Things to do in Maui when it rains

In Hawaii, the sun shines all year round and rainfall is usually short. However, there can always be an exception, especially during the winter. Don't worry, there's plenty to see and do in Maui even when it rains.

In case the rain doesn't allow for outdoor activities, you can always opt to check out places like the aquarium, relax at a spa or visit some of the island's museums.

The Ocean Center is considered one of the top 10 aquariums in the world. It is divided into areas and the most beautiful are probably the one that reproduces the coral reefs and the tank that houses the sharks. A full tour usually takes about 2 hours, although you can spend more time if you book an activity.

During high season, the aquarium gets quite crowded, especially in the mornings. The best time to avoid crowds is before closing time, when families have already returned to their accommodation. You can buy your ticket on the official Ocean Center website.

Practical information

• Address: 192 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku
• Opening hours: all week from 9:00 to 17:00. No admission after 16:00.
• Closing days: None, the Maui Aquarium does not close for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Price: A single ticket costs around 40 €.
• Recommended for those who want to see marine life up close.

Maui is a paradise for driving enthusiasts. The island has some breathtaking roads, the most famous of which is Road to Hana, a scenic highway that connects the airport to the town of the same name.

Its curves and ocean-view stretches attract many tourists, which is why it can be so busy.

Fortunately, Maui has no shortage of alternatives. The Kahekili (North Shore) and Paulani (connecting Hana to Wailea) highways and Upcountry roads are second to none. A word of advice: don't stop where it's not allowed! Fines exceed $200.

Practical info

• Price: depends on the type of car and the price of petrol.
• Recommended for those looking for the most beautiful sights in Maui.

Have you ever been in a submarine? In Maui you can experience sailing underwater admiring reefs, sandy bottoms and the thousands of animals that inhabit them.

During the right season - November to April - they also organise whale watching tours

The tour lasts about 2 hours and the visibility is excellent: the seats are arranged so that each passenger can watch from the porthole. To find out everything you need to know before booking this activity, you can read the article about Atlantis submarine tours in Maui.

If it's raining on Maui, maybe the sun is shining on Oahu. It's the most populous island in the archipelago and is more than 100 miles away. Its capital is Honolulu and a few miles to the west is a world-famous former military base.

In my opinion, any trip to Hawaii should include a stop at Pearl Harbour. The bombing of the naval base changed the dynamics of World War II and the fate of the entire world.

Pearl Harbor is a lagoon and harbour west of Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. It is located on another island and can be reached quickly by an internal flight. If you don't feel like finding your own tickets, I recommend booking an excursion to Pearl Harbor from Maui.

The cost includes not only airfare but also a guide, tickets to the main attractions and transportation once in Honolulu. Guided tours usually include entry to:

• USS Arizona Memorial, a memorial built on the wreckage of the battleship of the same name. It was used during World War I and was decommissioned on 7 December 1941, when the Japanese bombed the harbour. Inside, documents and objects from the period recreate the day of the attack.
• Battleship Missouri Memorial, the battleship where the Emperor of Japan signed his country's surrender.
• USS Bowfin, a submarine built after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The United States was preparing for war and needed more submersibles to patrol the Pacific. In the seas of Asia, the USS Bowfin became a legend.
• Aviation Museum. It is located on Ford Island and is dedicated to the pilots who fought on the Pacific front. Find all the information on the official website

The route usually takes more than ten hours. So leave early to reach the airport. Please note that not all tours include a transfer from the hotel.

Practical information

• Price: around 600 €.
• Recommended for those who like contemporary history.

In the United States, most of the bottles come from California's Napa Valley, but they're not the only ones. Hawaii also does its bit with varieties that benefit from the volcanic soil and sea breezes. Some wineries manage to produce syrah, malbec, pinot noir and other varieties.

Maui and the other islands are also known for their pineapple wines. Its fermentation gives a sweet wine with an intense yet pleasant taste. By the way, the fruit thrives here and if you want to learn about the cultivation methods, I recommend reading the article on visiting Maui's pineapple farms.

There are several local wine tastings but my favourite is offered by Maui Wine. It's a winery with 23 acres of vineyards on the slopes of Haleakala. Here, the grapes benefit from the volcanic soil and breezes blowing in from the ocean.

They don't offer guided tours, but you can book the tasting room and sample the island's varietals. Personally, I recommend ordering a glass of chenin blanc, a fresh variety with hints of mint, blackberry and persimmon. Advance booking is recommended.

Practical information

• Address: 14815 Piilani Hwy, Kula
• Price: from $20
• Recommended for those who are intrigued by exotic wines.

