Things to do in Maui at night

A vacation to Hawaii is a dream come true. Temperatures are good at any time of the year and there is no shortage of leisure options. On Maui, in particular, any nature lover will be impressed.

While there is no shortage of attractions on the island to keep you busy for several days, don't forget that some of the best things to see and do on Maui take place at night, after sunset. Find out what they are!

Hula is the traditional dance of Hawaii. Actually, more than a dance, it is a method of storytelling used to pass on history and traditions to the next generation.

It was also used during religious ceremonies, at important events and as entertainment for the nobility.

The sinuous movements are accompanied by a song (mele) or chant (oli); ukulele and guitar notes harmonize the dance. It is a very evocative spectacle, especially if you book a show at sunset. The torches and the orange-tinted sea add a mystical touch.

It is a very popular activity and can be either free or paid. In the second case, the amount varies according to the capacity, the place where you stay and the extras included. Generally, the shows are held on the beaches or in the island's resorts while the price ranges from $130 to $270.

There are also options that combine traditional dance with a boat ride. No need to wait for your arrival on the island, you can book this activity online. For more information, check out the article on the best traditional shows in Maui.

After a day at the beach, there is nothing better than a good drink. On Maui you'll find cocktail bars and restaurants serving after-dinner drinks.

Here are five options to cap off the day. Some of these places can also serve as entertainment if it starts to rain while you're in Maui:

• South Shore Tiki Lounge, a Tiki bar and restaurant, a style that combines the typical elements of tropical destinations: palm trees, bamboo, coconuts, etc.. They are famous for the cocktails, especially if they are rum-based. It is located on the south shore of Maui (1913-J South Kihei Road Kihei)
• Mama's Fish House, a beach house in the shade of a coconut plantation. In addition to drinks, it's worth reserving a table to enjoy the view (799 Poho Place Paia)
• Vana Paia, where Hawaii meets Japan. It's also worth booking a table to try the sushi. Their cocktails are made with local ingredients such as Ocean Vodka and Kula Rum (both are made on Maui), lilikoi (passion fruit), guavas etc. (93 Hana Hwy. Paia, HI 96779)
• Sea House, a terrace overlooking the ocean. It is part of the Napili Kai resort and is perfect for a romantic evening. It features a happy hour from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and non-stop cocktails from 7:00am to 10:00pm (5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina)
• The Pint & Cork, any whiskey lover's destination. They have over 100 varieties to enjoy neat or on the rocks. You can also choose from a varied cocktail menu (3750 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea).

Sunset cruises depart daily from Lahaina. The boats leave the harbor and follow the coastline until they reach Puamana Beach. The route passes in front of dreamy places such as Ka'anapali, Puu Kukui and Baby Beach.

After a first moment dedicated to contemplate the island from the sea and its orange-tinted waters, the crew will serve dinner.

The menu is varied and usually includes pork ribs, shoyu chicken (marinated in soy sauce), coconut baked potatoes and a typical dessert. Once the meal is over, the central hall becomes a dance floor.

Practical information

• Departure and return: the boats leave around 17:30 and return to Lahaina at 20:00
• Price: around 50 €
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Does it include drinks? Yes, normally 2 alcoholic drinks. If you want more, you will have to pay for them separately
• Are there vegan options? Yes, there are sautéed vegetables, vegetarian meatballs and salads. Dessert is usually a cheesecake with seasonal fruit
• Recommended for those who want to enjoy a party on a boat.

Are you traveling with your partner and staying in Wailea? Then you have one of the best trails in Maui close at hand. This paved path is about 3 miles long and runs between the Andaz Maui Hotel and the Polo Beach Club. Along the way you'll see five beaches, palm trees and world-class resorts.

You may have taken a bike tour of Maui or visited a pineapple farm on the island. No doubt everything will have seemed bright, but there's one thing to keep in mind: Every place has its secrets.

Maui is no exception. According to local folklore, the island is crisscrossed by the spiritual energy mana and guarded by familiar gods called aumakua. On the island, the greatest number of mysteries and legends took place in Lahaina, a former whaling port and resting place of Hawaiian royalty.

Locals say that a ghost named Wao haunts near the school but this is just a snack of what you will hear. Among the tours available, my choice is American Ghost Walks. It costs about $50 and lasts about two hours or so.

Maui is a paradise for scuba diving. Among the best dive sites, it is impossible not to mention the Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay or the Lanai Cathedrals, large underwater caverns originated by volcanic eruptions.

