This post may contain affiliate links where we earn from qualifying purchases from referring you to our favorite products and brands. As an amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Find out more in our disclosure.
Maui is pure magic, and is so much fun for adventure lovers. I just got back from a week on the island with my teenage son, who lives for outdoor adventure, and I can say without hesitation: it was one of the most exciting and unforgettable trips we’ve ever taken. Every single day was packed with action, stunning scenery, and those heart-thumping, laugh-out-loud moments that you never forget. Whether you’re planning a trip with teens or just want to dive into the more adventurous activities in Maui, here are the top Maui adventure activities you’ve got to try.
1. Bike the Haleakalā Volcano
This was the #1 reason that we came to Maui. My son is a pretty serious cyclist and biking Haleakala was high on his bucket list (after riding Alto de Letras in Colombia a few years ago). However, you don’t have a be an avid cyclist to bike Haleakala. Biking down Haleakalā isn’t just an activity — it’s a rite of passage for adrenaline lovers visiting Maui. While there’s a lot of hype around sunrise at Haleaka, I think it’s overrated. Sunrise is freezing cold at the summit and usually very crowded (and there are beautiful sunrises all over the island you can enjoy as well). Going up Haleakala for sunrise also requires an advence reservation or going on a guided tour, adding to the cost and complexity.
The most popular way to bike Haleakala is to take a guided tour and they’ll take you up to the top of Haleakala to look at the view, and then bring you back out of the park to bike down (around 6,500 ft of elevation, as opposed to biking down from the top). Guided bike tours are not allowed inside of the borders of Haleakala National Park, so if you want to ride down the entire volcano (which is absolutley EPIC), then you’ll need to arrange things on your own. If you choose to bike on your own you will either ride up, or shuttle your own bikes to the top so you can ride downhill from the summit. It’s more work, but starting from the bottom is an absolute blast.
Since my son loves to bike, we started at the beach at sunrise and biked to the top. It’s a massive challenge, but if you have the cycling experience and fitness, I’d definetely recommend it. We skipped the sunrise-summit crowd and opted for a mid-morning summit, which turned out to be absolutely perfect. No insanely early wake-up call, and we still got the jaw-dropping views. We rented our bikes from Krank Cycles and they were stocked full of a variety of bikes for all styles of riding and abilities.
We had road bikes, though if you’re just biking down, you can also use mountain bikes as well. Within Haleakala National Park, bikes are not allowed on dirt trails, so biking down the road is basically the only option.
Tip: Bring plenty of layers – it gets COLD up top, and you’ll have a lot of wind resistance as you’re biking down the volcano, which can make the ride feel FREEZING! We both had packable windbreakers and it was perfect to keep us warmer without carrying a lot of bulk with us.
2. Snorkel with Sea Turtles (Makena Landing or Honolua Bay)
There’s just something magical about snorkeling with sea turtles. We tried both Makena Landing and Honolua Bay, and both were unforgettable in different ways. Makena is super accessible, and when the water is calm, it’s perfect for beginners. Within minutes of swimming out, we spotted several giant green sea turtles drifting through the reef, totally unbothered by us.
Honolua Bay was a little more work to reach — you hike down a short trail through dense forest before getting to the water. But once we got there, it was next-level. The reef here is huge and teeming with life. We saw schools of tropical fish, coral heads bigger than we are, and yes, more turtles! We ended up snorkeling here twice and the last time, we came just before sunset and saw 15 turtles in under 30 minutes.
To find the best snorkeling conditions on Maui, make sure to check out the Maui Snorkeling Report that’s published daily at 8am.
Tip: Go early when the water is calmest, and wear a rash guard to stay sunburn-free.
3. Drive the Road to Hana
Driving the Road to Hana is one of the most unique roads in American and is not for the faint of heart — but it’s 100% worth it. With 600 curves, 50 one-lane bridges, and an insane amount of waterfalls and roadside stands, this drive is an all-day adventure.
We stopped at Twin Falls early on for an easy waterfall hike and swim. Later, we hit Wailua Falls, one of the tallest on the island. You can swim right at the base, and the water is so refreshing after a hot drive. We stocked up on banana bread, fresh pineapple, and coconut candy at almost every stand along the way (no regrets). My son loved the constant change of scenery, and the soundtrack of crashing waterfalls and rainforest sounds made it feel like we were in a movie.
Make sure to download an offline map before you go and a great playlist to listen to. Cell service is spotty at best!
TIP: The thing that took our Road to Hana drive to the next level was driving it in a CONVERTIBLE! While we had an SUV rented for most of our trip, we found an incredible deal on a convertible through Discover Cars (prices were significantly cheaper than other booking sites). The airport is on the way to the Road to Hana, so we stopped in, dropped off our SUV, and picked up our convertible, and the whole process took less than 30 minutes. Discover Cars has such incredible prices that it really was a no brainer to get a convertible, even if it was just for a few days.
4. Kayak the Makena Coastline
One of our favorite mornings in Maui was spent paddling along the Makena coastline. The water was so clear we could see the reef below us almost the entire time. We rented kayaks and launched early to avoid the wind. The coastline here is dotted with caves, lava arches, and quiet little coves, and it’s just unreal to see it all from the water.
