Between its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and volcanoes towering 10,000 feet overhead, Maui is an incredible destination for a tropical getaway. But with seemingly endless outdoor adventures to be had (snorkeling! hiking! respectfully stalking whales!), it can be hard to know where to spend your precious time in this paradise on earth.
While you’ll barely be able to scratch the surface of Maui during a single visit, here’s a Maui itinerary for 8 days on the island- plus suggestions if you have less time!- to squeeze in as much adventure as you possibly can.
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8-Day Maui Itinerary
Spending 8 days on Maui? Here’s EXACTLY how you can spend your time exploring this incredible island, including plenty of amazing hikes, beaches, outdoor adventures, and yummy eats along the way.
If, on the other hand, you have less time on Maui, not to worry (there’s no worries on island time, baby!)- just pick and choose the days or even the activities that excite you the most! I grouped each days’ activities largely based on their proximity to one another and so that, no matter where you’re staying on the island, you’ll have a few days that are less driving intensive than some of the others- but feel free to shuffle these activities however you see fit.
While Maui is quite spread out, it only takes about three hours to drive from one side of the island to the other- so you’re never really ever that far away from whatever adventure sounds best to you!
Day 1: Arrival day and beach chilling
Arrive at the Kahului Airport
Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll likely arrive at Maui’s airport in Kahului in the afternoon or evening. Pick up your rental car, drive to your hotel, and use all those relaxation-after-a-long-flight life hacks you picked up from Die Hard (fists with your toes- IYKYK).
Catch your first Maui sunset on the beach
If you’re feeling up to do something on your first day, grab your towel and spend the rest of the day lazing on the beach near your hotel.
Some beach recommendations depending on where you’re staying on Maui:
- Lahaina/Kaanapali: Napili Bay
- Pāʻia: Kaulahao Beach (it’s an awesome spot to see turtles!)
- Kihei: Charley Young Beach (protip- time your visit with sunset for a real treat!)
Day 2: Whale-watching and beach time
Whale watching or snorkeling tour
If you’re from the mainland United States, you’ll probably wake up bright and early. Accordingly, if you’re visiting during humpack whale season (November through May), why don’t you use your jet-lag super power to hit up a sunrise whale-watching cruise from Wailuku on the west side of the island?
I’d highly recommend doing an early morning tour. You’ll get to see sunrise from the water, the tours are usually way less crowded and cheaper (many cruises offer a discount, given the early morning wake-up call), and the soft early morning light is SO pretty.
During our last visit to Maui, we booked our tour with Pacwhale Eco Adventures, because their profits directly support their sister company, Pacific Whale Foundation, an actual nonprofit dedicated to the research and conservation of whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
Beyond just supporting a company that I know is doing good in the world, it’s undoubtedly one of the best whale watching tours in Maui. Our tour guides were so knowledgeable and it was clear they cared about bettering the ocean (e.g., steering the boat out of the way to pick up trash that was floating by).
Not visiting during whale season? Not to worry- they also have plenty of snorkeling tours, like this one, where you’ll snorkel in a colorful coral reef with a certified marine naturalist and get to watch dolphins playing in the waves around your boat.
As an aside, Hawaii has made it illegal to swim with dolphins in its waters, as of late 2021, due to how many people were crowding- and basically harassing- them during the daytime, when these nocturnal creatures rest (this is why we can’t have nice things). So friendly reminder to give all wildlife space and respect, so we can continue observing these incredible critters in a non-harmful manner.
Grab breakfast at Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Grab some much needed coffee and breakfast grub at the beloved Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, which dishes up self-proclaimed “glorified grandma comfort food.” Basically, all my favorite things!
Relax at the beach
Spend the rest of the morning relaxing at one of the beaches in the Lahaina area, like Ukumehame Beach Park, which is excellent for beginner surfers, or Launiupoko Beach Park, which has a kid-friendly protected swimming area.