Although visiting the Molokini crater is a must when traveling to Maur, on the island, you will also find routes that are out of the ordinary: sunset dives or moonlight diving.

A good option can be In 2 Scuba located in the picturesque town of Lahaina. It was the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom and a whaling town of great relevance.

The particularity of these dives is the "shift change". When the sun is about to dive into the sea, the diurnal species retreat into their shelters and leave the field free to the creatures of the night. At these times you can see lobsters, crabs and octopuses, among others.

For more information, I recommend you to read the post that explains everything you need to know about diving in Maui.

With an altitude of 3055 meters, Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano in the world. It means "the house of the sun" and its particularity are the various microclimates that compose it: from desert areas to green areas with waterfalls.

It is a very popular destination and the trails that cross it are among the best hiking tours in Maui.

If you feel like experiencing a unique activity, I recommend booking a stargazing tour. These tours are organized by Maui Stargazing and include an expert astronomer, telescope, winter jackets, polar hats, gloves and snow pants.

Important: You should not dive within 24 hours prior to the activity. This measure is to avoid decompression sickness. On the other hand, if you have snorkeled, you will not have to worry about anything.

There are also excursions that start at night and have the volcano's crater as a destination. The mouth of Haleakala is different from those seen in other islands of the archipelago: it is immensely larger and hosts some endangered species.

With a little luck you will see families of nene (a goose endemic to Hawaii with distinctive white, black and beige plumage) and the flower rosette or ahinahina, a shrub with sword-shaped, hair-covered leaves.

The evening walk has a nice reward: a traditional breakfast. In Hawaii, days start with acai bowls (a sorbet-textured blend of tropical fruits), malasadas (cinnamon-sugar doughnuts) and loco moco: rice, ground beef, fried egg and gravy.

Every Friday, Lahaina hosts Art Night. The city's galleries stay open after 7 p.m. to allow tourists and travelers to discover their work. Here are my favorites:

• Kush Fine Art, the gallery of Vladimir Kush, the founder of a new branch of art: metaphorical realism (820 Front Street)
• Ryan Staub Gallery of Glass, glass creations inspired by the beauties of Hawaii. You also have the option of taking courses to work this material (790 Front Street)
• Andrew Shoemaker, a fine art photographer known for nature photography (612 Front Street)
• Lahaina Printsellers, canvases painted by local artists. They reproduce Maui beaches, old maps of Hawaii, rainforests and more. A good idea if you are looking for an original gift (764 Front Street)
• Peter Lik Gallery, one of Maui's longest running galleries. Peter Lik is a pioneer in the field of landscape photography (712 Front Street)

The Maui County Office of Economic Development hosts free parties throughout the month. These events are designed to raise awareness of the island's towns and revive the local economy.

They include live music and booths with crafts, souvenirs, local food and more. They usually take place in the following locations:

• Wailuku, Market Street (the first Friday of the month)
• Lahaina, Front Street (the second)
• Makawao, Baldwin Avenue (the third)
• Kihei, Azeka Shopping Center Mauka (the fourth)

Without a doubt, it is an economical and fun way that will make you discover the character of the locals. Find all the information on the official website.

In Maui you can listen to rock or other genres in the evening, especially during happy hour. However, there are a few options to enjoy music at night. Here are my top 3:

• Java Jazz, the most recommended option if you like this genre of music. It is also known for its excellent coffee (3350 Lower Honoapiilani Road)
• Cool Cat Café, a burger joint with very good reviews. In addition to the meat, many come here for its live music (658 Front Street #160 Lahaina)
• Mulligans on the Blue, simply the best Irish pub on Maui. Live music every day of the week, what more could you ask for (100 Kaukahi St. Wailea).

Normally, nighttime temperatures don't drop below 13°. You will experience these lows if you visit Maui in winter but don't worry, a pair of long pants and a light jacket are enough to alleviate the island's "chill".

During the summer, the lows rise a bit and register around 16°. Keep in mind that the temperature can vary a lot depending on your location. Above 2000 meters - for example in Heleakala National Park - it can be 10º lower than on the coast.

Yes, let's not kid ourselves. Hawaii is an expensive place and Maui is the most expensive of the seven islands. Keep in mind that most of the goods arrive by air or cargo ships.

This increases the final price you will have to pay in the bars/restaurants. To save some money, you can eat at the food trucks and go to the bars during happy hour.