5 Reasons to Visit Maui Over Honolulu

Sailing Maui
Sailing Maui | © Hawaii Savvy / Flickr
Photo of Kalena McElroy
Kalena McElroy
23 March 2018

Due to the abundance of international flights into Honolulu, the metropolis is typically on visitors’ itineraries. It’s worth it to skip Oʻahu altogether and make the extra trip over to Hawaii’s second-largest island, Maui, to beat the crowds and experience the island’s natural beauty. Here are five reasons a trip to the Valley Isle will surpass a visit to Hawaii’s more popular capital city.

Walk across a dormant volcano

Haleakalā National Park

Natural Feature, Park
Map View
Mount Haleakala, Maui | Public Domain/Pixabay
Mount Haleakala, Maui | © Pexels / Pixabay
Haleakalā National Park offers visitors a look at a rare and sacred environment, home to many endangered species that have evolved to live in this stark volcanic habitat. The dormant volcano’s unique landscape is scattered with geological features such as cinder cones, lava flows, and colorful ash, so at times, you feel like you’re walking on the moon. Often mentioned in ancient Hawaiian mele (songs and chants) and legends, Haleakalā is also famous for its spectacular sunrises, native Hawaiian silverswords, and jaw-dropping backcountry hiking trails.
Open In Google Maps
Haleakala Hwy., Kula, Hawaii, USA
+18085724459
Visit Website

Suntan alone on a red sand beach

Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach

Natural Feature
Map View
Red Sand Beach Maui | © dianaconnolly101/Flickr
Red Sand Beach Maui | © dianaconnolly101 / Flickr
Unlike Oʻahu, Maui’s impressive geological activity gifted the island with white, black, green, and even red sand beaches. A short hike across the sea cliffs brings visitors to one of Maui’s hidden gems—the red sand beach of Kaihalulu. Located along the road to Hana, the beach’s iconic burgundy color is created by the erosion of a nearby cinder cone. Due to the rugged coastline and currents in the area, swimming at the beach should only be attempted during a calm, low tide.
Open In Google Maps
Hana Hwy., Hana, Hawaii, USA

Rappel down a rushing waterfall

Zip-lining is a very popular activity in Hawaii, but Maui may actually have the only canyoneering company in the state. Tours with Rappel Maui take adventurers into the tropical rainforest used in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park films. Outdoor enthusiasts learn the basics of the sport before stepping off the waterfall’s edge and dropping into a large pool.

Beat the crowds

The island of Oʻahu is always bustling—not to mention it has some of the worst traffic in the U.S. But, a trip to Maui sets all that aside and offers a relaxed island feel. Even though there are many crowded attractions on Maui, such as Haleakalā at sunrise or the Maui Ocean Center, it’s also possible for visitors to walk on a secluded beach by themselves, or be the only person on a hiking trail—something nearly impossible on Oʻahu.

Snorkel or scuba dive at a volcanic atoll

Though Oʻahu has its share of off-shore islands, nothing is more impactful than taking a boat to the pristine waters off Molokini Atoll. The eroded cinder cone is a scuba diver’s paradise—the virgin reefs and protected bay attract all sorts of marine life and is an unforgettable excursion.

Give us feedback

Cookies Policy

We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK"