Our Maui Trip full Guide
Ok, so you made it to Maui. But what’s open in Maui? Where do you eat, shop and do activities? With COVID-19 closing down restaurants, stores and activities, it’s hard to know what is open for business!
That’s why we made this quick “What’s Open in Maui” guide! Check out our list of activities, shops and restaurants that are open in Maui during COVID-19. Our list focuses on the West Side of Maui and where to do activities, shop and eat when visiting Maui during COVID-19.
Our Maui trip Activities
Beach Time
All Maui beaches are open! Yes there are a few COVID-19 related rules for social distancing and mask wearing, but playing the water and sunning are still part of the plan! Some of our favorite beaches to visit on the Westside of Maui include Ukumehame, Launiupoko, Kaanapali Beach and DT Flemings.
Ukumehame is located right off the Pali as you travel from the central part of Maui to the west side of Maui. This spot has a long stretch of sandy beach, longboard waves, parking and of course epic views of the sunset! Launiupoko is known for its fun surfing as well, but this park is big and grassy with picnic tables, a bathroom and fresh water showers!
You may have to park across the street and walk, but it’s worth the fun hang out spot! Kaanapali Beach stretches in front of most of the resorts in Kaanapali. White sand, fun snorkeling and also great sunsets make this a go-to beach spot. DT Flemings is a bit more north of Kaanapali, also known for its surf, it’s a fun bodyboarding spot for spongers, has a grassy park, sandy beach, restroom and showers too!
Snorkeling
Water time is A-OK during COVID-19, so grab your snorkel gear and hop in! If you choose to rent snorkel gear and go to your own beaches you can ask for a snorkel location map from the rental shop! We are also offering snorkel tours from our boats! Snorkel Lanai and dolphin watch on our boat tours leaving from Lahaina Harbor every morning!
Our Maui snorkel tours include snorkeling with tropical fish, turtles, looking for dolphins, and during whale migration whale watching too! Breakfast, snacks, drinks and snorkel gear included! Our vessels are only operating at 50% capacity to make more room for social distancing and our cleaning protocols are strict and based on CDC guidelines (you can see all our COVID-19 updates by clicking here).
It feels so good to get out on the water, see Lanai’s sea cliffs, Maui’s mountains and have a Maui snorkeling experience! We also offer private boat charters if you just want to book a snorkel tour with your family onboard! Check out our tours here!
Whale Watching
If you are visiting from December through April, you are in luck, because Maui whale season is right now! Maui whale watching tours are open for business! Our whale watching tours are also operating at 50% capacity (which means only 11-16 people per boat, wow!) to encourage social distancing and allow our guests to enjoy a day on the water, whale watching and seeing Maui’s amazing coastal views.
Maui whale watching tours operating from sunrise to sunset and leave from Lahaina Harbor, Maui! We offer 2 Hour Whale Watching Tours, 1.5 Early Bird Tours and our Lanai Snorkel Maui Whale Watch Combo Tours! These tours are all available as private charters for just your family or friends as well! Whale sightings are guaranteed or go again for free! Check out our tour options and availability here!
Ziplines
See Maui’s coastlines and jungles from the sky, check out Piiholo Ziplines or Jungle Ziplines! These Maui ziplines are open for business and zipping across Maui’s beautiful landscapes. These ziplines have reduced their group capacities, increased their cleaning protocols and also offer private ziplines tours to make your ziplining experience as fun and safe as possible!
Helicopter Tours
If ziplining doesn’t get you high enough, check out Maui’s helicopter tours open for business!
Blue Helicopter Tours are now open! With increased safety protocols including temperature checks, mask and cleaning, you can now get back in the sky for a view of Maui you’ll never forget! Starting December 21st, Maverick Helicopters will be open for business, operating both groups and private helicopter tours!
See Hana’s lava tubes, unique colored beaches and north shore, the West Maui’s historical Iao Valley and Molokai’s sea cliff, green mountains and marine life! Let’s just say a bird’s eye view of the ocean is an epic way to whale watch during whale migration!
Surf Lessons
It’s time to get your surf on, and our winter swell is here! Lahaina’s most popular surf location to learn to surf is Breakwall, on Front Street in Lahaina.
Surf Schools open for business include Maui Wave Riders and Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy! Some schools are waiting until the new year, but these two are open for group and private surf lessons! You won’t regret trying something new and saying you learned to surf in Maui. Plus the views of the West Maui mountains are amazing from the water!
Shopping
Lahaina Cannery Mall is open for business and has stores including HIC Surf shop, Banana Wind Gift Shop and lots of other shops with Hawaii style clothing and gifts. They also have the trusted ABC store for those last minute keychains, snacks and Maui style souvenirs.
Sunday Craft Fair Market is now open in the Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center! Local art, craft and food vendors are back and selling fun, one of a kind souvenirs and gifts to take home from your Maui vacation!
Front Street Shops and Lahaina Boutiques are open again and all you have to do is walk down front street, Dickenson, Lahaina Luna and enjoy the variety of stores including clothing, art, crafts and jewelry!
Restaurants
Down the Hatch
Down the Hatch Restaurant has stayed open even during the close down of Maui, giving us a go to spot as locals to grab tasty salads, fish dishes, listen to live music and enjoy a cool adult beverage! They also have an amazing banana bread French toast (made from scratch), acai bowls and a whole breakfast menu to order from! Happy hour from 2-6pm and open from 730am-10pm, bar open until midnight!
Mala
Mala is a bit more fine dining. Enjoy your meal while seated on the water watching the sunset! They also have brunch that is delicious! Open 9am-9:30pm
Star Noodle
Think Asian-fusion on the water. Star Noodle’s new location on Front Street now offers outdoor dining on the water, making this favorite noodle house on the island even more appealing! Hours 10:30am-10pm.
Moku Roots
Vegan. Local. Amazing! You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate the use of fresh, local ingredients (especially their famed mac nut aioli sauce), their zero waste dining, and flavor profiles. Even if you already had dinner, stop at Moku Roots for dessert, it’s healthy and you won’t even know it because it tastes so good! Hours 10:30am-3pm SUN-W, 10:30am-8pm TH-SAT.
Prison Street Pizza
Local pizza just around the corner from front street, Prison Street Pizza offers Jersey Style pizza by the slice or the pie. Pizza specials named after local Lahaina surf spots will take your taste buds for a savory ride! Take-out, catering and delivery available from 10:30am-8pm!
We’re local and were always hanging out, eating and shopping so if you have other questions shoot us a message at info@ultimatewhalewatch.com!