Top 10 Things to Do
in West Maui

West Maui is such a fantastic Hawaii travel destination! The neighboring towns stretching from Ma’alaea to Kapalua offer an abundance of great restaurants, historical sites, and land and ocean activities to explore. We’ve created this Top 10 Things to Do in West Maui article so that the next time you visit the Island of Maui, you can spend time at some of the more in-the-know destinations.

Top Lahaina Kaanapali Activities

From Ka’anapali to Kapalua, visitors can find an area lined with resorts, vacation condominiums, restaurants, ocean activities, and shopping. Historically an ancient Hawaiian fishing community, Ka’anapali is now one of the most popular resort areas throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

West Maui is full of a multitude of Maui vacation amenities and conveniences. While visiting West Maui areas, you will savor your vacation days! Enjoy all the best of Maui with gorgeous views all day, perfect for seasonal Maui ocean activities, basking in the sun, swimming in warm Hawaiian waters, eating at some of the best Maui restaurants, shopping, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Top 10 Things to Do in Lahaina & Kaanapali
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Lahaina and Kaanapali on Map of Maui
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West Maui Whale Watching
& Snorkel Tours

Without a doubt, one of the most amazing marine wildlife adventures you’ll ever have the opportunity to experience is witnessing the pure magic of the North Pacific humpback whales!

In West Maui, visitors can see the whales in their natural Hawaiian environment (roughly November-May, though in their highest numbers from January to March). Year after year, these gorgeous and massive mammals grace Hawaiian waters and shorelines during their annual winter migration from the North Pacific Ocean. For those who don’t know, the North Pacific humpback whales travel to Hawaii every year to breed and birth their baby calves.

Without a doubt, the #1 year-round activity to do in Hawaii is snorkeling! Travel to the incredibly gorgeous Hawaiian Islands for your next vacation, and book a Maui snorkel tour for you, your family, and your friends. Onboard a state-of-the-art Maui snorkeling vessel, visitors will surely enjoy the chance to be an eyewitness to the distinct beauty of Hawaii’s marine life.

Visitors will journey safely with a professional tour guide and receive Maui marine life education, expert instruction, and snorkel guidance. Just imagine how amazing it will be when you see the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles in their natural habitat, a host of tropical fish native to Pacific Ocean waters, and vibrantly colored West Maui reef formations.


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& Snorkel Tours

Pride of Maui Whale Watching Tour

Pure excitement!

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Explore Whalers Village Shopping Center

Whalers Village Shopping Center in Ka’anapali is a premier destination for shopping and Hawaiian cultural activities. This open-air shopping center is home to an impressive array of stores, ranging from high-end boutiques to local Hawaiian shops, ensuring something for everyone. Visitors can explore stores such as Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Tommy Bahama, as well as local favorites like Mahina and Blue Ginger.

In addition to shopping, Whalers Village offers a variety of dining options. From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, the center has a range of choices to satisfy any appetite. Popular options include Leilani’s on the Beach, Hula Grill Ka’anapali, and Monkeypod Kitchen.

Whalers Village offers cultural experiences, with regular Hawaiian music performances, hula shows, and lei-making workshops. The center is dedicated to preserving and sharing Hawaiian culture, and these activities provide an immersive experience for visitors.

To top it off, Whalers Village is also located just steps from the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach, giving visitors easy access to one of Maui’s most popular beaches. Whether you’re looking to shop, dine, or immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture, Whalers Village is a great place to discover when visiting West Maui.


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Enjoy West Maui Golf Resorts

West Maui is home to a few of the most internationally renowned golf courses in the world. Golfing is definitely one of the most popular activities in Hawaii, and there are many reasons why.

Imagine golfing in Maui with perfect weather, impeccably landscaped grounds, the best instruction possible, and the most beautiful views in Hawaii. That is what golfing in West Maui is like. It’s luxurious, comfortable, beautiful, and challenging, and you’d better believe you’ll always receive top service. If you’d like to include a West Maui golf outing during your vacation in paradise, check out the Ka’anapali Golf Resort and the Kapalua Resort.

The Ka’anapali Golf Resort features the “Royal Ka’anapali” and “Ka’anapali Kai” golf courses. The resort features 36 holes, fabulous views, Maui golf packages, hosted outings, an academy, and a pro shop. If you’re looking for golf instruction at the Ka’anapali Golf Resort, look forward to a real treat with PGA professionals on staff. They also offer various “Stay & Play” golf vacation packages affiliated with nearby resorts like the Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt Regency.