We pulled into a sandy cove halfway through and took a break to snorkel, then paddled back with sea turtles surfacing nearby and a few flying fish skipping across the surface. There’s something extra special about seeing the island from the ocean — peaceful, wild, and totally unique.
Make sure to take your snorkeling gear with you since this is one of the best places to snorkel with sea turtles, so you can have a day packed full of adventure.
Tip: Go early in the morning when the water is calmest and the wind hasn’t picked up.
5. Watch the Nakalele Blowhole Erupt
This was a quick stop but such a fun one. The Nakalele Blowhole is a natural geyser-like feature that blasts water up through a lava rock hole when the waves roll in just right. We were both fascinated by the power of it!
The hike down is short but rocky, so wear good shoes (just something that will stay on your feet – we wore our Chacos and were fine but flip-flops would be a bad choice here). The coastline here is rugged and beautiful, and we spotted whales off the shore while we watched the blowhole in action. We probably spent 45 minutes in total here. It’s on the northwest side of the island, and if you’re going here, you should also stop at Honolua Bay and the Olivine Pools.
Tip: Stay a safe distance away. People have been injured by getting too close — the blowhole is stronger than it looks.
6. Learn to Surf in Kihei
We love surfing and having our home base be in Kihei was a perfect location for some easy surfing. While we didn’t need lessons since we already know how to surf, there are several options for getting beginner surf lessons in Kihei, most starting ar 7 or 8am when the waves are the best (and the wind is the calmest). The instructors at Cove Park looked amazing — patient, energetic, and so good with all ages, but especially teens.
The waves were perfect for learning: long and gentle with plenty of time to get up and ride. We spent a couple of slow mornings on the beach and it was fun to watch so many people experience the joy of learning to surf.
Tip: Morning lessons are best for smooth waves and smaller crowds.
7. Explore the Olivine Pools (Almost!)
This was the adventure that almost happened. We were on our way to the Olivine Pools on West Maui when we hit a snag — a flat tire just half a mile away. Total heartbreak! The road out there is paved, but when we were driving it, there was lots of loose lava rock on the road, which is what punctured our tire. Since cell service is non-existent, so we had to turn back.
Even though we didn’t make it, I still wanted to include it here because the photos, the stories, and the reviews from other travelers are too good not to mention. These tide pools are carved into lava rock right at the ocean’s edge and look like nature’s infinity pools. They’re only safe when the surf is low, but if you catch it right, it’s one of the most epic swimming spots on the island.
Tip: Only go when conditions are calm and bring a spare tire — seriously – our car had “run flat tires” and our alarms were going off constantly which was unnerving.
8. Swim in Molokini Crater
Molokini Crater is a tiny crescent-shaped island off Maui’s coast that offers some of the clearest snorkeling anywhere in the world. We took a boat out early in the morning and were blown away by the visibility — you could see 100 feet down, easy.
The fish here are so colorful, and the coral is pristine. My son dove down again and again, following schools of fish and pretending to be a sea turtle. There were so many moments where we both just looked at each other through our masks like, “Can you believe this is real?”
Tip: Book a tour that includes snorkeling at Turtle Town on the way back — two amazing spots in one morning.
9. Kayak with Whales (December to April)
If you time your trip right, kayaking with whales is one of the most incredible experiences Maui has to offer. We were just at the tail end of the season, so we didn’t get to paddle near them this time, but we saw several breaching from shore.
From December to April, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Maui’s warm waters. You can rent a kayak or go on a guided tour that takes you into areas where the whales are known to hang out. I’ve heard that hearing their songs underwater is absolutely surreal.
Tip: Book a guided tour for safety and the best chances of seeing whales up close.
Maui delivered adventure after adventure, and experiencing it all with my teenage son made it even better. We laughed, explored, challenged ourselves, and made memories I know we’ll both hold onto for the rest of our lives. If you’re looking for a place that combines jaw-dropping beauty with unforgettable thrills, Maui should be at the top of your list. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
5 Takeaways to Simplify Your Maui Adventure Trip
Start Early Every Day – Mornings offer calmer water, fewer crowds, and better parking at popular spots like beaches, waterfalls, and snorkeling areas.
Download Offline Maps & Apps – Cell service drops out often, especially on the Road to Hana. Apps like Shaka Guide and offline Google Maps are lifesavers.
Pack Layers and Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Haleakalā is freezing at the top, and Maui sun is intense. Reef-safe sunscreen is required to protect marine life.
Pay for the Extra Insurance Coverage on Your Rental Car – We are so glad we got the extra coverage with our rental through DiscoverCars.com. We didn’t have to worry about our flat tire being covered, and it gave me so much peace of mind during the entire trip. One of the smoothest rental experiences I’ve ever had. Even when we did return our car with a flat, they had a new car there waiting for us and the exchange took less than 5 minutes!
Talk to Locals and Guides – Whether it’s the best time to visit a blowhole or where to find the tastiest roadside banana bread, locals always have the best advice.
Really enjoyed the insights about Maui’s adventures! Do you think biking down Haleakalā is suitable for someone with moderate cycling experience or is it best reserved for advanced cyclists only? Also, any tips on renting gear locally to save on costs?