Swapping icy windshields for warm sand works especially well in December. Daytime temperatures on Maui usually sit in the low 80s to high 70s Fahrenheit, with evenings in the mid 60s, and the ocean continues to be refreshing but not too cold (comfortable for swimming without a wetsuit).
December also lines up with the start of peak humpback whale season. From roughly mid-December through April, thousands of whales move into the channels around Maui, so you can often spot spouts and breaching whales right from the shoreline.
On top of that, Maui layers in holiday fun, like Santa arriving by outrigger canoe on Wailea Beach and resort tree lightings that are often open to the public (Fairmont Kea Lani does a good one).
Keeping the trip budget friendly
Holiday airfare is never truly cheap, but there are still ways to soften the blow. Red eye flights from the West Coast are often less expensive and drop you into Kahului early, which can save on a rental car day if you plan well. Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest, Delta and United all compete on Hawaii routes, so it’s worth checking each and watching for fare sales.
Once you’re on island, the easiest way to keep costs in line is to mix in a lot of free and low cost time outdoors. That is where Maui crushes other destinations.
14 free or cheap things to do on Maui in December
Most of these are free or under about $30/person, not counting gas and snacks. A few are “cheap splurges,” especially for a holiday trip.
1. Walk ʻĪao Valley State Monument
ʻĪao Valley is a quick drive from Kahului into a steep, lush valley with a short paved trail and views of the ʻĪao Needle. It feels worlds away from the resort areas and works well on arrival or departure day.
For out of state visitors there is now a reservation system plus entry and parking fees. Non resident adults pay a small per person entry fee and a separate parking fee, and reservations are required in advance for non residents during regular hours. The park is generally open during the day, so it’s easy to fit into your schedule.
Even with the fees, this is still one of the more affordable big scenery stops on Maui.
2. Stroll South Maui’s beach parks
If you are staying in Kihei, Wailea or Makena, you’re spoiled. The Kamaole I, II and III parks line about a mile and a half of shoreline in Kihei, with lifeguards, showers, and lawns for picnics. You can’t go wrong with any South Maui beaches.
Deeper south you’ll find Keawakapu, Wailea Beach and Ulua Beach, all with public access and parking lots, calm water much of the time, and sunset views across to our small neighbor islands. Walking the Wailea beachfront path in the late afternoon, then dropping down to the sand for sunset, costs nothing and is pretty much one of the top things you’ll do.
3. Watch humpback whales from shore
You don’t have to book a boat to see whales, especially in late December and January. Find a spot on a South Maui beach or overlook and scan the channel between Maui, Kahoolawe and Lanai for spouts and splashes.
Whales typically visit from about December through April, with the highest concentration in mid winter (February). Binoculars help, and mornings are usually calmest on the water. If you don’t see much, taking a whale watch tour is worth the splurge.
4. Park at Ho‘okipa overlook and watch the surfers
On the North Shore near Paia, Hookipa Beach Park is a world class windsurfing and surfing spot. There is a bluff-top parking area that looks straight down on the surf.
You won’t be paying any entry or parking fees at Hookipa, so this is a completely free stop, other than whatever you spend at a nearby food truck. Keep in mind, this is a dangerous spot to be out in the water, so don’t surf unless you are an expert. And don’t swim regardless of your abilities in the ocean.
5. Drive on the Hana Highway
The Road to Hana is famous for its sharp curves, one lane bridges and waterfalls. You don’t have to go all the way to Hana town to enjoy it. Even driving halfway, stopping at lookouts, and pulling over at legal spots for photos will give you a feel for East Maui.
The drive itself is free (other than gas and rental), but more and more stops are charging modest parking fees or managing access. For example, Twin Falls at the start of the highway is on private farmland and now charges a per vehicle parking fee with limited hours (see more below).
Though roadside banana bread and smoothies add up fast on a family outing, it’s worth trying a few items at least.
6. Watch sunrise or sunset at Haleakala National Park
Visiting Haleakala is not free, but it is still a relatively low cost way to see the island from above the clouds. The park charges a per vehicle fee for a pass that is good for several days and covers both the Summit and Kipahulu districts (the part of the park along the coast past Hana.)
If you want to enter between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. for sunrise, you must also book a separate one dollar per vehicle sunrise reservation online, in advance.
Sunrise is spectacular but cold, crowded, and very early, especially for kids. For a less crowded option, go for late afternoon and stay through sunset instead. You still get the crater views, and your standard park pass covers it.
