Lahaina is a two-season getaway showing off the full splendor of West Maui. In fact, Lahaina means “relentless sun”, but like all paradises, Lahaina shows off different sides depending on when you visit. Here’s a quick guide to how to navigate Lahaina weather by month. With this guide, you’ll know the best things to do in Maui when it rains or it is sunny.
What You Need to Know About Lahaina
A popular resort destination about 45 minutes from Kahului Airport, Lahaina was formerly a whaling village back in the 1820’s. Lahaina gave life to the island through its role as an important whaling center that welcomed many ships.
Visitors feel like they are transported to a world of history, secret beauty, and unmatched hospitality. Few people know that Lahaina was the capital city of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845.
Lahaina doesn’t experience seasons the way that other parts of the island experience them. Generally, trip planning is divided between winter trips and summer trips. In Lahaina, summer comes down to a dry “summer” season from May through September and a rainy “winter” season from October through April.
Things to Do in Lahaina in the Summer
May-September
From May through September, Lahaina is filled with several events. Summer is peak tourist season in Maui because this is when families come for vacation when their children are out of school. Summer is also the season when many couples come to Maui for honeymoons and enjoy Maui beaches and all the fun activities on the island. Look at how to fill your Lahaina summer itinerary.
Tour Front Street Lahaina
At the heart of Lahaina, you will find an abundance of shops and restaurants on Front Street. Discover the sights and sounds of paradise! Full of vibrant, colorful shops and restaurants, Front Street lets you soak in paradise.
There’s one attraction on Front Street Lahaina that draws people from around the world seeking a special kind of encounter with nature, the largest banyan tree in the United States. Planted in 1873 to commemorate the arrival of the island’s first missionaries, this banyan tree has grown to be 60 feet tall.
Go Scuba Diving
Hawaiian waters offer enjoyable diving and snorkeling conditions all year long! However, water temperatures reach their peak in September. That means that the end of summer is the perfect time to visit Lahaina for some deep-sea adventures. The waters are a perfect 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Book a Sunset Dinner Cruise or Sailboat Excursion
Use every opportunity to get out on the water on warm summer nights in Lahaina. Private operators offer both private and group excursions. Sunsets are great from the beach in Lahaina, however views of the sunsetting from the water take the beauty to new levels.
Tour Maui’s Dragon Fruit Farm
Maui Dragon Fruit Farm is a USDA-certified organic farm open to the public and is located just five minutes from Lahaina. Dragon fruit season runs from July through November. Daily tours offer views of the grounds, lessons on sustainable farming, and eco-adventures.
The Outlets of Maui
The Outlets of Maui is an open-air oceanfront shopping mall in Lahaina. The mall is a hub for dining, shopping, and cultural events. Several Hawaii-based retailers are featured at The Outlets. After a day of shopping, you can spend a fun evening at Warren & Annabelle’s Magic! which is located on Front Street across from the seawall.
The Baldwin House Museum
Dating back to 1834, the Baldwin House Museum is a stunning coral-and-rock residence that is also Lahaina’s oldest house. Dwight Baldwin was given 2,600 acres in Kapalua to honor his work vaccinating the community against smallpox. The home was built by Baldwin and has been preserved to look just as it did in the 1800s.
Things to Do in Lahaina in the Winter
October – April
For tourists seeking sunny escapes from cold-weather climates, Lahaina feels like a warm embrace. The wet winter season doesn’t shut down the fun in Lahaina. Guests visiting October through April should have backup plans for indoor entertainment. This can help you make the most of every minute if it’s misting (or pouring!) in paradise.
Things to Do Outside
Experience Halloween in Lahaina
Up to 30,000 people of all ages party in Lahaina every Halloween. Front Street Lahaina is closed to vehicles to usher in the famed “Keiki Parade” full of costumed children. The celebration has become so big, that Lahaina’s Halloween night is often called the “Mardi Gras of the Pacific.”
Whale Watching
Excursions are generally popular from December 15th to April 15th, but January to March marks peak whale watching season. Lahaina’s shores are blessed by humpback whales that are often very easy to spot from boats or from Maui’s beaches. Here’s a hint: If you take a snorkel boat tour during whale watching season, you’re bound to see whales at some point of your excursion!
Lahaina Historic Trail
A self-guided tour along the 55-acre Lahaina Historic Trail is a great choice for the winter season. Plans can be moved around easily without the need for ticket cancellations if rain comes.
This self-guided, free-spirited journey brings walkers to 62 historic Lahaina sites. It is one of the best Maui hikes. The beauty of coming in the winter is that the trail can be completed in about an hour.
Things to Do Inside
Looking for things to do in Maui when it rains? Maui beaches might be out of the question when it rains, but there’s still plenty to do. See one of the best Maui dinner shows and some of the best indoor activities below.
Lahaina Jodo Mission
A popular Lahaina attraction, the Lahaina Jodo Mission is a tranquil replica of a Japanese Buddhist temple. Tourists flock here to take photos of the structure’s 12-foot bronze Buddha and towering pagoda. Lahaina Jodo Mission is one of the most peaceful spots in Hawaii. It is also a site of architectural splendor.
Warren & Annabelle’s Magic!
A great time to see this Maui dinner show is when looking for things to do in Maui when it rains during the winter months. Warren & Annabelle’s Magic! is a fun way to spend a night out in Maui for adults aged 21 and over. It combines magic, comedy, and (optional) dining inside an intimate, elegant theater.
Some of the best close up and comedy magicians in the country grace the stage nightly at this iconic, highly acclaimed Maui nightlife staple. After walking the red carpet to get into this beautiful Lahaina venue, guests first enjoy the lap of luxury inside Annabelle’s Parlor. After relaxing and having something to eat and drink in the Parlor, guests then visit the intimate 78-seat theater to see two incredible performers in each show!
Maui Hands
Maui Hands is a local gallery that features jewelry and art by local Hawaiian artists. This is one of the best things to do in Maui when it rains. The gallery features over 300 artists across four galleries. You can find everything from jewelry to paintings, making these the perfect gifts for loved ones back home.