12 of Maui’s Best Spots to Relax After a Day Full of Diving
Diving is a highly accessible and fun pastime, but, as anyone who has spent a day exploring the depths underwater can tell you, it can also be a somewhat draining activity. That means sometimes you aren’t up for a spectacular Maui night dive—and that’s okay!
But where are some places weary divers can rest, relax, and reminisce about what they saw that day? Well, while some divers will want to unwind by hitting up Maui’s nightlife with friends, others may seek to find some solitude of their own on the island.
In hopes of offering something for everyone, we here at Dive Maui have come up with a list of twelve of our favorite spots around the island and activities to unwind with after a day full of diving.
Visit Kahekili Beach Park
Maui is known for its spectacular beaches. (It’s kind of our thing—shoot, only four of the top ten, better luck next time.) So, why recommend Kahekili in particular? Well, if you’re going to relax you might as well have the proper facilities to do so, and with parking aplenty, showers, places to BBQ, and restrooms, Kahekili has you covered for everything you might need for some quality R&R.
Go Out Bar Hopping
Some people love to hit the town, and Maui has many different areas for nightlife, each with its own kind of vibe and clientele. Beer drinkers will want to be sure to hit up Maui Brewing Co., the island’s largest craft brewer. Those that want drinks and dancing should try The Dirty Monkey, which has been newly remodeled.
Unfortunately, fans of low-key live music joints will have to mourn the closing of local favorite Charley’s Saloon, though Paia still has plenty of other good bars around to help slake your thirst, Aumakua Kava Lounge being one.
Ride a Horse at Thompson Ranch
The Hawaiian word for a cowboy is paniolo, and you can get a chance to play paniolo yourself when you take a trail ride at Thompson Ranch. Rides up and down the mountain last approximately two hours and feature some of the best views of the region you can find. If you are looking for an outside-the-box Hawaiian adventure, this might just be it.
Try Yoga on the Beach
What could be more relaxing than striking your favorite yoga pose with your feet in the sand? Head to the beach and give it a try. For the experienced Yogi, focusing on your breathing and mindfulness in such a splendid environment can be an amazing experience. New to yoga but want to give it a try? Try taking a class with Maui Beach Yoga to help get your bearings.
Visit The Sacred Garden of Maliko
The seemingly endless and labyrinth paths of the Sacred Garden could easily be overwhelming if exploring them and enjoying each small discovery you find along the way weren’t such a joy. The gardens are comprised of a greenhouse that is packed with containers that are filled not only with lush fauna and jade plants, but statuary, Koi, and even some tropical birds flying around as well.
Give Karaoke a Try
Karaoke is a time-honored way to sit back, relax, and belt one out with a few friends. Part of the fun is guessing what song everyone is going to pick, and you needn’t be a great singer to have a great time. Good local options include Ohana Karaoke Café & Grill-Go Hyang Jip and L’AVA’s Sportsbar & Karaoke.
Paia Bay Coffee
Coffee lovers have plenty of choices around the island, but Paia Bay Coffee is one of our favorites for its consistently great java and food that can be enjoyed in the café’s spacious and shady patio. Besides breakfast favorites like the vegan bagel, other highlights include flatbreads, artisanal cocktails, and some seriously yummy banana bread.
Makawao Forest Reserve
Fancy a hike in some of Maui’s most unique Upcountry environs? A trip to Makawao Forest Reserve is likely in the cards for you. A hike from the reserve’s parking lot can easily be made into an approximately seven-mile loop that will take hikers through a dense forest that is filled with ever-changing scenery. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks!
Take in a Show at MACC
MACC stands for Maui Arts & Cultural Center, which is a performing arts theater with multiple venues and varied programming. As the home of the island’s most premier venues, it tends to pull in big-name acts such as Paul Simon or Hall and Oats, while still having plenty of local performers and a diverse array of genres represented. The MACC even has art exhibitions and regular movie nights under the stars.
Lahaina Jodo Mission
The Lahaina Jodo Mission is a Japanese Buddhist temple that is just one of a rich tapestry of religious institutions that the island is lucky to have.
The complex features a statue of Amida Buddha, a three-tiered Pagoda, and a temple for meditation, all with a serene oceanfront backdrop. Here you can also learn more about the history of Japanese immigration and the contributions they have made to Maui’s community over the years. The Jodo Mission is a peaceful and relaxing place to get a respite from what can be a crowded and chaotic island at times.
Lastly, be respectful: don’t just park here to go to the nearby beach.
Kula Botanical Gardens
Why visit a garden when botanical beauty is almost everywhere you look around Maui? A visit to Kula Botanical Gardens will quickly show you why it can be worthwhile. The tropical climate allows Kula Gardens to grow and display a variety and breadth of flowers that make it a true plant lovers paradise. There is almost always something of interest blooming in the gardens—even Christmas trees!
And after you’ve visited the gardens, be sure to stop by Grandma’s Coffee House for a taste of old-school Maui hospitality and charm. You’ll also get to enjoy a darn good cup of coffee that is made from beans that are grown, harvested, and roasted by the café’s 4th generation of family owners.
Maui Dharma Center
If the word “Dharma” makes you think of the 2000s TV show Lost, don’t worry a trip to the Maui Dharma Center will soon set you straight. In reality, the Dharma Center has beautiful grounds in Paia where visitors can meditate, practice Dharma, partake in Tibetan cultural activities, or learn more about Tibetan Buddhism from the resident Lama.
Visiting Maui? We’re Always Here to Help!
There you have it twelve of our favorite ways to relax when we aren’t out on the water diving. We hope you enjoyed reading and that you found something you’d like to try next time you have to “off-gas” for a day. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Dive Maui for all your SCUBA, snorkeling, and whale watching needs.
