Maui in 5 Days

The sheer number of things to see and do on Maui makes the island a very attractive destination for a relaxing holiday. The tropical climate and diverse geography, ranging from beautiful beaches to barren volcanic peaks to lush jungles, entices visitors.

It's an ideal destination for honeymooners, as there are plenty of things to do on your honeymoon in Maui. If you have five days to explore the island, I suggest you follow the itinerary in this article so you can see all that Maui has to offer, without rushing.

The day should start early with an incredible underwater adventure. Then you'll continue close to the sea, where you'll take a kayak ride to observe the marine fauna of the islands.

At sunset, I suggest you board a cruise ship for dinner, rest from the day's activities and relax.

Immerse yourself in an underwater adventure aboard the Atlantis Submarine

Have you ever been on a submarine? On your trip to Maui you will have the chance to ride in one. The Atlantis submarine tour experience in Maui is unforgettable.

Atlantis submarine tours begin when a boat takes you to this vehicle to dive into the waters of Maui. During the trip you will be able to observe the marine fauna in a unique way.

This activity tends to fascinate the little ones, always taking into account that they don't have a bad time in enclosed spaces. For this reason, it is one of the best activities to do with children in Maui.

There are two possible departure points: Atlantis Submarines Maui, 658 Wharf St suite 11, Lahaina, or Maui Adventure Cruises, 675 Wharf St Slip 11, Lahaina.

After finishing this fascinating and quirky activity, you'll continue to the coastal area to experience one of Maui's best activities, snorkelling.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: around 290 euros per person.

Kayak tour and snorkeling activities

After the submarine experience, the itinerary continues with another maritime activity: paddling a kayak through the crystal clear waters of Maui.

Kayak tours of Maui are a favourite activity for visitors, because in addition to the paddling experience, they often include snorkelling activities where you can get up close and personal with marine wildlife.

You'll be able to sail with green turtles, dolphins and octopus, among other species. If you travel between December and March, you may also encounter humpback whales. The presence of whales is one of Maui's main attractions in winter.

After paddling your kayak and diving among the most dazzling marine life in Maui's warm waters, you're bound to be tired. To unwind at the end of the day, there's nothing better than a dinner cruise on board.

• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Price: from 100 euros per person.

Dinner cruise

After a busy day of nautical activities, the best thing to do is to rest and relax. A great way to do this is to enjoy a delicious dinner and party on board a cruise ship, while you watch the sunset over the sea.

If you're up for it, you'll be able to spend a wonderful evening aboard a boat, while you enjoy a 3-course dinner with cocktails included, watching the immensity of the sky from the sea.

If you want, you can also dance at the on-board party. Maui boat tours are an option to consider if you want to see the islands from a different perspective.

• Duration: about 2.5 hours.
• Price: from 152 euros per person including dinner.

The second day should also start early, as you 'll be heading to Hana on a full day trip along Hawaii's most famous road, stopping along the way to see the highlights of the region.

At night, my advice is to take in a typical Hawaiian show while you sip a drink.

Road to Hana

There are many things to see along the Road to Hana. It's a real adventure through narrow, winding roads, with more than 600 curves and 72 km in length.

Along the way, you'll get to see Maui' s best waterfalls and swim in the crystal clear waters. The route is complicated for those who don't know the way, so it is quite convenient to hire a tour with a specialised guide to take you there.

After walking along one of the most emblematic trails in the United States, you can begin to learn more about the island's culture through a typical show.

• Duration: between 10 and 11 hours.
• Price: from 210 euros per person.

Attend a traditional show at a Luau with dinner

When you return from your trip to Hana, stop by the hotel to shower and change for a traditional Hawaiian show and dinner while watching Polynesian dances and learning about the culture.

The best Luau shows on Maui include the traditional flower necklace, exotic dances and local food and drink.

One of Maui's most comprehensive Polynesian dance performances is held daily at the Sheraton Hotel. This option also includes a dinner showcasing the best of the island's cuisine.

• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Price: from 173 euros per person including dinner.

