17 Lahaina Things to Do for an Unforgettable Maui Trip

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Lahaina is reopening, and we are proud to share the best activities in Lahaina! Escape from the Ka’anapali resorts for a taste of local Lahaina. Here are the 17 best beaches, tours, and Lahaina things to do.

The Lahaina Historic District and the surrounding neighborhoods are rebuilding after the devastating fire on August 8th, 2023. Construction on Front Street should start soon, but as of now, there are no shops or restaurants in the historic part of town.

As Lahaina rebuilds, we will keep this article updated, as we love Lahaina. Thanks for supporting local businesses.

Visiting the Banyan Tree (Banyan Court Park) is expected to open in 2027.

This is a list of things in or near downtown Lahaina. We are your one-stop shop for things to do on Maui, so see our articles below for activities by area.

Do you need more things to do on Maui? Check out our lists for the best stuff:

• 31 of the Best Things to Do on Maui
• 13+ Things to Do in Kahului
• 65 Things to Do on Maui with Kids
• 19+ Kaanapali Things to Do
• Last Minute Maui: What We Tell Our Friends to Do

Can You Visit Lahaina After the Fire?

Yes! Parts of Lahaina that were not burned down by the fires opened in late 2023.

Businesses that lost their buildings have opened in areas of Lahaina that were not destroyed. Some of our favorite restaurants are back! Plus, some new ones.

Essentially, Lahaina’s border areas are open to all. When you’re coming from Kahului Airport or Kihei, the Lahaina Bypass will take you over Lahaina and drop you off by the Lahaina Cannery Mall and Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center. You will find a lot of restaurants, tour operators, and food trucks in this part of Lahaina.

The Lahaina Harbor is open and offering tours with a small group of operators. Access to this part of Lahaina and the surrounding neighborhoods is restricted as they rebuild. Your tour operator will provide details on how to respectfully drive to Lahaina Harbor and where to park.

In this Lahaina things to do list, we only share locations where you can respectfully and legally access Lahaina Town. Mahalo!

Lahaina Things to Do

We called Lahaina home for the three years we lived on Maui. It was a great time in our lives. Now, we are happy to visit Maui whenever we can. Lahaina is always on our itinerary as we like seeing the town come back to life.

Most of these Lahaina activities are tours. We like to share free and low-cost activities in our lists, but as Lahaina is rebuilding, famous things to do in Lahaina, like the Banyan Tree, strolling Front Street, or taking the Historical Lahaina Walking Trail, are closed.

Erica and I recommend picking one or two of these activities if you’re staying in Kaanapali or Napili, or if you’re making the drive up from Kihei and Wailea.

Personally, we love a farm tour. For a special evening out, a sunset sail from Lahaina Harbor can’t be beat. Find the right experience for you below.

If you’re tired of looking at things to do lists to make your itinerary, grab our 8-day Maui Wayfinder Itinerary. Pick your favorite days, and you’re off! No more planning, and everyone in your group will love you. Learn more here: Maui Wayfinder Itinerary.

1. Lahaina Farm Tours

You don’t need to head Upcountry Maui to enjoy a farm tour. Lahaina offers three different farm tour options for you to explore.

• You can see how chocolate is farmed at Maui Ku’ia Chocolate Estate and then head to the chocolate factory for a farm tasting. They offer a cacao farm tour and a chocolate-tasting tour at their factory.
• Maui Animal Farm is in the hillside community, Launiupoko, over Lahaina. Walk the small ranch, learn about the animals, and enjoy the petting and feeding zoo. The owner is a lovely woman doing her best to support these animals. Book a petting zoo tour for the morning or her afternoon tour.
• The Maui Dragon Fruit Farm offers numerous activities and is becoming a popular thing to do in Lahaina. The farm is also located in Launiupoko, above Lahaina. Check out their tours here: Tropical Fruit Tasting Walking Tour, Alpaca Tour, Herbal Tea Tasting Tour, Zipline Adventure, and Adventure Tour with Zipline, Aquaball, and Farm Tour.

We enjoyed a tour of Maui Ku’ia Chocolate Estates before it was open. You can watch a video of the experience below to see if this cacao farm is something you’d like to do.

And if you’re looking for more adventures, read about our 17 Maui Farm Tours.

