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Things to do in Makawao

Our most recommended things to do in Makawao

Maui: Pineapple Tour

1. Maui: Pineapple Tour

Experience Maui off the beach on this truly unique tour. Hali’imaile farm is a working pineapple plantation where you'll learn step-by-step about the process from plant to packaging. All pineapples are approved and packed for air shipment for a unique souvenir of your trip to Maui. Enjoy a fun and unique educational tour and a peek into an important aspect of Hawaiian life. Discover the story of Maui's finest prickly produce in all its glory. You'll even get a free juicy pineapple as part of the package.

Maui: Haleakalā National Park Sunset Tour

2. Maui: Haleakalā National Park Sunset Tour

Take a fantastic tour in the twilight hours to witness a sunset from atop Haleakalā, a dormant crater in Haleakalā National Park. View Maui on the ascent from the safety and comfort of your bus. Catch a glimpse of the endemic Hawaiian Nene goose and the Silversword plant on your ascent. Watch the sunset with an incredible view from 9,740 feet elevation. Listen to your driver tell Hawaiian legends and learn about the history and culture of Maui. Descend from the crater and note the changes in topography and weather. Pass through Kula town in upcountry Maui on your return and see flourishing farmland and stunning views of the land below.

Maui: 6 App-Based Audio-Guided Driving Routes

3. Maui: 6 App-Based Audio-Guided Driving Routes

Explore Maui at your own pace with 6 audio-guided driving routes. Learn about Maui's unique history, culture, and local legends in a fun storytelling format as you drive. Explore Hana Town, see Haleakala at sunrise, hike through a bamboo forest, and more. These app-based routes range from 4 to 12 hours to complete, including the Classic Road to Hana, Loop Road to Hana, Reverse Road to Hana, Sunrise at Haleakala National Park, Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala, and West Maui Coastline route.  If your group is traveling in 1 vehicle, only 1 download is necessary because the app only needs to be on 1 phone. For large parties traveling in multiple vehicles, you'll need to download an additional app per vehicle. When completing the audio-guided routes, enjoy a variety of stops and activities to join (entry costs not included): •⁠ Learn about sea life at Maui Ocean Center •⁠ Reach the Halfway to Hana point •⁠ Explore a lava tube cave •⁠ Discover Hana Town •⁠ Hike your way through a bamboo forest •⁠ Walk on Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach •⁠ Walk through quaint Paia Town •⁠ Watch surfers conquer giant waves at Jaws •⁠ See waterfalls and swim in freshwater ponds •⁠ Visit the Garden of Eden Arboretum •⁠ Eat Aunty Sandy's famous banana bread •⁠ Visit famous beaches and locations •⁠ Snorkel with tropical fish and turtles •⁠ See the sunrise from Mt. Haleakala •⁠ See major attractions and landmarks •⁠ Do a farm tour in Upcountry Maui •⁠ Discover lesser-known stops and lookouts •⁠ Stargaze from Mt. Haleakala •⁠ See waterfalls and swim in freshwater ponds •⁠ Find the best spots for surfing and SUP •⁠ Learn local history at museums •⁠ Visit Iao Valley State Park •⁠ Hike the Sliding Sands Trail Whatever routes and stops you enjoy during your time in Maui, a portion of every purchase is donated to a local nonprofit of your choice.

Maui: Sunrise Self-Guided Driving Tour

4. Maui: Sunrise Self-Guided Driving Tour

Travel across the island of Maui on an early morning driving tour you can enjoy at your own pace. Follow a GPS-enabled audio guide through quaint towns, the Makawao forest, and the Kula Botanical Garden. Take in the lush scenery and reach Haleakalā volcano to admire the sunrise from the summit. Download the app that will function as your personal guide and head out on your own vehicle to the town of Kahului. Head inland through the picturesque town of Pukalani and listen to an insightful introduction to Maui's historic cowboys, known as 'paniolos'. Learn about the island's rich culture as you become surrounded by the lush wilderness of the Makawao Forest Reserve, featuring some fantastic hiking and biking trails through the jungle. Pass a park full of friendly chickens before arriving at the Kula Botanical Garden. Pause your tour at any of these locations or head straight into Haleakalā National Park to catch the sunrise. Begin ascending the awe-inspiring volcano, rising over 29,000 feet from its base below the sea. Get acquainted with myths and legends about this natural landmark as you drive up. Find a couple of hiking trails with great mountaintop views, as well as two fantastic overlooks of the crater and surrounding landscape. Reach the Haleakalā Visitor Center and Red Hill, the highest point on the island. End your adventure with striking panoramic views from the top.

