Weather & Climate On Maui
Maui weather patterns change dramatically depending on where you are on the island, as Maui hosts a large number of microclimates. Within a few miles, the average rainfall on Maui can change by several inches very quickly. In this article, we take a closer look at what areas of Maui are the driest and wettest, as this will help you decide where to stay during your Maui vacation or trip.
“Great weather” is often defined as sunny and warm – and if so, Maui is definitely the place for great weather. As a bonus, the majority of the accommodations on Maui are located in very dry and sunny areas. Other locations, especially along the northeast coastline, are very wet and lush. Depending on your personal preferences, one location should be easy to select over another.
First, we should point out that even in the wettest locations on Maui, rain is hit and miss. One minute it may be raining, and the next the sun is back out – usually with a beautiful rainbow to boot! It’s hard to say the wet areas are less desirable than the drier ones because, in our opinion, the lushness is something we WANT to be around so we tend to select wetter locations on purpose. However, other visitors may prefer sunny and dry weather.
If You’re Staying At The Haiku Plantation Inn Stop At The Temple Of Peace Just Next Door You Cant Miss This Colorful Enclave About 2 Minutes Down Haiku Road From Hana Highway
The colorful interfaith spiritual community center is painted inside and out with murals and accentuated with florals and plants. It’s known for throwing events and celebrations and just being here for a few minutes feels like you’ve taken a trip back in time to the 1960s.
Address: 575 Haiku Rd, Haiku, HI 96708
Renting A Car And Getting Around The Maui
Should you rent a car in Maui? Most likely, yes. While Maui does have a bus system and has uber and taxis, renting a car makes traveling around on your vacation easier.
Weve done the math for you to help you .
Our favorite tip for anyone visiting Hawaii is to book with Discount Hawaii Car Rental. When we travel inter-island or we have friends in town, we use them 95% of the time. They offer the most competitive rates, they work with national agencies, you dont have to pre-book, and you can cancel at any time. There are also great local companies to rent from, like Kihei Rent a Car. See our Should You Rent a Car on Maui video for more information.
If you cant get a car or you just dont want to get one, here are 11 tips for getting around Maui without a car.
For the most part, the roads on Maui are well paved and easy to navigate with any type of car no 4-wheel drive required! Though if you want to rent a jeepit really is fun.
If you dont want to rent a car but still want to get out and see the sights, a guided tour is a great option. Two of our favorite tours that will pick you up from your hotel and take you around are the Haleakala Guided Sunrise Tour and the Road to Hana Guided Tour.
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Best Tours And Activities On Oahu
While we embrace DIY travel, theres something to be said for a great tour when youre in Hawaii.
Not only are you supporting a local business, but youre getting time with a guide who truly knows the island.
Whether theyre teaching you the history of the islands during a canoe tour or theyre educating you on the marine life during a snorkeling trip, a good tour experience can stick with you for years.
Weve done the hard work for you by finding the best of the best tours on the island. Heres a sampling of our favorites to get started, but dont forget to check out our full list.
Youll Also Find Glorious King Proteas Protea Pincushions And Other Fantastical Flowers Olive Trees Succulents And More Plus You Can Also Pick Up Your Favorite Lavender Products From Honey Jams And Chocolates To Aromatherapy Shampoo And Soap
Expert tip: If the sky is looking gray and overcast, dont despair. The weather can change fast in Maui, as it did on the day we went to the lavender farm. We were about to bounce without getting to see the amazing view of the islands in the distance , but just as we were walking to our car, the sky cleared up and we headed back to this terrace to bask in the view.
Address: 1100 Waipoli Rd, Kula, HI 96790
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Amazing Maui Luxury Vacation Rentals
Are you considering making travel plans to Maui? The greatest Maui luxury vacation rentals for groups or families can be found by scrolling down.
This list of the best Maui luxury vacation rentals contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Are you looking for the perfect Maui luxury vacation rental?
I have years of experience visiting the Hawaiian Islands and know just where to find the best Maui luxury vacation rentals.
My selections offer all the amenities you might anticipate at a resort with the added bonus of space and solitude.
You will enjoy all the luxurious amenities you might anticipate at a resort along with the roominess and solitude of home when you choose one of my top Maui luxury property rentals.
Imagine waking up in the morning and taking in the incredible view of the Pacific Ocean from your lanai. With a luxurious Maui vacation rental, you can make this dream a reality.
All of my selections come with all the amenities you could want while on vacation, from private pools to gourmet kitchens. Youll feel right at home while enjoying all that Hawaii has to offer.
Keep scrolling to check out the best luxury vacation rentals on Maui!
Dont have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Maui.
