Maui is a volcanic island that is part of Hawaii, United States, and this place is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 3 million tourists visit this location every year and the number is getting higher all the time. This means that if you are a tourist and you want to have a pleasurable experience here, you need to be smart about when you visit and what you do. Not many people choose to visit this island in December and that can be said to be a mistake. The winter here is much different than the winters in other parts of the world, and there are a lot of things that can be done. Here we are going to list some of the best things to do in Kapalua, Maui in December.
1. Go watch the whales
If you enjoy marine life and if you want to see more than just starfish, corals, and a lot of fishes, then you should explore Maui in December. In the middle of December, the whale season starts and this is one of the most popular things and one of the most interesting ones that you can do in the winter.
At this time, you can see thousands of humpback whales that are migrating from Alaska to these islands to reproduce. Since this is an extremely beautiful sight, watching packs of whales just swimming together, there are a lot of boats and services that will offer you these cruises.
If you don’t want to spend any extra money on these cruises and if you don’t want to risk not seeing the whales then you can easily find a great spot on the land and see what is happening. Know that you are definitely going to listen to them when they travel and you will enjoy every second you spend around these magical creatures.
2. Don’t forget to explore the Bay Beach
This is one of the most popular tourist destinations but it is definitely worth visiting it, even if you don’t enjoy typical tourist places. This place has been named the best beach in the whole United States which means that if you come here, you definitely need to explore it.
If you are interested in snorkeling or any type of sea activities, then you are going to have a blast on the Bay beach. It is located right near the montage hotel, so if you are staying here then you don’t need to travel a long way to enjoy everything this place has to offer.
In December you can still swim in the waters, snorkel, explore the marine life, or just walk around. There are beautiful trails all around so if you don’t want to spend too much time in the water then you can enjoy sightseeing. If you are interested in knowing more about this trail and all the history and beauty it holds then you should check this.
For everyone who is planning to drive on the island, you should know that there is a parking lot right near this place.
3. Enjoy the holidays in Lahaina
December is the month of the holidays and if you don’t want to miss out on any of the festivities then you should visit and enjoy the annual lighting of the Banyan tree. This is something that happens every year in December and there is a huge ceremony that you just have to be a part of.
Throughout the day there are activities for everyone starting from the youngest up to the elderly and you can enjoy arts, and crafts, live entertainment, and so much more. Even though this is not the first thing people think of when they think of Hawaii, if you visit Kapalua, especially in the winter months, you have to experience this happening.
4. Enjoy the coastal hikes
If you are a person who wants to do something more active when they’re on vacation, then you should explore the Hawea point. This is where the lava rocks meet the ocean and you can see and hear the waves crash into the shoreline.
It is one of the most beautiful sceneries that you can experience in Kapalua, and as we previously mentioned, you can even spot some whales while you’re going on your hike.
The whole place will leave you breathless and it is said to be one of the best places if you want to take mesmerizing photos and share them with your friends. You are the one who chooses how much time you want to spend here but don’t forget to wear proper footwear because the rocks can get pretty dangerous.
5. Check out the labyrinth
While you are on the way to some of the most popular tourist destinations here you will definitely pass the popular Kapalua labyrinth. Here you can have some fun with your family and you can explore the trail, enjoy the Dragon’s teeth, and just have hours of fun in the field.
This is a great way to keep active while still not going on adrenaline adventures and you can see how fast you go through the labyrinth without getting lost. Make sure that you explore the Makaluapuna point after you spent some time in the labyrinth. This is an amazing spot where you can, once again walk across lava rocks, and get to the ocean. This is called the Dragon’s teeth trail and the rock formations look exactly like that. It is another place where you can take amazing photographs so make sure that you bring your camera with you.
There are many things that you can do on this island every single month of the year. Depending on the weather you can choose if you want to explore the beach or if you want to do some hiking, but in either case, don’t forget to talk to the locals and see what they recommend. Maui has amazing food so one of the must-do things is sitting in a local restaurant and enjoying the cuisine, and who knows maybe you’ll make a friend that will show you spots that are known only to locals. There are a lot of hidden gems here some don’t focus only on the tourist attractions and don’t forget to explore things on your own.