Maui Travel Tips

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 mai tai in hand, or you’re looking for an eco-driven experience with certified naturalists narrating the action, here’s how the two compare. Quick Comparison Table Feature Pride of Maui PacWhale Duration 3.5 hours (combo snorkel + whale watch) 2–3 hours (multiple tour options) Price (Adult) ~$114 Varies: ~$80–$125 Boat Type 65-ft power catamaran Fleet: sailing catamarans + power vessels Meals & Drinks BBQ lunch, open bar Options vary (continental breakfast, […]

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, brought to the islands by early settlers navigating by stars and ocean swells. Over centuries, they evolved into culturally layered expressions of aloha—signaling love, respect, status, and connection to the land and people. Leis held ceremonial weight, marking everything from royal events to harvests. Today, they remain as greetings, farewells, and beautiful tokens of affection worn for graduation, weddings, or just because aloha never sleeps. Symbolism in Every Strand Every lei

Whale season in Maui isn’t just a sightseeing activity — it’s a full-blown spectacle. From December through April, humpback whales turn the island’s waters into their playground, and the only real decision you have to make is which boat gets you closest to the action. We’ve done the homework, sorted through the options, and even pulled in some traveler feedback, so you don’t have to. Here’s the 2025 lowdown on Maui whale watching. When Is Whale Season in Maui? 💡 Savvy traveler note: If you’re on Maui in winter, you’ll see whales — sometimes even from shore. But on-the-water tours are where the magic happens. Where Do Whale Watching Tours Leave From? Type Price Range Capacity Vibe Best For Big Boats $60–$90 80–100+ Stable, spacious,

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 culture originated in the United States in the 1930s, inspired by romanticized representations of the Pacific Islands. Think: lavish rattan décor, flaming torches, carved wooden masks, and exotic rum punch. These early cinematic visions—popularized by Hollywood, bestselling books like The Book of Tiki, and returning WWII GIs with stories of the tropics—laid the foundation for tiki’s rise. Despite its heavily stylized aesthetic, it wasn’t tethered to any one Pacific culture. Instead,

There are a few things in life you can count on. Sunsets in Maui being Instagram-worthy. Your suitcase somehow gaining five pounds on the flight home. And every winter, thousands of humpback whales making the 3,000-mile trek from Alaska to the warm, shallow waters around Maui. Maui whale season is a special treat not to be missed! If you’ve ever wanted to see a 40-ton animal breach out of the ocean in front of you — this is your chance. But timing, location, and tour choice all matter if you want the best possible experience. Here’s your definitive guide to Maui whale season in 2025 — complete with month-by-month breakdowns, tour operator tips, shore-based lookout spots, photo hacks, and some insider knowledge most blogs skip.

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 enjoy cooler temps, let the sunburn marinate, and explore some of the more unique aspects of modern-day Maui. Here’s one possible itinerary that takes you in a roughly clockwise loop through Haiku, Makawao, Haleakala, and Kula… 8:00AM: Hookipa Beach Park to watch the surfers (15 mins) 179 Hana Hwy, Paia → Drive time from Wailea: 35 mins→ Drive time from Ka’anapali: 55 mins A lot of visitors to Maui simply

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 glass: the Mai Tai. Invented in California but perfected in Hawaii, the Mai Tai has become a cultural icon on Maui. Each bar adds its own twist—some go classic with fresh lime and orgeat, others lean tiki with pineapple juice or passionfruit. Whether you’re sipping poolside in Wailea, perched at a Lahaina bar, or mixing one up in your rental condo, the Mai Tai is the unofficial cocktail of the

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 in the water long after you’ve left the beach. It always amazes me how many tourists spend months looking forward to their Maui vacation and then promptly acquire a flaming hot sunburn on day one. What a miserable way to start your trip! The average UV Index in Hawaii ranges from 8 in the winter to 13 in the summer, which generally implies a 10-15 minute time to initial burn. That’s

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 decide whether to stay in Wailea or Kaanapali. While both locations offer plenty of vacation rentals and resort options, access to fantastic beaches, and great restaurants, they feature completely different vibes. Making the best choice for your next Maui vacation is all about understanding each location’s strengths and matching them up with your personal vacation priorities. Wailea is more spread out, quieter, wilder, and a bit upscale. Kaanapali is dense,

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 Brewery Line-up In 2023, Maui had four (4) on-island breweries with a total of six (6) locations. The tragic fires sadly destroyed Kohola Brewery’s sole location and one of Waikiki Brewing’s two locations, leaving only three (3) breweries with a total of four (4) locations in 2024. In 2025, Kohola Brewery opened a new location in Wailea, while Maui Brewing Company closed their Kahana outpost and opened a new restaurant