Looking to get off the beaten path in Maui? These are a lot of unusual things to do in Maui that you wouldn’t expect to find on this magical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
From banana bread and pineapple vodka to black sand beaches and whale watches, there ’s a little something for everyone when you travel to the Hawaiian Islands. I promise, you’re vacation isn’t complete without enjoying a few of these unique things to do on Maui.
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Are These Unusual Things to do in Maui Worth Visiting?
Before we get started with 21 unique things to do in Maui, you may be wondering are these unusual things to do in Maui worth doing? Engaging in unique Maui experiences will provide a memorable and distinct moments that go beyond typical tourist attractions.
It’s not everyday that you can sleep inside the world’s largest dormant volcano or hike through a dreamy bamboo forest. There are many amazing things to do in Maui, and I would definitely add a few of these excursions to the must-do in Maui list.
Quick List of Unique Things to do in Maui
Below I have listed the most unusual things to do in Maui in no particular order. If you’re interested in more details of a specific Maui activity click on the blue links below.
I have lived on Maui for 12 years and chances are, I’ve dedicated an entire post to each objective. Happy travel planning.
Unusual Things to do in Maui
Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary
One of the most unusual things to do in Maui is to visit the Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary. The honey bee sanctuary is set on beautiful grounds that overlook the ocean. You can take a tour or wander around the grounds, grab a coffee or sample the local honeys.
I bought so many items of their handmade ‘Hive to Home’ and ‘Bees to Body’ products last time I was here. I put the local lavender honey in my coffee every morning. ☕️
Camp inside a Dormant Volcano
One of the coolest and most unique things to do in Maui is to camp inside a dormant volcano at one of the Haleakala cabins. There are 3 historic wilderness cabins within Haleakala crater inside the summit district of Haleakala NP.
The only way to get to any of the cabins is by foot and hiking in on Sliding Sands Trail or down the switchbacks of the Halemauu Trail. Haleakala Cabin rentals cost $75 per night and reservations open up 6 months in advance.
Puakena Coconut Farm Tour
Did you know that the only coconut farm in the United States is on Maui? That’s why this is not only one of the most unusual things to do in Maui but it’s one of the most unusual things to do in the United States.
You can’t be on tropical island without running into the coconut tree. Have you ever wondered why you can always find coconut trees at the beach?
Coconut trees have this wonderful ability to covert salt water into fresh water! Cool huh? Plus coconut trees enjoy sandy soils, the sunlight and are tolerant to the wind.
On a tour, you’ll discover how the coconut is cultivated, consumed and all its useful qualities. Puakena Coconut Farm is located in West Maui in Launiupoko and the owners are dear friends. If you book this tour, tell them Jess and Joe says hello 👋.
Shark Dive Maui
If you are looking for unique experiences on Maui, then look no further than a shark dive Maui. Hawaii is a great destination for those looking for an adventure and a chance to get up close and personal with some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures.
This Maui water activity takes you underwater at the sunken Mala Wharf in Lahaina. Here you’ll dive with turtles, white tip reef sharks and other marine life.
The Mala Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and has since became one of the best dive sites on Maui. If you love adventure and the water, don’t miss out on this opportunity.
🐠 Read Next: 11 Maui Water Activites to Try
Sip Organic vodka made from sugarcane
Starting things off straight no chaser is Maui’s very own Ocean Vodka. The Ocean Vodka Organic Farm is worth a stop alone, the beautiful grounds give you distant coastal views and a unique perspective of Maui.
A farm-to-table restaurant is a new addition to the farm. Grab a wood fire pizza and hand crafted ocean vodka cocktail and enjoy the breeze and views on the lawn.
But you don’t have to visit the distillery to be able to taste this one of a kind vodka. Ocean’s is served at many bars and restaurants across the island.
Ocean Vodka is a clean vodka distilled from sugarcane. Mix it with local fruit juices or drink it on the rocks, its so smooth it doesn’t matter.
Sample Cheese at the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
If you are looking for a non touristy thing to do in Maui and love baby goats, this next idea is for you. The Surfing Goat Dairy Farm has been making cheese on Maui for over 10 years!
Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala in lower Kula is where you can find the dairy farm. Take a tour and discover how they make this delicious goat cheese. This is one of the most unique Maui tours.
