Before the whirlwind of the holiday season is upon us, take time to decompress with a tropical vacation! Maui offers so much more than just lying on the beautiful beach and soaking up the sun (although lying on the beach in November does sound heavenly).

Below are just a few of the ideas for your Maui vacation:

Seven Sacred Pools – Located in the Haleakala National Park, this area is known for its hiking trails, pool swimming and cliff jumping. The Pipiwai Trail is a 4-mile (round trip) hike with beautiful waterfalls along the route. The final stop on the hike is Waimoku Falls. Along the trail, take a dip in the Infinity Pool, a secluded pool with a row of thick rocks that prevent you from plunging over the 200-foot waterfall.

Wall of Tears

Wall of Tears – Take in the splendor of the Wall of Tears in a helicopter tour – a one hour roundtrip ride from Maui. This landmark is the largest concentration of waterfalls -17 total – in Hawaii. Little known fact: this “wall” served as the entrance to Jurassic Park!

Submarine tours – Enjoy a spectacular adventure while exploring the undersea world. See for yourself the natural beauty of the coral reefs and marine life.

Maui Ocean Center – This is one of the top attractions in Hawaii! Open every single day of the year, you can see marine life, including tropical reef fish, octopus, moray eels, green sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and sea jellies, up close without stepping foot in the water.

Sunset Luau – Several resorts offer sunset luaus right on the beach – it’s a must do! Enjoy a variety of different cultural activities, including songs and dances, while feasting on local delicacies. But be ready – sometimes you get to join in on the action!

Surfing Lessons – Grab your friends and hit the water! Surf lessons are designed for all levels – beginner to intermediate. Learn to surf on some of the best waves around! Some clinics also offer professional photographers so you can take proof of your surfing prowess back to the states!

Visit Lahaina – Explore this historic whaling village that is now a Maui hot spot. This area was made famous in the 1800s when as many as 1,500 sailors from over 400 ships took leave in the area. One of the sailors included Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick. Set sail from the harbor for an unforgettable whale watching tour.

Ulalena – Take in the fabulous musical “Ulalena”, a story about Hawaii’s people. This family-friendly show guides you from the island’s creation to its early explorers. You’ll be mesmerized by acrobatic feats!