Family-Friendly Things to Do in Maui

Maui is one of the more popular Hawaiian Islands, especially regarding family vacations. This island is full of natural wonders and outdoor adventures. If you have an active family, Maui will be the perfect destination for your next family vacation. You can spend days hiking, ziplining, biking, and taking long car rides to experience heart-racing thrills you won’t find anywhere else.

Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of opportunities to sit back and relax when you visit Maui. Nothing is better than sitting next to a waterfall while you devour a picnic lunch. And if you forget to grab lunch before you leave your resort, there is almost always a food truck nearby waiting to feed you something delicious.

I can never say enough good things about the island of Maui. Maybe that is why it is usually near the top of my list of places to return to in the future. You will feel the same way once you have experienced everything this island offers. But first, you must know the best family-friendly things to do in Maui. This information will help as we plan your itinerary for your family vacation on the island.

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Family-Friendly Things to Do in Maui

Haleakala

Haleakala is a massive volcano that is just over 10,000 feet in height and is located inside Haleakala National Park. While it has not erupted in more than 200 years, it is still an incredible destination to visit while on vacation in Maui. Most families arrive at this volcano early in the morning so they can drive to the top to watch the sunrise.

If you don’t want to watch the sunrise, you can always arrive later in the day to hike the trails along the crater floor. Or you can watch as the sun sets at the end of the day.

Lahaina

Lahaina is a touristy destination in Maui, but that doesn’t mean you must cross this area off your list when visiting. This historic town is full of boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. A walk down Front Street is a must when you are in Lahaina. However, there is also a walk along the Lahaina Historic Trail. A few places to stop along the trail include the oldest living banyan tree on the island, Pioneer Inn, US Seamen’s Hospital, and Hale Paahao, which is Lahaina Prison.

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Baby Beach

Baby Beach is a beach on the north shore of Maui. The reef connecting to the beach's western end protects a lagoon from the ocean. This lagoon is the perfect spot for kids to swim while you relax on the sand. It can get windy in the afternoons, though.

When you visit Baby Beach, you must take the time to look out towards Lanai and Kahoolawe Island. The glimpses of the island may be all you see because you are not allowed to visit it.

Humpback Whale Watching

If your family wants to see humpback whales when you are on vacation in Maui, we will need to plan your visit carefully. The first humpback whales arrive near this island during October and November. However, whale watching season doesn’t officially start until December, and peak season is considered the month of February. You must capture a glimpse of these whales by March because that is when the humpback whales migrate until later in the year.

You can easily see humpback whales from the shoreline in Maui. However, I always recommend heading out on a boat tour to see these magnificent creatures up close. There are many different Maui whale-watching tours to choose from, but I will find the perfect one for your family.

Snorkel Tours of Molokini

Molokini is a crater that is shaped like a crescent moon. The area is a marine preserve, as well as a seabird sanctuary. When you decide to take a snorkel tour of this area, your family will have the chance to see more than 200 different species of fish, reef sharks, moray eels, and octopus. You can also swim with the green sea turtles or honu when in the water. If we plan your tour from December through March, you can see humpback whales on your ride to and from this crater.

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is one of the most extraordinary scenic drives in the world, and you will love experiencing it with your family when you are on vacation in Maui. This stretch of road is just over 64 miles long, so you must be prepared for a long drive. There are also more than 600 curves, so if someone in your family gets motion sickness, you will want to be prepared with remedies before you leave.

You can make many stops on the Road to Hana, making your trip longer. If you don't have much time, we must choose the stops you want to make in advance. However, if you do have extra time, we can create a plan for you to be in this area for a couple of days so you can fall in love with this area of Maui.

Maui Ocean Center

One of the best ways to see Maui’s wildlife, flowers, plants, and cultures in one location is to take your family to the Maui Ocean Center, located in Ma’alea Bay. Everyone in your family will love the turtle lagoon and living reef, but the humpback whale exhibit and open ocean will keep everyone mesmerized for hours.

Ali’i Kula Lavender Fields

The Ali’i Kula Lavender Fields comprise just over 13 acres of land, and they are filled with 55,000 lavender plants. There are 45 varieties of plants, but you may be unable to tell them apart without assistance. Your time at this farm will teach you how one lavender plant was turned into this gorgeous space that locals and tourists love. Before you leave the farm, you must stop in the gift shop to purchase a few lavender items to take home with you.

Surfing Goat Dairy Farm

If your kids love animals, you may want to visit the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm. This working farm offers many tours that provide insight into how the farm works. If you do not want to take a tour, you can spend a little time feeding the goats, checking out the pigs, and making friends with the farm dogs and cats.

These are some of the best family-friendly things to do in Maui. While you can include all these things on your itinerary, there are many other options. I would love to chat with you to find out precisely what you are looking for during your next family vacation in Maui. This will ensure I know what to include when I create your itinerary and plan the rest of your trip.

So, are you ready to plan your family vacation in Maui??

If you are ready to start planning, I invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here.