Maui ATV Tours: Off-Road UTV Adventure in the Hills Above Lahaina

If you want a Maui ATV tour that is a real off-road ride and not a scenic drive, this is the one. You climb to about 2,000 feet above Lahaina in a four-seat side-by-side, with mud, river-bed crossings and ocean views along the way.

Why this made our list

Most of the best adventures on Maui happen on the water, and most of them depend on the ocean cooperating. This one does not. If you have been comparing ATV Maui options, the Lahaina ATV adventure from Maui Off Road Adventures runs year-round, rain or shine, so it is the reliable plan when the wind is up, the swell is big or the forecast turns gray. That alone earns it a spot for anyone planning around the weather.

The bigger reason is what you actually do. You drive. Each booking gets its own four-seat Can-Am or Honda side-by-side, and drivers swap at two stops so everyone gets a turn at the wheel. Technically it is a UTV tour Maui visitors book under the ATV label, because the vehicles are four-seat side-by-sides. Riders as young as 7 can come along, which makes this one of the few high-energy things to do in Lahaina that works for a family with kids and teens.

The numbers back it up. The tour holds a 4.9 rating from 1,793 reviews, and the operator carries a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award for 2025. For a two-hour ride on private land, that is a strong record.

Maui Off Road Adventures vs Kahoma Ranch

Two outfits run side-by-side tours in the hills above Lahaina: Maui Off Road Adventures and Kahoma Ranch. Both climb into the West Maui Mountains with big ocean views and both let you drive. We compared them on the course, the machines and the reviews, and went with Maui Off Road Adventures for the four-seat Can-Am and Honda side-by-sides, the mud, bamboo and river-crossing course that actually lets you open the machines up, and a 4.9 rating across nearly 1,800 reviews.

What a Maui ATV tour is like

The tour is a guided convoy. You check in, get a helmet and goggles, and meet your guide, who sets the pace and leads the line of vehicles onto the trail. The ground is natural, unpaved dirt, and the red soil is the first sign that you are about to get dirty.

From there the route climbs. The trails switch back up the hills above Lahaina, with elevation gains up to about 2,000 feet. Along the way you pass through a bamboo forest, under jungle canopy and through open pasture, and you will see livestock and local wildlife. The trail includes mud, hill climbs, tight turns, river-bed crossings and a few decent straights where you can open the machine up a bit.

The payoff comes at the high points. From around 2,000 feet you look out over the Pacific and across to the outer islands, with the West Maui coastline spread out below. The tour makes two stops along the trail so drivers can switch seats, and those stops double as photo breaks. A GoPro works well here, since some of the helmets have mounts.

A word on pace. This is a guided eco-adventure, not a race. The guide dictates the speed, you keep your distance from the vehicle ahead, and passing, doughnuts and leaving the trail are not allowed. Breaking the rules can end your tour early. The land is accessed by permission, and the rules protect both you and the place.

It is also honest to say how dirty it gets. The operator is blunt about it: you will get dirty and you may get soaked. How wet you get depends on how the driver handles the mud and river beds, so if you want to stay drier, hand the wheel to the more cautious person in your group.

Prices and what you get

Pricing for the Maui ATV tours at this operator is per vehicle, not per person. You pick the package that matches who is driving and who is riding. All prices are from the published rates, plus tax and booking fees.

• Adult driver and adult passenger: $405 total
• Adult driver and child passenger (7 to 17): $390 total. The driver must be 25 or older.
• Solo adult driver: $375. Solo drivers cannot add passengers.
• Additional adult in the same vehicle: $189
• Additional child (7 to 17) in the same vehicle: $149

The tour is priced per vehicle with seats added on, so the from $149 rate is what an extra rider pays once a driver has booked the machine. Fill the four seats and it works out to roughly $150 to $200 per person, which is in line with the other adventures on this list.

Here is what that looks like in practice. A couple drives for $405. A parent with one child pays $390. A family of four with two adults and two kids works out to $405 plus two child add-ons at $149, or $703 before tax and fees. Four adults in one vehicle come to $783.

The price includes a two-hour guided tour, your vehicle, a helmet and goggles, and the two driver-swap and photo stops. Gloves and dust masks are available on request. Afterward there are wash stations, sinks with paper towels and restrooms. What is not included: bottled water, showers, and a raincoat if you need one, which you can rent, or a poncho, which you can buy. The operator also lists local and military rates, which you book by phone.

