Rainy Day ideas for your Maui Vacation

It never rains in South Maui!’

With an average annual rainfall total of 8-11 inches, this is pretty true. Kihei/Wailea lay on the desert side of Maui, in Haleakala’s rain shadow. Most of the rain arrives from the NorthEast. However, every now and then a storm will approach from the South or Southwest and that’s when we get some rain. Early December has been particularly wet with six days of rainfall in Kihei! It does feel like we must have gotten our year’s supply of rain. Be prepared, here’s your local Maui Forecast.

Unfortunately the weather is beyond your condo owner’s control. However, here is a list of rainy-day ideas we’ve put together for you.

Shopping

Time to find that perfect gift, souvenir or just window-shop. Where? Front Street (Lahaina), Whaler’s Village (Kaanapali), Shops at Wailea (Wailea), Paia, Makawao, the shops at the Triangle by Kalama Park, Market Street in downtown Wailuku.

Take in some Culture

Bailey House Museum in Wailuku. The First Light Film Festival is going on right now at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. How about checking out some art galleries?

Can’t go snorkeling

Go see the fish at the Maui Ocean Center  . Check their website for dates and times of special presentations. There’s lots to see!

Go whale watching

(December-April). Apparently humpback whales are particularly active in the rain. Pick up a rain poncho before you go. You can also check out the Visitor Center at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in North Kihei.

Go exploring

The Maui Tropical Plantation has some cute shops, a bar, restaurant and of course tours of their farm. Take a tour at the Maui Brewing Company in Kihei (and sample their products). Go for an upcountry drive: Ocean Vodka, the Surfing Goat Farm, Maui Wine (tastings), Ulupalakua Ranch General Store for lunch (they have the best grassfed burgers), the lavender farm…

Happy Hour

Try out some of our restaurants for happy hour (think early dinner at half price!), find a favorite locally grown/roasted coffee at one of the many coffee shops.

Try your skill at Island Art Party in Kihei

For our Canadian guests – binge-watch American Netflix (you know the programming is quite different).

Go for walks in the rain – remember, it may be raining, but it’s still in the 70s or maybe even low 80s.

Go to the gym for a workout, try a yoga class, or go for a swim – if it’s too crazy at your condo’s pool, check out the FREE County-run aquatic center (both Kihei and Lahaina have one).

What NOT to do in the rain

Please do not go in the ocean. In fact, stay out of the ocean as long as the water is murky. Even if some surf instruction places are open for business, it does not mean it’s safe to go in the water. The rain can cause localized flooding, washing all sorts of ‘fun stuff’ into the ocean. Bacteria counts go up, you can catch an infection. Also, murky water attracts sharks. A close encounter with Jaws is not a great idea for a rainy day.

–        Do not go hiking. It may not be raining heavily where you are, but it could be further upcountry. Flash flooding can and does happen and you could end up stuck with no escape route or worse.

Maui has many different micro-climates. It is rare for the entire island to have rain at the same time. Go for a drive and see if you can find the sun, or at least something fun to do!