Are you thinking about planning a trip to Maui in November? Find out some of the best things to do in Maui in November that are worth adding to your itinerary!
This list of things to do in Maui in November was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I’ll be upfront: I’ve been to Kauai, the Big Island, and Oahu in November, but never Maui. My Oahu trip was with my oldest son, and my favorite part was our early-morning walks through Waikiki, checking out the Christmas decorations going up at the hotels. That’s late November in Hawaii. It’s still beach weather, but the islands are quietly switching into holiday mode.
For Maui, this guide comes from about a dozen trips to the island, my training as a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, and the 2026 event calendars and park notices I checked myself. Think of me as the professional tourist who did the homework.
The short version: the best things to do in Maui in November are spotting the first whales of the season, the Made in Maui County Festival (Nov. 6 and 7), Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna while the waterfalls are full, and Thanksgiving traditions like the Kula Turkey Trot.
TL;DR: Maui in November 2026
- Weather: Highs in the mid-80s, warm ocean, and more rain on the Hāna side than in Kīhei or Wailea
- Big dates: Made in Maui County Festival (Nov. 6 and 7), Maui Invitational basketball (Nov. 23 to 25), and Thanksgiving (Nov. 26)
- Whales: It’s early season. The first whales arrive in November, but peak is mid-January through March
- Book now: Haleakalā sunrise reservations, Thanksgiving week lodging, rental cars, and luau seats
- Best weeks: The first three weeks of November, before Thanksgiving crowds and prices kick in
Quick stats:
- Maui had 200,823 visitors in November 2025, up 1.5% from November 2024.
- Maui welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors in 2025, out of about 9.6 million statewide.
- Kahului averages a high of 84°F and a low of 69°F in November.
What’s the Weather Like in Maui in November?
It’s warm, mostly sunny on the resort sides, and a little wetter than summer. November is the start of Hawaii’s wetter season, but where you stay matters more than the calendar.
Kahului, Kīhei, and Wailea stay fairly dry. In Kahului, the chance of a wet day is only about 14% to 19% during November. East Maui and the Road to Hāna get much more rain, which is why the waterfalls look so good this time of year.
The ocean stays warm, around 78 to 79°F. Winter swells start rolling into north- and west-facing shores in November, and that includes Kāʻanapali on some days. South Maui beaches in Kīhei and Wailea tend to stay calmer. Check the surf report each morning and swim where there’s a lifeguard.
Central Pacific hurricane season also officially runs through November 30, and 2026 has been a record-setting season. Late-season storms are uncommon, but it’s worth thinking about travel insurance. I explain what’s covered in Episode 148 of Hawaii Travel Made Easy.
Pack a light rain jacket, one warm layer for evenings, and serious cold-weather gear if Haleakalā is on your list.
For the bigger picture, read what it’s like to visit Hawaii in the fall.
What Events Are Happening in Maui in November 2026?
These are the confirmed November 2026 events I’d plan around as a family.
| Event | Date | Where | Good for Kids? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made in Maui County Festival | Nov. 6 & 7 | Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului | Yes, especially Saturday with food trucks |
| Southwest Maui Invitational (college basketball) | Nov. 23 to 25 | Lahaina Civic Center | Yes, for sports fans |
| VIRR Turkey Trot 5K | Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) | Keōkea Park, Kula | Yes, costumes encouraged |
| Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise | Nov. 26 | Māʻalaea Harbor | Yes, kids 2 and under free |
| Westin Maui tree lighting & craft fair | Nov. 27 | Kāʻanapali | Yes |
You might also see Restaurant Week Wailea on older November lists. The organizer put it on hold in 2022, and I couldn’t find a 2026 date, so I wouldn’t plan around it.
Made in Maui County Festival (Nov. 6 and 7)
This is Maui County’s largest products show. Every vendor has to be based in Maui County, with products that are at least 51% made in Hawaii. It’s held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.
Friday afternoon is a shopping preview. Saturday is the big day, with food trucks and live entertainment.
If you want souvenirs beyond what the resort shops carry, this is a good option. You’re buying straight from Maui makers. Here’s my list of Hawaiian souvenirs worth bringing home, and details are on the festival website.
Southwest Maui Invitational (Nov. 23 to 25)
The Maui Invitational is at Lahaina Civic Center again in 2026, running Monday, Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 25. This year’s field is Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU, and Washington.
Even if you don’t care about basketball, it affects your trip. Kāʻanapali lodging fills up fast that week, and rental car prices climb. If your dates overlap, book early.
If you haven’t been back to Lahaina since the 2023 fires, Front Street reopened to vehicles on Aug. 1, 2026. Kimo’s, ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, and more than a dozen other businesses are open again. The town is still very much rebuilding, and the first permanent storefront on Front Street only broke ground in October.
Go, eat, and shop at the businesses that have reopened. Stay out of fenced and private areas, and remember people are living through this recovery, not performing it for visitors.
