What to Do on Maui When It Rains: Fun Ideas for a Wet Day in Paradise

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Locals love rain here on Maui. It’s what keeps our island so green and lush, but I can understand why visitors wouldn’t want it to be a part of their Hawaii vacation.

For some peace of mind, let me start by saying rain showers on Maui come and go quickly. You could be relaxing at the beach with bright and sunny skies then suddenly feel a light sprinkle. It’s over in minutes and sometimes followed by a beautiful rainbow. And it often just affects one area, meaning it could be raining in one town and sunny just 15 minutes away.

That said, Maui does occasionally experience longer rainstorms, especially during the winter months.

Whether you’re caught in a rare all-day downpour or just looking for a break from the sun, there are plenty of things to do on Maui when it rains.

Rainy-Day Activities on Maui

1. Go Shopping (and Stay Dry While You Browse)

Maui has several shopping centers that are great for rainy days, some fully enclosed, others with covered walkways.

• Shops at Wailea
  An upscale open-air shopping center with luxury brands, local boutiques, and some great dining options.
• Whalers Village (Ka’anapali)
  A beachside shopping hub with local stores and international stores, popular restaurants, and indoor exhibits.
• Lahaina Cannery Mall
  The only fully enclosed mall on the island. It’s small, with a limited selection of stores, but dry.
• Kihei Kalama Village
  A covered marketplace packed with small shops selling kitschy souvenirs, just steps away from popular eateries, bars, and food trucks.

🔆 Tip: Check online for free events and cultural classes often hosted at these centers.

📖 Related Read: Maui Shopping Guide: Best Souvenirs & Where to Shop Local

2. Chill Out with Live Music

There’s something magical about listening to music while rain taps on a rooftop. Many Maui restaurants and bars have indoor or covered seating, grab a meal and watch local musicians play some tunes.

• Monkeypod Kitchen (Wailea & Ka’anapali)
  Lively atmosphere and killer cocktails.
• Hula Grill or Duke’s (Ka’anapali)
  Popular beachfront restaurants. You’ll often hear ukulele or slack-key guitar as part of their live entertainment. The sound of waves mixed with music, plus great drinks and food, makes for a perfect Maui evening.
• Nalu’s South Shore Grill (Kihei)
  Family-friendly, with live music most nights, and don’t miss their popular brunch if you’re visiting earlier in the day!
• Lehua Lounge at Andaz & Four Seasons Lobby Lounge (Wailea)
  If you just want a drink or two, head to one of these elegant hotel lounges.

🔆 Tip: Check happy hour (pau hana) times online for great food and drink deals.

📖 Related Read: Maui on a Budget: Free & Low-Cost Things to Do

3. Grab a Warm Drink at a Local Coffee Shop

A cozy café is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the rain.

• Maui Coffee Attic (Wailuku)
  Ecletic cafe, with a band playing on the covered back patio most mornings, and in the evenings, head downstairs for events like concerts, open mics, and comedy shows.
• Paia Bay Coffee (Paia)
  Casual cafe with live music most days as well as trivia, comedy, and game nights.
• Akamai Coffee (Kihei & Wailea)
  Akamai has several locations, all specialize in 100% Maui-grown coffee.
• Momona Bakery (Kahului)
  Must visit for pastry lovers. The bakery is known for their hand-laminated croissants with inventive and seasonal fillings. Think lilikoi, ube, matcha, and savory options like ham and cheese.

4. Catch Some Indoor Entertainment

Maui has a rich arts scene and a growing number of indoor venues.

• Maui Arts & Cultural Center (Kahului)
  Premier performing arts venue and a great place to catch a live show, from Hawaiian music and hula to touring acts, film screenings, jazz, ballet, and more.
• ProArts Playhouse (Kihei)
  Small theater with big talent, from plays to concerts to comedy.
• Slack Key Show (Napili)
  Wednesday nights indoors at Napili Kai Beach Resort with Grammy-winner George Kahumoku Jr.
• The Valley Alley (Westin, Kaanapali)
  Arcade games, duckpin bowling, and Topgolf swing suites—fun for all ages by day, 21+ at night.
• Mulligans on the Blue (Wailea)
  Live music, dancing, and a Thursday night magic show that’s perfect for kids.

5. Explore Maui’s Museums and Educational Centers

While Maui’s museums can’t compete with Oahu’s, there’s plenty to learn in this island’s rich history.

