Top Reasons to Choose Maui for Your Hawaiian Vacation

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When it comes to planning a Hawaiian getaway, deciding on the right island is a great problem to have. Luckily, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll help you figure out if Maui is the best fit for your trip, using both data and my own experiences living here.

Each of Hawaii’s major islands—Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, and Maui—offers something unique. But in my opinion, Maui strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. You’ll find everything from stunning beaches and tropical rainforests to epic whale watching and incredible food.

When I ask locals and frequent visitors why Maui is their favorite, their answers often resemble the Goldilocks story—Oahu’s too crowded, Kauai’s too rural, and the Big Island’s too spread out. But Maui? It’s just right. Here’s why it might be perfect for you too.

Get To Know Maui

Maui, known as “The Valley Isle,” is the second-largest Hawaiian island behind the Big Island and the second-most visited island after Oahu.

It’s famous for its world-renowned beaches, the sacred Iao Valley, the scenic Hana Highway, and the majestic Haleakala Volcano Crater. But there’s more to Maui than just its natural beauty. The island is steeped in Hawaiian culture and history, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern experiences.

Once known for its sugarcane plantations, today Maui is famed for its romantic escapes, though it offers much more beyond that—appealing to solo travelers, families, and adventure seekers alike. In fact, lots of people often come back to Maui, with return visitors comprising of over 70% of total visitors year after year.

Top Reasons Why Maui is the Best Island

1. Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Maui’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. From the lush rainforests of East Maui to the arid lava fields in the south, the island’s scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

Some highlights include:

Pristine Beaches

It is hard to go wrong with beaches in Hawaii. For most people, it’s a toss-up between Oahu and Maui.

Maui’s beaches consistently rank among the best in the world for their golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and postcard-worthy backdrops. Even better, all of them are easily accessible, including the popular Kaanapali Beach, Wailea Beach, and Makena Beach. Maui also has several kid-friendly beaches and even a black sand beach.

Oahu is not only smaller than Maui, its population is more than six times that of Maui and it garners 1.9 million more visitors annually. This brings into question—what’s a beautiful beach if you’re struggling to find a spot on the sand?

📖 Related Read: Beyond the Beach: Best Relaxing Activities to Do on Maui

Haleakala National Park

Home to the dormant Haleakala Volcano, this park offers breathtaking sunrise and sunset views and dozens of unique hiking trails. It’s a great way to take in another side of Maui and learn how the island was formed. Plus, a visit to Haleakala is a great jumping-off point for exploring Maui’s Upcountry—a place you don’t want to miss.

Note: If you’re specifically looking for volcanoes, the Big Island may be an island to consider. It is home to five volcanoes, including two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Road to Hana

This iconic drive takes you through lush rainforests, past cascading waterfalls, and along dramatic coastal cliffs.

While Kauai also boasts tropical wonders, the Road to Hana is unmatched in its combination of scenery and accessibility (only 10% of Kauai is accessible by car). Plus, with Maui’s several microclimates, you’ll be able to enjoy its beauty without getting caught in all the rain that comes with it—Kauai is one of the rainiest places on earth with over 460 inches of rainfall annually.

2. Abundance of Outdoor Activities

Maui is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Whether you prefer water sports, hiking, or just relaxing in nature, there’s something for everyone.

📖 Related Read: 41 Best Things to Do on Maui for Every Type of Traveler

Snorkeling

Maui is known as the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling simply because the waters here are more sheltered and pretty shallow meaning there are a ton of great places to snorkel directly from shore.

Explore the vibrant coral reefs of Honolua Bay, encounter marine life by taking a boat ride out to a volcanic atoll, Molokini Crater, or a full-day trip to the island of Lanai.

While the Big Island has excellent snorkeling spots, Maui’s clear waters and protected bays make for ideal conditions. Plus, if you’re visiting during whale season, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience—you may hear humpback whales singing underwater or even spot one breaching as you snorkel!

Surfing

Maui draws in big-time surfers from all over the world year after year. Pe’ahi, known as “Jaws”, is Maui’s most famous surf spot producing waves ranging between 30 and 80 feet during the winter months.

And Ho‘okipa Beach is widely recognized as perhaps the best place in the world to windsurf.