2. Whale-Watching from Lahaina

If you’re visiting Maui between December and April, you’re here for a spectacular event: whale season. Lahaina is a great place to watch whales from the shore or head out on a whale-watching tour.

Each year, thousands of humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii to breed, birth, and nurture their babies, and the best place to see them is right off the coast of Lahaina.

Hop onto a whale-watching tour from the downtown Lahaina harbor for a memorable encounter with these beautiful creatures. 

• Sail with the Whales from Lahaina Harbor – 10% off with promo code
• Ultimate Whale Watch from Mala Ramp in Lahaina – 10% off with our promo code

Before you book, be sure to check out our in-depth Maui Whale-Watching Guide, so you know what to expect before you go. 

To help you find the best tour operators, we have a curated list of our favorite Maui Whale-Watching Tours that balance the customer experience with the protection of whales and the environment. 

3. Cannery Mall Art Fair

If you’re shopping for souvenirs to take back home, why not support a local artist?

Head to the Lahaina Cannery Mall on the weekend for an art fair put on by the Lahaina Art Society. Walk the stalls, meet the artists, and head home with some unique treasures to commemorate your vacation.

The local artists here on Maui are incredibly talented, and you’ll find a huge selection of paintings, jewelry, carvings, tapestries, and more. 

The Cannery Mall has thrived since the fires, thanks to a major investment in its restoration. Go inside the mall for local shops, dining in their food court, and for free shows! Their stage at the food court hosts hula shows and cultural events. See their events calendar for more info.

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4. Attend a Luau in Lahaina

If attending a luau is high on your vacation list, downtown Lahaina is the spot. The Old Lahaina Luau, located on the ocean, is a top luau in Hawaii!

Grab a mai tai, enjoy the sunset, and watch talented performers tell you the story of Hawaii. The Old Lahaina Luau is pure Hawaii in dance and stories, so that means no fire knife dancing.

Learn more about the Old Lahaina Luau and all the Best Maui Luaus here.

Are you looking for fire knife dancing? There are numerous luaus around Lahaina, but our favorite is the Maui Sheraton Luau in Kaanapali.

5. Explore Underwater

There is so much to enjoy underwater on Maui, and you don’t have to snorkel or scuba dive to have a wonderful experience.

For those who prefer to stay dry while seeing beautiful reefs, fish, and other sea life, the Atlantis submarine is a great choice. Head down 130 feet to the ocean floor for a view of a shipwreck that most people don’t get to see. When traveling with kids, this is your Lahaina thing to do!

Take a shuttle boat from Lahaina Harbor to the Atlantis. The Atlantis dives down to provide a tour of the sea bottom at 3 MPH, ending with the Carthaginian sunken wreck. We saw a lot of sharks on this tour!

6. Moana Glass

Make your perfect Maui souvenir with Ryan Staub at Moana Glass. Your private group of up to four people can try their hand at glassblowing.

Moana Glass is located right off the Lahaina Bypass on the north end of town.

• Pick the piece you want to make and your colors to customize
• Great for families, they work with kids 5 and up
• Glassblowing, at its heart, is a team sport! They bill by the piece, but they can get more than one person working on each piece.

7. Snorkel and Dolphin Tours to Lana’i

We don’t like to play favorites, but this is our favorite snorkeling tour to Lanai.

The crews are incredible, the snorkeling locations are epic, and you will see Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins on 9/10 trips out to Lanai.

They provide two tours to choose from, pick your duration! Save 10% with our exclusive promo code: HVG.

9. Luxury Sunset Sail from Lahaina Harbor

This item should be further up our Lahaina things to do list! Getting out on the water on Maui is a must. A sunset cruise is an affordable and fun way to do just that.

Book a tour with Sail Maui to head out from Lahaina Harbor. Save 10% with our promo code at the button below!

Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or humpback whales (seasonally) as you sip on a cocktail and enjoy hot and cold appetizers.

This sail cruises along the Au’au channel between Lana’i and Maui. This area is known for its beautiful sunsets and is a favorite of humpback whales, as the warm, shallow waters are perfect for breeding.

10. West Maui Snorkel & Sail from Lahaina Harbor

Lahaina is a great launching pad for activities, including excellent boat trips. From downtown Lahaina, you can head on a snorkeling trip to the island of Lana’i. Or just cruise the West Maui coast on a fun-filled sail and snorkel. 