The Kapalua Resort is the most popular golf resort in Hawaii, and it’s one of the top golf resorts in the world. Besides the fact that they host PGA’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, they also provide two world-class golf courses: the Plantation Course and the Bay Course. Like most high-end golf courses in Hawaii, you can expect awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean and mountain views. The Plantation Course was designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and offers 7,411-yard, par 73 layout challenges along with a spectacular setting, wide fairways, and vast greens.

The Plantation Course is the site of PGA’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, so you’ll surely be golfing with some pros here. The Bay Course was built in 1975 and still remains the course to have hosted the most professional tournaments in all of Hawaii. In fact, it’s where Greg Norman had his first win on American soil!

Above all, you’ll find that the placement of the golf courses on the Kapalua Resort property is perfection. Golfers can enjoy many splendors at the Kapalua Golf Resort, including schmoozing, world-class events, dining, and professional PGA golf instruction in Hawaii.


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Try Sea Scootering at Kapalua Bay

Immerse yourself in the vibrant underwater world of West Maui with Eco Tours Maui’s Eco Sea Scooter Snorkeling Academy. Their innovative scooter snorkeling experience combines the excitement of scootering through the ocean with the beauty of exploring vibrant coral reefs and observing the diverse marine life that inhabits the waters of Maui.

The eco-friendly sea scooters allow you to effortlessly move through the water, covering more ground than you can with traditional snorkeling. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with colorful fish and maybe even the occasional Green Hawaiian sea turtle.

Eco Tours Maui is committed to sustainable tourism, and their sea scooter snorkeling academy is no exception. The eco-friendly sea scooters are designed to have minimal impact on the environment, ensuring that the beautiful underwater landscapes and marine life of Maui are preserved for future generations to come.


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Go Ziplining in Kapalua

Experience the thrill of soaring above Maui’s breathtaking landscape with Kapalua Ziplines! This adventure-packed West Maui activity company offers a variety of zip lines that cater to all levels of thrill-seekers, from beginners to the more experienced adrenaline junkies.

The main highlight is their 2,000-foot zip line that provides panoramic views of the lush West Maui mountains and the vast blue Pacific Ocean. Kapalua Ziplines also offers a range of other activities featured on their Course Map, including their dual-zips, Hawaii’s longest and tallest suspension bridge, and West Maui ATV tours.

Each adventure is led by experienced guides who prioritize safety while ensuring you have the time of your life. So whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-pumping experience or just want to enjoy the stunning views of magical Maui from a unique perspective, Kapalua Ziplines is a fab choice!


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UFO Parasailing in Ka'anapali

Get the ultimate birds-eye-view from high above the waters of Ka’anapali with UFO Parasailing! This top-rated Maui parasailing company offers a range of options like single, tandem, or triple flight. No matter which option is chosen, guests can soar up to 1,200 feet in the air, taking in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, West Maui’s coastline, and the other islands of Molokai and Lanai.

The super friendly and professional team at Maui UFO Parasailing prioritizes safety and ensures an unforgettable experience for all guests. The custom ‘winch’ boat allows for gentle take-offs and landings, making it a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy.

Please note that UFO Parasailing does not operate during the whale watch season to protect the majestic humpback whales while they visit the waters of Maui during the winter months. But don’t worry, they will be reopening in May of 2024, just in time for the summer season. This is a super cool West Maui activity to do!


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Go Camping at Camp Olowalu

Sleep in the innate natural beauty of West Maui by camping at Camp Olowalu, a newly renovated campsite located on West Maui’s coastline.

Camp Olowalu offers a range of camping options to fit all needs and budgets, from their cozy Tentalows (safari-style canvas tents with comfortable beds and private lanais) to simple tent sites for those who prefer to bring their own gear and pop a tent.

No matter which option you choose, you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery, with the West Maui Mountains behind you and the gorgeous Olowalu Beach and the Pacific Ocean literally steps away. Campsite facilities include clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and a communal kitchen area.

Take advantage of the opportunity to take an early morning snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Olowalu, where you’ll find an abundance of marine life, from colorful fish to chance sightings of Green Hawaiian sea turtles. There are also plenty of nearby activities like hiking, kayaking, and even West Maui surfing lessons!