However, Maui’s shores are not only for the pros, if you’d like to take surf lessons, there are plenty of beginner spots around the island that are no where near as crowded as Oahu’s.

📖 Related Read: Best Workshops, Lessons, and Classes on Maui: 22 Hands-On Experiences You’ll Never Forget

Boat Tours

Maui’s calm, clear waters, shape of its coastline, and nearby island neighbors, create the perfect boating conditions. You name it, Maui has it—snorkeling, sailing, dinner, and sunset cruises.

Maui is also popular for its whale-watching. From mid-December through mid-April every year as many as 12,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii to give birth. Maui, in particular, is a favorite spot for whales as the channel off the west side of Maui is shallow and the waters are warm which is perfect for whales to have their calf.

In fact, you’ll find that frequent visitors and whale fanatics visit Maui every year for this reason alone. You can take a boat tour or easily see them from shore—just pull over to the side of the road and you’ll surely see a spout and tail flip.

Hiking

Maui is famous for its hiking trails and diverse microclimates—from the lush rainforests along the East Maui coastline to the unique desert landscape of the dormant Haleakala volcano.

Whether you’re chasing waterfalls or looking for expansive ocean views, Maui’s wild and natural landscape is hard to beat. While Oahu has more great hikes than Maui, I’ve found the more popular trails can get pretty crowded with tourists, detracting from the overall experience.

📖 Related Read: Thrill-Seeker’s Guide to Maui: Top Adventurous Activities

3. Best Variety of Places to Stay

Since Maui is the second most visited island behind Oahu, there are plenty of options for accommodations.

If you want to stay at a luxury resort, a budget-friendly beach hotel, a vacation rental with a private pool, or a campground, Maui has them all.

Unlike Oahu’s Honolulu, where resorts are densely packed and beaches crowded, Maui’s accommodations are spread across the island’s stunning coasts, offering more space and no tall buildings to obstruct the view.

Hotels and resorts are also located on some of the most striking beaches, oftentimes with one resort stretching out the entire length of the beach.

📖 Related Read: Where To Stay On Maui: Find Your Perfect Vacation Base

4. Excellent Food

Maui’s food scene is a delightful mix of traditional Hawaiian dishes and modern cuisine:

Award-Winning Dining

Maui is a haven for food lovers, with a strong farm-to-table movement. Many of its restaurants, including the famous Mama’s Fish House and Merriman’s, source fresh ingredients from nearby farms and local fishermen.

Food Trucks

Food trucks are one of the best ways to eat around the island—the diversity, quality, and atmosphere at Maui’s food truck parks are unmatched. In fact, a lot of trucks are launched by local, award-winning chefs. Some of my favorites include Thai Mee Up, Geste Shrimp Truck, and South Maui Fish Company.

Farmers’ Markets and Tours

Maui’s rich agricultural heritage is often an overlooked part of Maui’s culture.

Farmers’ markets and farm tours provide plenty of opportunities to taste fresh, local produce and island fare from the place where it’s cultivated.

Whether you’re a foodie, an animal lover, or an agriculture enthusiast, this is a great way to immerse yourself in Maui’s local culture and beauty.

📖 Related Read: A Foodie’s Guide to Maui: Farm Tours and Culinary Delights

What Maui is Lacking

Metropolitan Attractions

Maui doesn’t boast as many museums and big shopping centers as Oahu and instead focuses on natural beauty and outdoor activities. However, you’ll still find a range of high-end and casual shops across the island, along with a wealth of cultural experiences.

Nightlife

Many people believe Maui’s nightlife is nonexistent. While it may not compare to Honolulu’s bustling bars and nightclubs, Maui does have its own unique spots that offer a great night out—you just need to know where to look.

Final Decision: Still on the Fence?

As someone who calls Maui home, I’m not afraid to admit that I’m biased toward Maui, but I do realize that not everyone agrees with my opinion. At the end of the day, each island has its own unique magic. But if you’re looking for a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery, Maui just might be the one.

If you do find yourself drawn to the magic of Maui, my comprehensive Maui Travel Map, with over 350 handpicked spots and insider tips, is the perfect tool to help you make the most of your trip.

And if you can’t decide on just one island, don’t fret, island hopping is easy—each island is just a short plane ride away. Just remember that whatever your final decision, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

Mahalo for reading, and I hope to see you on the island soon!

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