When Do the Whales Show Up in Maui?
Humpback whales start arriving in November, but you’re catching the very beginning of the season. Pacific Whale Foundation says its whale season officially kicks off in early November, with peak season running from mid-January through March.
So yes, you can see whales in November. You’ll just see fewer of them, and they’re often farther out.
In early November, I wouldn’t book a whale watch as its own outing. Pick a snorkel trip or sunset cruise instead, so you’re on the water either way and anything you spot is a bonus. By late November, a dedicated whale watch makes more sense.
From shore, scan the water from the pullouts along Honoapiʻilani Highway between Māʻalaea and Lahaina. Bring binoculars and look for spouts.
I break down when a boat tour is worth it versus shore watching in Episode 146: Do You Actually Need a Whale Watching Tour in Maui? For specific tours, see my complete guide to whale watching on Maui.
If you’re staying in West Maui, PacWhale Eco-Adventures resumed cruises from Lahaina Harbor this year, so you may not have to drive to Māʻalaea.
Is Haleakalā Worth It in November?
Yes, as long as you plan for the cold and the reservation system.
Sunrise at the summit requires a $1 vehicle reservation through Recreation.gov for anyone entering between 3 and 7 a.m. You also pay the park entrance fee separately. Reservations are released 60 days out and again 2 days out, at 7 a.m. Hawaii time.
If your trip is in November, the 60-day window is already open for most dates, so check now. If they’re gone, try the 2-day release.
Bring real winter gear. At sunrise the summit is often near freezing, and the wind makes it feel colder. Think beanies, gloves, and the puffy jackets you’d never otherwise pack for Hawaii.
Sunrise or sunset both work with kids. Little ones on mainland time are sometimes up crazy early anyway, so a 3 a.m. wake-up may be less painful than you’d think. If yours sleep in, sunset needs no reservation, lands around 5:45 p.m. in November, and you can stay for stargazing.
If you’d rather not drive the switchbacks in the dark, a guided tour handles it for you.
Upcountry is worth more than a drive-through on the way up. I explain why in Episode 137: Maui’s Upcountry.
What Should You Do on a Rainy November Day in Maui?
The Maui Ocean Center in Māʻalaea is the best rainy-day backup on the island. Adult tickets start at $49.95 and kids 4 to 12 are $39.95 when you buy online ahead of time. Parking is a separate paid lot.
Admission includes the Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi 3D Sphere, which is a nice consolation prize if the real whales didn’t cooperate on your boat trip. The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more ideas, see my list of things to do in Maui with kids.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument is another option, but check its status before you drive. It closed for long stretches of 2026 for bridge repairs and storm damage, and DLNR now lists it as reopened. Out-of-state visitors need a reservation, with a $5 per person entry fee plus $10 for parking.
Is the Road to Hāna a Good Idea in November?
It can be one of the best things you do in November, because the waterfalls are usually fuller. The trade-off is slick trails, muddy pullouts, and a real risk of flash flooding during heavy rain. Never cross a stream that’s rising or turning brown.
If Waiʻānapanapa State Park is on your list, out-of-state visitors need an advance reservation. It’s $10 for parking plus $5 per person, and slots can sell out about a week ahead.
My family’s must-stops never change: banana bread at the Halfway to Hāna stand near mile marker 17, and the Garden of Eden Arboretum, which is still my favorite stop on the whole drive.
For the long car ride, my Hawaii kids’ journal and activity book gives kids something to do besides asking how much longer. If nobody in your group wants to drive, a guided tour lets everyone look out the window.
How Can You Celebrate Thanksgiving in Maui?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, and you have a few good options.
Runners and walkers can start the day at the Valley Isle Road Runners Turkey Trot. It’s a 5K at Keōkea Park in Kula that starts at 7:30 a.m., and silly costumes are encouraged. They collect donations for the Maui Food Bank, so bring a canned good. The 2025 race filled up, so register early.
On the water, PacWhale Eco-Adventures runs a Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise from Māʻalaea. The menu includes kalua turkey, Portuguese sausage stuffing, and taro rolls, and every group gets its own private table. Evening departures come with a sunset, and kids 2 and under ride free.
For a luau, Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui is my top Maui pick, and the Old Lahaina Luau is my other favorite. Thanksgiving dates go fast at both, so book as soon as your trip is set. I rank every Maui luau I’ve been to in Episode 129 of the podcast, and my full breakdown is in the best luaus in Maui.
The day after, The Westin Maui lights its lobby Christmas tree on Nov. 27, with a craft fair of Maui artisans from 5 to 9 p.m. on Hōkūpaʻa Lawn. If you’re not staying there, call ahead to confirm it’s open to non-guests.
For restaurant dinners, many places offer special Thanksgiving menus. Here are some kid-friendly Maui restaurants to start with, plus more ideas in Thanksgiving in Hawaii.
