Top 10 Free Things to Do on Maui

Maui is the home to many world class beaches and spending time on these beaches is the highlight of most people's stay on the island. If you are looking for beaches with restroom facilities, try Kapalua Bay, Ulua beach (Wailea) and Pu'onoa Beach (near Lahaina). For more a more secluded beach, try Oneloa near Makena.

If you are visiting Maui from November to April, you can see the humpback whales from the shore. Some of the best locations for whale watching are Makena Beach and West Maui.

Some of the most beautiful waterfalls and scenery on Maui can be viewed on the 54 mile drive from Paia to Hana. Be sure to fill up with gas before heading down the Hana highway and drive carefully through the hairpin curves. You should allow several hours for the drive and may want to stay overnight in Hana.

This small winery located in Kula offers free tours and tastings. Be sure to stroll through the scenic gardens. The winery offers native Hawaiian wines that have a very unique flavor. The Framboise de Maui Raspberry Wine is one of their specialties.

Drive 2 miles past Paia on the way to Hana and park at the Ho'opika Beach park. Visit on a windy afternoon and you will see hundreds of windsurfers in the water. Sit under one of the shaded pavilions and enjoy watching the colorful site. Note that this beach is not recommended for swimming.

A great way to learn about the traditional Hawaiian dance of the hula is to attend one of the several free hula shows offered throughout the island. You can see free shows at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, Kapalua Shops, Lahaina Cannery Mall, Whalers Village in Ka'anapali and the Lahaina Center. Whalers Village in Ka'anapali also offers free hula lessons once a week. Call each location for the day and times.

Take a drive to the Iao Valley, located north of Wailuku. The Iao Needle is a volcanic ridge that provides a look at a unique geological formation. The park also offers short hiking trails and plenty of native Hawaiian plants.

Take a stroll down this busy street to window shop and see the boats in the harbor. Be sure to check out the Banyan Tree, largest tree in Hawaii, located near the Pioneer Inn. Note that finding parking in Lahaina can be challenging and that illegally parked cars are quickly towed.

Drive past Kapalua for spectacular views and unspoiled countryside. Note that this road narrows to one lane at various points and is very winding. Be sure to stop at the Nakalele blowhole to watch water shoot over 100 feet in the air. Note that the rocks can be very slippery in this area and you should be very careful when hiking to the blowhole.

If you bring your own snorkel equipment from home, you can snorkel for free off the beaches of Maui. Top snorkeling spots are Black Rock in Lahani, Kapalua Bay, Namalu Bay and Ulua Beach in Wailea.