If you’ve been planning a trip to Maui and can’t decide between staying in West Maui or South Maui, allow us to offer some help. Both areas are absolutely breathtaking, each with its own unique charm and style. No matter which one you choose, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. Let’s take a look at the most popular activities and locations each region has to offer to help you make a decision.

Exploring West Maui

West Maui is a hub of the Valley Isle’s culture and history, featuring stunning ocean views and a vibrant, thriving community. For those who want lots of activity options while still getting a closeup of the island’s natural beauty, West Maui is a must. Just a few of the spots you’ll want to hit while in West Maui include:

Lahaina Town

Lahaina Town is a must-visit on any trip to Maui. Devastated by the 2023 wildfires, Lahaina Town is coming back strong and encouraging tourists to eat, drink, visit, and even volunteer to help rebuild. The thriving seaside town is evidence that perseverance can overcome even the worst of circumstances.

Note: Many areas and businesses in Lahaina Town are now open to the public and more are reopening every day, but many areas also remain closed as of October 2024. The closed area is known as the burn zone, and it unfortunately contains some of Maui’s most iconic spots, such as the Lahaina Banyan Tree. Do your research before visiting Lahaina Town for the best experience given current conditions.

Kaanapali Beach

Golden sand and hours of relaxation await you on the shores of Kaanapali Beach, the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Go swimming in the crystal-clear waters, go snorkeling around Black Rock, or even take a dive off the iconic cliff. While you’re underwater, keep a lookout for Hawaiian Green sea turtles passing by!

Nakalele Blowhole & the Acid War Zone

A visitor a favorite in West Maui is the Nakalele Blowhole and Acid War Zone. If these names make the area sound a bit dangerous, well, it’s well deserved. Visitors here will take a short hike to reach the attraction area, with wades through tide pools, some precarious steps, and a smaller blowhole on the way to the big event. Dirt bike and ATV trails also pepper the landscape, so keep an eye out! You’ll also pass through the Acid War Zone, an area of huge boulders pocked and sculpted by years of saltwater assault. Finally, you’ll reach the Nakalele Blowhole, a gushing geyser with crashing waves over lava rock and top heights of 50+ feet!

Lahaina Pali Trail

The short hike to Nakalele Point not quite enough for you? Then try out the Lahaina Pali Trail! This challenging yet rewarding 4-mile trek will give you views of the ocean, central Maui, and neighboring islands like no other.

Maalaea Harbor

Get your feet wet in West Maui at Maalaea Harbor, the starting point of a variety of water activities and adventures on the island. Whale watching is a particular interest here during whale season from January to March of each year, and sunset cruises are an offering all year long.

Discovering South Maui

If exciting adventures isn’t your idea of a relaxing vacation, then South Maui might be a better fit for you. Known for its luxury resorts, world-class golf courses, and subtle atmosphere, South Maui is perfect for those who want to lay back and unwind?

Maui Ocean Center

If learning about the amazing marine life of Maui and the Pacific sounds like fun to you, then do not miss a visit to the Maui Ocean Center, the Aquarium of Hawai’i. This 5-acre facility features a huge variety of species, a shark tank, shopping, dining, special experiences, and more.

Wailea

If luxury is your scene, then Wailea is the place to be. Upscale shopping, 5-star dining, and beaches that look like they were curated straight from a magazine await you in Wailea. Spoil yourself with some retail therapy while you soak up the high-end tropical ambiance.

Molokini Crater

Snorkelers absolutely love Molokini Crater, an underwater volcanic caldera that offers a jaw dropping array of marine species to see in some of the clearest water on the planet.

La Perouse Bay

Step into another world at La Perouse Bay, where the lava fields and rocky shoreline sit right next to lush landscapes and sandy shores, providing a stark yet interesting contrast of two worlds living side by side. Be on the lookout for spinner dolphins while you’re here, or see what you can dig up in the various tide pools.

Wailea Golf Club

It wouldn’t be upscale without a world-class golf course, and Wailea Golf Club doesn’t disappoint. The club features three championship courses nestled in stunning tropical views, and is a must on any golfer’s bucket list.

Which is Best: West or South?

So which is it…West Maui or South Maui? Well, it really depends on what type of vacation you’re wanting. For action-packed adventure and a dose of Maui’s vibrant culture, then West Maui is your best bet. For a relaxing retreat full of lavish experiences, then South Maui might be a better choice. However, at the end of the day, both West Maui and South Maui offer gorgeous scenery, a vast array of activities, and memories waiting to be made.

Experience the Best of Maui with a Mount Haleakalā Bike Tour

If activity and adventure are your goals during your Maui vacation, then a guided bike tour on legendary Mount Haleakalā in the Maui Upcountry is an experience you can’t afford to miss. Mountain Riders has been offering Haleakalā bike tours for over 30 years, with over 700,000 satisfied customers so far. Choose from our sunrise, pre-dawn, or daytime guided tours, or take the adventure into your own hands with a self-guided tour option. We highly recommend the sunrise tour, which will bring you to the summit of Haleakalā just in time to watch the sun break over the horizon. You’ll be lost for words as the splendor of Maui’s terrains and the surrounding ocean lights up, giving a view that can’t be matched anywhere on Earth. Book your Haleakalā bike tour today by visiting the Mountain Riders website or calling us at 808-877-4944, and find out why we’re Maui’s #1 visitor activity.