Family Vacation GuideMaui

Soar across tree tops in the lush mountains of West Maui. Skyline Eco Adventures offers 5 zipline adventures for ages 10+.

Sister to The Plantation Course, Bay is another challenging gem with its signature hole no. 5 that plays over the ocean.

These 3 world-class courses cater to all types. From the tough Robert Trent, Gold Course to the family-friendly Emerald, and player-friendly Blue.

Not overly long at 6,570 yards, it's a course for shot makers, with smallish greens, dog legs, and elevation changes. Oh and with their Aloha Friday deal you can play for $49, all day.

You could come for just the clubhouse. But if you come for golf, you'll be rewarded with a "pure golf experience" – nothing but nature in all directions.

Protected from the wind by the mountains, this player-friendly course offers a new view of the island at every hole.

Golfing in a Lord of the Rings-like setting, this challenging PGA course is par 73 at 7,400 yards.

A gently sloping entrance and sandy bottom means you won't step on coral as you go in. Underwater, you'll find butterflyfish and cool multi-colored sea slugs.

Turtles are everywhere here. It's their safe hideaway with ample resting spots and plenty of green algae to chomp on.

Centuries-old coral colonies grow to a whopping 25-feet in diameter on lava rocks to create a vibrant reef.

For sun worshipers and snorkelers alike, this crescent bay will satisfy everyone in your family.

In Maui's rugged north, you'll find sea turtles, white-spotted puffers, octopuses, unicorn fish, and maybe even a giant manta ray.

It's the largest salt-water tropical aquarium in the US. There are walk-through tunnels, jellyfish exhibits, and an interactive tidepool area.

In the highlands is a forest created by a botanist using trees from around the world. You can hike, mountain bike, or even zipline through it.

Purple fields of fragrant lavender cover this magical farm in the Maui highlands.

For something even fresher than a farmers market, stop by this local farm in Maui's Upcountry.

Before booking it to the summit, you can stop by this forest grove for a picnic and quick walk around.

When summiting a volcano, don't be afraid to ask directions. Here, you'll find park rangers ready to answer your questions, as well as a bathroom, and gift shop.

This spectacular overlook is a great place to snap a photo of Maui's lush greenery fading into red and black lava rock.

Catch a final glimpse of the cinder cones on your way down Mt. Haleakala (you won't be able to turn left here on your way up).

You're on top of the world! You can see the rainforests of Hana, the Big Island in the distance, and maybe even your resort, far below.

This 1/4-mile trail delivers maximum breathtaking views at minimum effort. It's a good option for families with young kids who still want to see Haleakala.

Hike down into moon-like valleys of dormant cinder cones. You can take on this entire 11-mile odyssey or turn back at any point for a hike of any length.

Every ship is like a "floating classroom" where you get the inside scoop on Maui's whales from highly trained naturalists. Your ticket also helps fund conservation.

Every ship is like a "floating classroom" where you get the inside scoop on Maui's whales from highly trained naturalists. Your ticket also helps fund conservation.

If you drive by here and blink you might miss it. But if you can find it, this calm, uncrowded beach is really special.

It's an Ideal spot to snap a quintessential photo of the winding road. Kids will be delighted by the wild chickens roaming around here.

They give you flashlights to explore this 1,000-year-old lava flow. It's great for all ages, but if you're afraid of the dark, you can always stay in the car.

Located right next to the Hana Lava Tube, it's a beautiful maze made of cool red plants. It's a fun activity for kids who might be too scared to do the lava tube.

Walk the ancient footpath to a black sand beach with breathtaking scenery.

It's something out of a movie: walk through fragrant bamboo forests paved with fresh guava (eat one!) and cool off in stunning natural pools fed by waterfalls.

This black sand cove is a great place to swim and float among the waves. There are also benches where you can enjoy a family picnic.

The sublime beauty of this rainforest village is the reason why so many people make the drive through seamingly endless winding roads.

It's a short hike to these two waterfalls at the beginning of the Road to Hana. If you're not feeling up to the full journey, you can always call it a day here.

Keep your eyes peeled at mile marker 7. On the left side you'll see a painted forest of eucalyptus trees with multi-colored bark.

This highly-rated tour company shows you Maui's whales with an onboard naturalist. They even give you hydrophones to list to whale song.

