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Visiting Maui, the Valley Isle, can certainly be expensive, but also worth it. There are a number of Maui activities that you can do without breaking the bank. With prices under $25, you’ll find options for the whole family, from body surfing to hula performances. Following are a few suggestions for what you should do while on vacation:

General: A great way to save money while on Maui is taking advantage of its natural resources, such as the sea and mountains.

Swimming – All of Maui’s beaches are free and open to the public, and are outfitted with showers and restrooms.

Snorkeling – Exploring Maui’s underwater life can take anywhere between a few hours to a whole day. You can rent snorkeling gear from the Beach Shack and go on your own snorkeling adventure.

Sunbathing – With perfect weather all year, you can sunbathe from sunrise to sunset, but don’t forget the sunscreen.

Sunsets – Since we’re talking about the sun, there is nothing more beautiful than a Maui sunset. Grab a tropical drink and take in this simple natural marvel.

Reading – Whether you bring your own reading material or visit the historical public library, be sure to find a cozy spot to begin your reading.

Picnicking – Picnic tables and barbeque pits are available at the many beach parks scattered across Maui.

Stargazing – Hawaii’s isolation gives you unobstructed views of the night sky. You can even venture to the top of the Haleakala Crater to stargaze. You can go on your own, or join a group, just don’t forget the telescopes.

Whale Watching – From winter to spring, you can watch the humpback whales that venture to Maui from the beach or your lanai. While you can whale watch from the shore, you can also get on a boat. You may save money by combining two boat trips, like whale watching and a cocktail cruise.

Try Beachcombing – Visit Kanaha Beach Park or Waiehee Beach and pick up seashells to add to your collection.

Surf Watch – Maui is a popular surfing destination, and you’ll be able to watch surf experts glide across the waves.

Scuba Dive – Divers of every level can visit the many dive locations from Kaanapali to Makena.

Body Surf – With the abundance of waves, you’ll be able to enjoy body surfing while on the beautiful island of Maui.

Go Surfing – Visitors looking to learn this sport can take lessons from an instructor. Those who know how can rent a board and head out on the waves on their own. There are many locations suited for all skill levels.

LOCAL EVENTS – Maui has a number of local events such as Halloween, called the Mardi Gras of the Pacific, the Taro Festival, the Makawao Rodeo and the Maui County Fair. There are a number of fun events going on throughout the year. Be sure to check any online calendars to see if anything is going on while on vacation.

Playgrounds – Those with children may want to visit the playgrounds in the area. Kihei’s Kamaole and Kalama Parks have free swings, slides and jungle gyms.

Play Tennis – While your hotel or resort may have a tennis court, there are a number of public courts in Wailuku, Kahalui, Kihei, Lahaina, Makawao, Pukalani, Haliimaile and Hana.

Go Camping – Those who want to fully experience Maui’s natural beauty may want to camp at Kanaha Beach, Hosmer’s Grove, Waianapanapa Park, and Oheo Gulch.

Go Hiking – With numerous ridges on Maui, you will find countless trails scattered over the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala.

Attend a Golf Tournament – In January, the Mercedes Championship is held. The Ka’anapali Classic also takes place on this island.

Lahaina has Hawaii’s largest collection of whaling artifacts. There are a number of short films on whaling, whales, as well as photomurals, graphics, and a large scrimshaw collection and a gift shop. Free tours led by a certified marine naturalist can be arranged. It is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, and admission is free.

Iao Valley & lao Needle

Iao Valley’s mountains are covered in blankets of green, with waterfalls cascading from its peaks, making it one of the most breathtaking sights on Maui. On the road to Iao Valley, you will find the Tropical Gardens of Maui. You can contact this garden at (808) 244-3085 and visit its website at http://www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com. It is open on weekdays, with an admission fee of $3. On its four acres, you will see tropical plants, koi ponds, streams and taro patches.

If you venture further into the valley, you will find the Hawaii Nature Center. You can contact this center at (808) 244-6500 or visit its website at http://www.hawaiinaturecenter.org. Here, you can go on Rainforest Walks, which take place at 11:30AM or 1:30PM during the weekdays, and 11AM or 2PM on the weekends. The Rainforest Walk is $24.95 for adults and $22.95 for children, and once this walk is done, it includes a visit to the museum.

