Maui: Free (or Nearly Free) Things to Do in Paradise

A visit to the Hawaiian island of Maui is a dream come true for many visitors but the cost of having fun in paradise can overwhelm the budget-conscious visitor. While many of the publicized activities on Maui are expensive there are also plenty of things to do that are free or nearly free. Consider some of the following places to see and things to do on Maui when you need to keep your expenses low.

Spend the day walking around the village of Lahaina. Lahaina has played a key role in Maui history. With an exciting mix of old and new, Lahaina offers something for everyone.

Parking in Lahaina can be difficult so plan to arrive before 10:00 a.m. for the best chance at good parking. There are a few free parking lots but they fill quickly. Pay lots can be expensive but some offer free parking with proof of purchase from specific stores. If you plan to purchase something anyway, make your selection where you'll save on parking.

The Old Courthouse features an exhibit of artwork by Maui artists. Tours of the Old Courthouse are free. A brochure with information about other historic sites in Lahaina is available inside the Old Court House. In another corner of the Courthouse Square you will find the remains of the Old Fort. The most memorable sight in Lahaina is the Banyan tree that grows in the Courthouse Square. Maui visitors take home a vivid memory of this unique tree that was planted in 1859. The Banyan tree now provides shade to nearly an acre and has over twelve major trunks that help support it.

The Lahaina Center located on Front Street in Lahaina offers Maui visitors the chance to enjoy a free hula show on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. If those times don't fit your schedule the Lahaina Cannery Mall offers free hula shows on Tuesday and Saturday evenings.

The Maui transit busses are an inexpensive way to travel around Lahaina and the local area. Route prices vary from free to few dollars per trip and make it unnecessary to move parking lots or pay additional parking fees.

The Whalers Village Museum, located in the Whalers Village Shopping Center north of Lahiana offers visitors to learn about whales and the whaling history of Maui. The museum is open daily with free admission. Visitors can view the skeletal remains of a 40-foot Sperm Whale and learn about more than seventy species of whales.

The natural beauty of Maui can be experienced at Iao Valley State Park. There is no charge to visit the park and hike, walk and enjoy the scenery but if you want to stop in at the Hawaii Nature Center there is a minimal charge.

During the winter months Maui is home to the migrating Pacific Humpback whale. The best site for free viewing of these ocean giants is at McGregor Point Lookout. The lookout is located just past Mile Marker #8 on Honoapiilani Highway. The best whale viewing is during early morning or evening hours while the ocean is calmer. Bring along binoculars for the best view.

No trip to Maui is complete without a trip to Haleakala National Park. Admission to the national park is not free but does cost only $10 per car. Once inside visitors can journey to the summit of Haleakala or hike through the semi-tropical rainforest of Maui. For the small admission price visitors can enjoy a full day experiencing the beauty of Maui. While at Haleakala don't forget to bring your swimsuit and take a dip in the 7 Sacred Pools.

Maui is a paradise filled with beauty, history and adventure. To make your visit fun without spending a fortune be sure to add a few of these places to your travel plans.