Watched over by imposing, viridescent peaks, this park is replete with refreshing tropical woods sliced by winding trails and pathways. Dubbed as the 'Yosemite of the Pacific' by Mark Twain, this serene park is home to clearings, gardens and a spacious picnic area. This is an invigorating hiking destination, accentuated by the beauty of rejuvenating rainforests. The focal point of this park is the Iao Needle, a natural rock formation covered in green moss that towers mightily over the park as well as the Iao Stream that flows alongside it. Once the site of a great battle, this is a stirring centerpoint of history and natural beauty.

With its seemingly endless expanse of golden sand beach and perfect bodysurfing waves, Makena State Park is a must-see destination. The picturesque Big Beach here is one of the largest and most picturesque beaches in Maui. Little Beach, a five-minute hike up and over rocks, is a world-famous clothing-optional beach. The surrounding environs are perfect for a hike that offers splendid views of the deep blue ocean. The waters around Makena State Park are home to an array of marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling.

Touted as the largest tropical aquaria with a reef in the Western Hemisphere, this impressive oceanfront aquarium has become one of most popular attractions of Maui. With more than 50 marine habitats, a massive ocean exhibit and a Whale Discovery Center, this is a must-see for anyone interested in the undersea world. Guided tours and audio guides are available, and there is an entertaining Keiki Program for the little ones. Check out the Marine Mammal Discovery Center here—it is educational and fun too!

Tightly bound to the lissome eastern coastline of Maui, the iconic Road to Hana navigates through a motley of mesmerizing scenery, all packed into a 64.4 mile (103.6 kilometer) long drive that extends from Kahului to Hana. Around every corner, there is a slice of deep azure waters to encounter, a variegated expanse of close-knit jungles that hold mysterious worlds, and an enchanting mix of waterfalls, beaches and jade groves that are a mere hairpin-curve away. As one drives along the merrily winding coastline, frothy waves kick and crash against the side of the steep cliff, and nature's sounds lead the way. As many as 600 curves are wrapped into the serpentine embrace of this scenic road, and nearly 59 one-lane bridges mark the roadway. While this uninterrupted highway to Hawaii heaven and its deep cliffside curves may have one's stomach in knots, the visual reward that remains a constant throughout the journey caps off this remarkable drive.

Sprawled across a large part of the diverse Maui island is the Wai'anapanapa State Park. In Hawaiian parlance, the name translates to mean 'glistening fresh water', a fitting attribute of the park which refers to the presence of clear, sublime pools and water streams. One of these waterbodies is the small yet conspicuous black sand beach called Pa'iloa. Apart from natural features that are a part of the park such as seabird colonies and lava tubes, it is also surrounded by haunting legends spurred by burial sites, pictographs and ancient temples found in this region. Shrouded in mystery, nature and awe-inspiring beauty, the Wai'anapanapa State Park is certainly worth a visit.

A magical attraction, Oheo Gulch is also known as "The Seven Sacred Pools" or the Kipahulu Area. Oheo Gulch features several waterfalls and pools. The pools are of varying sizes and elevations and lead straight into the ocean. Visitors can also take a dip in the pools when the current is not too strong.