Although it doesn’t rain often on Maui – and when it does, it usually isn’t for long – there’s always a chance you’ll come across a downpour on your vacation. However, you don’t have to put your trip on hold during bouts of precipitation. There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in Maui no matter the weather:
1. Watch the rain
Since most rain showers in Maui are fairly short, you might be interested in simply watching the rain as it passes through. Gazing out on a rainy landscape can be incredibly relaxing, particularly if you’re staying in a Maui beach rental. Settle down near a window or on your porch or balcony and watch how the precipitation changes the texture of the ocean water outside. Even if you’re not staying by the beach, gazing out at the passing weather can give you a chance to reflect during your trip.
2. Visit the aquarium
The Maui Ocean Center is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon, and a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to check it out. Most of the exhibits are under cover, so you can spend time outdoors without getting soaked. If it’s a sporadically rainy day, you can hop back and forth between the covered exhibits and the (uncovered) petting areas. Make sure you visit the aquarium’s sea jelly gallery. Watching jelly fish gently pulse through the water while raindrops patter nearby might just be the most relaxing activity imaginable.
3. Museum hop
There are plenty of small, interesting museums in Hawaii, and any one of them is sure to have enough information to keep you busy for the duration of a rain shower. For example, you can head to the Baldwin House Museum and learn about the island’s missionary history, or visit the Whaler’s Village Museum to see how whale hunting helped shape Maui’s industry and culture. Since the latter destination is located inside a mall, you can also take the opportunity to …
4. Shop
If you’re looking for an escape from the weather, head into a store! Whether you’re looking for souvenirs for yourself, something to take home to friends and family, or you just want to check out some of the items on sale, shopping is an excellent way to spend some time avoiding precipitation. If you can, try to head to a local shop. These locations are more likely to include items made right in Maui, so you’re taking home something you can’t get anywhere else. Keep your eyes peeled for items made by regional artists or craftspeople. If you’re lucky, you might find a shop that has extra information about the person or people who made the items on display.
5. Go for a walk
If you’re not shy about getting wet, a rain shower just might be the perfect time to take a stroll around the island. This can be particularly enjoyable if you’re walking through a forested area, as the trees’ canopies will shield you from some of the rain and create an auditory wonderland. However, make sure you’re aware of any rivers or streams, and steer clear of them: Flash floods can happen with little to no warning if there’s a sudden downpour. If you’d rather avoid this risk entirely, skip the woods and walk on established paths. Bring along a poncho or plan to change clothes after your walk – though a stroll through the rain can be refreshing, wandering around in wet clothes all day definitely isn’t.
6. Hit the pool
As long as there isn’t any thunder or lightning, a rainy day can be the perfect time to hit the pool. After all, precipitation doesn’t make much of a difference if you’re already wet. Moreover, while it isn’t always safe to swim in the ocean during rain, weather isn’t going to cause high waves in a swimming pool. Another great benefit of swimming in the rain? Most people rule out pools altogether when it starts to drizzle. This means you might get the pool all to yourself – a rare and wonderful opportunity. Finally, once the sun starts to shine again and everyone heads out, you’ll have claimed the best pool chairs in the area.