Maui: Private Upcountry Sunset Tour with Dinner

5. Maui: Private Upcountry Sunset Tour with Dinner

Travel to the central Upcountry region of Maui, the site of the imposing Haleakala volcano, on a guided tour in a luxury vehicle. Enjoy stops at several locations, including the beach at Ho'okipa and the charming town of Makawao, before enjoying dinner on the slopes of Haleakala. Start with pickup from your hotel and first travel to Ho'okipa beach, known for its stunning views, high waves, and giant turtles who often lie on its golden sands. Have a photo stop here and take the amazing vistas of crashing waves on the beach. Continue with a short photo stop at Old Paia High School. Then, head to the heart of the Upcountry at the town of Makawao. Take some time here to do a bit of shopping as you explore its charming streets. After exploring the town for a bit, travel along the Kula Highway, enjoying the panoramic views all around you. Make a stop at Harold W Rice Memorial Park for a brief photo stop to take in your surroundings. Finally, arrive at a scenic private location on the slopes of the Haleakala volcano. Enjoy a private dinner surrounded by stunning scenery and tranquil nature, with the possibility of seeing birds and paragliders soaring overhead. Admire a beautiful and tranquil sunset before enjoying a delicious dinner. Afterward, relax on your journey back to your hotel in Maui.

Maui: Full Day Upcountry Tour with Sunset

6. Maui: Full Day Upcountry Tour with Sunset

Enjoy a magical Haleakala Sunset tour and see both the scenic and cultural side of Upcountry Maui, as well as a healthy chunk of the famed Hana Highway. Be picked up from the hotel around 9:00 am, and travel first to Ho'okipa (Turtle Beach), known for its impressive waves and reef. See the beautiful rainbow Eucalyptus trees and have the opportunity to snap some photos with them on a brief stop. Stop at the Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical garden for a snack, and see some of the over 700 species within the arboretum, which is painstakingly cared for by a private staff with diligent conservation practices. Travel to the Twin Falls trail in Maui, known for its lush nature and beautiful waterfalls, and take some time to hike the trail, take a dip in some of the natural pools, and take some beautiful photos. Make a stop in Paia, a lovely and quaint small town on the northern coast of Maui, and enjoy a tasty lunch during the stop. Take pictures at the old Paia high school on a brief stop before moving on to Makawao to walk around, shop, and take more pictures. Enjoy another short photo opportunity at Oprah's property in Maui. Move on to Rice Park for more photo-taking, and make use of the chance to use a bathroom. Enjoy another delicious meal at dinner time, from around 6:45-7:15, before returning to the hotel for drop-off around 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Skip the crowds of the summit and enjoy a personal experience in a more private location. Experience a panoramic view from thousands of feet above sea level, ending with an amazing sunset.

Maui: Luxury Private Full-Day Iao Valley/Upcountry Farm Tour

7. Maui: Luxury Private Full-Day Iao Valley/Upcountry Farm Tour

Discover the dense rainforest and rich history of the Iao Valley on a luxury private tour by SUV. This tour also includes visits to the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm, waterfalls, and a tour of a local distillery. Start with pickup from your hotel and meet your guide for the day. Get your day off to the right start with a delicious breakfast before traveling into the Iao Valley, a region rich in local lore. Admire the scenic views all around you as your guide provides more insight into the area's history. First, stop at Ho'okipa and spot the turtles who can be seen lazing on the sand. Continue with a short hike to the spectacular Twin Falls for a great photo opportunity. After a morning of exploring the beautiful scenery, visit the Paia Fish Market for a traditional lunch of Hawaiian cuisine. Next, visit the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery for a guided tour of the facilities. Learn how these high-quality spirits are made from local produce in a sustainable way, and taste some samples. Head to the charming village of Makawao, known as the hub of the upcountry region. Have a quick browse through the various local craft stores for souvenirs or gifts. Finally, head to the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm. During the guided visit, you can pet the adorable goats and other cherished farm animals, and taste some quality cheeses. After the visit to the farm, relax on your journey back to your hotel.

Other Sightseeing Options in Makawao

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What people are saying about Makawao

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 110 reviews

Better explanation about where exactly to start the app so it syncs with the voice and map properly. Make the dots on the app reusable so that you can go back and listen to a description again. Add descriptive narration for the nature hikes when you are out of the vehicle. Add some intro narrative material for each trip that can explains what each trip entails or a condensed video as we found on YOUTUBE of the roads you will be driving, i.e. the one lane roads, dirt roads, and bridges and the etiquette of driving those one lane roads.

It was a great experience beautiful scenery would like to have had more time to explore the area then to just pass up drop off watch the sunset come back down it would’ve been nice to go up there a little earlier less stops along the way in order to hike around some of the trails at the summit

We learned so much about pineapples and how they are grown. Bonus was the tasting of the pineapple in the field.

Very informative. Learned everything there is to know about growing pineapples at Maui Gold

Thoroughly enjoyed this package. It was informative and entertaining.