24 reasons we love visiting Maui (and you will too)

If you’re tossing up whether you should take a trip to Maui, then have a read of our 24 reasons to visit Maui, to help you make the big decision.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love Hawaii and have fallen deeply, and madly in love with it. I think it’s the perfect location for anyone to visit, and even as soon as I’ve landed back in Australia I’m eagerly hatching a plan on how and when I can get back to keep exploring. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Recently I spent a week in Maui, and jam-packed that week with some really amazing experiences for my family. It’s probably no surprise, but I fell in love with Maui from the plane ride in… spotting that beautiful water, and that love affair deepened each day that we stayed on the island. Today I’m sharing 24 reasons to put Maui on your bucket list, but more so to make it happen. I could have kept going with this list, but I realised it was already one of the longest blog posts I’ve written. So grab a cup of tea, or a Mai Tai and start reading. Enjoy, and happy holiday planning.

24 Reasons we love visiting Maui (and you will too)

1. THE SUNSETS

The sunsets in Maui are just something else. I don’t know if it was because we were so blissed up and happy, or if it was because they were stunning, and being able to see the sun set over the water {which doesn’t happen where I live} was just magic. I loved that each sunset draws an audience, and as I looked around me as everyone watched the sun go down… everyone seemed so happy and content. It really was a magic feeling.

2. MAMA’S FISH HOUSE INN

On our first night in Maui, this was our cottage, and it was mind-blowingly beautiful, and sweet. Mama’s Fish House is a popular restaurant on the North Shore that most people will tell you that you HAVE to visit {and I might tell you the same}, but right next to the restaurant is a series of little cottages right on the beach. The kids had a blast on that hammock, chasing little gheckos around, and watching the waves roll in. It’s a beautiful spot to stop and stay for a while.

3. THE SELF-DRIVE

Maui, the island, is around the same size as it’s sister, O’ahu… but it’s a whole lot quieter. The roads are less busy and I think it would be a crime to not rent a car and explore the island. There’s so much to see, and in five days it was impossible to see it all {so we’ll just have to go back}. Maui is a great place to go driving around on, and I loved that we could do that with the girls, and stop whenever they needed something easily… or when I saw something that I wanted to photograph. We spent a little extra to have this Jeep Wrangler, but I recommend it, especially if you plan on exploring Up Country, or going on the Road To Hana.

4. THE SWIMMING

It kinda goes without saying, but Maui is an awesome place to swim… in the ocean, at the waterfalls, in the pool. Bring your cossies/bathers/swimmers, cos there’ll be swimming. Yay!

5. MAMA’S FISH HOUSE

The North Shore is a slower pace than the other side of the island. It feels almost untouched, and it is just beautiful. Mama’s Fish House is located on the coastline, and has the most beautiful food. It has lots of yummy seafood, and has the most stunning surrounds. As we waited for our table, it was interesting to see all of the celebrities that had visited too. There were so many.

6. SURFING GOAT DAIRY

Surfing goats? Say what now? OK, the goats don’t surf, but it’s enough to get you intrigued, right? I wouldn’t have thought that I’d like to see some goats, but I knew the kids would… and then I loved it so much that it turned out to be one of my favourite things we did on the island. Surfing Goat Dairy is a working farm, and we got to milk the goats, learn about them and then try out the beautiful goat’s cheese {the best part!}. They make the best goat’s cheese I’ve ever tasted, because it’s not so goaty. They even do a sweet yoghurt which is a must-try.

7. THE HULA-ING

As someone that would never sing or dance in public, this one might come as a bit of a surprise, but I can hula. In fact my whole family can, even Hubby rocks the male hula. We love it. There’s a real art to it, and I definitely recommend trying it. You’ll be stoked that you can move your hips in that way. There are free lessons at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel for guests, and I encourage you to jump in and try them. Hula with me!

8. THE WATER SPORTS

Bring your snorkeling gear, cos you can snorkel straight off the beach in Maui. Over at Ka’napali Beach there’s great snorkeling, especially around Black Rock. There’s a very good chance you’ll spot a turtle in your travels. We were just swimming near the coastline, and a turtle swam right up to us. It’s the most magic experience. It’s also perfect for Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding, and if you like bigger surf then you might like to check out the waves on the North Shore, particularly Ho’okipa Beach.

9. THE LUSHNESS

As we drove around the island of Maui, we loved that one minute we’d be on the coast, the next in a more arid area, and then we’d be hit with the lush greenery around us. You can even head Up Country and feel the temperature drop 10 degrees {Celsius}. There are so many climates in one island. Mind blown.