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Relax at the Heavenly Spa

The Heavenly Spa at Westin Maui is a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation, island-style. With an extensive menu of treatments and massage options, this luxurious and top Maui spa offers something for everyone seeking a heavenly escape in West Maui.

One of the highlights of the Heavenly Spa is the selection of massages. From traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massages to the signature Heavenly Massage (a combo of Swedish and Lomi Lomi techniques), there’s an option to suit every preference. The spa also offers couples massages, allowing you and your loved one to unwind together if you’re celebrating a Maui honeymoon or love to relax together.

In addition to massages, the Heavenly Spa offers a truly impressive list of Maui spa treatments. The facial menu includes options like the Hydrafacial, which deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin, and the Age Defying Facial, which uses powerful antioxidants to fight signs of aging. Body treatments such as scrubs and wraps are also available, using local ingredients like coconut, coffee, algae, and Hawaiian sea salt to leave your skin feeling smooth and nourished.

But the pampering doesn’t stop there. The spa also offers manicures, pedicures, and waxing services, ensuring you leave feeling refreshed from head to toe. No matter which treatment you choose, the expert therapists at the Heavenly Spa will provide a personalized experience that leaves you feeling truly…heavenly.


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Visit Ka’anapali Beach
& Black Rock

Ka’anapali Beach is one of Maui’s best beaches and stretches over 6.3 miles of the West Maui coastline, just north of the Historic Town of Lahaina. The Ka’anapali Beach area is a popular resort area on Maui, with a variety of hotels and vacation condominiums and a paved walking path that stretches from each far end.

Within Ka’anapali Beach, there are various activities to do on Maui, including snorkel tours, parasailing, stand-up paddling, whale watching, and sunset tours. Ka’anapali Beach hosts fabulous sunny days with crystal-clear, calm ocean conditions. Residents and visitors adore Ka’anapali for its beautiful Pacific Ocean and outer island views, whale watching from the shoreline, and easy access to various restaurants, bars, nightlife, and shopping.

At the far north end of Ka’anapali Beach, there is a famous spot called Black Rock (Pu’u Keka’a). This is a popular spot for rock jumping and snorkeling in West Maui’s warm Pacific Ocean. Historically, Black Rock also has deep roots in Maui’s mythological past. Legend says that the last chief of Maui, Kahekili, proved his strength of spirit by leaping from Pu’u Keka’a in a ritual.

In keeping with that ritual, each night, the Sheraton Maui Resort (next to Black Rock) performs a Daily Cliff Dive Ceremony to honor the Hawaiian chief. As the sun sets over West Maui, tiki torches are lit, and the cliff diving ceremony begins. As the cliff diver reaches his mount on Pu’u Keka’a, guests will hear Hawaiian chanting and a blow of the conch shell to announce his arrival. After offering a flower lei gift to the ancestors below, the cliff diver takes a plunge off of Black Rock. This is a spectacular sight you should definitely notice if you are in Ka’anapali around sunset.


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& Black Rock
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Learn Spearfishing on Maui

If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure on your trip to Maui, look no further than the Maui Spearfishing Academy. This unique Maui fishing tour company offers guests a range of tours and instructions designed to give them a real taste of the ancient Hawaiian tradition of spearfishing.

With Maui Spearfishing, guests can choose from several tours, each tailored to different experience levels and interests. For beginners, the academy offers an introductory course that teaches the basics of spearfishing, including safety protocols, breathing techniques, and how to use the equipment. For those with more experience, there are advanced tours that take you to some of the best spearfishing spots on the island, where you can hunt for larger fish and learn more advanced techniques.

The experienced instructors at Maui Spearfishing Academy are full of aloha and passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of spearfishing with all guests. They provide all the necessary equipment, including spears, masks, fins, and wetsuits, so all you need to bring your attention, motivation, and sense of adventure!


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Mahalo for reading Pride of Maui’s Top 10 Things to Do in West Maui article. What are your favorite things to do in West Maui?

Alexandra Mitchell

Alexandra is a marketing professional with a passion for writing about travel to the Hawaiian Islands, vacation rentals, and luxury real estate. She exposes readers to glimpses of 'Old Hawaii,' new destinations to explore, local events, and all the best things to do on Maui.