This highly-rated tour company shows you Maui's whales with an onboard naturalist. They even give you hydrophones to list to whale song.

Unlike other whale watching tours you depart right from Ka'anapali beach.

The huge glass bottomed catamaran is a huge draw for young kids. Tours run from December 15 to the end of March.

Sounds of the ocean set the mood on this romantic cruise. Enjoy a 3-course meal prepared by Chef Bailey.

Bring the kids along to celebrate the family you built together with a gorgeous sunset in the background.

You might not expect it, but Pacific Whale Foundation has their own sunset cruise. Dine aboard a double-decker catamaran with live music.

This cruise ups the romance by boarding directly from Ka'anapali Beach.

No big scary waves, just calm wind and soft sand. This is a great place for the little ones to swim about in a warm ocean. Come here on a day exploring the North Shore.

Soft sands, small waves for boogie boarding, and breathtaking views make this one of Maui's top-rated beaches. There's also snorkeling at the rocky outcroppings and an inviting beachwalk.

With no resorts in sight, you're free from the crowds. This hidden gem is excellent for boogie boarding and a peaceful beach day in South Maui.

There's a large seaside park with plenty of shade and space for a relaxing picnic at the beach.

Maui's most popular beach, Ka'anapali is one mile of perfect sand. It's got snorkeling at Black Rock, dining and shopping at Whalers Village, and tons of fun energy.

It's the best place for snorkeling on Ka'anapali. If you come at sunset you can watch the cliff diving ceremony off a 30-foot rock.

Kids will love watching silly goats with hilarious old-man beards and grown ups get to sample fresh cheese. Stop by casually or book a hands-on milking tour.

A 30-minute ferry ride takes you to one of Hawaii's smallest inhabited island. Check out the beach at Manale, a playground for spinner dolphins.

It's the "Old Faithful of the Pacific." Watch a plume of sea water shoot 100 feet in the air out of an ancient lava tube. Don't get too close (trust me on this one)!

Dive 100 feet below the surface and explore an underwater world inaccessible to snorkelers and scuba divers.

A finger of lava hangs out into the sea, about halfway down the Road to Hana. Stop by for fresh banana bread, a small arboretum, and an old stone church.

2,500 species of plants and trees line a landscape of lava rocks, natural streams, and koi ponds. These gardens give you a sense of Hawaii's stunning biodiversity.

Take an easy 2-mile hike to a scenic ridge with panoramic views of central Maui. Ioa Valley was also the site of an epic battle and served as a burial ground in ancient Hawaiian history.

It feels like an alien world in the cinder cone gardens of Mt. Haleakala. Come for the view at sunrise or sunset, heck, come anytime, it's out of this world!

Like something out of a Tim Burton movie, the Maui Banyan Tree drapes its vines through a shaded park in front of the courthouse in downtown Lahaina. It's a great spot for a picnic!

Grab a picnic lunch at Paia Fish Market and head to the beach to watch some of the best windsurfers fly off the waves. Expect wind.

Long, forgiving surf break and warm water make Maui an ideal place to learn to surf. Betcha someone in your family will catch a wave. It'll be sweet, brah.

Serene wetlands in Maui's central valley make for a great place to watch dozens of exotic bird species. Come in the mornings when the sun is out and wind is less.

Give back to the island by helping keep its shorelines, forests, and beaches clean.

If you're a proud astronomy geek and want to meet other proud astronomy geeks, join this Maui astronomy group and find you're posse.

Once you spot one whale, you'll start seeing them everywhere. There are so many whales out there that during the winter, you can watch them for free on the beach.

Last time Haleakala erupted, 400-500 years ago, it made this surreal lava field in Makena State Park.

Mama's Fish House might not be free, but the tide pools around it are. It's a great place for kids to see (and try to pronounce) anemones and baby crabs.

It's a tiny little beach in Kihei and an ideal launch for beginner stand up paddlers.

Frequented by tourists and locals alike, this beach park is a great spot for a picnic, and its calm waters makes it ideal for stand up paddle.

One of three great beach parks, you have a BBQ area with picnic benches. It's a also a great spot for stand up paddle.

This highly-rated ocean tour company offers many amazing excursions and lessons for exploring the warm waters off Maui's coast.

Call them up to rent stand up paddle boards for $45/day or GoPros for $35/day. They'll deliver to your door!

Maui surf board rentals are $25-35/day, stand up paddle board rentals range from $45-55/day.