Which Adventure Tours Are Worth Booking in November?
Surf lessons are best on the Kīhei side in November, since winter swells make the north shores rough for beginners. Here are my picks for Maui surf lessons. If you’d rather watch big surf than ride it, stop at the Hoʻokipa lookout near Pāʻia.
A helicopter tour shows you parts of Maui you can’t reach by car. Book it early in your trip, because November showers can cancel flights and you’ll want days left to reschedule.
For ATVs, Maui Off-Road Adventures in Kapalua uses side-by-sides and takes kids 7 and up. Maui Mountain Activities runs a 1.5-hour ride on a West Maui ranch that’s a better fit for teens and adults.
Families who fish can book a half-day charter. Here’s how to book Maui fishing charters.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Maui With Kids?
Yes, and the first three weeks are the sweet spot. School is in session on the mainland, so beaches and attractions feel calmer than in summer or December.
I’d stay in South Maui for the calmer winter beaches and the short drive to Māʻalaea for whale trips. The Grand Wailea is a classic family pick there.
Kāʻanapali works well too, especially for Maui Invitational dates. For multigenerational trips, I love Honua Kai, where we’ve stayed for the kitchen space. The OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is another solid option. More choices are in the best Maui resorts for families. If you go the condo route, make sure it’s a legal vacation rental.
You’ll need a car for nearly everything on this list. I use Discount Hawaii Car Rental because there’s no prepayment and no cancellation fee, so you can rebook if prices drop. I cover what’s changed with Hawaii rental cars in Episode 142. If you’re car-free, read how to get around Maui without a car.
With that early sunset, golden-hour family photos are easy to fit in before dinner. We almost always book Flytographer so I’m actually in our vacation pictures, and you’ll save $20 with my link.
Still deciding on trip length? Here’s how many days you really need in Maui. For the latest island news this season, listen to my Fall Update in Episode 147.
Maui in November FAQs
Is November a good time to visit Maui?
Yes. November has warm weather, the first whales of the season, and fewer crowds than December or summer. The first three weeks are the sweet spot. Thanksgiving week gets busy and expensive, so if your dates are flexible, aim for early or mid-November and book holiday trips well ahead.
Can you see whales in Maui in November?
Yes, but it’s early in the season. Pacific Whale Foundation kicks off its whale season in early November, and the peak runs mid-January through March. In early November, I’d pair whale spotting with a snorkel or sunset cruise rather than booking a standalone whale tour.
Is it too cold to swim in Maui in November?
Not at all. The ocean stays around 78 to 79°F in November. The bigger concern is surf, not temperature. Winter swells can make north- and west-facing beaches rough, so I’d stick with calmer South Maui beaches in Kīhei and Wailea and always swim where there’s a lifeguard.
Does it rain a lot in Maui in November?
It depends on where you are. Kahului, Kīhei, and Wailea stay fairly dry, with only about a 14% to 19% chance of a wet day in Kahului. East Maui and the Road to Hāna get much more rain. Pack a light rain jacket and keep a rainy-day backup plan.
What time is sunset in Maui in November?
Sunset is around 5:50 p.m. at the start of November and about 5:43 p.m. near Thanksgiving. That early sunset works well for families. You can catch golden hour, have dinner, and still get kids to bed on time. It also makes Haleakalā at sunset an easy outing.
Where should families stay in Maui in November?
For calmer winter beaches, I lean toward South Maui, especially Wailea and Kīhei, which are also close to Māʻalaea for whale trips. Kāʻanapali is a great base too, especially for Maui Invitational dates, but its beaches can get rough during winter swells. For multigenerational groups, I like Honua Kai for its kitchens.
Is Maui crowded over Thanksgiving?
Yes. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest stretches of the fall, and in 2026 the Maui Invitational lands right before it, from Nov. 23 to 25. Expect higher hotel and rental car prices. Book lodging, cars, luaus, and the Turkey Trot as soon as your dates are set.
What Should You Book First for Maui in November?
The families who have the best November trips aren’t the ones who did the most. They’re the ones who booked the few things that sell out (Haleakalā sunrise, Thanksgiving week rooms, rental cars, luau seats) and left the rest of their days loose enough for a surprise whale spout or a second loaf of banana bread.
If you want the day-by-day plan already built, my Maui Travel Guide for Families has it. If you’d rather start free, try my 7-day email course on planning a Maui trip. And if your family has a specific mix of ages, budgets, or Thanksgiving traditions to work around, that’s exactly what my Hawaii travel consultations are for.
Heading to another island this fall? Here’s my guide to the best things to do on Oahu in November.
 | About the author: Marcie Cheung is a Hawaii travel consultant for families who has visited Hawaii more than 40 times. She is the founder of Hawaii Travel with Kids and host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast. She offers one-on-one Hawaii trip planning consultations and itinerary reviews for families, couples, and honeymooners. |