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20 Fantastic Things For Couples To Do In Maui

Maui is a beautiful island in the Hawaiian archipelago, often chosen for honeymoons. It’s the perfect place to crank up the romance. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honeymooning, or simply looking to escape the everyday hustle, Maui has something special for every couple.

We took our honeymoon in Hawaii, spending our time on different islands, including Maui.

In this article, we’ll explore fantastic Maui activities that cater to romance and adventure. Discover hidden gems, indulge in local cuisine, and immerse yourselves in the island’s vibrant culture.

Kahakuloa Head, Maui

Staying In Maui

Expect to pay a premium for any accommodation in Maui; choose from budget-friendly Airbnb condos to luxury resorts with ocean views and a slew of amenities. Camping packages are avialable for the budget conscious.

Most vacationers stay on the west side of Maui. Wailea, Kihei, Lahaina, Ka’anapali, and Kapalua offer plenty of choices. A little less developed, further south, Wailea and Kihei suit those who prefer fewer crowds.

Now that you have a place to stay let’s discover the best things to do as a couple while vacationing in Maui.

1. Watch The Sunrise At Haleakala

Towering over the eastern part of Maui, Haleakala Park attracts visitors to see its moonlike crater. At the summit, we saw the volcanoes on neighboring islands.

However, its iconic sunrise attracts couples to enjoy a romantic moment 10,023 feet above sea level. The event has become so popular it now requires a reservation. Reaching the summit requires a switchback ride or take a guided tour.

On the longest day, sunrise is around 5:30 am. Since the hike takes 1.5–2 hours, start driving by 3 am. Not an early riser? Go for sunset instead. No reservation needed, and it’s still a romantic adventure.

Haleakala sunrise
Haleakala National Park at sunrise

2. Have A Couples Massage

Maui offers plenty of spas to melt away stress. Reserve a morning or afternoon for a couples massage or spa treatment.

At the Hyatt Resort’s Awili Spa and Salon, couples enjoy customized 60- to 120-minute massages side by side in a private ocean suite. Choose Swedish, deep tissue, or Hawaiian Lomilomi massage—an ancient Polynesian technique combining oils, kneading, and dance for body and mind healing.

The Grand Wailea’s Spa Grande spans 50,000 square feet with waterfalls, saunas, and a Roman bath. For the ultimate experience, try the honey macadamia nut indulgence—a full-body oil massage with foot and scalp treatments that leave your skin soft and hydrated.

3. Go Whale Watching

In November, humpback whales arrive in Hawaii from Alaskan waters. While they feed in the marine-rich waters of Alaska in the summer, they winter in Hawaii’s warmer waters to mate and give birth.

Peak whale watching season runs from January to March, to witness the miracle of life. While whales are prolific around all the Hawaiian Islands, Maui provides the best place to view them. Ma’alaea Harbor offers the majority of tours.

Excursions vary from two to four hours, with options to go on sailboats for luxury amenities, small boats for speed, or catamaran excursions for stability. We prefer the latter for photography.

Humpback whale breaching in Maui
Whale breaching in Maui

4. Learn Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand-up paddle boarding engages your muscles but reduces stress. What better way to learn than with your partner? Maui provides the perfect weather to learn this sport.

Multiple locations rent out stand-up paddle (SUP) boards. Alternatively, Island Surfboard Rentals delivers the SUP to your hotel anywhere in Maui except Hana. You can choose from an all-around recreational board or a flat racing board.

Early mornings are preferable or choose a location with a sheltered cove. Kapalua Bay, Napili Bay, and Kaanapali Beach are great choices. I found paddle boarding surprisingly easy; my husband struggled with balance.

5. Have A Romantic Patio Lunch

Wherever you are, different regions of Maui have numerous patio options for lunch. Around Wailea and Kihei, the ocean views add to the ambiance of dining outdoors.