Who it’s for (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit for families with kids 7 and up who want something more active than a boat ride. It also suits groups of friends who want to drive, couples who like a bit of adrenaline, and anyone who would rather do off-road Maui than sit through another sightseeing stop. Teens tend to love it, and a parent can drive while a child rides along.

Because each vehicle has four seats and drivers swap at stops, it also works well for a group of four sharing one vehicle. Everyone gets driving time, and nobody feels like cargo.

Skip it if you or anyone in your party is pregnant, has had recent surgery, or has neck, back or knee problems. The trails are bumpy with tight, winding turns, and the operator does not allow those guests on the tour. Guests with serious health conditions are also not permitted. If you want scenery without the jostling, a boat or a cruise is the better choice.

You should also skip it if you cannot handle getting very muddy, or if you are not willing to follow the guide’s pace. A few rules to know up front:

• Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license.
• Drivers must be 25 or older to carry passengers under 18.
• Riders must be at least 7, and booster seats are not allowed.
• The weight limit is 800 lb per vehicle, and seat belt extenders are not available.
• No alcohol, drugs or smoking, and guides can refuse anyone they suspect is impaired.
• Drivers are responsible for damage caused by ignoring safety rules. A rollover carries a $200 inspection fee, and repair costs beyond that are charged to the driver.

Where to check in and how to get there

The meeting point is 4900 Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina, on the main road that runs along West Maui. If you are staying in Lahaina, Kaanapali or Kapalua, it is a straightforward drive along the highway, so allow plenty of time and give yourself a buffer.

Check-in is 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Tour start times appear in the booking calendar, and the operator asks guests to arrive early because it keeps the whole group on schedule. Every driver needs to bring a valid driver’s license.

There is no personal storage on site, so leave valuables in the car or at your hotel. Wear your closed-toe shoes to the meeting point, since they are required for every rider.

Best time to go

The tour runs every day of the year, rain or shine, so there is no off-season to plan around. What changes is the character of the ride. On a dry day the trails are dusty and the ocean views are at their clearest, which is best for photos. On a wet day the trails are slick and muddy, which is when the ride feels most like an adventure.

Neither is better, only different. If you are tied to a short window on Maui, this tour is one of the safer bets because it does not depend on sea conditions. That makes it a good backup when a boat trip gets canceled for rough water, or a good first-day activity while you adjust to the time change.

Pick a time slot that suits your group. Early starts are easy when kids are awake, and a later tour leaves the morning free for a beach or a snorkel. Check the booking calendar for the times that are open on your dates.

Local tips before you book

• Dress for mud. Wear dark clothes and leave your new shoes at the hotel. Sneakers, water shoes, Crocs and hiking sandals that cover your toes are all fine.
• Bring a towel for the rental car. There are no showers, only sinks and paper towels, so a towel on the seat keeps the red dirt off your rental car.
• Pack a light jacket and rent a raincoat if rain is possible. Weather changes quickly in the hills, and the tour goes out regardless.
• Take a water flask. Bottled water is not provided.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen.
• Ask about helmet mounts. If you bring a GoPro, check with your guide before you head out.
• Book in advance. The tour is a bestseller. Cancellations and no-shows within 48 hours of the tour are charged in full, so book when your plans are firm.
• Pair it with a calmer day. After a muddy morning, a gentle option such as parasailing over Lahaina or a sunset dinner cruise makes a nice contrast.
• Local and military rates exist. If you qualify, call the operator to book them.

For more on how to fit this into a week, see our guide to things to do in Maui and our overview of Maui’s regions.

The verdict

If you want one land adventure on Maui, this is the one to book. Maui ATV tours do not get much more hands-on than this: you drive a four-seat side-by-side up to about 2,000 feet, through bamboo, mud and river beds, and stop at a lookout over the ocean and the outer islands. It runs rain or shine, it takes kids from age 7, and it has a 4.9 rating from more than 1,700 reviews.

Know what you are booking. It is a real off-road ride, you will be muddy, and the pricing is per vehicle, so check the package before you compare it to per-person tours. Anyone who is pregnant or has recent surgery or back, neck or knee problems should sit this one out.

For everyone else, it is the best way to see the hills above Lahaina from the driver’s seat, and it is hard to beat for families and groups. Check the calendar, pick the package that fits your party, and bring a towel.