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You're Going to Love Lahaina
Imagine a place where tropical sunshine mixes with gourmet food, where artists gather in a bohemian community, and surfers chase the perfect wave. There's a good chance you'll come up with somewhere like Lahaina, Maui's historic tourist gem.
Lahaina grew up as a fishing port, and many attractions still revolve around the sea. You can head out whale watching, climb into a wetsuit and grab a board, go diving at Molokini Crater, or just perfect your tan on the beach.
But there's more than just seaside attractions. Lahaina is jam-packed with great restaurants like Kimo's, the Lahaina Grill, or Fleetwood's (owned by rock star Mick Fleetwood). It's also an artistic community, with dozens of galleries selling works by locals.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Lahaina
1. Ocean Activities, from Diving to Surfing
More than anything else, the ocean takes center stage in Lahaina. You can rent charter fishing boats from the harbor, join diving trips to spectacular locations like the Molokini Crater, or use a rental car to head to nearby beaches like Kaanapali or Kapalua, where you can surf, swim, water ski, parasail, and more.
2. A Great Chance to Enjoy Natural Attractions
The waters around Lahaina are regularly visited by humpback whales, and whale-watching tours depart during the season. Back on dry land you can join Jungle Tours Maui to see the fabulous birds and waterfalls of the island, or just chart your own hiking route along the coast.
3. Wonderful Food and Nightlife
Lahaina has become a genuine entertainment center in recent years, with great food and nightlife on offer. There are gourmet restaurants in town like the Lahaina Grill and Gerard's, great bars like the Sly Mongoose, and live music most nights of the week at Front Street venues like Kimo's.
4. Historical and Artistic Attractions
In the 19th century, Lahaina was one of the largest whaling towns in the Pacific and you can get a good sense of what life was like back then at the Baldwin Home Museum. Before that, it was also a center for Hawaiian royalty, and there are fascinating sites like the ruined Brick Palace from the late 18th century.
5. The Wonderful Hawaiian Climate
Lahaina has an ideal climate for enjoying everything that it has to offer. For most of the year, temperatures are perfect for ocean-based activities and it hardly ever rains.
When to Visit Lahaina
Estimated hotel price
Lahaina in {1}
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The best times to visit Maui are probably the shoulder seasons - April through May and September to November. You'll encounter fine weather without the high season crowds, and may well find accommodation bargains too. However, surfers might want to try January or February, when the waves are at their best.
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When the weather is nice in Lahaina
How to Get to Lahaina
Plane
Kahului Airport (OGG) is where most tourists touch down, and it has connections to plenty of mainland cities, including Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. From there, the best transport option is to take a hotel shuttle. However, you can also take Bus number 20 (the "Lahaina Islander") to the resort from central Kahului, which costs just $2 and comes with some beautiful views.
Car
Car rental outlets at Kahului Airport include Avis, Dollar, and Hertz, and the cross-country drive is a pleasant one, so many people choose to drive into Lahaina. If you do so, take Route 380 southwards, bypassing Kahului town, and hook up with Route 30 into Lahaina.
Bus
Buses to Lahaina run from Kahului (route 20) between 5:30 am and 7:30 pm, so they could also be a convenient way to reach the resort. The bus stop in Lahaina is located at the junction of Front Street and Papalaua Street, right at the heart of town.
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Where to stay in popular areas of Lahaina
Most booked hotels in Lahaina
How to Get Around Lahaina
Public Transportation
Local buses are a handy way to get up and down the coast (and to the airport if you want to save money). They are provided by Maui Bus and a single fare costs $2. The Maui Villager route is particularly useful, weaving in and out of the town's neighborhoods.
Taxi
Taxis aren't a cheap way to get around Maui, but they can sometimes be essential. If you are stuck in Kaanapali and need to get home late at night, be prepared to pay a meter drop of $3.50, then $3 for every additional mile.
Car
You don't need a car in Lahaina itself, which is best seen on foot. However, if you want to explore the beaches of northwest Maui, having your own vehicle is vital. Rental outlets in town include Hertz and Enterprise, and rates start at around $26 per day.
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Where to Eat in Lahaina
Lahaina is one of Hawaii's gourmet capitals, and foodies will always have new options to explore. There's traditional open-air dining at Aloha Mixed Plate, cocktails and great sandwiches at Cheeseburger in Paradise, top-quality seafood at the Lahaina Fish Company, and exceptional meat dishes at the Lahaina Grill. After that, make time for a drink or two at Moose McGillicuddy's, Lahaina's premier evening hangout. Expect dining out to cost around $15-25 per head, or a little more at the finest places in town.