7. Visit Maui Ocean Center (Budget Stretch)
While the ticket price runs higher than $30 (currently around $45 for adults), the Maui Ocean Center is the premier indoor attraction on the island. It’s great during whale season, and if you treat it as a half-day activity, the value is there. It’s a perfect choice for a wet or windy day when the beach is less comfortable.
8. Walk the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk
Just north of Kihei, the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge protects a large wetland that is home to endangered Hawaiian stilts and coots. A long, accessible boardwalk lets you walk between the ocean and the wetlands with big views in every direction.
Admission to the refuge and visitor center is free, and the boardwalk is open daily from early morning into the evening. It’s a quiet, easy, and completely free outing, especially nice around sunrise or sunset as it can get really hot mid-day.
9. Stop at Twin Falls for an easy waterfall walk
Twin Falls, near the start of the Hana Highway, is a privately owned farm that gives visitors access to walk to a series of streams and small waterfalls.
Parking is limited to a paid lot ($10, credit card only) with a set number of spots, first come, first served, and there is no legal street parking. If you arrive early and treat it as a short, easy hike before the full Hana drive, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to stretch your legs, cool off in the water if conditions allow, and get your first waterfall in.
10. Head Upcountry to Kula and Alii Kula Lavender
When the beach heat gets old, an Upcountry drive can feel like a completely different island. The Alii Kula Lavender Farm, about 4,000 feet up the slopes of Haleakala, offers cooler air, gardens, and wide views over central Maui.
General admission is a small fee, and kids are often free or discounted. You can wander the paths, grab a lavender scone and tea, and still get back to the beach by afternoon.
11. Try Maui poke on the beach
Poke is one of the cheapest fresh meals you can find on Maui. Many supermarkets like Foodland and local markets in Kihei and Wailea sell poke by the pound. Grab rice, poke, and a couple of local sides, then head to a picnic table at Kamaole Beach Park or Kalama Park and call it dinner and a sunset.
Compared to restaurant prices, this is one of the best budget moves you can make, especially with a group.
12. Join a Friday Town Party
Maui’s town parties are a great way to eat local. Currently, the Kihei Fourth Friday (at Azeka Shopping Center) is the most reliable monthly event, featuring live music, food trucks, and local artisans. The Maui Sunday Market in Kahului (Sunday evenings) is another consistent option for street food and local vendors. Note: Wailuku First Friday is currently on pause, so check schedules before you go.
13. Snorkel from shore
If you bring or rent basic snorkeling gear, you can access excellent snorkeling right from South Maui beaches without paying for a boat. The rocky ends of Kamaole I and II, Ulua Beach, and parts of Keawakapu often have clear water and reef fish on calmer mornings.
Simple snorkel sets can often be rented for a day or a week for less than the cost of one restaurant meal, and you can use them over and over. Always watch ocean conditions and skip it if the water is rough or murky.
14. Visit the marine exhibits at Whalers Village
The old museum space at Whalers Village has evolved into the Hawai‘i Wildlife Discovery Center, a modern conservation space with interactive displays about monk seals, whales, and ocean debris. Admission is by donation, making it a meaningful, low-cost stop, especially if you’re already shopping or dining in Kaanapali.
Access rules in this area have changed over time to protect fragile archaeological sites and marine life, so some trails are closed, but you can still legally drive to the end of the road and walk the marked coastal paths where open. This whole outing is essentially the cost of gas, sunscreen, and maybe a shave ice on the way back.
Holiday touches that feel very Maui
You can add some seasonal moments to your island days without spending much. Watch Santa arrive by canoe in Wailea as he trades his sleigh for an outrigger and lands on Wailea Beach. Viewing from the public beach is free, though parking fills early and it draws a serious crowd. You can also get lucky and find fun free sled rides, like the photo below at Ultimate Air Maui Trampoline Park.
Many resorts, like the Fairmont Kea Lani, host tree lightings and holiday concerts that are open to visitors as space allows. These are often free and are an easy way to get that festive feeling between beach sessions.
Local spots like South Maui Gardens in Kihei sometimes host family friendly evenings and holiday markets with food trucks, music, and lights where you only pay for what you eat and buy.
A few splurges worth considering
If you are going all the way to Maui for Christmas, you may want one or two bigger ticket experiences layered in with the free ones:
- A guided Maui whale watch by boat, usually somewhere around 60 to 100 dollars per adult depending on operator and vessel
- A stand up paddleboard rental for a few hours on a South Maui beach
- A Lomi Lomi or other spa treatment at a Wailea or Kapalua spa
