Family Vacation GuideMaui

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.