If you’re seeking out a true paradise, look no further than Maui. Known as “The Valley Isle,” Maui is both the second-largest and second-youngest island out of the eight that make up the Hawaiian archipelago. 

Legend has it that the islands were created when the demi-god Maui hauled up land from the ocean floor using his famous hook millions of years ago. The goddess Pele also played a hand in bringing fire to Maui with the creation of Haleakala, the famous volcano (now dormant) located on the eastern side of the Island. Regardless of which tales you believe in, Maui is steeped in Hawaiian tradition and is the epitome of the aloha vibes we all come to think of when we hear “Hawaii.”

Many people consider Maui their favorite island, and for good reason. The Island is renowned for its gorgeous beaches, endless waterfalls, lush rainforests, and amazing snorkeling and whale-watching. 

Maui has a little bit of everything that can suit the needs of any traveler! Adventure-seekers can experience the thrill of cruising down the Road to Hana, hiking up Haleakala National Park, or cliff jumping off of Black Rock at Ka’anapali Beach while also enjoying the creature comforts of great restaurants and luxury resorts.

There is so much to do on the island that it keeps many travelers coming back for more year after year. So come see why “Maui no ka ‘oi,” or “Maui is the best!” 

Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge you to research any attractions, activities, restaurants, etc. that you wish to visit as regulations can change rapidly.

---

Jump to Section

Tips

When to Visit

How to Get There

Things to See and Do

Top Experiences

*Cliff jumping and snorkeling on gorgeous beaches
*Road to Hana
*Haleakala National Park at sunrise or sunset

---

Tips

• Use reef-safe sunscreen… and a lot of it!!
• Pack your own goggles/snorkeling set. There are many beaches that you can drive to on your own and it’s handy and cost effective to have your own pair instead of having to rent them every day. Make sure to leave space in your suitcase!
• Rent a car so you can explore all the island has to offer
• Make reservations in advance. The island is small and popular activities and restaurants typically book up quickly, especially during the busier summer and winter months.
• Bring water shoes for the rocky beaches and scaling/jumping from cliffs
• Download offlines maps, the service gets spotty as you drive farther from the resort areas

When to Visit

There really isn’t a bad time to visit Maui, it just depends on what you’re looking for. Overall, the best time of year would be the shoulder seasons of spring (April – May) and fall (September – November), when you get favorable weather and it’s less expensive/crowded than the winter and summer seasons. If you’re into surfing, the best waves can be experienced during the wintertime. Conversely, if you want to experience calm waters better suited for swimming or traveling with young children, summer would be your best bet. Maui is also world-renowned for its whale-watching, which occurs from November through April, with the peak in March.

Because there is so much to do here we would recommend a minimum of 7 days on Maui. Even then, we still felt like we barely scratched the surface.

How to Get There

The only way to get to any island in the state of Hawaii is by plane. When heading to Maui, look for the Kahului Airport (OGG). Most direct flights to OGG depart from the west coast; however, United Airlines recently announced non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to OGG beginning Summer 2021. Once there, be sure to rent a car so you can have the freedom to explore all the various beaches and sights around the island. Uber and Lyft are available around the resort areas, but if you plan to venture out it may be risky (and expensive) to rely on this.

Where to Stay

There are three main resort areas to stay in Maui: West Maui, South Maui, and North Shore/Upcountry.

West Maui 

West Maui is perfect for those wanting gorgeous beaches and a more lively town or nightlife experience next to their resort. The region is made up of three main areas: Lahaina, Ka’anapali, and Kapalua. Lahaina is the main town that features many great restaurants and has a harbor where boating activities embark from. It is only a 10 or 15-minute drive south of Ka’anapali Beach, which hosts a strip of luxury resorts and offers great shopping and restaurants adjacent to prime beach access. Another 15 minutes north of Ka’anapali you’ll find Kapalua. Kapalua is a bit quieter than the other two towns but doesn’t skimp on beauty. Up here you’ll find amazing bays and coves for snorkeling. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on Ka’anapali Beach and loved our experience!

South Maui

Wailea is the prime resort area in South Maui that boasts many luxury hotels and restaurants. Here you’ll find one of the larger sandy beaches on Maui: Makena Beach. It’s a perfect base for honeymooners and a bit quieter as most restaurants are located at the hotels. A little farther north you’ll find the town of Kihei, which is another good spot for local favorites!

