Things to do in Maui at night

A holiday to Hawaii is a dream come true. Temperatures are good at any time of year and there's no shortage of entertainment options. On Maui, in particular, any nature lover will be impressed.

While there's no shortage of attractions on the island to keep you busy for several days, don't forget that some of the best things to see and do on Maui take place at night, after sunset. Find out what they are!

Hula is the traditional Hawaiian dance. Actually, more than a dance, it is a method of storytelling used to pass on history and traditions to the next generation.

It was also used during religious ceremonies, at important events and as entertainment for the nobility.

The sinuous movements are accompanied by a song (mele) or chant (oli); ukulele and guitar notes harmonise the dance. It is a very evocative spectacle, especially if you book a sunset show. The torches and the orange-tinted sea add a mystical touch.

It is a very popular activity and can be either free or for a fee. In the latter case, the cost varies according to the capacity, the place where you stay and the extras included. Generally, the shows are held on the beaches or at the island's resorts, while the price ranges from $130 to $270.

There are also options that combine traditional dancing with a boat ride. No need to wait for your arrival on the island, you can book this activity online. For more information, check out our article on the best traditional shows on Maui.

After a day at the beach, there's nothing better than a nice drink. On Maui you'll find cocktail bars and restaurants serving after-dinner drinks.

Here are five options to cap off your day. Some of these places can also serve as entertainment if it starts to rain while you're on Maui:

• South Shore Tiki Lounge, a Tiki bar and restaurant, a style that combines the typical elements of tropical destinations: palm trees, bamboo, coconuts, etc. They are famous for their cocktails, especially if they are rum-based. Located on the south shore of Maui (1913-J South Kihei Road Kihei)
• Mama's Fish House, a beach house in the shade of a coconut plantation. In addition to drinks, it's worth booking a table to enjoy the view (799 Poho Place Paia)
• Vana Paia, where Hawaii meets Japan. It's also worth booking a table to try the sushi. Their cocktails are made with local ingredients such as Ocean Vodka and Kula Rum (both made on Maui), lilikoi (passion fruit), guavas etc. (93 Hana Hwy. Paia, HI 96779)
• Sea House, a terrace overlooking the ocean. It is part of the Napili Kai resort and is perfect for a romantic evening. It has a happy hour from 2pm to 5pm and non-stop cocktails from 7am to 10pm (5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina)
• The Pint & Cork, a whiskey lover's destination. They have over 100 varieties to enjoy neat or on the rocks. You can also choose from a varied cocktail menu (3750 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea).

Sunset cruises depart daily from Lahaina. The boats leave the harbour and follow the coastline to Puamana Beach. The route passes in front of such dreamy spots as Ka'anapali, Puu Kukui and Baby Beach.

After an initial time spent gazing at the island from the sea and its orange-tinted waters, dinner will be served by the crew.

The menu is varied and usually includes pork ribs, shoyu chicken (marinated in soy sauce), coconut jacket potatoes and a typical dessert. Once the meal is over, the central hall becomes a dance floor.

Practical info

• Departure and return: the boats leave around 17:30 and return to Lahaina at 20:00
• Price: around 50 €
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Does it include drinks? Yes, normally 2 alcoholic drinks. If you want more, you will have to pay for them separately
• Are there vegan options? Yes, there are sautéed vegetables, vegetarian meatballs and salads. Dessert is usually a cheesecake with seasonal fruit
• Recommended for those who want to enjoy a party on a boat.

Travelling with your partner and staying in Wailea? Then you have one of Maui's best trails at hand. This paved path is about 5 kilometres long and runs between the Andaz Maui Hotel and the Polo Beach Club. Along the way you'll see five beaches, palm trees and world-class resorts.

You may have taken a bike tour of Maui or visited a pineapple farm on the island. No doubt you'll have found it all to be luminous, but there's one thing to keep in mind: Every place has its secrets.

Maui is no exception. According to local folklore, the island is criss-crossed by the spiritual energy mana and guarded by familiar gods called aumakua. On the island, the greatest number of mysteries and legends have taken place in Lahaina, a former whaling port and resting place of Hawaiian royalty.

Locals say a ghost named Wao haunts the school but this is just a snack of what you'll hear. Among the available tours, my choice is American Ghost Walks. It costs about $50 and lasts about two hours.

Maui is a diving paradise. The best dive sites include Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay and the Lanai Cathedrals, large underwater caverns created by volcanic eruptions.

