Top 5 FREE Activities in Maui, Hawaii
If you’re anything like me, Maui is a dream destination. The Island is known for it’s lush landscape, picture perfect beaches and unique culture. However, it’s not known for being a cheap destination. The good news? You can absolutely experience the magic of Maui without blowing your budget. From natural wonders to epic sunsets, keep reading for the Top 5 FREE Activities in Maui, Hawaii
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Transportation Around Maui
One important thing to note about experiencing Maui, is that you will need to make a plan for transportation. There are different shuttle services available to help you get from the airport to your resort, hotel, airbnb etc.
If you plan on exploring the Island on your own or experiencing any of theses free activities below, I highly recommend renting a car. While this is not the most “budget-friendly” expense, it is still much less expensive than paying for a ride share service every time you want to leave your hotel or booking expensive private tour guides.
On our most recent trip to Maui, my husband and I rented a car at the airport. It was a smooth process and made experiencing all the Island has to offer a breeze.
Top 5 Free Activities in Maui
1. Nakalele Blowhole: Nature’s Power on Display
Located on Maui’s northwest coast, the Nakalele Blowhole is a must-see natural spectacle. When ocean waves crash into the lava rock coastline, water shoots up through a hole in the rock, creating a geyser-like effect. Depending on the waves, it may take a few minutes to experience.
In the middle of our trip, we were moving from an Airbnb in Kihei to the Hyatt Regency Maui. We had researched some free activities in the area that we could do while we waited to check in to our resort. I’m really glad we decided on Nakalele Blowhole because I think it may be one of my favorite things we experienced!
How to Get There: Drive north from Lahaina along Highway 30 until you reach mile marker 38. There are some parking spots available on the side of the road.
What to Expect: A rugged, lava-rock hike leads to the blowhole. I was not expecting how steep this hike would be! There are multiple options for climbing up and down the lava rock. We found that the longer climbing route was less steep and going up was much easier than going down.
Tips: Wear sturdy shoes (we saw some tourists slipping in their flip-flops) and keep a safe distance—the blowhole is powerful and unpredictable.
Cost: Free
2. Ho’okipa Beach: Turtle Watching & Surfer Paradise
Just past the town of Paia on the north shore, Ho’okipa Beach is famous for its strong surf and sea turtle sightings. This beach is an iconic surfing spot and is a great place to watch locals ride waves. The beach is at mile #9 on the Road to Hana (which is actually 3rd on my list of free activities) but is definitely worth a spot all on it’s own.
On our most recent trip to Maui, we stopped here as part of our Road to Hana trip. However, we could have spent so much more time exploring the area. We spent time at the cliff-top lookout, taking pictures and trying to spot sea turtles. Hint: the turtles look like giant boulders sitting on the beach.
- Why Visit: It’s one of the best places to watch experienced windsurfers and to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the sand.
Tips: Visit in the late afternoon for the best chance to spot turtles. Use the cliff-top lookout for amazing views.
Cost: Free
3. Road to Hana: The Scenic Adventure of a Lifetime
The legendary Road to Hana is a winding, 64-mile journey filled with waterfalls, lush forests, and coastal views.
Driving the Road to Hana was an activity that everyone recommended we do when we shared our plan to travel to Maui. While the drive can be a little complicated with the multitude of twists, turns and one-way bridges, it was definitely worth it.
This is an activity that can be free (assuming you have a rental car) but I suggest budgeting a small amount of money to truly get the full experience. We left early in the morning and arrived back at our Airbnb just before sunset so plan to spend a full day with this experience.
- Free Must-See Stops:
- Twin Falls
- Ke’anea Peninsula
- Wailua Overlook
- Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park
- Tips: Pack snacks, download offline maps (we used Shaka Guide – highly recommend), and start early to beat the crowds.
Cost: Minimal. Waianapanapa State Park requires a small fee and an advanced reservation but is 100% worth it to see the beautiful black sand beach.
4. Dragon’s Teeth: A Hidden Gem
Dragon’s Teeth is a striking lava formation located near Kapalua on West Maui. Formed by lava crashing against strong winds, the jagged rocks resemble giant dragon teeth.
This is another spot we visited during our transfer day between the airbnb and resort. The path to see this lava formation is a much easier “hike” than the Nakalele Blowhole. You can park in a small lot and walk along a packed dirt path. We even saw some locals fishing from some hidden spots along the way.
How to Get There: Park near the Kapalua golf course and walk the short trail. There is a small lot with free parking spaces and another where you have to pay to park.
What to Expect: Incredible ocean views and unique photo opportunities.
Tips: Be respectful of nearby sacred sites and stay on marked paths.
Cost: Minimal. Depends on parking availability.
5. Watching Sunsets: A Free Daily Show
Few things in life are better than a Maui sunset. Luckily, they don’t cost a thing.
With the time change from the east coast really affecting our sleep schedule, we didn’t have much interest in any “night life” while visiting Maui. However, watching the sunset was the perfect end to every day.
We made most dinner reservations for around 6pm so we could enjoy dinner and watch the sunset from the outdoor seating area.
- Top Free Sunset Spots:
Kamaole Beach Parks (especially Kamaole III)
Ka’anapali Beach (this is where our resort was located and the views were amazing)
Lahaina Pali Trail
Scenic overlooks along the west coast
Tips: Arrive early, bring a blanket, and pack some snacks for a beach picnic.
Cost: Free
Bonus Tips: Saving Money in Maui
Transportation: Renting a car is ideal, but carpooling or using the Maui Bus can also save money.
Food: Try local food trucks, plate lunches, and grocery store poke bowls. Fruit from roadside fruit stands is so fresh – a must try!
Cultural Experiences: Attend free hula shows, farmers markets, and community events.
Maui offers incredible experiences for every budget. Whether you’re hiking to a blowhole, spotting sea turtles, or soaking in a sunset, the island’s natural beauty is often the best (and cheapest) part.
Don’t let the price tags scare you off—adventure in Maui is more accessible than you think. Share your favorite cheap Maui activities in the comments!
If planning a trip to Oahu – check out my blog post about our trip Aulani: Our Honeymoon at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa Overview