• Bailey House Museum (Maui Historical Society)
  Located in Wailuku, this museum is set in a historic 19th-century missionary home and has a pretty large collection of Hawaiian artifacts and paintings.
• Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum (Central Maui)
  Learn about Maui’s sugarcane plantation history and its impact on the island’s economy and community.
• Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary (Kihei)
  Dive deeper into Maui’s whale population with free exhibits and educational programs.
• Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center, (Ka’anapali)
  Located in Whalers Village, this interactive center showcases Hawaii’s unique wildlife, conservation efforts, and native habitats.

📖 Related Read: Top Authentic Things to Do on Maui for a Culturally-Rich Vacation

6. Watch the Game at a Local Sports Bar

Rainy weather is a great excuse to kick back and catch a game. Maui has a few fun, casual bars where you can do just that.

• Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill (Kihei)
  A laid-back, open-air bar with plenty of TVs, pool tables, solid food, and a chill local crowd.
• Dollie’s Pub & Café, Kahana (West Maui)
  A cozy neighborhood spot known for its big pizzas, cold beer, and friendly service.
• Moose McGillycuddy’s (Kihei)
  Great ocean views, daily specials, bingo and trivia nights, and plenty of tv’s scattered throughout the restaurant.
• Kahale’s Maui’s Local Dive Bar (Kihei)
  Self-proclaimed as Maui’s oldest dive bar. It’s got character, strong drinks, and live music at night.

📖 Related Read: Top Things to Do in Kihei, Maui: Beaches, Water Sports, and Local Gems

7. Enjoy Your Hotel’s On-Site Perks

If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, take advantage of the many experiences offered right on property.

• Cultural classes
  Many resorts offer complimentary activities like lei-making, hula, ukulele lessons, and lauhala weaving.
• Live music and shows
  Evening entertainment, including slack key guitar, hula performances, and storytelling, is common at most large resorts.
• Pop-up markets and galleries
  Browse curated boutiques, local art, and handmade souvenirs.
• Spa and wellness
  Rainy weather is ideal for booking a massage, facial, or Hawaiian-inspired body treatment. Some hotels also offer group fitness classes, yoga, or wellness workshops.
• Pools and hot tubs
  The rain’s not going to stop the kids from swimming and, even better, most resort pools are heated. Adults might enjoy the hot tubs, swim-up bars, or covered cabanas.

🔆 Tip: Check with your concierge or guest services for the daily activity schedule—there’s often more happening than most visitors realize.

8. Visit a Small Town and Pop Into Local Shops

Maui’s small towns are full of charm, and local shops are often clustered close together so you can pop in and out without getting too wet.

• Paia (North Shore)
  Known for its bohemian/surfer vibe, Paia is home to dozens of art galleries, boutiques, and surf shops.
• Makawao (Upcountry)
  This charming town blends Hawaiian and paniolo (cowboy) culture with unique art galleries, boutiques, and local eateries.

📖 Related Read: 25 Best Things To Do in Upcountry Maui: A Local’s Guide (+Map)

9. Visit the Maui Ocean Center

This aquarium is a hit with the kids. With marine exhibits, reef tanks, and (my personal favorite) the immersive Humpback Whale 3D Experience. It’s a great way to spend a few hours learning about ocean life. Some areas are open-air, so bring an umbrella or jacket for walking between exhibits.

🔆 Bonus: If the kids still have energy to spare, head over to Maui Trampoline Park in Kahului, with wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball zones, and climbing features. Great for kids of all ages (and adults too, just stretch beforehand).

📖 Related Read: Top Family-Friendly Things To Do on Maui with Kids

10. Sip Your Way Through Maui’s Craft Beverage Scene

Whether you love beer, spirits, kombucha, or kava—Maui has it all!

• Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei)
  The largest craft brewery in the state, with a sprawling taproom, full food menu, and nightly live music. Indoor and covered seating makes it a great rainy-day hangout.
• Hali’imaile Distillery (Hali’imaile)
  Take a guided tour and learn how they produce award-winning vodka, gin, and whiskey using local ingredients. Tastings are available after, and you can keep the fun going with cocktails and food next door at Hali’imaile General Store.
• Mahalo Aleworks (Makawao)
  A brewery in Upcountry Maui serving creative small-batch beers made with local ingredients. Grab a pizza from the Italian restaurant next door, Marlow, and head upstairs to the brewery’s second floor for fantastic views of the island, even on cloudy days.
• Haleakava (Kihei)
  A local’s favorite, known for its welcoming community vibe and laid back feel. Enjoy open mic nights, live music, poetry slams, and, of course, traditional South Pacific kava drinks.