Whale’s Tale and Tommy Bahamas are excellent choices in Wailea. Located on the waterfront, the Whale’s Tale exudes the Aloha spirit with a roaring outdoor firepit and stunning ocean views. 

They make their smoothies from freshly squeezed fruit. For lunch options, their pizzas and paninis are delicious. If you visit in the winter, you might be treated to humpback whale sightings from the shore.

Kimo's patio dining in Lahaina
Kimo’s waterfront patio

Further down the street, Kimo’s Maui has been a local favorite for 40 years. Their macadamia nut calamari and Kalua pork lettuce wraps use locally sourced ingredients. Another favorite is their fish and chips, made with Maui lager batter.

6. Snorkel At Molokini Crater

Formed by a sunken volcanic cone, Molokini offers excellent morning snorkeling. Two miles off Maui, it’s only accessible only by tour. Early or late-mornings offer calmer seas. I took a late-morning excursion and the seas were much choppier than early morning but I enjoyed the tour with no other vessels.

Boats depart from Kihei Boat Ramp or Ma’alaea Harbor.. Calm seas allow snorkeling inside the crater; rough seas limited us to the outer rim. Tours last a few hours and include flotation gear. Wear a UPF 50 rashguard and reef-safe sunscreen.

Zodiacs are fast; catamarans smoother with breakfast or snacks. With clear water, we saw tropical fish, eels, octopi, and lots of spinner dolphins.

7. Drive The Road To Hana

The Hana Highway is almost 65 miles with over 600 curves and 59 bridges, many of which are one-lane. The road trip to Hana is not about the destination but the journey.

Waterfall on the Road to Hana
Waterfall on the Road to Hana

Along its route, cascading waterfalls, colored sand beaches, lava tubes, a bamboo forest, and fruit stands beg for stops. We recommend a stop at Keanae Peninsula to sample the best banana bread EVER! Aunty Sandy has been making it for almost 40 years. Her secret is the butter and sweet bananas.

Take a bathing suit to enjoy standing under a cascade or dip in a river. Our favorite stop, Ho’okipa Beach Park, is one of Maui’s best spots to see turtles.

8. Hike The Pipiwai Trail

The 3.8-mile Pipiwai Trail might be one of Maui’s best hikes. However, it doesn’t offer much solitude. The trail is accessed past the town of Hana, inside Haleakala National Park.

The first mile of the hike travels through several colossal bamboo forests, and we felt like we were in a storybook. The Pipiwai Trail has a 650-foot elevation gain, but best done in stages dues to the many scenic cascades and stopping points.

Waimoku Falls will captivate you with its 400-foot drop, and its refreshing spray gives a welcoming feel on a hot day. If you’re visiting in the rainy season, many off-shooting waterfalls may be nearby.

Pipiwai Trail bamboo forest
Bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail

9. Spend An Afternoon Wine Tasting

Maui’s ideal climate grows pineapples, sugar cane, coffee, and cocoa. Grapes proved harder—until Ulupalakua Ranch owner C. Pardee Erdman experimented for 40 years on Haleakala’s rich slopes.

His first wine, Maui Blanc, debuted in 1977—a sparkling pineapple wine. He later added Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Malbec, and Rosé. Enjoy flights or wines by the glass with Brie and crackers, an Artisan board, or goat cheese with pineapple syrup.

Taste in the historic King’s Cottage Tasting Room or under the 150-year-old Camphor Tree—a romantic two-hour experience with ranch stories.

10. Rent Electric Bikes

Electric bikes provide an eco-friendly way to see Maui sites without the hassle of finding a parking spot. Maui e-bike rental shops offer hourly, daily, and weekly rentals. Chargers come with bikes that are rented for more than a day.

Maui Electric Bike Rental, RideSmart Maui, and Maui Sun Riders offer rentals from several locations in Kihei, Paia, Kapalua, and Makawao. Electric bikes are easy to ride, and can typically travel up to 40 miles on a single charge. I loved my our e-bike experience and later bought a Rad bike of my own.

