Maui Travel Tips & Guides

The best time to visit Maui is the shoulder seasons: May to early June and Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Here’s what each season is really like, from a Wailea host.

Here are the only two Maui luaus worth booking: Old Lahaina and Te Au Moana, or make your own free DIY luau night in Wailea.

If you’ve ever sat on a lanai watching the sun melt into the Pacific and thought, “this feels like a movie,” you’re not alone. Hawaii has been a Hollywood favorite for decades, but the films worth your time are the ones that go beyond the postcard. The best movies about Hawaii use the islands not…

You’ve traded the backhand volleys for beach views, but that doesn’t mean your favorite activity needs to take a vacation. Maui offers a friendly and accessible public pickleball scene that welcomes visitors from the mainland. Here is your comprehensive guide to the best spots for a quick dink during your island escape. 1. South Maui…

When it comes to Maui whale watching, two names pop up again and again: Pride of Maui and Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale). Both are icons, both get solid reviews, but they offer very different vibes once you’re on board. Whether you’re the type who wants a laid-back afternoon with a plate of BBQ and a…

Imagine finger weaving fragrant blossoms as the ocean hums nearby and the aloha spirit drapes around you. Lei aren’t just floral necklaces. They’re living threads of Hawaiian heritage, meant to be worn, shared, and honored throughout life’s special moments. The Cultural Roots of Lei Making in Hawaiian Heritage Lei originate from the Polynesian voyaging tradition,…

Whale season in Maui isn’t just a sightseeing activity. It’s a full-blown spectacle. Every winter, thousands of humpback whales swim roughly 3,000 miles from Alaska to the warm, shallow water off Maui to breed, give birth, and raise their calves. From December through April they turn the channel into their playground, and the only real…

Ready to take a cultural detour? Tiki isn’t just carved masks and boozy cocktails. It’s a mid-century pop culture fever dream with roots in Polynesia, Hollywood, and Hawaii’s tourism boom. This post takes you through the history, the controversy, and why tiki is once again turning heads in Maui today. What Is Tiki Culture? Tiki…

If you’re on Maui for more than a handful of days, you might want to get out and see the countryside a bit. Landlubbers like us can only handle so many hours drinking original mai tais in the hot sun before we start to melt into tropical oblivion. An “Upcountry” day offers the opportunity to…

Mai Tais in Maui: More Than Just a Drink When you think of Maui, you probably picture golden beaches, palm trees swaying in the tradewinds, and a sunset that feels almost too perfect to be real. But ask any traveler what really cements that “I’m in Hawaii” moment, and the answer often comes in a…

Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable in Maui Maui isn’t just another sunny vacation spot. It’s home to one of the most delicate marine ecosystems on Earth. The island has taken a firm stand: since 2021, sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate (common chemical filters) are banned. These chemicals damage coral reefs, harm marine life, and linger…

While there’s no single “best place to stay” on Maui, Wailea and Ka’anapali are two of the more popular options. In this quick post, we’ll break down the major differences to help you decide where to stay on your next trip to The Valley Isle. It’s not only first-time visitors to Maui who struggle to…

For Whom the Beer Tolls Hemingway may have famously downed a dozen daiquiris in an afternoon, but I’m usually making the switch to beer after a single mai tai. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of original ales, lagers, stouts, and other assorted delights conceived and brewed right here at the very best breweries in Maui. Maui’s Current…

Oahu may have more golf courses, but Maui’s are easier to get on and a lot less crowded. From one of the country’s first munis (Waiehu) to a longtime PGA Tour venue (Kapalua Plantation), there’s something on Maui for every hacker, Spackler, and aspiring tour pro. Fore! Here’s what you want to know about every…