7 BEST Things to do in Kihei, Maui (From a Frequent Visitor)

With miles of golden sand beaches, some of Hawaii’s best snorkeling, and a relaxed local feel, Kihei is my favorite place to stay on Maui—so much so that I’ve stayed in Kihei on three different visits to Maui within the past few years.

But with many of Maui’s top attractions like the Road to Hana and Haleakalā Summit located over an hour away, you might be wondering… what is there do in Kihei?!

So, in this article I’m sharing all my favorite things to do in Kihei, Maui, which make it the best home base while exploring Maui! And at the end I’ll share my Kihei restaurant recommendations, favorite beaches, walking trails, and more!

Rainbow hues hitting coral in this underwater photo taken while snorkeling in Kihei, Maui

Woman on Kamaole Beach III in Kihei Maui

Where to Stay in Kihei

☀️ Kohea Kai Hotel, Kihei: Locally-owned small hotel in Kiehi
🌺 Aston Maui Hill: Condos across the street from Kamaole Beach III (my favorite!)
🌅 Maui Coast Hotel: Oceanview rooms across from Kamaole Beach I

If you have time, spend one night in Hana! Since the Road to Hana takes several hours each way, this is a lovely way to maximize your time exploring this side of the island!

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

The Best Things to do in Kihei, Hawai’i

1. Snorkel Molokini Crater

One of the perks of staying in Kihei is that you are just a 15-minute boat ride away from the 77-acre crescent-shaped Molokini Crater—which is one of the best places for snorkeling in all of Hawai’i!

The massive crater is a coral shelf home to one of the most diverse collections of marine life in the state, including rare black coral, ornate octopus, moray eels, manta rays, and many more.

Aerial view of Molokini Crater off the coast of Kihei Maui

School of fish captured underwater while snorkeling at Molokini Crater in Hawaii, one of the best things to do in Kihei

*Stock photo of Molokini becuase I sadly do not have a drone!

And the shape of the crater protects it from the waves, so Molokini usually has excellent visibility even when snorkeling conditions on Maui are poor!

For best snorkel conditions, book the earliest tour (usually 7am). I recommend the highly-rated 2-hour snorkel tour with locally-owned Redline Rafting. It leaves from the Kihei Boat Launch right next to Turtle Town.

Also See: The Perfect 5 Day Maui Itinerary: Jungle, Volcano & Beaches

2. Spend the Day at the Kama’ole Beaches

Kihei’s three golden sand Kama’ole Beaches span nearly 3-miles along the coast and are all publicly accessible (not blocked by resorts!)

If you’re staying in Kiehi, you’ll probably choose the Kama’ole Beach closest to you, but my favorite is Kama’ole Beach Park III, specifically the small cove on the southern end, which is right next to Turtle Town!

Views of Maui's volcanic landscapes from Kamaole Beach Park III in Kihei, Maui

Buttery soft sand meets volcanic landscapes at Kama’ole Beach III

As you can imagine, this is an excellent beach for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles, given the protection of the cove and proximity to Turtle Town. There’s also a small lava tube hidden at the southern end of the beach.

Kama’ole Beach III has a small free parking lot, bathrooms, showers, and a lifeguard on duty. All three beaches are close to the road and walkable from most areas of Kihei!

3. Snorkel at ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve

A short drive south from Kihei town will take you to one of the island’s best snorkel spots, ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve.

The coral reef here is the only recorded reef within the local Natural Area Reserves that isn’t declining—in other words, its the healthiest reef that has been studied around here! And besides the great snorkeling, it also features some stunning volcanic landscapes and hiking trails.

Coral and fish swimming by at Ahihi Kinau Natural Reserve in Kihei, Maui

Exploring the volcanic landscapes by the water at South Maui's natural reserve in Kihei, Hawaii

Given how close it is to Kihei town, you want to arrive early-ish (before 10am) to easily find parking and enjoy the clearest snorkeling conditions. Parking costs $5 and there are friendly volunteers that will point out the best areas to snorkel!

Also See: 17 Maui Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path

4. Go Humpback Whale Watching (December-April)

Each winter, more than 12,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Maui’s warm, shallow waters. And Kihei just happens to be one of the best places on the island to see them, so if you’re visiting in the wintertime, a whale watching tour is a MUST!

We did this on my first Maui trip and saw several humpback whales breach and play in the water around us (including mama and baby!) and it was absolutely the highlight of our trip!

Two humpback whales swim by a whale watching raft in Kihei Maui

Kihei whale watching photo via Redline Rafting

I highly recommend this whale watching with locally owned Redline Rafting, it leaves from the Kihei Boat Launch. But if you prefer to be on a bigger boat, you’ll have to join a catamaran whale watching boat from nearby Ma‘alaea Harbor.

5. Explore & Eat at South Maui Gardens

Another one of the best things to do in Kihei is to visit South Maui Gardens.

This expansive plant nursery in the heart of Kihei houses at least a dozen food trucks with everything from Thai and burgers to acai bowls and bentos. So, stopping here for lunch at least one is a must!

Acai bowl from South Maui gardens in Khei

South Maui Gardens also hosts hula shows on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but you’ll want to make reservations well in advance to secure your spot!

6. Search for Turtle Town

Kihei is home to Turtle Town, a 1,000-foot-long span of coral reef right along the shoreline that seems to be a favorite hangout spot for honu (sea turtles)!

I’ve snorkeled here on all my Maui trips and encountered dozens of sea turtles feeding, resting in cozy nooks between coral, and gracefully gliding past me.

Searching for sea turtles is one of the best things to do in Kihei, Hawaii

Turtle Town is located right offshore from the volcanic rocks that run between sandy Kama‘ole Beach III and the Kihei Boat Ramp (and its pinned on my free Maui map).

And above the volcanic rocks is the Eddie Pu Birding Trail, which is a lovely little walking spot where you can spot nesting birds, and maybe a sea turtle from above!

7. Watch the Sunset

It seems like each evening the entire town jaunts down to the closest beach to watch the sun set over Lānaʻi in the distance. And for good reason, Kihei sunsets are stunning and force you to slow down a bit in the midst of all your Maui adventures!

Couple embrace on the beach at sunset in Kihei, Maui

Woman smiles with the sunset behind her at the beach in Kihei, Maui

We always try to stop to watch the sunset every night when we’re in Hawai’i, and its definitely a rhythm I recommend! On Maui we always watch it from Kama’ole Beach III.

Woman with cocktail at Tikehau Lounge in Wailea

A few fruity treats in Kihei and Wailea at Tikehau Lounge, South Maui Gardens, and Gus’ Hawaiian Shave Ice

More things to do, eat, drink, and see in Kihei & Wailea:

🌊 Oceanview Walks: Wailea Coastal Trail, Eddie Pu Birding Trail, La Perouse Bay, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
👙 Beaches: Maalaea Beach, Makena Beach (Big Beach)
🥑 Food & Drinks: Tikehau Lounge, Koholā Brewery, Earth Aloha Eats
🍦 Sweet Treats: Gus’ Hawaiian Shave Ice, Sweet Hula
🛍️ Shopping:The Bikini Market, Rainbow Attic Thrift Shop