Karen riding an e-bike rental in Maui
Riding an e-bike rental in Maui

Rental companies will provide helmets, locks, and maps with suggestions on where to ride. With no set schedule, we could lock the bike and hike, swim, shop, or stop for lunch whenever we wanted.

11. Visit Iao Valley State Park

Located in central Maui, the Iao Valley State Park has 4,000 acres of beautiful landscape. The park’s star attraction is the Iao Needle, also known by its traditional name Kuka’emoku. Standing at 2,250 feet high, it was used as a lookout during a battle in ancient times.

From the parking lot, take the short hike to the viewing point. On the trail are pathways to the river, where we learned the area’s history.

In 1790, this land saw the battle of Kepaniwai. King Kamehameha I from Hawaii created conflict with the islands in order to unite them under his rule. After he defeated forces in Maui and Oahu, he became the first king of the Hawaiian Islands.

Ioa Needle, Maui
Iao Needle

12. Take A Helicopter Tour

While Maui’s landscape looks heavenly from the ground, it looks more spectacular from the skies. From Kahului Airport, excursions soar over Maui and sometimes Molokai.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and Air Maui offer one-of-a-kind experiences and tours to suit every budget. Starter tours last 45 minutes, and you can choose Haleakala and Hana or Molokai and West Maui.

The one-hour flights cover the entire island, with flightseeing over Haleakala, deep valleys, rainforest canopies, and rugged coastlines. On the 75-minute tour, you’ll enjoy an oceanfront landing.

For thrill-seekers, the “doors off” excursion lets you feel the wind in your hair and allows you to take photos without the annoying window glare.

Maui from a helicopter
Maui from a helicopter

13. Bike Down Haleakala

Maui offers one of the world’s most thrilling bike rides. Starting at Haleakala National Park’s entrance (6,500 feet), riders descend over 6,000 feet on a winding road. Tour companies offer self-guided rides or group rides. Join a group if you prefer safety in numbers.

There are options for sunrise or sunset tours. Because Haleakala gets busy during the day, the sunset and downhill guided bike tour start early to avoid traffic. Riders travel 23–26 miles on a mountain bike with strong disc brakes.

Tours include a bike, helmet, backpack, rain gear, and map. Bring snacks, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a jacket, a camera, and wear layers. Expect the adventure to take up to eight hours with several stops.

14. Enjoy A Road Trip

While the Road to Hana attracts drivers wanting to make a Maui road trip, there’s another lesser-known option. The route along the Kahekili Hwy from Waihee-Waiehu northwest provides an equally beautiful drive (and just as hair-raising).

The route to Kapalua is only 27 miles but takes about 75 minutes. Three miles past Waihee-Waiehu, the road narrows and hugs the cliffs. Some stretches fit only one vehicle, we had to reverse when meeting oncoming traffic. Drive slowly and enjoy views of the West Maui Natural Area Reserve and the ocean.

My GPS showing the Kahekili Hwy
My GPS shows the Kahekili Hwy

We recommend stopping at Puʻu Koaʻe, Olivine Pools, and Nakalele Blowhole. The north shore offers scenic beauty and small towns to explore.

Nervous drivers should skip this trip. Adventurous travelers will love the challenge and hidden gems of the Kahekili Highway.

15. Go Zip Lining

Maui offers several zip-lining options for couples who prefer an adrenaline rush to get their heart pumping. While I had done zip lining in many destination, my husband, Brian hadn’t.

So, we visited the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm which has easy zip lining for beginners and children. While it has one zip line, Brian did four runs, and the line runs over the crops close to the ground.

Brian zip lining at the dragon fruit farm
Brian zip-lining in Maui

If you want to zip line side-by-side, Kapalua Zipline has you covered. It features eight all-duo lines, as well as a suspension bridge that hangs 1,600 feet above the forest.

Head to Flyin’ Hawaiian Zipline, for the granddaddy of all zip lines. They offer eight lines, but their fastest and longest measure 3,600 feet.