Great place to rent surfboards and stand up paddle boards in South Maui. They give surf lessons and stand up paddle lessons too.

Come here for surf rentals and stand up paddle board rentals in Kihei. They also offer lessons.

If you're looking for a challenging stand up paddle ride, check out Maui's most popular beach park.

With gentle and abundant waves, it's a great place for beginner surfers. Experienced stand up paddlers will also enjoy paddling in the break.

It's a quiet, 5-mile beach (longest on Maui!) on an undeveloped part of the coast. The shore is a little small, but it's a great starting point for a 3-mile SUP ride to Kihei.

The waterfalls keep on getting bigger on this epic hike through the jungles of Hana. At the end you're rewarded with a view of the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

It seems like something out of the Pacific Northwest. This foggy forest of redwood trees sits along an extensive trail system in the highlands of Haleakala volcano.

Short, but oh so sweet, this quick out-and-back hike provides sweeping views of Maui's central valley, the ocean, and the dramatic ridges of the West Maui Mountains.

This rugged trail snakes through an environment that seems brutally barren in contrast with the lush rainforests just a few miles away. It traverses a path above the ocean, past windmills, a...

It's a great stop if you're driving through Northwest Maui. This trail offers fantastic ocean views overlooking the channel most frequented by humpback whales.

The trail meanders through lush bamboo forests, streambeds, waterfalls, and swimming holes. It can be as hard as you'd like depending on your penchant for adventure.

This towering 200-foot waterfall is often missed by most Hana-bound travelers. It's a short 5-minute hike to a great lookout point where you can spot the falls.

Unlike most falls, you can access this one from a trail that runs directly above it. You get a great view of the stream and the pool below.

A few miles past Hana, you'd be hard pressed not to see this waterfall. It towers at 80 feet high and flows under a one lane bridge. Park on the ocean side of the road to snap a few photos.

One of the many falls along the Pipiwai trail, this one's claim to fame is the gorgeous rainforest scenery that surrounds it.

At over 400 feet tall, it's the highest accessible waterfall in Maui. Found at the end of the Pipiwai Trail it makes for the perfect reward after a decent hike.

Past Hana in Kipahulu, this waterfall lies at the end of a 10-minute trail. Not frequented by many tourists, you'll likely have it's beauty and natural swimming pool all to yourself.

Quite possibly the tallest fall in Maui, this world wonder is set deep within an inaccessible valley. You'll only be able to see it on a helicopter tour.

While you'll find most waterfalls along the road to Hana, this is one of the few accessible in West Maui. As you hike along the Waihe'e Ridge you'll be able to spot the 270-foot falls from a...

Set in Maui's Upcountry, this zipline flies through eucalyptus forests and down the side of a mountain. It's part of many activities including horseback riding and hiking tours at historic P...

Amid the excitement of Ka'anapali Beach this peaceful park is a great place to relax. If you're not staying at a resort on the beach you can park here and still enjoy it.

Helicopter rides will show you 1,000-ft waterfalls in hidden rainforest valleys, a volcano from above, and the dramatic oceanside cliffs of Molokai island.

Affectionately dubbed, 'turtle town' this beach is teaming with green sea turtles who feed and hide from predators among the rocky ocean floor and sea caves.

Easier than going all the way to Hana, this alternative loops around West Maui. Instead of waterfalls, it offers secluded beaches with amazing snorkeling, ocean geysers, and dramatic ridgeli...

Once home to two thriving Hawaiian villages this nature preserve snakes along Maui's windswept central coast. There's a two-mile hike and every Friday morning you're invited to help particip...

This spectacular beach on Lana'i is a great place to swim, snorkel, or snap a photo in front of the heart-shaped Pu'u Pehe rock.

Though the current makes swimming here highly unadvisable, it's a gorgeous little treasure of a beach that you'll likely have to yourself.

Home to many sunken ships, you can see the skeleton of an old oil tanker from the 1940s still jutting out on a distant rock. It's a great place to relax and comb the beach.

For 21 years this highly reputable surf school has offered private and group lessons for those learning to surf or improve their skills. SUP Lessons are also available.

Specializing in lessons for women, this surf school also invites boyfriends, fathers, and brothers to join.

This quieter resort is at the north end of Ka'anapali Beach, and hence much less crowded. Grab your own spot and camp out for the day or relax by the pool.