📖 Related Read: Foodie’s Guide to Maui: Farm Tours and Culinary Delights

11. Treat Yourself to a Chocolate Tasting

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate

This chocolate factory and farm offers daily tours where you can dive into the bean-to-bar process and sample some of the most delicious chocolate made right on the island. They also have a cafe and shop where you can enjoy chocolate tastings, treats, and even drinks in their upstairs lounge.

🔆 Bonus: On Pau Hana Fridays and Sunset Jazz Sundays, enjoy chocolate and wine pairings with live local music in their open-air pavilion. All proceeds support local Maui charities.

📖 Related Read: Most Romantic Things to Do on Maui: 22 Date Ideas for Couples

12. Pamper Yourself with a Spa Day

A rainy day on Maui is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a spa experience. Many of Maui’s resorts offer luxurious spa services that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

• Kilolani Spa at the Grand Wailea (Wailea)
  Maui’s newest and largest spa with hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, waterfall showers, and a Hawaiian-style hammam. Plus, a wide array of Hawaiian-inspired treatments like lomi lomi massages and volcanic body wraps.
• Spa Montage (Kapalua)
  Book a couples’ massage, a body ritual inspired by native plants, or spend time in their outdoor infinity pool and relaxation areas.
• The Ritz-Carlton Spa (Kapalua)
  Inspired by ancient Hawaiian healing, this spa features luxurious treatments, a eucalyptus steam room, and a beautiful setting on Maui’s northwest coast.
• Heavenly Spa by Westin (Ka’anapali)
  True to its name, this spa blends island rituals with wellness offerings like guided meditation and body wraps using Hawaiian kukui oil. Guests love the couples’ treatment rooms and post-massage oceanfront lanai.

📖 Related Read: Beyond the Beach: Best Relaxing Activities to Do on Maui

13. Get Creative with a Hands-On Workshop

Rainy weather is the perfect time to dive into a hands-on, cultural, or artistic experience.

• Moana Glass (Lahaina)
  Take a glassblowing class and create your own glass sculpture, ornament, or wave. No experience necessary, and you leave with a personal souvenir.
• Haku Maui (Makawao)
  Join a lei-making workshop and craft a traditional flower crown (haku lei) in a charming upcountry studio. The setting is full of aloha, and you’ll learn the cultural meaning behind the craft.
• Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center (Makawao)
  This nonprofit art center has tons of classes and open studios in everything from ceramics to painting to printmaking, all within a beautiful historic estate.
• Welzie Art Studio (Andaz, Wailea)
  Take a playful painting class with island artist Welzie, known for his happy surf-inspired art. Great for kids and adults.
• Wonderful World of Aloha (Kahului)
  Participate in hula, crafts, and drumming classes—and don’t miss Migrations, an immersive global dance show that blends storytelling, movement, and vibrant costumes. Great for families.

📖 Related Read: Best Workshops, Lessons, and Classes on Maui: 22 Hands-On Experiences You’ll Never Forget

Final Tips for Rainy Days on Maui

1. Don’t panic over the weather forecast. Maui has microclimates, so a rain icon doesn’t mean it’ll pour all day. And if it is pouring in one area, chances are you can drive 20 minutes and find sunshine elsewhere.
2. Hold off on swimming if the ocean is murky. After a storm, runoff can wash debris and pollutants into the ocean, making the water cloudy and brownish. Not only is it unpleasant to swim in, but murky water can also attract predators like sharks. Wait until the ocean clears up before getting back in.
3. Avoid hiking during or right after heavy rain due to slippery trails and flash flood risks.
4. Be cautious on roads. Flooding can happen quickly. During the wet season, it’s a good idea to check for road closures or advisories before heading out.
5. Book tours early in your trip so you can reschedule if needed.

Don’t Let Rain Ruin Your Trip

I hope these ideas keep your family happy on vacation. Rain is just part of life on a tropical island, and it doesn’t have to slow you down. From cultural workshops and cozy cafés to spirit tastings and musical performances, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy Maui when the skies turn grey.

So grab a jacket, get out, and explore. Don’t let a little rain stop you!

And if you loved this post, you’ll love my Maui Travel Map even more! It includes hundreds of curated locations to help you plan your trip, all in one easy-to-use digital map. Mahalo (thank you) for reading!