Make Your Vacation Fun With These Best Lahaina Activities

When you visit Lahaina, Maui, take advantage of some of the best Lahaina activities. You and your family can try everything from whale and dolphin watches, riding in a submarine, sport fishing, snorkeling, surfing, local art and jewelry to just lounging on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Getting the premier Hawaiian experience is easy with all the things to do in Lahaina.

One of the best Lahaina activities is the site of the Moku’ula, the original residence of Hawaiian royalty. You can hear the legends of the great royal family from Maui Nei while he shows you around. Of course, you can take the self guided tour if you want to visit in leisure. While walking around, visit the old prison and the fort. Don’t forget the temples, graveyards, churches and missionary homes. They are the backbone of Lahaina’s history in full colorful stories and legends.

One of the best free Lahaina activities is the Lahaina Jodo Mission. It’s home to the statue of the Amida Buddha, the largest of its kind outside Japan. Cast in Kyoto, Japan during 1967-1968 and made of copper and bronze, it stands 12 feet high and weights approximately three and one-half tons.

Best Lahaina Activities for Tourists

For doing the tourist thing, you can take a day to enjoy the beach which is only a block away from downtown Lahaina. You can beach comb, watch the sunset, do some whale watching (in winter months only), snorkel, boogie board, paddle board, kayaking and of course, surfing.

Another great way to spend your day is to head upcountry. You can horse back ride through some of the most incredible views from the mountains. Horses not your thing? There is also hiking and biking through the mountains for the outdoorsy folks.

The Luau – Could be one of the Best Lahaina Activities

There are things to do in Lahaina you can’t do anywhere else. You’ll take the best memories away with you once you’ve experienced a traditional Hawaiian luau. You won’t see this style of dancing anywhere else in the world.

The luau was reserved for the royalty of Hawaii with hula dances, traditional songs and colorful costumes. One ride gets you to the beach and they take care of everything else. They serve authentic Hawaiian buried roast pig (known as kalua pig) with all the trimmings.

You’ll watch the sunset while they dig up the pig for dinner. Watch the dances carefully, they are actually telling a story not just dancing. The fire dance is a favorite of everyone.

There are many things to do in Lahaina that you will enjoy. The people are friendly and very helpful so if you can’t find one of these best Lahaina activities just ask a local.

Best Lahaina Activities, Maui

Lahaina activities are not a dime a dozen, they are two dimes for ten dozen. Although, there are hundreds of activities on the island you can do one of everyone’s favorite is visiting old Lahaina, Maui.

Learning how Lahaina became such a great place to visit as well as the perfect paradise to live is a pastime many visitors see while staying here.

Lahaina has a rich history of the Hawaiian kingdom. As the capital of Maui, Lahaina has many historical sites to visit. It was, once upon a time, the capital of whaling but now you can view the whales from any beach. They also have boat tours you can take to get up close to the whales.

The old Lahaina, Maui still has the old courthouse that was built in 1859 that you can visit. It now houses the Lahaina Art Society. You can see the top Maui artists in the upper and lower galleries. The courthouse still has window with bars on them to hold the prisoners of old. You can find brochures about most of the historical sites in the village along the main road.

Other old buildings give Lahaina activities visitors a unique view of the past…

while you’re enticed to walk, talk, and shop through the buildings. They also have places to eat and relax while enjoying the sun and people of Maui. One of the most famous Lahaina activities is the infamous tree, Banyan Tree. The Banyan Tree was planted in 1873 and show its age with aerial roots growing over twelve major trunks. It looks like a small forest but it just one huge tree. It supplies plenty of shade to rest and enjoy the people while planning your Lahaina activities in this most popular meeting place.

Another place to visit is the streets of Lahaina that are loaded with shops and restaurants all geared to cater to your whims. The oceanfront malls are loaded with Maui made products, gifts, and souvenirs. You can also find several restaurants on the waterfront with live music with boutiques full of apparel, jewelry, and microbrews. The best place to purchase gifts for your friends and loved one back home. They also throw a good party and one of the best well planned visits for a full night of fun.

