Plan Your Family Vacation in Maui with this Travel Guide

Family vacations are always filled with thrilling adventures, laughter, and time spent making those memories with your kids that will last a lifetime. While you may have skipped over family vacations in recent years, now is the time to start enjoying them once again. Maui is one of the best destinations to get your family adventures started! This beautiful Hawaiian Island has everything you could possibly want for your next family getaway and so much more. So, let’s get you started with knowing what you must be aware of when you are vacationing with family in this gorgeous island destination!

History on the Island of Maui

The island of Maui still honors its past, despite constructing numerous visitor attractions over the years. One of the best locations on the island to visit to experience the history is the town of Lahaina. This town was the very first capital of what was once known as the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was once a whaling port before turning into a plantation settlement. I recommend you take the self-guided tour through Lahaina to experience the history firsthand.

As soon as you finish exploring Lahaina with your family, you will want to check out the history that lies within the ranches, plantations, and missionaries. And if you are feeling quite adventurous, you can venture to the slopes of Haleakala to find the gravesite of Charles Lindbergh. The cemetery is located next to the Palapala Ho’omau Church and is approximately twelve miles past Hana.

Weather in Maui

The island of Maui offers a multitude of micro-climates. This means it could be raining on one side of the island and sunny on the other side. As we are planning your family vacation in Hawaii, I will help you decide where you should stay and what you should do according to the different weather patterns you may encounter. And don’t worry, the weather can change instantly on this island, so what starts out as a rainy and cool morning can turn into a gorgeously sunny and warm day!

There are basically only two seasons on the island of Maui. Those two seasons are summer and winter. And honestly, there is very little difference between the two seasons. Summertime includes the months of April through October, and winter is from November through March.

Summer in Maui

Summer in Maui is usually very dry and warm. The temperatures reach the middle to upper 80s during the day and very rarely go below the mid-60s. This is also the time of the year when the ocean water reaches temperatures in the middle 80s.

Winter in Maui

The winter months in Maui bring lower temperatures, with December through February being the coldest. The high temperatures during the day will only be in the low 80s, while the lows at night reach the middle 60s. The ocean water temperature drops at this time of the year as well. This means you will only be swimming in water that is in the mid-70s. Rain is more prominent at this time of the year, but that rain does bring massive waves for surfers.

Best Time to Vacation in Maui

There really isn’t the best time to vacation in Maui because the weather is nice there all year long. However, if you want to keep the weather, crowd levels, and costs in mind, I would have to say that the months of April, May, August, September, and October are the best time to take a vacation in Maui. During those months, you will experience nice weather, as well as fewer crowds and lower prices.

What to Pack for a Family Vacation in Maui

Since Maui is a summer destination all year round, you must pack shorts, t-shirts, skirts, and sundresses for your time on this island. Yes, pants and sweatshirts may also be necessary, depending on where you are visiting on the island. An umbrella and raincoat will also be helpful on occasion. Your goal is to pack comfortable and casual clothing, as well as a couple of nicer outfits for those fine dining occasions.

Places to Stay While on a Maui Vacation with Family

The resorts on Maui are the most popular options amongst many families. However, you can also choose to stay at one of the many hotels, bed, and breakfasts, and even vacation rentals. I can help you find the perfect accommodations for your family vacation in Maui. Therefore, if you want to stay in a secluded bungalow by the beach, and there is one available, I will make your beachfront bungalow dreams come true!

Foods You Must Try While on Vacation in Maui

Like all the other Hawaiian Islands, there are a few foods you must try when you are vacationing in Maui. Some of the foods are also must-try options on some of the other islands.