Popular Maui Tours/Activities
Favorite Maui Resorts/Hotels
Should You Stay In A Hotel Or Vacation Rental On Oahu
Go for a hotel if youre looking for the traditional resort experience with big pools, nearby beaches, and restaurants within walking distance.
Opt for a vacation rental if you want access to a kitchen, are looking for space, or are looking to save money.
We routinely stay in both. Well book a vacation rental for the majority of our stay so we have access to a kitchen and a little more space for the kids. Then well treat ourselves to a great resort for a few days to enjoy the pool and other amenities. This has been a winning combo for us recently.
If youre still not sure what you want to do, we break down the difference between choosing a hotel and a vacation rental in Hawaii.
You may have heard the headlines that Oahu has banned vacation rentals. Thats not quite accurate they have banned short-term rentals outside of specific hotel districts. You can get all of the information on these short-term rental restrictions and make sure youre staying at a rental that is legal.
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How Much Does It Cost To Whale Watch In Maui
If youre going with a tour, rather than whale watching on your own from shore, prices will range. Some of the larger boats will offer deals and discounts, so you may be able to find a whale watching tour for less than $50 per person. Smaller boats and more intimate experiences can often run $100 or more per person.
Visit Alii Kula Lavender Farm
One of upcountrys best-kept secrets, this stunning 13.5-acre lavender farm in Kula grows 45 varieties of lavender at 4,000-foot elevation on the slopes of Haleakala Crater.
Alii Kula Lavender Farm is open from 9 to 4 PM, and they offer 5 walking tours daily. These take place at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM and 2:30 PM. Each tour typically lasts 30-40 minutes. The price is $12 per person or $10 with Advanced Reservations, which we recommend. Wear comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket, as the slopes of the crater can get chilly on a foggy day.
The farm is also famous for its lavender tea and delicious lavender scones. These are best enjoyed on the crisp open-air deck overlooking the magnificent property.
Afterward, shop for lavender-infused culinary, bath, and body products. Their gallery and gift shop features over 75 unique lavender-inspired gifts. Picture it: lavender chapstick, lavender chocolate, lavender kombucha, lavender soap and dryer sheets, etc.
Alii Kula Lavender also has seasonal workshops and an incredible array of exotic botanical plants like protea, succulents, olive trees, a citrus orchard, an apple orchard, a vegetable garden, and a native Hawaiian garden. Benches are strewn throughout the property, often nestled into hidden overlooks like a magical scene out of The Secret Garden.
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On Top Of Seeing The Surfers Try To Catch Some Of Maui’s Resident Sea Turtles Doing Their Thing Of Course You Should Never Get Too Close As These Amazing Forces Of Nature Are Endangered Species Check Out Where They Chill And How Well They Blend In To Their Natural Environment
Even zoomed in, its still kinda hard to see these perfectly camouflaged sea turtles that we spotted in the rocks at the east end of Hookipa Beach Park. Its an absolute thrill to see them IRL, but always be respectful and maintain a considerable distance, for their sake more than your own.
And anyway, thats why our phones have such great zoom lenses.
Not Feelin Fish Weve Got No Beef With That Especially Because You Can Score A Decadent Meal In Kihei Sans Seafood Mere Minutes From Foodland At Stewz Maui Burgers
You already know that Maui is known for having some of the worlds best beef. Stewz uses that very beef from happy cows that spent their days grazing on the island’s lush, green pastures in juicy burgers topped with locally grown produce.
Expert tip: If you go as a couple, opt for sharing the Makena Burger with grilled local pineapple and bacon drizzled with teriyaki sauce and the Kula Burger with roasted green poblano chiles, avocado, roasted garlic, red onion, monterey jack cheese, and house-made chipotle-lime aioli. And dont skimp out on the onion rings.
Address: 1819 S Kihei Rd # D-114, Kihei, HI 96753, United States
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The Best Time Of The Day To Go Whale Watching
There is no best time of the day to whale watch. Really. Weve asked the naturalists. Weve gone out at all different times of the day. Whales are not more active one time of day compared to the other.
That said, there are some reasons you may want to skip an afternoon tour. It can get hot out on the water, even in the middle of winter. We find the temperature a little more favorable during the earlier morning boat rides.
Expert Travel Tips: Creating The Best Hawaiian Itineraries
For over 20 years, we dedicated our time and effort to exploring the island of Maui. We know all the traps to avoid when visiting Maui, mainly if you have limited time. We know all the pitfalls to avoid when visiting Maui, especially if you have limited time. After discovering the culture, highlights, and important details, let us help you.
