Considering where you want to vacation this spring? The temperatures on Maui in March and April average 81 degrees and our beaches are as warm and inviting as ever. Whether your spring break calendar falls in late March or early April, we have put together a list of activities you may enjoy if you decide to book that Hawaii vacation.
Book a Whale Watch:: For those that are unaware, you can only view humpback whales in Hawaii for about four months a year. The whales spend half of the year (summer to early fall) in Alaska or off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington eating. The whales then migrate across the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands around December and January to give birth in our warm waters. Book a whale watch tour out of numerous location on Maui and spend a few hours out at sea looking for spouts, breaches, fluke slaps, and other playful behavior. Many boat tours will even lower a microphone in the water and allow passengers to listen to the whale songs. This is a great option for families, as children will learn a lot about marine life in Hawaii and enjoy the adventure of being on a boat. Some of our favorite choices include the Kai Kanani (out of Wailea and Makena) and Gemini Sailing Charters (out of Kaanapali).
Of course, if you are looking for an adventure below water, there are plenty of tour options on Maui also available. There are snorkel trips to the crescent-shaped island of Molokini, SCUBA outings to popular dive spots, and even SNUBA tours the kids will love. If you prefer to stay dry but still be surrounded by marine life, consider purchasing tickets to the Maui Ocean Center where you can view sharks, stingrays, Hawaiian sea turtles, and more!
Attend the Upcountry Farmers Market:The towns of Makawao, Pukalani, and Kula, that are located higher in elevation on Maui, up Haleakala volcano, are known as “upcountry Maui”. This region of the island is where a majority of the farming on the island takes place.Every Saturday for over 10 years, a large farmers market has been hosted in the Kula Malu Town Center, in Pukalani, just up from the Long's Drug Store. Thousands of locals and visitors alike shop the market each weekend purchasing farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, and flowers. Chat directly with the farmers to learn what items are in season and what tropical fruits they recommend.In the spring, there will be plenty of ripe fruits, vegetables, and flowers in full bloom! Plan a locally-sourced dinner prepared in your condo kitchen one night and pick up the ingredients at the market.
Visit Blooming Gardens: Springtime calls for a jaunt through colorful gardens and Maui has plenty to choose from! For starters, how about a trip to the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm? Walk through fields of fragrant blooming purple lavender and enjoy views of the Maui coastlines down below. Less than 15 minutes away is the Kula Botanical Garden. Take a stroll through this eight-acre garden with hundreds of plant varieties, a koi pond, and aviary. Each plant is labeled and includes details regarding its country of origin.The Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, located in Kahului, is a great option for learning about native and Polynesian-introduced plants.Lastly, the Garden of Eden Arboretum on the Road to Hana is a wonderland of plant varieties. Walk over 2.5 miles of trails and discover over 700 species of plants and flowers from around the world.
Book a Surf Lesson: How can you visit Hawaii and not plan at least one day to play in the ocean? Most likely you have been bundled up in warm winter clothes for a majority of January, February, and March.It’s time to let your skin see the sun again!There are plenty of surf schools located around the island where you can book an individual surf lesson or join a group of beginners for a lesson.You could even book a lesson for your whole family! Some of the surf schools even hire a photographer to document the lesson from the shore so you can share some great pictures with your friends and family. The three most popular spots for lessons on Maui are at Cove Park/Kalama Park in Kihei, Breakwall in Lahaina, and Ukumehame on the way to Lahaina. These locations provide perfect conditions for beginners, such as shallow waters and gentle consistent waves day in and day out. We highly recommend Maui Surfer Girls for your surf adventure.
Boozy Taste Test: Spring break for a certain college and post-collage age group is often associated with at least one activity that involves an alcoholic beverage. While Hawaii isn’t really a party destination, Maui does have a few uniquely tropical options when it comes to sampling beer and spirits.The Maui Brewing Company has their headquarters in Kihei. Book a tour of the brewing facility or simply swing by to order a flight of beers to sample.Other breweries have begun to pop up across the island as well, such as Kohola Brewing, Waikiki Brewing Company, and Mahalo Aleworks. If looking for something a bit stronger, consider touring the Ocean Vodka Distillery. Learn how premium vodka is made by harvesting sugar cane from Maui fields.Lastly, wine lovers will enjoy sampling some locally made wines on the stunning grounds of Maui Wine, Maui’s only winemaker and vineyard.
Run the Maui Marathon: The Maui Marathon is scheduled for April 24, 2022. If the idea of running a full marathon is a bit daunting, there is also a half marathon, 5K, and 10K scheduled for that same weekend. Or, they even have a marathon relay event where a team of four runners alternate on the course to complete the marathon.This could be a fun family bonding experience or reunion with close friends. The scenic course will take you along oceanfront roads where you can run with a view. Plan your spring vacation around this fun race weekend in Kaanapali.
Drive the Road to Hana: The winding 64-mile road to Hana is filled with one-lane bridges, lush vegetation, scenic lookouts, waterfalls, and roadside stands selling freshly made banana bread, coconut ice cream, and freshly picked fruits. We recommend making this drive any time of the year, but the spring is especially magical because some of the vegetation you see along the road may be in peak volume. Hikes will be extraordinarily green as well. Be sure to get started on this drive early in the morning as it will take you a full day to explore everything you want to see.