Set sail from Lahaina Harbor for an epic trip up West Maui’s coastline. The captain will choose the best spots for snorkeling. Save 10% with our exclusive promotion code!

11. Stargazing Above Lahaina

When we lived on Maui, stargazing never made our list. We reserved that for the Big Island. But after finally going on a stargazing tour on Maui, I realized how wrong we were—and how incredible Maui’s night sky really is.

We went out with Donna on a stargazing tour above Lahaina, and it was awesome! She set up her telescopes, and we were enraptured in her stories of the constellations and astrophysics.

See our Guide to Maui Stargazing to learn more. Or, jump to the chase by booking a tour with Donna below!

She picks the best location based on the night sky, so tours may be closer to Kaanapali or Olowalu.

12. Parasailing from Lahaina

There are plenty of adventures you can go on from downtown Lahaina, including parasailing. West Maui Parasail offers parasailing adventures departing from Mala Ramp in Lahaina, near the Cannery Mall.

You’ll get views from above overlooking the West Maui Mountains and Lahaina. If parasailing is high on your list, head out with West Maui Parasail. 

13. Listen to Live Music

Nothing sets the mood for a Hawaii vacation like live music. Imagine sitting out, watching the sunset and the waves crashing while listening to a talented musician belt out the tunes. I am transported straight to vacation mode just thinking about it. 

If you’re on the search for the perfect live music, you’ll find options in Lahaina. Some great places include Mala Tavern, Coco Deck Kitchen, and the Lahaina Cannery Mall.

Read our full list of live music options on Maui.

14. Enjoy the Best Food on the Island

If you’re hungry, there’s no better place to be than Lahaina. Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining, a casual meal, or takeout from a food truck, you’ll find it here. 

Look to the row of restaurants behind the Cannery Mall for your special dinner out!

Oceanside locations include Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate, Honu Seafood, and Mala Ocean Tavern. Read our Restaurants in Lahaina for details!

15. Hit Up Happy Hour

Nothing says vacation in paradise quite like enjoying a well-priced cocktail at happy hour. And if you’re in Lahaina, you’re in luck! Some of Maui’s best happy hours happen right here.

Coco Deck Lahaina | Kitchen + Bar: This laid-back bar is great for sports and happy hour.

• Happy Hour is daily from 2 to 5 PM
• Happy hour menu includes $5.50 fish tacos, $6 loaded fries, $10 nachos, and more
• Happy hour drink specials include $5.50 wells and mixers, and $5.50 domestic beers, plus drink specials

Aloha Mixed Plate: I love to reminisce about their $5 Mai Tais at happy hour. Nowadays, their Mai Tai is a bit pricier, but the bar and ocean views are still great!

• Happy hour is 2 – 4:30 PM daily
• Happy hour discounts on a local beer and wine of their choosing. Hopefully it is Talk Story Pale Ale!

16. Bask on the Beach

While downtown Lahaina doesn’t have a ton of amazing beaches (you’ll find the best ones just outside of town), there is one worth visiting.

Baby Beach Lahaina is great for kids, and the entire family can enjoy the water in this beautiful, relaxing location.

Read more about our favorite beaches in Lahaina and West Maui.

17. Maui Diving: SCUBA

Lahaina has always been full of SCUBA dive shops and tours. The town still has a lot of dive centers to choose from, as the waters just offshore Lahaina are excellent for SCUBA diving. Tours depart from Mala Ramp and other locations near Lahaina.

Check out the SCUBA dive shops below to learn more.

• Aloha Maui Diving
• Destination Diving and Snorkel Maui

Finish Your Maui Vacation Planning

We are your ultimate resource, online and off. We have your trip planning covered with our itineraries. These done-for-you days will take you around to the best spots on excursion days, so you can make the most of your valuable vacation time.

We include beaches, restaurants, hiking spots, and more to make sure you have wonderful days out. Click below to learn more!

“Just wanted to thank you for the awesome itinerary you have put together. We just got back from our 10 day Maui trip & it was such a great help to my family. We saw and experienced so much. Thank you for putting all of this fantastic travel information out there! For this travel research nerd, I sure do appreciate it!

Thanks for reading our 17 Lahaina Things to Do! Have a wonderful trip to Lahaina and Maui!