Maui “Must Do’s”

 

A few weeks ago, the Perry fam took Maui. We were only there for 5 days, but it was long enough for me to realize I was meant to be a mermaid and I would be perfectly happy living on an island for the rest of my life. I loved it so much I decided to share with you all my top 10 favorite things to do/see so you won’t miss out when Maui is your vacation destination – you can thank me later 😉

1. Swim with the turtles: Grab your snorkels, strap on your fins, find some rocks, and go for a swim (that rhymed and I didn’t even try to do that, I’m pretty proud). Really though, at every beach we went to, there were rocks covered in algae and the cutest turtles in the world feasting off them like it was Thanksgiving. Big turtles, little turtles, mama turtles, papa turtles, baby turtles – SO MANY TURTLES. And the best part – they seem to love you as much as you love them. They don’t care if you swim next to them and stare for hours. I made eye contact with one and I swear it was like he looked into my soul. So make sure you have some type of water proof camera and swim with the best of the Hawaiian locals! 2. Go to Napili Bay: Every beach in Maui is nothing short of breathtaking, but Napili Bay was nothing like I had ever seen. The water is the crystal clear. CRYSTAL CLEAR. No words can really describe the beauty of this place, but I loved it so much I vowed to myself that the next time I make my way to Maui, I’m staying somewhere that’s walking distance from Napili Bay. When you visit, you have to dedicate a full day to relax, do nothing, and be completely and utterly happy sulking in the water of Napili Bay. 3. Eat at the Gazebo Restaurant: One word – YUM. The Gazebo Restaurant is the cutest little “mom & pop” joint located on the edge of a ridge, overlooking Napili Bay. And if the view isn’t a selling point for you (you’re crazy if it isn’t), they serve breakfast food ALL DAY! And it’s not just your average breakfast experience – they have macadamia nut pancakes that are the size of your face, smothered in whipped cream & syrup. WOW – I know. If you’re a breakfast foodie like me, the Gazebo Restaurant is calling your name. 4. Stop at the fresh fruit stands: When people think Maui, they think tropical; when people think tropical, they think fruit – and boy are they right. Maui has THE BEST pineapple that has ever touched my tongue and it’s sold everywhere!! When you visit, you won’t even have to look for a fruit stand, you will drive or walk past one eventually, and when you do, be sure to stop. From pineapples, to mangos, to star fruit, and everything else in between, your fruit fix will be satisfied in the most glorious way possible. 5. Ride the Road to Hana: The Road to Hana is a 64.4 mile long road that takes you through the north/east coast of Maui. Taking the road is definitely an all-day excursion, but it’s one you will never forget. This side of the island is so green and tropical, it felt like I was driving through the set of Jurassic Park. Every few miles there are turnouts that lead you to countless waterfalls, tropical gardens, ocean views, and more. It’s a bumpy road so if you plan on doing the entire trip, you definitely want to get a Jeep as your rental car – plus Jeeps are fun to drive anyways, so it’s a win-win. 6. Go on a snorkeling trip: Even if you snorkel on your own at the beaches you visit each day, I definitely recommend taking a professional snorkeling trip. There are so many companies to choose from, but we decided on Lani Kai and had SO much fun. They took us out on the boat, provided gear, fed us, gave us Mai Tai’s, and took us out to the some of the best snorkel spots Maui has to offer (WHAT COULD BE BETTER?). We were able to swim for around 2 hours at 2 locations – a beyond beautiful coral reef and a little place called “turtle town.” It was definitely a day I will never forget. 7. Grab a cup of Kona coffee: If you’re a coffee addict like me, Kona coffee will be a highlight of your trip. And lucky for you, the locals love coffee too so there are shops and stops along almost every road to feed your addiction and fuel your day. 8. Take cute pictures (obviously): If you follow me on Instagram you already know I love to take post-worthy pictures. So when I visit a place as beautiful as Maui, I go kinda crazy. So make sure your phone has storage, you have a waterproof camera, and prepare to make all your friends jealous that you’re adventuring through a tropical paradise. 9. Watch the sunset each and every night: If you’re like me, you take sunsets for granted. We get so busy in our day-to-day lives that we forget to wind down and appreciate the beautiful sunsets that God paints for us each night. One of the best things about Hawaii is that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, odds are you probably have an ocean view. That means that when the sunset rolls around, the colors reflect off the water and make for sunsets you won’t forget. 10. Visit the Maui Brewing Company: If you know my family, you know they love their beer. So obviously the Maui Brewing Company was a “must do” eatery on our list. I’m not a big fan of beer so I stuck with the root beer (which was great btw), but the rest of my family loved it; and their food was pretty top notch as well. Plus, if you’re looking for a cool souvenir, they have the some pretty stinkin’ cute t-shirts and beer glasses that we may or may not have bought multiples of.Well there you have it folks – if you haven’t been to Maui (or any of the Hawaiian Islands for that matter) you should make your way on over. It’s practically paradise on earth. And don’t forget my top 10 things to do/see when you vacation your heart out! XOXO