16. Attend The Old Lahaina Luau

A Hawaiian luau is a must, and none beats the Old Lahaina Luau. It features a traditional feast and Polynesian music and dance for an unforgettable night.

Guests receive a fresh flower lei and warm Polynesian welcome. The buffet includes Imu Roasted Pork, Lomilomi Salmon, Maui Style Fish, and Mango Barbecue Chicken. Imu Roasted Pork is the best, and so tender due to its slow cooking method.

The food and entertainment delight all five senses and may be your Maui highlight. Couples will enjoy a table for two, with excellent views from every seat.

17. Tour A Farm

Bananas growing on a banana plant
Bananas growing on a Maui farm

Maui is famous for its beaches and weather, but its fertile land grows produce year-round. Farm tours are plentiful, from coffee and tropical fruit to goat farms.

On Haleakala’s slopes, the Ali‘i Kula Lavender Farm grows 20 lavender varieties—55,000 plants used in soaps, lotions, and foods. Lavender promotes calm and better sleep. Take a self-guided tour and shop for lavender products.

No Maui trip is complete without visiting the Maui Gold Plantation. Learn how pineapples take two years to grow and take home a boxed Maui Gold pineapple.

Near Lahaina, the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm grows mango, papaya, pineapple, banana, and cocoa. A one-hour tour ends with a fresh fruit plate and dragon fruit drink.

Maui dragon fruit farm fruit plate
Our dragon fruit farm fruit plate

18. Go On A Couple Photoshoot

A couples photoshoot is a fun way to capture Maui memories. Sessions can be short, casual, and affordable. Whether celebrating something special or just for fun, a shoot adds joy to a Maui trip.

Photographers offer quick sessions in scenic Maui spots like Kapalua Bay, or Wailea—perfect for stunning backdrops. Beaches are popular but crowded, so consider lush rainforests like Iao Valley for privacy and beauty.

For dramatic lighting, schedule at sunrise or sunset. Most packages include photos, with options to buy more.

19. Go Golfing Together

Maui’s golf courses are breathtakingly beautiful where lush landscapes meet world-class courses. Couples can enjoy a unique blend of challenging fairways and picturesque scenery.

Ka'anapali Golf Course

Notable courses include the renowned Kapalua Plantation Course, famous for its dramatic elevation changes and PGA Tour events, and the Wailea Golf Club, which boasts three meticulously designed courses that cater to all skill levels.

Additionally, many courses offer affordable tee times, making is a truly a bucket-list experience for any golf enthusiasts.

20. Enjoy A Sunset Dinner Cruise

What better way to experience the beauty of Maui than on a sunset dinner cruise with your special someone? Most dinner cruises leave from Ma’alaea Harbor.

Imagine sipping on Mai Tais or Pina Coladas, while enjoying uninterrupted views of the watercolor skyline from a catamaran. The two-hour sail includes alcoholic drinks (some companies have a limit), refreshing appetizers, and a delicious choice of entrees.

Lahaina Harbor close to sunset
Maui Harbor close to sunset

During the sail along the Pali coast of Maui, romantic sounds of island music add to the romantic ambiance. Finish the sunset cruise with a cup of Hawaiian coffee and views of Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Pride of Maui might be the island’s best-known catamaran vessel. It offers sunset cruises near Molokini Crater. Its unique cruise includes a hula show while enjoying a buffet dinner and complimentary craft beer and island cocktails.

Wrap It Up

Maui provides a dreamy destination for a warm getaway. Whether you’re on a Maui honeymoon or spending time with your long-time partner, there are plenty of activities for couples.

Even with a 7-day itinerary, you’ll find more things to do than you have time. Some couples find it better to plan their days, while others prefer to “wing it.”

Whatever you do, remember to reserve some time for the beach and snorkel at different locations. After your time in Maui, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with its people and become addicted to its coffee and food.

Oceanfront view and zip lining in Maui
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