Although a visit to the Molokini Crater is a must when you travel to Maur, you'll also find some off-the-beaten-path routes on the island: sunset dives or moonlight dives.

A good option is In 2 Scuba in the picturesque town of Lahaina. It was the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom and a whaling town of great importance.

The special feature of these dives is the "shift change". When the sun is about to dive into the sea, the diurnal species retreat into their shelters and leave the field to the creatures of the night. At these times you can see lobsters, crabs and octopuses, among others.

For more information, I recommend you read the post that explains everything you need to know about diving in Maui.

With an altitude of 3055 metres, Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano in the world. It means "the house of the sun" and its particularity is the diverse microclimates that compose it: from desert areas to green zones with waterfalls.

It's a much-loved destination and the trails that criss-cross it are among the best hiking tours in Maui by right.

If you're in the mood for a unique activity, I recommend booking a stargazing tour. These tours are organised by Maui Stargazing and include an expert astronomer, telescope, winter jackets, polar hats, gloves and snow trousers.

Important: You should not dive within 24 hours prior to the activity. This is to avoid decompression sickness. If you have snorkelled, however, you don't have to worry about anything.

There are also tours that start at night and go to the volcano's crater. Haleakala's mouth is different from those found on other islands in the archipelago: it's immensely larger and is home to some endangered species.

With a bit of luck you'll see families of nene (a goose endemic to Hawaii with distinctive white, black and beige plumage) and the rosette flower or ahinahina, a shrub with sword-shaped, hair-covered leaves.

The evening walk has a nice reward: a traditional breakfast. In Hawaii, days start with acai bowls (a sorbet-textured blend of tropical fruits), malasadas (cinnamon-sugar doughnuts) and loco moco: rice, ground beef, fried egg and gravy.

Every Friday, Lahaina hosts Art Night. The city's galleries stay open after 19:00 to allow tourists and travellers to discover their work. Here are my favourites:

• Kush Fine Art, the gallery of Vladimir Kush, the founder of a new branch of art: metaphorical realism (820 Front Street)
• Ryan Staub Gallery of Glass, glass creations inspired by the beauties of Hawaii. You also have the option of taking courses in working with this material (790 Front Street)
• Andrew Shoemaker, a fine art photographer known for his nature photography (612 Front Street)
• Lahaina Printsellers, canvases painted by local artists. They depict Maui's beaches, old maps of Hawaii, rainforests and more. A good idea if you're looking for an original gift (764 Front Street)
• Peter Lik Gallery, one of Maui's longest-running galleries. Peter Lik is a pioneer in the field of landscape photography (712 Front Street)

The Maui County Office of Economic Development hosts free parties throughout the month. These events are designed to raise awareness of the island's towns and revive the local economy.

They include live music and booths with crafts, souvenirs, local food and more. They usually take place at the following locations:

• Wailuku, Market Street (on the first Friday of the month)
• Lahaina, Front Street (on the second)
• Makawao, Baldwin Avenue (on the third)
• Kihei, Azeka Shopping Center Mauka (on the fourth)

It's definitely an inexpensive and fun way to discover the character of the locals. Find all the information on the official website.

In Maui you can listen to rock or other genres in the evening, especially at happy hour. However, there are a few options to enjoy music in the evening. Here are my top 3:

• Java Jazz, the most recommended option if you like this genre of music. It is also known for its excellent coffee (3350 Lower Honoapiilani Road)
• Cool Cat Café, a burger joint with very good reviews. In addition to the meat, many come here for the live music (658 Front Street #160 Lahaina)
• Mulligans on the Blue, simply the best Irish pub on Maui. Live music every day of the week - what more could you ask for (100 Kaukahi St. Wailea).

Nighttime temperatures don't normally drop below 13°. You'll experience these lows if you visit Maui in winter but don't worry, a pair of long trousers and a light jacket will be sufficient to alleviate the island's "chill".

During the summer, the lows rise a little and hover around 16°. Bear in mind that temperatures can vary considerably depending on your location. Above 2000 metres - for example in Heleakala National Park - it can be 10 degrees cooler than on the coast.

Yes, let's not kid ourselves. Hawaii is an expensive place and Maui is the most expensive of the seven islands. Bear in mind that most of the goods arrive by air or cargo ships.

This increases the final price you'll have to pay in bars/restaurants. To save some money, you can eat at the food trucks and go to the bars during happy hour.