Explore Maui
THINGS TO DO AND EXPERIENCE ON MAUI
Sugar Island Inn & Spa offers convenient access to an array of things to do on Maui. To book your activity or for more information, please contact your on-site Concierge. Guided tours, including transportation, are available upon request. Click on the icons to get your Maui adventure started.
WATER ACTIVITIES
Kapalua Bay along with many other beaches are found within easy walking distance from Sugar Island Inn & Spa. Kapalua Bay is noted one of the best beaches on Maui for snorkeling. Be sure to wear Maui-approved, mineral sunscreen to protect the reefs.
Kihei Canoe Club's Visitor Paddle Program takes you out on the south Maui waters for an introductory and recreational paddling experience. Watch the humpback whales up close and personal during the whale season (January, February, March).
Ultimate Whale Watch is a great way to watch the whales. They have marine naturalist guides and hydrophone onboard and offer guaranteed sightings. Book early as they take only a small group of people.
Lahaina Divers offers a variety of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions, from the colorful Molokini dives, sea turtle encounters, to advanced hammerhead shark dives. Its friendly and knowledgeable staff will surely make your day memorable.
Maui Surfer Girls offers hands-on surfing lessons. Whether you've never seen a surfboard or are an experienced surfer wishing to advance skills, they have amazing instructors who are gentle, attentive, and knowledgeable.
Lahaina Masters Swim Club welcomes visitors to join the weekday pool swim practice and Saturday morning open water group swim. Be sure to contact Coach Mike and make arrangements for your visit with the Club.
Sail Maui offers great performance sail charters, from lunch and snorkeling tours, sunset cocktail tours, to fun girls' night sailing. The staff is friendly, attentive, and simply delightful!
Blue A'ina provides a perfect opportunity for those who want to make a difference while vacationing in Maui. They will take you to the beautiful wanters off Maui, and you'll use your snorkeling skills to pick up garbage. That's a win-win for everyone!
HIKING TRAILS
Mahana Ridge Trail is a beautiful hiking trail in Kapalua. You'll see remnants of the Pineapple Plantation era. The trails is 8 miles long (a roundtrip of 16 miles). Hike the whole way or as little as you wish. Be sure to bring water with you on this hike.
Kapalua Coastal Trail is a picturesque 2-mile walking trail. This is the nearest trail from Sugar Island Inn & Spa about a few minute walk away. A perfect place to get in some exercise, watch the surfers or kiteboarders, or enjoy the sunset.
Kapalua Village Walking Trail is a reimagined former Village Golf Course. You'll start your walk at Honolua Store and walk through the former golf cart paths. Parts of the trails coined Cardio Hill as the steep uphill elevates your heart rate.
BOTANICAL EXPERIENCES
Ali'i Kula Lavender in Upcountry boasts a sense of relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal in their magical place that the spirit calls home. Admission is free when you bring non-perishable food to donate.
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Upcountry is a plant lover's paradise. A private ground owned and operated by a landscape architect, you'll love walking through the gardens while taking photos and listening to the birds.
Maui Dragonfruit Farm in Lahaina offers more than a guided tour of their farm. You can experience ziplining, meet alpacas, have a picnic, and taste tropical fruits. This is a great option for families with children.
Maui Chocolate Tour in Lahaina is a chocolate lover's treat. As you walk through the cacao farm, you'll learn all about growing cacao to processing it to make Kui'a award-winning chocolate. The tour ends with chocolate tasting in a tree house.
The Merwin Conservancy in Haiku honors the legacy of the late poet W.S. Merwin. They offer a guided walking tour of the conservancy where he planted thousands of palm trees from around the world. Book months in advance for this tour.
Sacred Garden in Haiku is a nursery where you can walk in their gardens and two labyrinths to meditate, get inspired, or just have fun. You can also bring your lunch and enjoy the conversation in their shaded outdoor sitting area.
MUSEUMS & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alaea is both a fun place to visit and a hands-on learning environment for Maui's rich yet fragile marine life and ecosystem. Don't forget to explore the realms of the humpback whales in their 3-D sphere experience.
Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao offers a variety of culturally rich classes for both adults and children. If you've ever wanted to learn how to make a lei, be sure to sign up for their popular lei-making classes.
Sugar Museum in Kahului chronicles the life, culture, and history of the immigrants from around the world who came to work in sugar cane plantations. As they planted new roots on Maui, they created what is known today as Hawai'i's rainbow culture.
The Bishop Museum in located in Honolulu, Oahu (not on Maui). It is included here, however, because of their exceptional exhibits on Hawaiian history and culture, which makes it worth planning a day trip to Honolulu.
ANIMALS
Ironwood Ranch in Napili offers horseback riding in small groups. They will take you through the lush fields, tropical valleys, and dense ironwood forests. You will enjoy panoramic views of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe.