A little pampering never hurts, does it? If the rain doesn't let up, you can book a massage at a spa in Maui. There's a wide range on offer, but some options stand out from the crowd:

• Andaz, characterised by its pharmacy-inspired décor. Before the massage begins, a consultant will explain the characteristics of each essential oil. Unique selections include locally sourced ingredients such as coffee, kava kava (a stress-relieving root) or hibiscus (3550 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea).
• Spa Grande, one of the best spas in the US according to Condé Nast Traveler. It has 40 treatment rooms, saunas, special baths and much more (3850 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea).
• Black Rock, known for the therapeutic 'Eleu Arnica hot stone massage and Poha Berry body wrap (2605 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina).
• Spa Montage, ideal if you're looking for a highly personalised plan with local "ingredients". I recommend booking the Lomi Lomi pack, a Hawaiian-style massage with rhythmic movements that simulate ocean waves (1 Bay Drive, Lahaina).
• Heavenly Spa, (2365 Ka'anapali Parkway)

All of the centres are located within a resort, which is very common in Hawaii. A day at a spa is the ultimate romantic plan. If you're interested in this topic, read the post about another classic couple's plan: the best boat trips in Maui.

Practical information

• Price: depends on the structure, although all of them are top-of-the-range.
• Recommended for those looking for a relaxing plan

On the island, art galleries are concentrated on **Lahaina'**s iconic Front Street. In recent times, a new art scene has been taking interest in the town of Wailuku while in Pāʻia it's been a reality for years.

In inland Maui, Makawao is your destination. Artists have been present in this cowboy town since the 1980s.

Practical info

• Price: depends on the art gallery
• Recommended for those looking for decorative objects, a souvenir of Maui or an original gift.

Hawaii's cuisine is one of the most interesting in the United States. Japanese influences and fresh local ingredients guarantee first-rate cuisine. In case it rains, I recommend you try one of these establishments:

• Papa'aina, a restaurant that works side by side with local farmers, ranchers, fishermen and other producers. It's located in Old Town Lahaina (658 Wharf St, Lahaina).
• Nuka, an authentic Japanese restaurant run by chef Hiro Takanashi. It is best known for its Miso Butterfish. They don't take reservations so try to get there early (780 Haiku Road Haiku).
• Ferraro's, the Italian restaurant at the Four Season Hotel. According to connoisseurs, it's one of the most romantic establishments on the island. Highlights include meatballs and aubergine parmesan (3900 Wailea Alanui Drive,

Kihei)

• Nalu's South Shore Grill, the place to go for grilled steak, poke and loco moco, a recipe based on rice, hamburger, gravy, mushrooms and fried egg (1280 South Kihei Road, Kihei).
• Tight Tacos, if you're craving something Mexican. On Tuesdays, tacos are cheaper (349 Hanakai St, Kahului).

Practical info

• Price: Depends on the restaurant, listed options include mid-range and high-end establishments.
• Recommended for those who want to experience Hawaiian recipes.

If you are travelling to Maui with children, there is one place I would like to recommend: Ultimate Air.

It's an indoor activity park with dozens of trampolines. You can also dunk a basketball or dive into a pool filled with foam rubber squares. Ultimate Air is located in Wailuku, a town west of Kahului.

Practical info

• Price: One- or two-hour passes are available for between $18 and $20. If you don't want to queue, you can buy skip-the-line tickets at a slightly higher price (around $25 for an hour of fun).
• Recommended for families

Forget the big museums of the United States. On Maui they're much tinier, but that doesn't detract from their charm. Here are the three best options on the island.

• Hana Cultural Center, the cultural institution that houses traditional artifacts such as fishing nets, quilts, boards and more. It is located in Hana, one of the most traditional towns in Hawaii (4974 Uakea Road, Hana).
• Sugar Museum. Until World War II, Hawaii produced sugar. After the war, US tariff protections led to the closure of the islands' sugar mills. This museum traces the history of this crop and its workers. To see it, drive to Puunene (3957 Hansen Rd, Puunene).

Practical info

• Price: Maui's museums are inexpensive, often free, but donations are accepted.
• Recommended for anyone who wants to discover the island's past.

Winter is Maui's rainiest time of year. Being an island, the weather can change quickly and after a downpour, it's always calm again. With a bit of luck, a rainbow will end the storm. For more information on this topic, I recommend you read the article on what to do in Maui in winter.

If the rainfall is not heavy, you can still enjoy outdoor activities, including the beach. Keep in mind that Maui has a tropical climate, with daytime highs ranging from 23° to 29° all year round.

At night, temperatures rarely drop below 15°, even during the coldest winters. Of course, if the sea is rough, you shouldn't go near the shore...