A few of the local foods you must try while on vacation in Maui include:

• Maui Pineapples – You can find Maui pineapples at many farm stands and luaus. However, you may prefer to take a pineapple plantation tour before tasting this delicious fruit!
• Lunch Plate or Mixed Plate Lunch – The lunch plate or mixed plate lunch is a standard dish in Maui. Both dishes include protein, rice, and salad. The only difference between the two is the lunch plate contains one protein, while the mixed plate lunch includes two types of protein.
• Poke – Poke is a staple on any of the Hawaiian Islands. This diced raw fish dish is served in many ways, so I recommend trying a few different options during your Maui vacation.
• Spam – The locals in Hawaii eat the most Spam in the world, which is why there are so many more varieties for sale there! This mainstay dish has been popular on the islands since World War II. Back then, it was a simple way to spend as little money as possible while feeding the soldiers a filling meal. Today, there are many different Spam dishes available for you to try when you are on vacation in Maui. Spam musubi is the dish you will see the most in Maui, but you will also find the Spam, eggs, and rice breakfast and the Spam and hash breakfast.
• Shave Ice – You cannot visit any of the Hawaiian Islands and not indulge in at least one bowl of shaved ice! The shaved ice is often topped with fruity flavors< but you can also have it topped with coconut, azuki bean, or condensed milk.

Activities to Embrace While on Vacation in Maui

Your time in Maui can be spent surfing, snorkeling, and dancing at Luaus. But there are so many other activities you must embrace while you are making memories in Maui. A few favorite activities in Maui include:

• Parasailing
• Treasure Hunting
• Hiking
• Underwater Submarine Tours
• Mermaid Adventures – Yes, you get to learn how to swim like a mermaid!
• Ziplining
• Windsurfing
• Kitesurfing
• Stargazing
• Rappelling Down Waterfalls
• Whale Watching

Top Places to See While on Vacation in Maui

I could instantly share dozens of attractions and places for you to see while you are on your family vacation in Maui. However, I thought it would be most helpful if I shared the top three that must be on your itinerary. This will ensure you see the best Maui has to offer and still have time for those other adventures you have been dreaming about!

The Road to Hana

The Road to Hana twists and turns along the eastern shoreline of the island. You will find yourself driving through lush rainforests and past rushing waterfalls as you stop at one lookout after another. This road is fifty-two miles long and is filled with hairpin turns. This is a daylong adventure your family won’t want to miss. And while you can make this drive on your own, it is usually best to leave the driving to a tour company. That way, you can focus on the scenery instead of your white knuckles on the steering wheel!

Waianapanapa State Park

Every state park within the Hawaiian Islands is worthy of a visit. However, Waianapanapa State Park offers the opportunity for your family to sink their toes into black sand. While you may be tempted to take a quick walk along the black sandy shoreline and take a few pictures, I recommend you spend at least half the day at this stunning state park. Freshwater caves can be discovered if you take the time to do a little hiking. And if you don’t want to swim in the pools within those caves, you can always stick to the trails that weave along the coast. Those trails will take you to natural blowholes, sea stacks, and burial grounds.

Haleakala National Park

This national park is quite large and is comprised of thirty thousand acres of land on the island of Maui. It is best to make the drive to the summit of Haleakala early in the morning to watch the sun as it rises. Afterward, it will be all about the Haleakala Crater and the Pipiwai Trail. That trail will lead you directly to Waimoku Falls.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Family Vacation in Maui

Vacations in Maui are a lot of fun, but your family will want to be aware of a few things prior to your arrival. The best tips I have to share with you for vacations in Maui include:

• The Maui Bus – Getting around the island of Maui doesn’t need to be a challenge! Instead of renting a vehicle, you should consider taking the Maui Bus. The convenient schedule will allow you to see many of the highlights of the island for a small fee.
• Take Advantage of Happy Hours – If you want to save some cash on food and drinks, I recommend taking advantage of the happy hours you discover at the local restaurants.
• Consider Volunteering – To truly get the full Maui experience, I recommend volunteering for an organization during your family vacation. This is an excellent way to see some of the more remote destinations in Maui, as well as make some lifelong friends.
• Embrace Hawaiian Time – Things do not usually start on time in Maui because they take a laid-back approach to life. I recommend embracing this Hawaiian time and using the waiting time for a little extra relaxation or people-watching.

Now that you know everything you should for a spectacular family vacation in Maui, I must ask you….

Are you ready to plan your family vacation on the island of Maui?

I know you are more than ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy a few precious days with your family. So, if you are ready to start planning your family vacation in Maui, I would love to invite you to click here to schedule a planning session with me. This will take you directly to my digital calendar, where you can schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you aren’t quite ready to start the planning process, I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you receive all the travel information I share, as you contemplate where and when you will take your next family vacation!