Lahaina Animal Farm is a family friendly petting zoo. You'll see miniature horses, goats, boars, tortoises, rabbits, and many more. What would be more fun than being able to feed the farm animals and cuddle with them?
Lanai Cat Sanctuary is located on the island of Lanai (not on Maui). It is included here because it is one huge open air sanctuary where you'll get to meet nearly 700 cats and play with them! A perfect day trip including Lanai City by ferry from Maui.
FOOD & DRINKS
The Pour House Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar in Kapalua is a walking distance from Sugar Island Inn & Spa. They serve authentic Italian cousins in an upscale yet intimate setting. Be sure to try their Burrata!
Okazuya in Honokowai is a hole-in-the-wall kind of takeout joint. They do not have a website and accept cash payment only. Their Korean-style BBQ Chicken is delicious. Call and order ahead to save yourself some time when you get there.
Duckine in Lahaina's Front Street is a relatively new establishment. They serve tasty Asian-inspired dishes along with dynamite cocktails to die for at a reasonable price for Maui. If you are a vegetarian, this isn't a place for you.
Alchemy Maui in Lahaina is sort of a cross between a small takeout joint and a food truck. They offer creative sandwiches that are so memorable that you keep going back. Order ahead online to save time when you get there.
Down the Hatch in Lahaina looks like a tourist trap packed with people wearing loud Hawaiian shirts that obviously came from an ABC Store. Their fish tacos (and many other dishes) are actually delicious despite the restaurant's first impression.
Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina located on the 2nd floor of the Wharf across from the infamous Banyon Tree is a burger lover's paradise. Their burgers are huge and juicy. Be sure to check out the Burger of the Month.
Hui Hui is located inside the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. Don't let the humble hotel front fool you. This restaurant is on Ka'anapali Beach with amazing ocean views and airy indoor/outdoor setting. Their Crispy Pork (available only at lunch) is amazing.
Las Pinatas in Kahului is a small Mexican joint that appears totally unremarkable from the outside. Their fish tacos, however, are the best on Maui in our opinion. They marinate juicy and meaty white fish in cilantro sauce and grill it. A must eat on Maui!
Cafe Mambo in Paia is an obligatory stop on Maui. This unpretentious cafe is known for its crispy duck (and pork) recipes. Paia is only 4 miles from the Kahului International Airport, an easy stop before heading over to Sugar Island Inn & Spa.
Lineage is located at Shops at Wailea, built around family get togethers, celebrating the diversity of natural ingredients and a cooking style that embodies Maui cuisine. Book your reservation early for this restaurant.
Kula Bistro is located in Kula with a great menu including mouth-watering desserts. A perfect final stop after you've visited Upcountry landmarks like Haleakala, Maui Wine, and Lavender Farm. They don't take reservations. BYOB of wine or beer.
Maui Wine is located in Ulupalakua, Upcountry. You can't say you've experienced Maui without spending an afternoon at this lovely and tranquil winery. They make wine from pineapples as well as traditional grape varieties.
Bully's Burgers is located just 5 miles from Maui Wine. They serve farm-to-table burgers that actually taste like real meat. It's a shack with vast vistas of Maui. Enjoy your outdoor picnic with one of the best burgers on Maui.
Feast at Lele is the place to be if you're looking for the best Luau on the sandy beach in Lahaina. They have professionally curated dances and entertainment, along with a full course of dishes representing various parts of the Pacific Islands.
SHOPPING
Na Hoku is a Hawaii-based and family-owned jeweler designing and creating island lifestyle inspired jewelry for nearly 100 years. If you're looking for a piece to treasure to memorialize your Maui vacation, look no further and head over to Na Hoku.
Whalers Village is an upscale outdoor shopping mall in Ka'anapali with shops that reflect the best of island lifestyles, from clothing, shoes, home decor, jewelry, to souvenirs.
Lahaina Front Street is a visitor destination, lined with many shops and restaurants. An evening stroll on Front Street is lovely and pleasant. This is the location used for the tsunami scene in the film Hereafter starring Matt Damon.
The Shops at Wailea is an upscale shopping destination, featuring designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany's, and Prada. You'll also find uniquely Maui closing and home decor shops to bring out the shopping diva in you.
U'i Gallery in Kahului showcases the one-of-a-kind creations by local artist, Racheal Ray, from paintings, coasters, to phone cases. Something for everyone. Her use of brilliant colors highlights the beauty of Hawai'i's landscapes and lifestyles.
Paia and Makawao Towns are a great place to visit. Both are home to one-of-a-kind boutiques, health food stores, and specialty shops. You'll love these North Shore and Upcountry quaint little towns on your way to Hana or Upcountry.
Upcountry Farmers Market in Pukalani is open on Saturday mornings, featuring locally grown produce and locally made products and foods. A great place to shop if you're looking for something unique to Maui. The positive vibe there is contagious.