There are any number of Lahaina activities

You can plan to cover almost any thing you want to do or see in the Hawaiian Islands. You can charter a sail boat or a snorkeling cruise; take a helicopter ride over the islands to see the volcano and mountains. Plan a day trip for surfing or scuba diving with tropical fish and the turtles, check out the whales, or plan your own Lahaina activities at a party on the beach complete with a buried pig for dinner.

5 of Our Favorite Things to do in Lahaina

Our favorite things to do in Lahaina

When my wife and I moved to Maui, it didn’t take us long to find our five favorite things to do in Lahaina. There are a lot of choices when it comes to Lahaina activities, but when it comes to spending quality time with our girls, romantic dinners, or just to have no worries and get away, these are our top five things to do in Lahaina.

5. Baby Beach

When my wife and I first moved to Lahaina, we worried about how long it would take our daughters to adjust from Oklahoma to Maui. Within the first week our two daughters, ages four and two, were ending every sentence with “and then we go to the beach dad?” It didn’t take them long as we expected to adjust to the Maui life. Baby Beach was one reason Maui became home so quickly, and has stayed one of our favorite things to do in Lahaina.

Baby Beach is just a few blocks off of Front Street (the main strip in Lahaina). There are two reefs out a ways that calm down the incoming surf for the kids, and you have a great view of Lanai. Unlike other beaches, there isn’t a drastic drop to deep water. The only downside to baby beach is there are no beach facilities. So be prepared to stay sandy until you get back to your hotel.

Local Tip: This is a great spot to watch the only 4^th of July fireworks on the island.

4. Family Picnic at Honokowai Beach Park

This park and beach is great for families and the one we go to most often. It has lots of green grass and a nice little playground for the kids to enjoy. There are picnic tables and nice shade along the beach.

The beach has a reef a few feet out that blocks the waves and creates a nice tide pool for the kids to play in (it’s usually only knee to waist deep). It has restrooms and showers and if you get hungry, it’s right across from another popular things to do in Lahaina – The Farmers Market.

Local Tip: We’ve seen lots of sea turtles and even saw a rare monk seal snoozing on the beach! So keep your eyes peeled!

This brings us to our top 3 favorite things to do in Lahaina

3. Going for a Morning Snorkel

What can I say? This is just a great way to start any day. You can pretty much just stop at any beach, jump in with your gear and see amazing ocean life. Local favorites though are Black Rock at Ka’anapali and Airport beach just before Honokowai. Don’t worry about gear. You can rent snorkel sets everywhere for pretty cheap.

Local tip: Don’t get the cheapest gear. Upgrade at least one notch & you’ll enjoy the experience a lot more.

2. Happy Hour at Ruth Christ’s Steakhouse

Located next the Hard Rock on popular Front Street, this favorite things to do in Lahaina is not only romantic it’s also easy on your pocket book. Their happy hour runs from 5-7 in Lahaina and there are two ways to enjoy it. You can sit in the lounge and have an assortment of appetizers and drinks, (my wife and I’s favorite) or you can enjoy the specially priced multiple course dinner.

Ruth’s is also a great way to lead into our #1 favorite thing to do in Lahaina…

1. Cliff Dive at Black Rock

The story behind this ceremony dates back to the days of King Kahekili, who ruled both Maui and Oahu for 45 years in the late 1700′s.

The ceremony begins about 5-10 minutes before sunset. My wife and I like to enjoy an evening drink at one of the oceanfront bars. The cliff diver makes his way through the grounds of the resort, lighting all the torches and stopping to pose for pictures.

Next, the Hawaiian warrior runs onto Ka’anapali Beach, treks up Black Rock, known to ancient Hawaiians as Pu’u Keka’a, lighting torches all the way. He addresses the ancient Hawaiian gods, offers up his lei to the heavens, and takes a head first leap into the ocean as the sun sets over the horizon.

I hope you not only get a chance to come to Maui and enjoy our favorite things to do in Lahaina, but also make your own list and memories of your favorite things to do in Lahaina.

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