What must you see in in Maui, Hawaii in one day? Visit Front Street, the Maui Ocean Centre and the Maui Tropical Plantation.
Maui was our third port of call on the Hawaiian and French Polynesian cruise and we were there for just one day, so here are my suggestions of what you can do with your time apart from going to the beach and drinking cocktail!
There is no dock in Maui so we dropped the anchor and tendered off Lahaina (boats from ship to shore). Lahaina is beautiful town with lovely beaches, shops, bars and restaurants. When you get off the tender you are right in town so can shop, drink, eat or go to the beach.
I had a walk down Front Street and I had a look around the shops and got a coconut water before I headed off for my afternoon tour of the Maui Ocean Centre and the Maui Tropical Plantation.
Maui Ocean Centre
The Maui Ocean Centre is an aquarium set inside and outside beside the ocean in Ma’alaea Bay. There were many different species of fish from the reef and marine animals that are only found in Hawaii including species of sea turtles, sharks and stingrays.
Each tank was beautiful and the highlight was walking through a 54-foot underwater tunnel where you could get up close to the sharks, stingrays, turtles and many different species of fish.
There are no whales or dolphins there as they like to leave them in their natural habitat. But there was an exhibition of the types of dolphins and whales that are found in the Hawaiian waters.
My favourite part of the aquarium was the jelly fish tank. The Maui Ocean centre is great for kids and adults and has good air conditioning and there was also Wi-Fi there too.
Maui Tropical Plantation
The Maui Tropical Plantation is a 60-acre working farm. They grow sugar cane, pineapples, macadamia nuts, avocados, bananas, star fruit, coconuts, coffee, mangoes and more. It was interesting to see these tropical fruits growing in their natural habitat.
They also grow lots of different types and colours of flowers to make lays with. It was very pretty to see.
We were taken around the farm on a little train to see all the trees and plants. In the middle of the tour we were given a coconut-husking demonstration of how to open a coconut to get the water out and they showed us how they use the whole coconut for other things like using the outer part for fires and the shell to make cups, bowls and tools.
There is a huge gift shop to buy all your Maui souvenirs from Hawaiian shirts to coffee. Also, there is an ice-cream, fresh fruit shop and a restaurant on site.
What to Wear
It is warm all year round so shorts and a T-shirt are perfect. I would not wear a dress, skirt or loose top to the ocean centre as it is very windy! Flip flops or trainers for comfort and sunglasses and a hat.
Essential Info
- Weather: Year round 21*C – 38*C (Very Windy by the Maui Ocean Centre)
- Language: English and Hawaiian
- Currency: US Dollars
- Recommendations: Wear sunscreen and insect repellent. Bring your camera or smart phone and portable phone charger and selfie stick! Drink lots of water, so bring your own water bottle to refill.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about what to see in Maui, please share on Facebook and Pinterest so your friends and family can read too. Sharing is caring!
Have you been to Maui? What would you recommend doing?
Happy Travels
Love Lucy x
The ocean world looks fabulous. Gorgeous photos of sea life.
Author
Thank you! It was a fun day!
Oh that’d be so cool to do the Hawaiian islands an French Polynesia! I love Hawaii! This a great guide! I just went to Maui for the first time in September!
Author
Thank you! Cruising to Hawaii and French Polynesia was fantastic!
I want to go to Maui! The only island I’ve been to (and used to live on) is Oahu…I absolutely love it and have ohana there, which is why that’s the one I always visit. But I need to broaden my horizons when it comes to Hawaiian Islands…great guide!
Author
Thank you! You will love Maui, even more chilled out than Oahu!
Wow, a long tunnel with Wi-Fi looks interesting. Glad that whales are not there & are left to their natural habitat. Jelly fish are very intriguing – to me they always look like floating mass of jelly – find it difficult to believe they are living beings.
Lovely images.
Author
These jelly fish were so interesting to look at, my photos do not even do them justice!
Never thought of doing a cruise along Hawaii and French Polynesia.. what a great idea! You really managed to do a lot in one day in Maui.. kudos! Beautiful photos š
Author
Thank you! I love going on tours as you always see more than if you did it on your own.
Hawaii is such a beautiful place. I love how you took full advantage of your time there in order to explore the island.
Author
It is and the island of Maui is one of my favourites!
How beautiful! I’ve never been to Hawaii, but can’t wait to plan a trip and take advantage of all of your suggestions. The tropical plantation looks so neat!
Author
Thank you! I hope you have a fantastic trip!
These are really cool photos! I can’t imagine walking to this beautiful paradise without enjoying every moment of it. Great escape š
Author
Thank you very much! Maui is a beautiful island.
The aquarium looks beautiful. It’s good to have it around because not everyone get an opportunity to snorkel or dive in the sea to see all those beauties right at where they live.
Author
You are right, as I am one of those people! But I love to see all the tropical fish!