If you’re strapped on time take the daily 30 minute tour to pet the goats (baby goats too) and buy some fresh goat cheese for the road. You’ll want to pair this tour with the next activity.
Hike Inside a Dormant Volcano
Hiking inside Haleakala Crater will put you in one of the most unique places in Maui – inside a dormant volcano. There are a couple different ways to get down to the crater floor inside Haleakala National Park.
The most popular way is by hiking down Sliding Sands Trail which is about 2.5 miles down a sandy slope.
The other trail is the knee crushing decent down the switchbacks on Halemauu Trail. To hike in and out of the crater, hike down Sliding Sands to Halemau’u and up the switchbacks.
🌋 Haleakala Crater Travel Guides:
Everything you Need to Know About Haleakala Crater
Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Turtle Town
One of the best and most unique things to do in Maui is to snorkel with majestic sea turtles. Do yourself a favor and book a tour to Molokini where you can snorkel with sea turtles in Turtle Town.
Witnessing these creatures in their natural environment while they swim around you is a truly humbling experience. The turquoise waters of Turtle Town are home to a variety of different species of sea turtles including Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback.
As you snorkel, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or a certified scuba diver, this will be an unforgettable experience for anyone to enjoy.
Taste pineapple wine at Maui’s only Winery
Nothing tastes better with cheese than wine! Less than a 10 minute drive from the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm is Maui’s only winery.
Of course, one of the wineries most popular wine is made from pineapples. The pineapple wine isn’t as sweet as you’d think but I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Buy a few bottles and have them shipped home, they make excellent Christmas gifts. Make sure to pack your inflatable travel bag to protect the wine.
Watch Sunrise or Sunset above the Clouds
I know I keep saying this but, one of the most unusual things to do on Maui is to watch the sunrise above a volcano. The summit of Haleakala sits at 10.023 feet and it is possible to drive all the way to the top.
Watching sunrise requires reservations in advance which you can make here. Sunset does not require reservations but it’s a little different than sunrise.
At sunset you’ll watch as the sun dips below the clouds unlike sunrise where it rises above the crater floor.
Both experiences are out of this world and top things to do in Maui. Make sure you dress warm, it gets very cold at the summit!
🧦 Read Full Post: Haleakala Sunrise | 5 Tips to Know Before you Go
scuba dive along side sharks & local marine life at the Maui Ocean Center
Named one of the Top 25 Best Aquariums in the United States, a visit to the Maui Ocean Center is a great experience for the whole family. Located in near Ma’alaea Harbor, the Maui Ocean Center is a perfect thing to do on Maui if its raining or you’re looking for things to do in Maui out of the sun.
The highlight of the Ocean Center is the 750,000 gallon Open Ocean Exhibit. Inside this exhibit you get to see sharks, rays and a plethora of tropical fish species.
If you love adventure, opt for a guided experience to swim alongside all of these amazing creatures. You must be already be certified scuba diver to enjoy this activity.
☔️ Read Next: 20 Thing to do on Maui When its Raining
Experience the reef in a glass bottom boat
If you are looking for unique experiences in Maui, imagine being in a semi submerged glass bottom boat and when you look down it looks like your standing on water.
That’s the experience you’ll get when you take a tour on the Reef Dancer. The tour departs directly from Lahaina Harbor, walking distance if you’re staying somewhere in Lahaina town.
This activity is great for the whole family as you can witness the beauty of the reef and its inhabitants without having to leave the comfort of your own seat.
This is snorkeling in Maui without the mask and/or having to get wet. 💦
Whale Watching Tour | Most Unusal Thing to do in Maui
Is it really a unusual things to do in Maui list if going on a whale watching tour isn’t included? One of the best things to do on your Maui vacation is to go on a whale watching tour.
Official whale season runs December 15th-May 15th and one of the best times to visit Maui. It’s not everyday you get to set sail on the ocean looking for Humpback whales and their young.
Every year the North Pacific Humpback Whale migrates from the frigid temperatures of Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii to give birth to their young. Its an amazing experience to watch the whales (big and small 🐳) breech and frolic in the ocean.
☀️ Read Next: Best Time to Visit Maui
Visit St. Josephs Church on the Backside of Haleakala
By far one of the best free things to do in Maui is to visit St. Joesph’s Church on the backside of Haleakala. I have been living on Maui for almost 10 years and I didn’t find this hidden gem until recently.
