Maui Travel Guide – Hawaiʻi in September
Visiting Maui in September is a great idea! It falls within the “shoulder season,” offering a sweet spot between the summer crowds and winter holiday rush. You’ll find fewer tourists, potentially lower prices on accommodations, and more enjoyable experiences with less congestion at popular attractions. The weather in September is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures in the mid-80s, perfect for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.
Maui Weather in September
The weather in Maui in September is generally warm and sunny, marking the end of the summer season. Here’s a summary of what you can expect:
Sunrise & Sunset
- Sunrise in Maui during September typically occurs around 6:00 AM.
- Sunset in Maui during September is usually around 6:30 PM.
Temperature:
- Daytime temperatures typically range from 75°F to 85°F.
- Central and West Maui can experience highs topping 88°F.
- Cooler Upcountry towns generally see temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s.
- Nighttime lows are around 73°F.
Rainfall:
- September is generally dry and sunny, with low chances of rainfall.
- Average rainfall is about 0.3 inches.
- Some sources suggest 4 to 5 rainy days with light, short-lived showers.
- The rainy season typically begins in November.
Humidity:
- Humidity levels average around 70%.
- Trade winds help make it feel more comfortable, but strong offshore storms can lead to muggy conditions.
Sunshine:
- Maui enjoys about 12 hours of daylight in September.
- Daily hours of sunshine average around 9 in areas like Lahaina and Kahului.
- September is considered the sunniest month in Kaanapali and Kahului, with sunshine during 70-72% of daylight hours.
Ocean:
- Ocean temperatures remain warm, averaging around 80°F, ideal for water activities.
Other Notes:
- September is a good time to visit for those looking for a quieter, more budget-friendly experience compared to the peak summer season.
- It’s a great time for beach days, snorkeling, and hiking.
- Mornings are generally best for water sports due to calmer winds.
- Higher elevations like Haleakala can be chilly, so pack warm clothes if planning to visit the summit.
Learn more on the Road to Hāna
Maui Activities in September
Enjoy a Relaxing Beach Day
Soak up the sun, enjoy the ocean, and dip your toes in the sand at our incredible beaches, perfect for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and simply relaxing. If the more crowded beaches aren’t your thing, we can point you to some fantastic secret beaches to get away from the crowds. Polo Beach, Kāʻanapali Beach, and Malu’aka Beach are just the start of our amazing beaches you can explore.
Travel Along the Road to Hāna
The Road to Hāna is an iconic drive winding along Maui’s eastern coastline. The 64.4-mile stretch of Hāna Highway takes you on a journey where you can stop at many amazing sites that call Maui home, including the
Garden of Eden Arboretum, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, and Wailua Falls. This adventure is a whole day so bring plenty of water and snacks.
Snorkel or Dive in Molokini Crater
Molokini Crater is a partially submerged volcanic caldera that is one of the most unique snorkeling experiences. Dive below the waves and witness our vibrant coral reefs, colorful fish, and sea turtles. The calm August waters will provide the best environment to see it all. You will want to book your tour in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly during peak season.
Explore Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park offers a unique opportunity to hike across volcanic terrain, see rare endemic species, and experience a dormant volcano. You should be prepared for changes in elevation and variable weather conditions, so bringing the right clothing matters. Sunrise and sunset viewings from the summit are popular but do require reservations. If you’re there at night,
Haleakalā is the perfect location for stargazing.
Experience a Traditional Lūʻau
Immerse yourself in our Hawaiian culture by attending a traditional lūʻau. Feast on kalua pig, poi, and other local delicacies, while enjoying traditional music and hula performances. It’s important to check with your hotel to see if they have recommendations and to reserve your place in advance.
Ono Grindz on Maui
Maui offers a fantastic culinary scene. One of our favorites is Cafe OʻLei at The Maui Tropical Plantation. For fresh seafood, try the Paia Fish Market for affordable options or Mama’s Fish House for a more upscale experience. Don’t miss out on traditional Hawaiian dishes like poke, poi, lomi lomi salmon, kalua pua’a, lau lau, haupia, pipi kalua, and loco moco. Other popular choices include Nalu’s South Shore Grill for brunch, and Star Noodle for fresh noodles.
Hereʻs what to expect from a local menu:
- Poke: A popular raw fish salad with various seasonings.
- Poi: A starchy staple made from mashed kalo (taro).
- Lomi Lomi Salmon: A refreshing dish with salted salmon, tomatoes, and onions.
- Kalua Pua’a: Slow-roasted shredded pork.
- Lau Lau: Pork, chicken, or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed.
- Haupia: A coconut milk-based dessert.
- Pipi Kalua: A Hawaiian beef stew.
- Loco Moco: A hearty dish with rice, a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and gravy.
Experience the Famous Haleakalā Sunrise Tour
Checklist for Maui in September
Clothing:
- Lightweight clothing: T-shirts, shorts, sundresses, and breathable fabrics are ideal for the warm weather.
