5 Tips To Escape Tourist Crowds In Maui

The remarkable natural beauty of Maui means that throngs of tourists descend on the island each year to enjoy it.

Although there are plenty of crowded places that are actually worth the visit, many would rather beat the crowds and experience what truly makes the Valley Isle special. Here are five tips to escape the most trapping Maui tourist crowd.

Skip the beach and head to the mountains

Most tourists only think about Maui’s beaches and don’t venture mauka (to the mountains). The island offers some incredible hikes and spectacular panoramic views that end at a towering waterfall. Areas such as Upcountry Maui and Haleakalā National Park have tons of interconnecting trails to choose from, so it’s possible to have an adventure without anyone else in sight or have an overnight backpacking trip.

Most tourists try to drive the iconic Road to Hana in one day and miss all the stops along the way that make the rural area incredible—and there’s so much to see. Spend the night along the way so that you can wake up early and have the black sand beach, waterfalls, or hiking trails all to yourself. You’ll also be able to explore the sleepy little towns along the way.

Experience local voluntourism

You can practice the ancient Hawaiian philosophy of Aloha ʻĀina (to love and respect the land) and turn your vacation into a voluntourism trip by giving a helping hand to one of Maui’s local nonprofit organizations. Whether you’re interested in humpback whales, the ocean ecosystem, or native Hawaiian plants, there’s something for every type of person to enjoy.

In addition to doing a good deed, volunteers work directly with knowledgeable locals and sometimes get to go to places that are off-limits to the public, such as Honokowai Valley where volunteers clear invasive species while learning about the powerful history of the abandoned Hawaiian village that once stood there.

Try a local market or hole-in-the-wall restaurant

Maui is notorious for being overpriced. Skip the hotel restaurants and tourist cafés, and try some affordable local food like a plate lunch at Poi by the Pound or poke from Eskimo Candy. If you’re out exploring the Road to Hana, make a stop at Kuau Store for healthy pre-made salads and organic fresh-squeezed local juice.

Find a secluded beach

Forget the umbrella-dotted Wailea Beach, Kapalua Bay, or Kaʻanapali, and make the extra effort to find a quiet sandy spot for yourself. Oneʻuli Black Sand Beach in Makena State Park or Hāmoa Beach near Hana are often uncrowded and perfect to unwind Hawaii style. Locals typically head to the beach early in the morning when the water is flat, and there are fewer tourists out. It’s a great tip since, in the morning, it’s still very sunny; the wind usually picks up in the afternoon.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.