Feel overwhelmed with all your travel plans? Check out our website to ease all of your concerns. Our website and Hawaii travel blog hold so much well-earned wisdom about the island. Discover:
- Best shopping in Maui
- Most incredible places to stay in Maui
- A plethora of beaches that span across the shores of Maui
- Excellent trails and hikes across Maui
Get ready to fall in love with our guide to the island of Maui. One can easily stay in Maui for months without getting bored. Choosing a reliable guide will make all the difference. Get ready to fall in love with our guide to the island of Maui. We know you will find our itineraries resourceful while planning your trip.
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Our Favorite Hotels On South Maui
- The Grand Wailea: Probably the most well-known hotel in South Maui, the Grand Wailea occupies a prime position on Wailea Beach. While the hotel itself is nice, the draw is really the poolor should I say water park? Our kids love it, and truthfully, we do too. See our video review and book!
- Wailea Beach Resort: Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from The Grand Wailea, the Wailea Beach Resort is a solid hotel and one where you can use Marriott Points! They have an incredible waterslide and somehow this large hotel doesnt really feel so big. I cant wait to stay there again. We have a full video review and our honest thoughts on the Wailea Beach Resort.
- Residence Inn by Marriott: A solid mid-price hotel, the Residence Inn offers suites , and an area shuttle so you can get around easily. The rooms are spacious and they even have grills on the property so you can pick up food like freshly caught fish. Book the Residence Inn by Marriott here.
- Maui Coast Hotel: Located in Kihei, this hotel is across the street from the beach and is walking distance to restaurants and shopping. The rooms are large and the hotel offers free bike rentals to explore the area. Plus, free parking and laundry is always a plus in Hawaii! Book the Maui Coast Hotel here.
Drive The Road To Hana
It takes a whole day to experience, but driving the Road to Hana is one of the single best things to do on Maui. Its a quintessential Maui experience unlike anything else on any of the other Hawaiian islands, and I personally dont think anyone should leave Maui without doing it.
Hana, moreover, is a rural, minimally-developed stretch of pristine jungle that encircles Mauis North-West shore. Its known for its gorgeous natural attractions like verdant waterfalls, lush bamboo forests, secluded black sand beaches, wild horses, side-of-the-road fruit stands, and natural attractions like the Hana Lava Tubes and rainbow Eucalyptus groves.
The entire drive is ~64 miles long. The idea is to spend a day driving and periodically pulling over to experience all the roadside attractions. Snap a selfie under a beautiful waterfall, buy some local tropical fruit, take in the serene clifftop ocean, or dip your toes into the waters of a seemingly private beach.
^ You get the idea.
For anyone driving the Road to Hana for the first time, I strongly recommend using the Gypsy Guide to Road to Hana app or the Gypsy Guide Maui app.
^ This GPS-based guided audio tour is perfect for driving around the island. The narrator is a local who gives wonderful insider tips and insights into the local history and culture of each landmark as you pass it. Its sort of like taking an audio tour of a museum, only its designed for real-life destinations.
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Iao Valley State Park
This 4,000-acre park located in Central Maui is home to one of the island’s great landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle, a pinnacle covered in lush green, named for Iao, daughter of Maui. Paved pedestrian paths provide views of the valley, and hiking trails also lead to viewpoints. This valley is a historical site where King Kamehameha I defeated Maui’s army in a bloody battle.
Booking Maui Vacation Home Rentals
From palm-fringed beaches and kaleidoscopic coral reefs to tumbling waterfalls and lush valleys, Maui is a tropical daydream. The Valley Isle lures all sorts of sunseekers and offers excellent accommodation to match. Youll find vacation home rentals in Maui, HI for every occasion, whether youre planning a luxury honeymoon, sun-soaked family getaway, or budget beach break.
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Why Do Whales Come To Maui
Each year as many as 12,000 whales make the migration from Alaska to Hawaii to breed, give birth, and nurture their calves. The warm water here makes it a perfect place to enjoy the birth. Humpback whales have an 11-12 month gestation period, so theyll mate in Hawaii one year and return the next year to give birth.
Venture To Mauis Black Sand Beaches And Breathtaking Hidden Waterfalls Along Its Northern And Eastern Shores By Taking The Legendary Road To Hana This Is Full
Lots of people enjoy hiking through the rainforest, swimming underneath waterfalls, and diving off cliffs. Others simply take the drive to bask in the picturesque views, marvel at incredible scenery, and savor eats along the way.
Expert tip: Some people opt to stay a night or two in Hana to take advantage of the hiking and adventures you can have in the area, especially after a drive that many consider to be treacherous.
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Get A Feel For The Local Vibes In Paia Known For Its Laid
Home to what was Mauis oldest-operating plantation, the Paia Sugar Mill, this area is also home to several beaches noteworthy for their expert-level surfing and windsurfing conditions, as well as for being prime sea turtle viewing locations.
Just make sure you know what youre getting into if you decide to enter the waters off the North Shore, and always keep your distance from any sea turtles, as theyre protected species.