Free Things To Do in Maui

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Maui — if you know where to go. Some of the island's best moments cost nothing at all, and there are more free things to do in Maui than most first-time visitors expect. Here are a few must-see spots that make the case on their own.

The best free things to do in Maui#

Turtles, snorkeling, a cliffside trail, and a sunset — four experiences, zero admission. Spread them across a day or a weekend and you've got an itinerary that costs almost nothing.

Watch the action at Ho'okipa Beach Park#

Start at Ho'okipa Beach Park, one of the best spots on Maui for surfing and windsurfing — on a windy afternoon the sky fills with sails. It's also one of the most reliable places on the island to see Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) hauled out to rest on the sand. Keep a respectful distance and stay behind the barriers — they're protected, and the space is for them.

Snorkel Black Rock in Ka'anapali#

Next, get in the water at Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a) in Ka'anapali. The calm, clear water here is full of tropical fish and more sea turtles — some of the easiest, most rewarding snorkeling on the island, straight off the beach. Feeling adventurous? Locals make the roughly 20-foot leap off Black Rock into the ocean (know the conditions and your own limits before you do).

Stick around for sunset and the nightly cliff diving ceremony in front of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa — a diver lights the torches along the point and dives from the rock as the sun drops. It's free and open to the public.

Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail#

For breathtaking scenery, head to the Kapalua Coastal Trail, which hugs the shoreline past lava-rock cliffs, coves, and wide-open ocean views. Start from either Kapalua Bay or D.T. Fleming Beach — both ends are beautiful, so you can't pick wrong.

Catch a sunset#

Finally, pull up a seat — or a good spot on the sand — and just watch the sun go down. It's the most reliable free show in Maui, and it never gets old. For more ideas and current conditions, the official Maui travel guide is a good place to start.

Island-hopping?#

Making a bigger trip of it? Don't miss our other Hawaii guides: things to do in Waikiki this week and three budget-friendly attractions in Oahu.

Make it a plan#

The best of Maui is better shared. If you're new to the islands or just want people to catch a sunset or a snorkel with, that's what YKnot is for — real plans, real people, in person.

Mahalo! 🌅