This beautiful church rests on the hillside with sweeping ocean views. Cows and chickens playfully frolicked around us as we took pictures at the church.
I loved this church so much I’d make it a stop on your Maui itinerary. Not only is this one of the most unique things to do in Maui but it won’t cost you anything and you’ll probably be the only one doing it.
🛵 Backside of Haleakala Travel Guides:
Julia’s banana bread
I know its Hawaii and banana bread is abundant and sold everywhere but there’s something special about Julia’s banana bread. Or should I say that it’s the adventure it takes to get there.
Julia’s is found in remote Kahakaloa and can be reached by driving around West Maui. The drive to Julia’s is beautiful and necessary to properly understand Maui.
The road gets pretty narrow as you get closer to Julia’s, at points it can only fit one car. Therefore, drive with caution and be alert. This unusal thing to do on Maui isn’t for the faint of heart.
Visit a Cocao Farm
Another unique thing to do in Maui is visit a Cocao Farm. As you walk through the lush trees, you will be surrounded by the sweet aroma of freshly harvested cocoa beans.
You will be able to learn about the process of making chocolate and eat some the delicious treats made at the farm. From farm to chocolate bar.
The Ali’i Lavender Farm
Image rows of lavender with a distant ocean view in the background. The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is a 13.5 acre farm set on the slopes of Haleakala. There are pathways that allow you to stroll around and see the different varieties of lavender.
Don’t leave without stopping at the gift shop. They offer local handmade lavender products including essential oils, soaps and jellies. I always get a lavender scone and tea for the road.
Drink coconut flavored beer
One of my favorite things to do when discovering a new place is sampling local beers. Trying the Coconut Porter by Maui Brewing Company is a must do on your unusal things to do in Maui tour.
Sampling a flight of beer at the newer restaurant and bar is one of the best things to do in Kihei.
The Coconut Porter has a rich porter taste with a delightful coconut finish. You can find this tasty beverage at any local grocery store or in most restaurants. You won’t be disappointed.
Love all types of cocktails and libations? Try out a food and craft cocktail tour. The tour takes you to local distilleries, wineries, breweries and coffee roasters.
Watch a Luau
Okay so watching a luau may seem a bit touristy but its beautiful when you know what they stand for and its truly a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast and cultural performance full of music, traditional dancing, tasty cuisine and lots of alcohol.
As you watch the ancient dances, you’ll be transported to a time before electricity and cell phones, when Hawaiians lived off the land and celebrated life through song and dance. It’s how the ancient Hawaiians would communicate.
Going to a luau, you’ll also have the chance to sample the flavors of the islands. From poi to loom salmon to the kale pig. Some of the best luaus on Maui are Old Lahaina Luau, the Feast at Lele and Myths of Maui.
Hike Through a Dreamy Bamboo Forest
One of the most peaceful things to do in Maui is to hike through the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail. The Pipiwai Trail is one of the best hikes on Maui because it takes you past distant waterfalls and ends up at the 400 foot Wailmoku Falls.
The second mile through the bamboo forest may be the best part of the hike. There’s something about listening to bamboo cracking in the wind.
🎋 Haleakala Kipahulu District Travel Guides:
Helicopter Ride Over Maui
Ending our most unusual things to do in Maui list is the most epic – a helicopter ride over Maui. You never truly get a real appreciation and understanding of a place until you see it from above.
As you fly over lush landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and verdant valleys, you are treated to panoramic views of the rugged West Maui Mountains and breathtaking Hana coastline. Take in Maui from a unique perspective.
Final Thoughts on the Most Unique Things to do in Maui
Whether you’re searching for off-the-beaten path destinations or wanting to avoid the crowds, these usual things to do on Maui are sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
If you found this article helpful, let fellow travelers know in the comments below 👇.
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📍Planning a trip to Maui? I lived on Maui for 12 years and Maui is where this blog was born. Check out these guides to further help you plan your trip.
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Didn’t even know about Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary, and we’ve lived here most of our lives! Thanks for the great article!
Moving to Maui in 6 mos, & wil visit these places for sure, what a delight! Thank u for sharing! <3
You’re welcome! You’ll love Maui, its magical, unusual things to do in Maui and all.