Things to do in Maui in Winter

The climate in Maui is tropical, so temperatures do not vary much from summer to winter. The main difference between the two seasons is that winter is the rainy season.

Due to the climatic characteristics, during this time of the year you will find an endless number of things to see and do in Maui, from cruises and whale watching to traditional dance performances. You'll be amazed by all that Mui has to offer and you 'll fall in love with this island paradise.

Winter is whale season on Maui. Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii during the winter months and the official whale watching season on Maui runs from mid-December to mid-May, with the peak whale watching months being January, February and March.

Whale watching is one of Maui's most popular winter activities. Whale watching cruises are a wonderful way to see these magnificent creatures, but you can also see them from land and even hear them sing underwater.

You may find it a little strange, but in Maui in the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies are also held like in other cities in the United States.

Unlike in other regions of the country, what is decorated and lit is not a pine tree, but a banyan tree, a type of Polynesian tree considered sacred.

The traditional banyan tree lighting ceremony is held in Lahaina Park where you can watch the huge banyan tree (almost 150 years old) being lit up for the holidays.

This event is free and also includes Christmas crafts, live entertainment and children's activities throughout the day.

During the months of December and January there are various Christmas activities in Lahiana in which you can participate.

Practical information

• Where: Lahiana Park.
• When: It is advisable to check the official calendar as the dates change every year.
• Price: This activity is free of charge.

If you're interested in sports, you can't miss the opportunity to witness a world-class PGA match on Maui.

This sporting event is held at the Plantation Golf Course in Kapalua. It is unique in that only players who have won official PGA TOUR events during the previous year qualify to participate in this annual event.

This long-running event is one of the most anticipated activities on Maui in the winter, offering the opportunity to see some of the world's best golfers in action.

Tickets for the Sentry Tournament are bookable online and early booking is recommended as tickets sell out.

Practical information for the Sentry Tournament

• Where: Plantation Golf Course.
• When: It is advisable to check the official calendar as the dates tend to change from one year to the next.
• Price: Tickets can be purchased from approximately 120 euros.

For adrenaline junkies, one of the best activities is to take a helicopter ride over Maui to see the beautiful scenery from a totally different perspective.

This is a great activity to do in winter, when you have a few days without much sun and prefer not to go to the beach.

In these rides you will fly over the island and you will be able to observe the wonderful geography of Maui, its waterfalls and valleys without missing the details. You'll be able to take amazing photos to treasure for a lifetime.

There are different options for helicopter rides, but you should be aware that this is not an activity suitable for people with a fear of heights.

At this event you can celebrate the Chinese culture that has been part of Hawaii's community for generations. Every year a Chinese New Year festival is held at the Maui Mall in Kahului (Central Maui) and also at the Wo Hing Museum and Cooking House (West Maui).

At this event you will enjoy music, entertainment as well as martial arts demonstrations, Chinese fireworks and a traditional Lion Dance.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Maui is a highly recommended activity to do with children because of its colourful, fun and festive atmosphere.

Practical information

• Where: it is held in two different places, at the Maui Mall and at the Wo Hing Museum and Cooking House on Front Street in Lahiana.
• When: The event is usually held on 31 February but may change.
• Price: It is a free activity.

Every year a run and walk is organised to support humpback whale research. The festivities start and finish at the Maalaea Harbour Mall (South Central Maui) and include different courses, with a length of 1.6km, 5km, 10km and 18.5km.

There are also other participation options which are posted on the official World Whale Day race page.

If you are fit and want to actively participate in this event by running or walking, you can register for the race and be one of its protagonists.

The Pacific Whale Foundation organises the Maui Whale Festival every year between February and March. This is a month-long celebration of humpback whales, with a series of events usually taking place throughout the month of February.

The events vary from year to year, as do the locations where the different activities take place. For that reason, I advise you to check the calendar of events and all the details as they become available.

Another great activity to do in winter, during the cloudy days, is to take one of the best boat trips in Maui.

This type of activity is highly recommended during the winter, as the cloudy days make the experience more enjoyable as the sun is not as strong as it is during the summer.

There are different options for boat tours with prices ranging from 90 to 160 euros approximately, and they last between 2 and 2.5 hours.

This type of tour sometimes includes cocktails and meals on board during the night, so they can be a romantic option for couples. You can also do other night time activities in Maui with your partner or group.

Although this is an activity that you can do at any time of the year, during the winter it is more advisable for climatic reasons, as you will find very pleasant temperatures, but without having to worry about the intensity of the UV rays that can burn you a lot if you are snorkelling for a long time in the middle of summer.

Snorkelling in Maui is an activity that you are sure to enjoy. Plus, no previous experience is necessary. You'll love being in contact with the island's varied marine life.

These activities are priced from 155 euros and include the use of the necessary equipment.

During the winter months, surfers flock to Ho'okipa Beach, located on Maui's north shore just beyond the town of Paia, to practice their skills.

This beach is considered one of the best surfing and windsurfing spots in the world.

You can watch for hours as dozens of professional and amateur surfers wait for the right wave. You don't have to pay for this activity as the entrance to the beach park is free of charge.

Watching the windsurfers is fascinating and during the winter, during peak surfing periods, you can see surfers riding huge waves at Ho'okipa. Surfers who visit Maui say the waves at Ho'okipa are some of the best in the region.

Useful surfing info

• Where: Ho'okipa Beach.
• When: Daily depending on sea conditions.
• Price: it's free.

The island of Maui is famous for its many microclimates, ranging from dry and desert-like to wet and green. For this reason, the weather in one part of the island may not be the same as in another.

If it rains in Hana, it may be sunny in Lahaina or cold in Paia. Each area of the island has its own weather and climate patterns.

The Hawaiian Islands really only have two seasons: summer and winter. On Maui, the dry season occurs during the summer months from April to October and the rainy season occurs during the winter months.

Fortunately, there are plenty of rainy day activities on Maui as well, so you won't get bored if it rains during your stay on the island.

Most of the time, the west coast of Maui gets the least rain due to its lower altitude. This is where the tourist areas of Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei are located and it tends to be sunny most of the year.

However, the mountains of West Maui get a fair amount of rain, which contributes to the lush scenery that attracts visitors to the Road to Hana.

Central Maui tends to have a colder, drier and windier climate than the rest of the island in winter. This is especially true in Haleakala National Park, where it can snow at the summit.

Even during the summer, the trip to the Haleakala Visitor Centre, at almost 3,000 metres above sea level, always requires warm clothing. Keep in mind that winter temperatures generally range from 18 to 26 degrees Celsius.

Consider the varied weather in Maui depending on the area and bring appropriate clothing and shoes, both for the beach and for walking in the wilderness.

If you're planning to hike, you'll want to be prepared and a good pair of waterproof hiking boots can be a great way to keep the rain off your hiking plans.

The clothes you'll need are mostly summer clothes, because in winter the temperatures are not low, but if you're going to visit the higher areas you should bring some warm clothes because you may feel colder there.

You should also remember to bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. If you have any kind of allergy to insect bites or plants, for example, you should take your allergy medicine with you on your trip, because you may not be able to find the kind you usually take in pharmacies.

As in all destinations with tropical climate, there are also insects in Maui, so take a good repellent and some cream for bites.

If you're travelling with children, remember to bring something to keep them entertained during the transfers from one place to another because, even if the distances are short, they can get bored while travelling to the different activities.

There are plenty of activities to do with children in Maui, include some in your itinerary to make the trip more fun for the kids.