Upcountry 

Upcountry (near Haleakala) or the North Shore is more rustic and tranquil, making it a perfect place for those wanting privacy and close proximity to farms and nature. On the coast, you’ll find Paia, a funky little surfer town that has awesome food places and boutiques to check out. Closer to the National Park you’ll find Kula, which is known for its gardens and breathtaking views. 

Things to See and Do

Road to Hana

The ultimate Hawaiian adventure, this road trip will take you on a winding road through the rainforests on the eastern coast of Maui. Here you’ll drive by many botanical gardens and waterfall pools, along with the famous black beach at Waianapanapa State Park (advanced reservation required). At the very end you’ll find the Pipiwai Trail that features a bamboo forest and is another highlight of the journey. This is an all-day adventure, so plan to spend at least 10-12 hours on the road.

• 

• 

• 

Haleakala National Park (Sunrise/Sunset, Biking, Hiking, etc)

This National Park features the 10,000 ft, dormant Haleakala volcano. There are many beautiful hikes through the craters to check out that offer great aerial views of Maui. You can even bike down the side of the volcano! As you make your way towards the summit you begin to ascend above the clouds for a breathtaking view- making it a popular place to watch the sunrise or sunset. For those wanting a sunrise experience, make sure to reserve your permit on recreation.gov 60 days in advance. No advance reservations are needed during sunset. If you aren’t able to secure a reservation there are a handful of tour companies that will bring you to the top!

Whale Watching 

Maui is famous for its whale-watching season, which takes place annually from November through April when humpback whales migrate south from the Alaskan waters for mating season. It is almost guaranteed you will see whales breaching if you plan your visit during this time. Be sure to book a boat tour that will take you out on the water and get your cameras ready!!

Molokini Crater

Molokini Crater is the remnants of a former volcano that erupted on the southwest side and eventually eroded into a crescent shape. This is one of the best places for snorkeling, with crystal clear water that leads to visibility up to 100ft during good conditions. This is a popular day trip that visitors can pair with the excursion to Turtle Town.

Lanai Day Trip

Lanai is one of the three islands that make up Maui County and is just a short boat ride away from Maui for those looking for a little more seclusion. We took a sailing tour with Trilogy and visited the stunning Hulopo’e Beach. There you’ll find great snorkeling and tide pools to explore. We even saw a pod of spinner dolphins on our boat ride over! It was an amazing day that we highly recommend.

• 

• 

Explore/Snorkel Maui Beaches

There are so many gorgeous coves and bays sprinkled along the coast of Maui. If you’re staying in West Maui, Ka’anapali Beach and Kapalua Bay are some of the most popular spots. On the northern part of Ka’anapali, you can snorkel and cliff-jump off of Black Rock. You can also find D. T. Fleming Beach Park for a long stretch of sandy beach, Honolua Bay for surfing, Dragon’s Teeth for a nice trail, or Nakalele Blowhole for a cliff walk with a geyser. On the southern coast, Makena Beach and neighboring Makena Cove are great spots to post up for a great beach day.

Explore Upcountry Maui

There are a lot of activities in the Upcountry outside of Haleakala National Park! Here you’ll find a lot of farms and gardens that will transport you to nature. Some popular spots are Al’li Kula Lavender Farm, Kula Botanical Garden, and Surfing Goat Dairy. Be sure to check out the farm-to-table restaurants while you are out here!

Luaus

Luaus are a great way to celebrate the culture of Hawaii and greater Polynesia. We went to Old Lahaina Luau, which featured a five-course meal of local Hawaiian dishes and a show of traditional Hawaiian music and hula dancing. It was a wonderful way to learn about the culture and try something new!

Iao Valley State Park

Located in Central Maui, the Park is filled with lush green valleys and rainforest that are deemed a sacred place on the Island. There is a great hike to the 1,200 ft “Iao Needle” that is a great place for sight-seeing.

Sunset Sail

One of the best places to view the sunset is on the water! Take a boat out from the closest harbor to your accommodation and enjoy happy hour by sea. We loved sailing with Trilogy for this excursion.

Shopping

Some hot spots for shopping include Whalers Village on Ka’anapali, Lahaina town, and Paia. You’ll find luxury stores located in Whalers Village, whereas Lahaina had some more touristy places for souvenirs.

---

That’s all we have for now! We hope this post inspired you to come and visit Maui. If you’ve been to the Island before, leave us a comment with some of your favorite activities!

xx,

Kristen