Flowers and palms surround low-rise condos and calm swimming pools. You're right across the street from a nice local beach.

Perched above Kapalua Beach, this luxury resort gives you epic views of the island and access to lava rock nature trails below.

It's the best of both worlds. You're right in the heart of downtown Lahaina and on the beach. This smaller resort is great for couples looking for relaxing days and romantic evenings on the ...

Set in upscale Wailea, the resort is right above a peaceful local beach. You're right next door to Wailea Golf Club and local dining in Kihei.

There's a fun waterslide and pirate ship pool for the little ones. Relax by the adult pool or on Ka'anapali Beach, just steps away. You also have three delicious on-site restaurants.

With three unique pools, a mini golf course, massage cabanas, and several on-site restaurants, it's an action-packed family resort, right on Ka'anapali Beach.

This resort offers dozens of family activities including hula lessons, lei making classes, nature walks, and its famous “Mix” and “Mingle” gatherings with burgers and mimosas.

Vacation rentals here offer beautiful ocean views and come with all the amenities of home. Snorkelers can drive 2 minutes to nearby Honokowai Beach to enjoy a pristine reef.

This low-key resort has nice, peaceful pool, perfect for laps or quiet relaxation. The beach is right across the street and there's an interesting whale museum in walking distance.

You’re a close walk to a local park and farmers market, and five minutes from shopping and dining. Relax by the quiet seaside pool or walk out to the reef for snorkeling.

With easy access Ka’anapali Beach, this resort features lush gardens, multiple pools, and recently upgraded condos.

One of the most luxurious family resorts on Maui, Honua Kai offers a spectacular pool area, beachside restaurant, full-service spa, and unfettered access to Ka'anapali Beach.

This former Ritz-Carlton is one of the most luxurious resort on Maui. Perched along the lava rock cliffs of Kapalua, you're right next to two intimate beach coves with fantastic snorkeling.

Every week, the resort manager throws a mai tai party with free drinks and live music. Condos here are extra-large and many come with lofts, overlooking the ocean.

The resort has the rich charm and character of a classic Hawaiian resort, and is located on a prime spot of Ka'anapali Beach.

Perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, this resort has an elegant pool with plush cabanas, fine garden-side dining, and spectacular views of the ocean.

The gorgeous lawn stretches right out to the beach. This family resort has a fun bar and restaurant, boogie board rentals on-site and is close to dining and shopping in Kihei.

Right above the intimate beach at Napili Bay, you can boogie board, snorkel, swim, or relax on the sand. It's also home to Gazebo restaurant, serving some of the best brunch on the island.

Sit by the pool and admire and the resort's lush gardens. Then head back for a family cookout on your personal grill. The resort is a 5-minute drive from shopping, dining, and the beach.

You can see Wailea Golf Club from your balcony. This couples resort is great for golfers and is perched on the scenic hills overlooking the Pacific.

Perfect for golfers and those looking for a quiet stay away from the action, this resort borders Wailea Golf Club and is right next to the best tennis facility on the island.

You're just one block from the art galleries, restaurants, and shops of historic Lahaina. The resort also offers two gorgeous natural pools, bike rentals, and an activities shack.

You're walking distance to a great golf course, and snorkeling at the famous Black Rock Beach that divides both sections of Ka'anapali.

Swim in one of four pools or in the ocean at Napili Bay. The resort has “quiet time” at night to ensure an exceptionally peaceful stay, along with great dining overlooking the ocean.

With multiple beaches right across the street, the resort boasts two pools, and faces the south, so you have extra access to the sun.

The beach here is protected from the waves by a rock wall, making it perfect for young kids. You also have access to a roof top party area with BBQs and a calm seaside pool.

An expansive seaside lawn stretches out to the beach and is home to bocce ball, tennis courts, and other fun games. Large condos here feature spacious living rooms and full kitchens.

So close to the ocean that you can see turtles from your balcony, this romantic resort features large condos with full kitchen and easy access to cafes and shops across the street.

One of the first resorts on Maui, The Royal Kahana laid claim to arguably the best location on the island. Enjoy a drink by the family pool, while kids are treated to shave ice.

It's tucked away in a quaint neighborhood with a tropical country vibe. Wake up to sunrise over a championship golf course and spend the day on the links or the beach at Napili Bay.