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A customary activity for most visitors to Hawai’i, a lū’au is a feast of traditional foods served outdoors with Hawaiian music, singing, and hula. The buffet usually includes kālua pork, lomilomi salmon with tomatoes and Maui onion, rice, teriyaki chicken, fresh salads, and haupia (coconut pudding).

From easy walks to arduous hikes, Maui has miles and miles of hiking trails that will let you explore the island’s diverse terrain and climatic zones. With treks through mountains, valleys, volcanic craters, lava fields, coastal areas, rain forests, dry land forests, nature preserves, and botanical gardens, it’s no wonder that hiking is one of Maui’s most popular activities.

Maui has hundreds of miles of designated bikeways, and renting a bicycle is easy. Organized mountain bike tours cover the Upcountry. The most popular guided tours begin at sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā and glide down to sea level along 37 miles of curves and switchbacks on well-paved, well-traveled roads.

Not just an hour trudge around a meadow and back to the barn, the guided horseback riding options on Maui include ranchlands and coastlines, and a full day into Haleakalā crater.

Hawai’i’s warm clear waters, alive with colorful fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and coral, are worldfamous for snorkeling and scuba diving. The adventurous can explore lava pinnacles, tubes, and caves teeming with marine life. Beginner and certified scuba excursions leave from several beaches around the island as well as Mā’alaea and Lahaina Harbors. Equipment can be rented in shops and beach kiosks.

Fishing is good all year in the waters surrounding Maui and the neighboring islands. Halfand full-day charters are available on boats leaving Mā’alaea and Lahaina Harbors. You can troll for billfish, ono, mahimahi, ahi, and opakapaka. Lines can be cast from the rocky seawalls along the harbors and northshore beaches such as Honomanū.

Maui’s most famous winter visitors – the humpback whales – arrive from Alaska in December and stay through April. Many charter boats carry passengers into the channels on Maui’s leeward side to experience the grace and majesty of these huge and playful gentle giants.

Another good way to enjoy both the marine treasures and the beautiful views from offshore. Tours and rentals are available, ranging from leisurely paddling to challenging ocean treks.

There are about 100 courts on Maui. Public courts are available on a first come, first served basis. The courts at resorts such as Kapalua, Kā’anapali, Wailea, and Mākena are usually reserved for hotel guests.

Soaring above the island will give you a unique perspective of Maui and a chance to observe its yet-untouched natural areas. Take flight in a helicopter, paraglider, hang glider, or a small, fixedwing aircraft.