10. THE FAMILY TIME

We holiday to spend time together as a family, and while we mostly choose to visit tropical locations, it’s simply because it makes everyone happy. I love that when we visit Hawaii, Maui in particular, we come away so happy because we’re doing things we all love. No one has to compromise. It’s bliss.

11. THE INSTAGRAM-WORTHY COLOURS

Oh man, the colours! The buildings and shops in both Paia Town and Lahaina have the most beautiful coloured buildings. This is outside Frida’s Mexican Beach House in Lahaina.

12. HO’OKIPA BEACH

Just a short 20 minute drive from the airport, you can find this super popular beach. We stopped up at the top car park, and checked out the view from the rocks {it’s amazing that right next door is a farm with cows grazing!}, and watched as the surf smashed into the shore. It was a big surf day, and out on the water was loads of surfer, and even kitesurfers.

13. THE TURTLES

Turtles are protected in Hawaii, so you can’t touch them and you have to stay about 10 feet away at all times {which can be hard to do when they swim right up to you – but you have to try}, and they’re also very respected. You can find as many as 30 basking in the sun in the afternoons on Ho’okipa Beach. This one was around 50 years old, and loving the sun.

14. THE FOOD

This probably deserves to be at the VERY top of the list, and I’ve shown much restraint by not talking about it until now… but the food… OMG. It’s good. It can be as simple as poke from the local Foodland {buy the non-frozen one for freshness}, or go all out and have lunch at Mama’s Fish House. There’s little trucks all around the island that you can stop at, including Like Poke at Kahului that are worth stopping at and trying their wares. There’s yummy pies at Leoda’s Pies, beautiful food at Kula Bistro in the Up Country, and in Lahaina you’ll find so many great places to eat. I suggest heading a little out of town to a series of three restaurants; Frida’s Mexican Beach House, Honu and my favourite, Mala Ocean Tavern. In Paia, definitely get in early at the Paia Fish Market for a fish burger, a-mah-zing!

15. THE SHAVE ICE

TRY THE SHAVE ICE. My favourite is at Tobi’s Shave Ice in Paia. The art to a good shave ice is a good scoop of quality ice cream in the bottom {choose from vanilla or macadamia vanilla} and then a good natural flavouring, topped with lashing of condensed milk. The Haleakala Sunrise at Tobi’s is amazing, and tropical, and delicious.

16. PAIA TOWN

I fell in love with this sweet town. It’s filled with beautiful restaurants, and stores with locally created goodies. Take a stroll through, shop and stop to eat. It’s a beautiful place.

17. LAHAINA

Lahaina is a little bigger than Paia, but it’s just as beautiful. It’s right on the water, and a little more touristy {so a great place to stop and get souvenirs}. Head to the Banyan Tree to meet some locals, experience the grandeur of the Banyan tree {it’s so huge!} and shop at the stalls from locals. It’s a great town to spend some time in with the family, and even at night it’s a nice place to potter around.

18. THE SCENERY

Everywhere is beautiful. Even the roads are located so close to the coast that you get the best view as your cruise around. It’s just stunning.

19. THE LUAU

We enjoyed the Luau at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel which was amazing. Beautiful food, great entertainment, and the kids got tattoos from the locals. It’s a definitely must-do if you’re staying at the hotel, and if not apparently there is a great Luau in Lahaina as well.

20. THE HAWAIIAN-NESS

Maui feels really untouched, and still Hawaiian… which I know might sound weird, but it’s true. The resort we stayed at for most of our stay, Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, is the most Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii. It’s owned by Hawaiians, and you can feel that in the hotel. There’s local crafts for sale in the lobby, the hotel doesn’t feel overdeveloped, and it feels respectful of the Hawaiian heritage. I really loved that.

21. THE BEACHES

I love the beaches in Hawaii. The water is so beautiful that you can walk right in and feel like you’re walking into a bath. The waves aren’t too big. It’s so clean. You have to experience them.

22. THE DRIVES

There is so much to explore, and the drives are gorgeous. Like seriously, look at that ^^, we’re above the clouds!

23. HALEAKALA CRATER

Haleakala Crater is a dormant volcano that sits above the clouds. Experience a chilly climate, really thin air, beautiful landscapes that you’ll remember forever, and volcanic rock. I heard that the sunrises on Haleakala is the best experience ever, but I think any of time of day is magic as well.

24. THE COOLNESS

Maui is just cool, through and through. I feel like we only just scratched the surface and we need to go back to explore more, and we will… time and time again, I’m sure.

Have you been to Maui? What do you love about it? If you haven’t been, is it on your bucket-list?

My family and I travelled as guests of Hawaii Tourism Oceania.

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