim among unique lava formations while you enjoy the company of curious turtles. Overall, it’s a delightful place to snorkel and take pictures. Hawaiian sea turtles, or honu, are a protected species, so never attempt to feed them and make sure to give nesting or basking turtles plenty of space and peace and quiet.


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07

Enjoy a Maui Festival

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is the biggest food festival in Hawaii, taking place across three islands each fall: Hawaii, Oahu, and Maui. It was co-founded in 2011 by two of the most renowned chefs from Hawaii, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong. The focus of the festival is to showcase the incredible range of Hawaii’s local food and remarkable chefs. As part of this goal, chefs who take part in the festival must use at least one locally sourced ingredient in their dish. Thousands of people attend each year and look forward to tastings, seminars, cooking classes, and much more.

Most people have heard of the significance of taro in Hawaiian culture, but you can learn all there is to know about it at the East Maui Taro Festival. This festival is held yearly in April and celebrates the importance of this staple food of Hawaii. There are many food vendors, and you can participate in poi pounding and lauhala weaving demonstrations while you enjoy some delicious taro dishes.

In October, you can head to the Maui Steel Guitar Festival in Kahului. This two-day festival celebrates the Hawaiian Steel Guitar as a unique music genre. They even hold workshops where you can learn to play. This festival is free to the public and has multiple live performances for you to enjoy.

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08

Relax and Refresh at One of Maui’s Many Wonderful Spas

If you have planned out a trip to Maui, you probably intend to kick back and unwind while you’re here. Why not carve out some time for a relaxing, luxurious Maui spa day? Whether it’s a relaxing couples massage or a full body treatment, Maui has a wide range of spas and spa styles.

Bask in luxury at Spa Montage, or channel your inner goddess at the Marilyn Monroe Spa at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Ka’anapali. There are so many choices, so you’ll be sure to find the perfect way to relax on your Maui vacation.


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09

Tour Some Upcountry Farms

During the shoulder seasons, it is much easier to get tickets for some fun farm tours on Maui. The Maui Chocolate Tour is a sure winner because, of course, chocolate! Start out at the Ku’ia Estates Chocolate Factory, the largest in Hawaii, then visit the estate where the cacao is grown. This interactive tour demonstrates the techniques used to harvest the fruit, and offers guests a tasting of their award-winning chocolate!

Another tour that’s sure to please is a Pineapple Farm Tour. The tour offered by the Haliʻimaile Distilling Company is an excellent activity for the whole family. On their tour, you will learn all about the cultivation and harvesting of this “Maui Gold.” You’ll have the chance to taste the sweet fruit, and you will receive an “airport-ready” fresh pineapple of your own to take home!


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10

Explore the Maui Ocean Center

There is so much to do here that everyone in your group will come away with stories to share. For thrill-seekers, there is the cage-free dive in the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit. Everything you thought you knew about sharks will transform into a sense of wonder and respect for these fantastic creatures.

The Humpbacks of Hawaii 3D Sphere Exhibit brings you eye-to-eye with Maui’s humpback whales in their kingdom in the deep blue sea. Explore their world and discover the vibrant life of these intelligent and spiritual creatures, their journeys, and their social bonds in this first-of-its-kind 3D Sphere, only at Maui Ocean Center.

Love sea turtles? The Sea Turtle Lagoon allows you to meet the Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu. They are the largest breed of hard-shelled sea turtles in the world and they are native to the Islands. The Maui Ocean Center proudly designates this unique area for you to view these graceful animals in an interactive display.


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No matter what you decide to do when you visit Maui or which time of year you choose to come, you will have so many unique experiences. It might even take more than one visit to see them all!

Helen Shirts

Helen is a creative professional living the good life on Hawaii Island. She enjoys writing about local events, foods, and history. Her inspiration often comes from reading about local traditions and researching them to uncover some amazing stories. She truly enjoys sharing ideas for fun and unusual activities here in the islands she calls home.