What is the best time of year to travel to Maui?
While there's no bad time to visit Maui, there are distinct advantages to planning your trip at different times of the year.
As you consider your priorities, you can choose times of year that help you achieve your vacation goals! Consider your budget, wildlife, surfing, snorkeling, or extra sunny weather.
Let's get into it!
There's no doubt about it— Maui is an expensive place to visit.
However, you've already found affordable accommodations at VacaMaui (You're welcome!) and might be wondering what other ways you can cut costs to make the most of your time.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to come during the island's "shoulder seasons." Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to November) are ideal.
You'll get consistently pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and potential deals on excursions or tours.
Other ways to save costs are to cook meals in your vacation rental, take advantage of the great weather, and visit the beach or take free hikes.
Different activities are better at different times of year—you can't learn to surf if there are no waves, and better swells make for bad snorkeling. What are you most excited to do while you're here?
If you're interested in surfing, the summer months are typically the best! Maui's South and West sides get more swells, and you'll find the waves perfect for learning on.
Head to the Cove in Kihei for surf lessons, or rent a board and go surfing by yourself!
In the winter, the waves on the North Shore get really big. Unless you're a professional, it's not recommended to surf then.
Snorkeling in Maui is a great treat. You'll see the state fish (the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, a reef triggerfish with a distinctive pattern), coral, sea turtles, and more.
While you can snorkel all year long, October is the best time. The waves are smaller, and the ocean is still pretty warm (which makes the whole experience a lot more pleasant).
Even though the Ocean is typically around 75 degrees, you'd be surprised how quickly that can get chilly!
The yearly migration of humpback whales is truly delightful, and if you'd like to see them, you'll need to plan your trip between November and March.
The best month for whale watching is typically February, with the peak number of whales in the area.
Book a whale-watching tour with any boat companies (Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel and the Pacific Whale Foundation do amazing jobs) to get up close and personal.
Of course, you can also watch for spouts and breaches from the beach! As you swim, listen to their eerie song— a magical experience.
While Maui might not have as many crazy hikes as Oahu, this island still has plenty of mountains to climb.
Many hikes on the Road to Hana involve water crossings, so you'll want to embark on those adventures only if it's been dry.
To avoid mud and flash flooding (which is always a possibility), the summer months are the safest for hiking.
Just bring plenty of water for the beating sun and hot weather.