On your third day in Maui I recommend a visit to the Maui Ocean Center, considered one of the 10 best aquariums in the world.

At the end of your tour of the aquarium, you will board a helicopter to see Maui from the sky. After the adrenaline rush of flying over the island, you can relax on one of Maui's best beaches.

Maui Ocean Center

The Maui Aquarium, one of the best in the world, houses exhibits of Hawaii's native marine life, which you can safely observe up close while experts explain everything you need to know about these amazing marine animals.

Its popularity means that it is visited by tourists and locals alike and is considered one of the best things to do in Maui. So try to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the hassle and queues.

This visit is ideal to do with children and also on rainy days as a complement to the other activities to do on rainy days in Maui.

At the end of your visit to the Maui Ocean Center, you will head to the departure point coordinated with the company that organises the helicopter rides you have booked to continue with your itinerary and see Maui from the sky.

• Duration: The ticket is valid for the whole day so you can tour the aquarium at your own pace.
• Price: from 44 euros per person.

See Maui from the skies

On these Maui travel days you will have the opportunity to see the island from land, sea and air. At the end of your visit to the Maui Ocean Center you will move on to your next adventure, a helicopter ride over the island that will take your breath away with its beauty.

My advice is to take one of the Maui helicopter tours to see the beauty of the island from a totally different angle, appreciating its rich geography and beautiful scenery.

These tours tend to be pricey but are worth every euro and are truly amazing.

• Duration: around 45 minutes.
• Price: from 344 euros.

Relax on Kaanapali Beach

This is one of the best beaches on the island, ideal for all types of travellers, as you can do various activities (kayaking, snorkelling, for example), but if you prefer you can also just lie back and enjoy the sea and the sun.

Spending a few hours on the beach is an activity that the little ones love. As well as visiting the beautiful beaches, you can do some of the activities on offer for children of all ages.

• Duration: as long as you want to dedicate to it.
• Price: it's free.

The fourth day of the itinerary is reserved for the history of the Second World War. Specifically, a visit to the neighbouring island of Oahu, where Pearl Harbor and several war museums are located.

Tours to Pearl Harbor from Maui include airfare to the island of Oahu and most tours of this type also include admission to the various museums and memorials. On your trip to Pearl Harbor you will see the USS Arizona Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where you can use the flight simulators and the Bowfin submarine.

What I will visit on this tour

During your visit to Oahu you will be able to tour the various permanent exhibits and displays in the harbour area. You can also visit the USS Arizona Memorial, which commemorates and marks the resting place of the sailors and marines killed on that ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Another must-see during your visit is the World War II Aircraft Museum, which houses an important collection of historic aircraft.

This tour also includes a visit to the legendary submarine Bowfin and the aircraft carrier Missouri. All in all, it's an activity not to be missed for history buffs.

All these attractions are accompanied by professional guides who will explain all the technical and historical details.

• Duration: between 11 and 14 hours approximately.
• Price: from 628 euros per person, including airfare and entrance fees.

During the last day of your stay in Maui, you will visit the central region of the island, which is drier and colder than other areas.

On this tour you will climb to the top of a volcano, tour the Iao Valley and finally visit the historic town of Wailuku.

Haleakala Park and Volcanic Crater

Normally, if you've booked a guided tour, you'll be picked up at your hotel and driven in an air-conditioned vehicle to Haleakala.

During your visit to Haleakala National Park you will visit the crater of the Haleakala volcano at an altitude of over 3000 metres with plenty of time to walk around it and marvel at this demonstration of nature's power.

At sunrise, you will hear the local people singing songs of homage to the sun, making the experience of visiting the crater even more enchanting.

Iao Valley and Iao Needle

In the Iao Valley, located in the vast central region of Maui, you will visit Needle Peak. Entrance fees to the Iao Valley State Park are also included in the tour price.

This region is considered sacred according to local beliefs and is full of legends and ancient traditions.

• Duration: 9.5 hours.
• Price: from 171 euros per person, including entrance fees.