7 Things to Do in West Maui With Kids

Written by Samara — Philippe’s wife, photographer, and part of the Maui Vibe Surf Club family

Traveling to Maui with kids?

West Maui is one of our favorite places for families because you really don't have to fill every day with a huge excursion. Some of the best family memories here are simple ones—getting in the ocean, exploring a new beach, watching the sunset, or trying something together for the first time.

As a mom raising our kids here on Maui, these are seven experiences I would recommend to families looking for fun things to do in West Maui with kids.

1. Take a Family Surf Lesson

Of course, surfing has to be first on our list.

But there's a reason.

Taking a surf lesson gives your family a chance to do something together that is completely different from an ordinary beach day. For many kids, standing up and riding their first wave becomes one of the things they remember most about their Maui vacation.

At Maui Vibe Surf Club, we teach beginner surf lessons in West Maui with a strong focus on safety, personalized instruction and actually helping our guests understand the ocean—not simply pushing someone into a wave.

Before entering the water, surfers learn the basics on land, including positioning, paddling, popping up, ocean safety and surf etiquette.

For younger children, we believe the extra attention of an instructor makes a big difference. Children ages 10 and under receive private 1:1 instruction with us so their instructor can stay focused on them throughout the lesson.

Parents can surf too!

Some of our favorite lessons are families where everyone gets in the water and learns together.

If you're searching for a memorable family activity in Maui, learning to surf is hard to beat.

2. Spend a Morning at the Beach

You don't need an activity scheduled for every hour of your Maui vacation.

Pack some snacks, water, sunscreen, beach toys and towels and give your kids a morning where the only plan is to play.

West Maui has beautiful beaches around Kāʻanapali, Nāpili and Kapalua. Nāpili Bay and Kapalua Bay can be especially beautiful family stops when ocean conditions are calm.

If your children are old enough to snorkel, a calm morning can also be an opportunity to look for reef fish and experience a completely different side of Maui.

Just remember that ocean conditions can change quickly. A beach that looks gentle one day can be completely different the next, so always check conditions and keep young children closely supervised around the water.

3. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail

For a break from the beach, head north to Kapalua and explore the Kapalua Coastal Trail.

The trail follows the coastline from the Kapalua Bay area toward D.T. Fleming Beach Park, passing beaches, rocky coastline and beautiful ocean views along the way. The official Kapalua trail information lists the Coastal Trail as open from sunrise to sunset.

You don't have to walk the entire trail with kids.

Go as far as everyone is enjoying it, stop to look at the ocean, take some family photos and turn around whenever little legs have had enough.

During whale season, you might even get lucky and spot whales offshore.

Bring water, sun protection and good walking shoes because portions of the route have different surfaces rather than being one continuous smooth sidewalk.

4. Explore Whalers Village in Kāʻanapali

This is a good option when everyone needs a break from another full beach day.

Whalers Village is located right by Kāʻanapali Beach and combines restaurants, shops and activities in one easy stop.

For families, there's a splash pad in the ʻOhana Courtyard, and Whalers Village currently offers complimentary activities that can include ʻukulele lessons, coconut-frond weaving and movie nights.

There's also the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center, which offers opportunities for kids to learn more about Hawaiian marine life. Current programming includes Wildlife Wednesdays focused on animals such as humpback whales, turtles and monk seals.

Check the current schedule before you go because activities and times can change.

It's an easy way to mix something educational into your Maui vacation without making it feel like school.

5. Walk the Kāʻanapali Beachwalk

Sometimes the easiest family activities are the best ones.

Take an evening walk along the Kāʻanapali Beachwalk.

Let the kids look at the ocean, stop at the beach, grab something to eat and simply enjoy being outside together.

Kāʻanapali is one of West Maui's main resort areas, and the beachwalk makes it easy for families to explore the coastline without planning another major excursion. Hawaiʻi's official tourism site specifically recommends the Kāʻanapali Beachwalk as part of experiencing West Maui.

We especially love the idea of doing this toward the end of the day when everyone is slowing down.

Which brings us to one of the simplest Maui activities of all...

6. Watch a West Maui Sunset Together

Don't underestimate this one.

You don't have to pay for every memorable experience on Maui.

Pick up dinner or snacks, head to the beach and let the kids play while you wait for the sun to go down.

West Maui sunsets can be incredible.

And after a vacation filled with reservations, driving and activities, sometimes sitting together on the sand with nowhere else to be is exactly what your family needs.

Take pictures—but also put the phone down for a little while.

Those quiet moments are part of experiencing Maui too.

7. Go Whale Watching During Whale Season

If you're visiting Maui during whale season, this can be an unforgettable experience for kids.

Humpback whales migrate through Hawaiian waters seasonally, and West Maui offers beautiful opportunities to see them.

You may spot whales right from shore, especially during the heart of the season, or your family can book a whale-watching excursion for a closer experience.

For kids who love animals, seeing a humpback whale breach in real life is very different from seeing one in a book or on a screen.

If you're traveling outside whale season, don't worry—there are plenty of other ocean adventures to fill your Maui days.

Don't Try to Schedule Every Minute

This might be our biggest piece of advice for families visiting Maui.

Leave some space in your vacation.

You don't need an excursion every morning and another reservation every afternoon.

Choose a few experiences that really matter to your family.

Take a surf lesson.

Explore a new beach.

Walk somewhere beautiful.

Watch your kids play in the ocean.

Eat something good.

Watch the sunset.

And give yourselves enough time to actually enjoy being in Maui.

Looking for a Family Surf Lesson in West Maui?

If surfing is on your family's Maui bucket list, we'd love to get you in the water.

Maui Vibe Surf Club offers beginner-friendly surf lessons in West Maui for kids, parents, couples and families.

Our lessons are intentionally kept personal, with private, semi-private and private-group options depending on the ages and size of your family.

No previous surfing experience is necessary.

Just come ready to learn, have fun and hopefully catch a few Maui waves together.

See you in the water!

Philippe & Samara

Maui Vibe Surf Club

West Maui • Lahaina, Hawaii