Hana

The best part of visiting Hana is not just your arrival to this beautiful place, but also the journey. It is everything you imagine Hawaii to be, a verdant and tropical beauty. Don’t forget to pack lunch and snacks as you visit the freshwater pools and waterfalls that dot your landscape. There are a number of fresh fruit stands that line the drive there, so be sure to try the fresh banana bread. Once you read Hana, visit the Red Sand Beach, a small crescent of sand in a collapsed volcanic dome. You’ll find some of Maui’s best snorkeling here, made even better because you’ll often have the place to yourself.

Upcountry

You can visit the Kula Botanical Gardens, which is home to more than 700 tropical plants. You will find that the plants on display have tags explaining their types and uses. Admission here is $4 for adults and $1 for kids between the ages of 6 and 12. You can also visit the A&B Sugar Museum where you can learn about sugar cane and its impact on Maui and the sugar industry. This museum is open everyday from 9am to 4pm. Admission here is $4 for adults and $2 for kids aged 6-17, children under 6 are free.

In Maui’s Upcountry, near Ulupalakua, you can visit the Tedeschi Vineyards, which are scattered across 20,000. It has been making its specialty pineapple wine since 1974. Parties here have dated back to the time of King Kalakaua, also known as the Merry Monarch. Here, you can also find the Iao Theater, located in older Wailuku, which hosts shows of Broadway musicals for the local crowds. Tickets for these shows start at $18. It is located on 68 N. Market St. Wailuku, and can be called at (808) 242-6969, and visit the website at http://www.mauionstange.com.

Central Maui

While in Central Maui, you can visit the Kahalui Swap Meet for $1 a person. There is also the Maui Swap Meet in this area for 50 cents a person. Both swap meets are held on Saturday mornings from seven till noon with items like aloha shirts, fresh taro, fruit breads, tropical flowers and more. This is located on South Pu’unene Avenue next to the Kahalui Post Office. The free Ohana Farmers Market is held at the Kahalui Shopping Center under the monkey every Wednesday morning. There is also the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu which offers visitors an opportunity to learn about all of Maui’s indigenous plants. Admission is free, but the tram tour is $8.50 for adults and $3.50 for children.

Lahaina

In Lahaina you can ride the Sugar Cane Train. While very touristy, this train takes you from Lahaina to Ka’anapali, where you can see along six miles of scenery along the West Maui Mountains. While sugar cane is no longer grown across west Maui, you can see beautiful golf courses along the way. A round trip on this train costs $15.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids, aged 3-12.

Friday Night is Art Night at the Lahaina Arts Society. It takes voluntary donations for its exhibits, and now the former whaling streets are lined with beautiful artwork. On Friday nights, the galleries open their doors so that visitors can meet the artists. Many galleries also offer appetizers and beverages to their guests.

There is a Hawaiian Music Hula Show held in the Tiki Courtyard of the Ka’anapali Beach hotel. It is open to the public, and music is played from 6PM to 9PM, with hula starting at 6:30PM and ending at 7:30PM. On Fridays, there are local artisans who grace the lobby and courtyard between 9AM and 12PM. The staff joins in on the fun on Fridays starting at 11AM by performing songs and hula.

The Maui Ocean Center at Ma’alaea Harbor is not simply an aquarium, with an exhibit called “Hawaiians & the Sea,” which features Polynesians relationship with the Pacific Ocean. This exhibit displays authentic hooks, traps and nets, and while visiting this exhibit, you can learn the Hawaiian names of the sea creatures found there. Tickets here are $19, and you can get more information by visiting http://www.mauioceancenter.com.

Hula Shows

The Lahaina Civic Center hosts an Arts and Crafts Fair, where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and family. It takes place on Sundays, and admission is $1 per person. You can take an art class at Kapalua Art School. Lessons are available for children and adults, with prices ranging from $10 for a ceramics class to $110 for an all day art program. This art school also offers yoga and dance classes. Visit http://www.kapaluaart.com for a class schedule. Cliff Diving Ceremony at the Sheraton on Maui is a sunset shore that features a lone male lighting torches atop the Black Rock, before diving into the Pacific waves.

South Maui

Makena Beach is one of Maui’s most beautiful beaches, and is the last major undeveloped beach on the southern shore. Now a state park, people can enjoy the soft white sand coupled with the endlessly blue water. On the right side of this beach is an outcrop that leads to Little Beach, a popular beach for nudists. Keep in mind that nude beaches are illegal in Hawaii. You can walk the shoreline path between the Outrigger Wailea and the Kea Lani. While here, you can also visit theArt and Sculpture at the posh and exotic Grand Wailea Resort. Don’t forget to visit the Shops at Wailea, any shopper’s personal paradise.