- Swimwear: Pack at least two swimsuits to allow for drying time.
- One nice outfit: For dinners or special occasions.
- Sweatshirt or light jacket: For cooler evenings or Haleakalā.
- Hiking shoes or sturdy walking shoes: For exploring trails.
- Sandals or flip-flops: For casual wear and beach trips.
Sun Protection:
- Reef-safe sunscreen: Protect your skin and the coral reefs by using mineral-based sunscreen. If you brought chemical sunscreen with you, we ask you to please refrain from using it while in Maui as its extremely harmful to the local wildlife & causes lasting harm to the environment.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the strong Hawaiian sun.
- Sun hat: Provide extra shade for your face and neck.
Accessories:
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated while exploring the island.
- Daypack or beach bag: For carrying essentials during your daily adventures.
- Portable charger: Keep your phone and other devices charged for capturing memories.
- Snorkel gear: If you plan on snorkeling, consider bringing your own or renting when you arrive.
- Rashguard or sun shirt: Provides additional sun protection while swimming.
- Waterproof phone case: Protect your phone from water damage.
- Beach towel: A must-have for beach days.
- Mosquito repellent: Especially useful for humid days or when hiking.
- Reusable shopping bags: Plastic bags are not used on Maui
Other Essentials:
- Driver’s license or ID: For identification purposes.
- Cash: For tipping and smaller purchases.
- Itinerary and hotel information: Keep important travel documents organized.
- Prescriptions: If needed, make sure to bring enough medication for your trip.
- Toiletries: Pack your usual toiletries, including any medications.
Optional:
- Underwater camera or GoPro: For capturing underwater adventures.
- Travel insurance: It’s always a good idea to have travel insuranc
Travel Pono
We want to help you do those things “pono” (in the right way).
Our Commitment:
“To impart to our guests a genuine understanding of the aloha spirit and help them to travel pono by fostering care and respect for our community, environment and host culture.”
The Hawaiian culture is all about sharing. Sharing from ancient times through to recent history, they have shared to such an extent that they’ve given almost everything they had, including their lives. We all want Hawaiian culture to grow and thrive again. Simply feeling the aloha and expressing it shows respect for the culture, and helps it grow stronger. A resident shows respect to a visitor by sharing aloha and welcoming the visitor by returning a friendly wave. The honor system is alive and well at most fruit stands across East Maui due to the trust the residents have in the visitors.
A visitor can reciprocate this trust and kindness by learning about a few things that can make life better for the area’s residents. Simple things, like driving according to road conditions and pulling off to let resident drivers go ahead is always a kind gesture. No one wants to have to constantly deal with trespassers, (especially the intentional ones), or badly parked vehicles – and that applies to anywhere in the world. Think about your actions as if it was your backyard. How would you want visitors to act towards you and your property? Now you know what is pono. Simply treat others as you would like to be treated and aloha will rule the day.
Keep in mind that residents need to go places too. Please move off the road if you decide to slow down or stop for a photo op or any other purpose, including, (but not limited to): standing in the road while picture taking; while driving a lot slower just to take a longer look (AKA: being a “looky loo”) or attempting to park. Make sure you’re completely off the road no matter why you’re stopping. Getting run into – or worse, getting run over, on what was supposed to be your “best day on Maui”, can turn even the best vacation into your worst nightmare.
Please don’t ignore any road signs. They are there for a good reason and visitors are asked to follow them for their own safety and the safety of the residents.
Things You Should Remember To Do to Share Your Aloha
Driving & Residents
Driving can be frustrating, no matter where you’re from, but island driving has it’s own challenges. Most roads in Maui were built over 100 years ago, during the heyday of the sugarcane industry, from little more than dirt pathways. Constant upgrades (widening & lane additions) have developed over the years for the main arteries which have resulted in several multi lane highways. Resort areas have experienced improved traffic flow, but there are few alternate routes when traffic gets snarled.
Many rural and residential roads (especially the road to Hana) are narrow with utility poles and vegetation quite close to the road’s edges. Though this seems dangerous (and it can be), residents have been driving these roads for generations and know every twist and bend. When visiting most tourist areas in the world, it can seem like the residents are the crazy drivers, and if they’re frustrated with heavy rental car traffic while trying to get to work or home, that can certainly be the case, but they also know the road well and know where they’re headed, whereas tourists generally don’t. The main thing to keep in mind is to slow down and let resident drivers pass. Be sure to give yourself a little extra time and just enjoy the scenery!
Coral Damage & Reef Safe Sunscreen
Recent research suggests there is ongoing coral bleaching happening all around Maui. Studies have found that harmful chemicals in commercial sunscreens may be contributing to this decline of our reef systems. Another reason reefs are becoming damaged is visitors walking on them. Not only can you become injured and incur nasty staph infections from walking on coral it also causes coral breakage which can take years for the reef to recover from.
E komo mai! We’re thrilled you chose to visit Maui for your vacation.