Lunch at Mala Ocean Tavern
For a lunch with a view, stop by Mala Ocean Tavern, which has an INCREDIBLE patio right on the ocean. I still dream of their ube hot bread!
Enjoy Black Rock Beach
Spend the rest of the afternoon at Black Rock Beach in Ka’anapali.
This beach is great for everyone. When the waves cooperate, there’s excellent snorkeling here—I’ve never visited Black Rock Beach and not seen at least a couple of sea turtles! Alternatively, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, there’s even a place to cliff jump (as always, do scary things like cliff jumping at your own risk!
Alternatively, if you’re not much of a beach lover, consider taking a ferry over to the neighboring island of Lanai. Here, you can snorkel at Hulopoe Bay Beach, see stunning cliffs along the Pu’upehe Trail, and experience some of the other incredible things to do in Lanai!
Dinner at the Hula Grill
There’s a lot to love about the Hula Grill. It’s right on the beach and the food is made from fresh and local ingredients (there’s even a section of the menu where you can see exactly what farm some of its produce comes from). But my favorite part of this restaurant is the vibes—there’s nightly live music and hula, the tropical drinks are on point, and the staff are incredibly friendly.
Pssst… if you love saving money as much as we do, they have a decent happy hour in their barefoot bar from 2-4 PM every day.
Day 3: Road to Hana
Driving the Road to Hana
You’re still probably jet-lagged so how about another early morning start? This time we’re hitting up one of the most famous adventures in Maui- the Road to Hana!
What is the Road to Hana, you ask?
Well, friends, it’s a 65-mile road that winds from the adorable surfer town of Pāʻia to Hana, on the island’s far eastern side. The road famously snakes across over 600 curves, crosses 59 bridges, and has more than a few nail-bitingly one-way roads through some of the lushest rainforest landscapes you can imagine.
It may not seem like it will take you all day to drive 65 miles and back, but trust me, it absolutely will.
You’ll pass countless waterfalls, hikes through the jungle, fruit stands, black sand beaches (and red sand beaches!), and dudes selling ice cream out of their vans (don’t worry- it’s delicious!), just to name a few.
There’s a TON to see and do along this iconic road trip- so much so, in fact, that we wrote an entire blog post about the best Road to Hana stops. Here’s some of our top picks:
1. Paia Bay Coffee
This place is SO frickin’ cute and is a great place to pick up coffee and breakfast to go. We ate here twice during our last trip (sorry, not sorry!).
2. Ho’okipa Bay Beach Park
We stopped here because I had read that it was a great place to spot turtles, but we saw something entirely different here instead- big wave surfers! While the waves here in the wintertime looked pretty gnarly to be conducive to seeing lazy turtles (unless they’re actually Crush from Finding Nemo), it was just as much fun to watch these extreme athletes ride the massive waves.
3. Twin Falls
Beyond being one of the best hikes in Maui to three jaw-dropping waterfalls, there’s usually a food truck parked near the entrance of the farm here, that dishes out popsicles with actual sugarcane as the popsicle stick. Make it happen!
4. Honomanu Bay
Want a black sand beach, but basically, all to yourself? There’s no signs for Honomanu Bay along the main road, so it generally flies under the radar—meaning you can usually avoid some of the Road to Hana crowds here.
Unless you’ve got, like, a REALLY hardcore vehicle, though, you shouldn’t drive down the unmaintained road to the beach. However, you can just easily park and walk to it from here.
5. Upper Waikani Falls
A beautiful three-pronged waterfall, tucked into the lush rainforest.
6. Coconut Glen’s
On the Road to Hana, you’re never too far away from consuming something made out of coconuts. This time, it’s tasty ice cream!
7. Hana Farms
Grab lunch at this stand that kind of has it all- surprisingly tasty pizza, awesome baked goods (you gotta pick up a Road to Hana staple, banana bread), and a store selling some of the wares from its organic farm, like hot sauce and coffee.
8. Kaihalulu Beach
Adding some variety to the mix with a red sand beach.
9. Black Sand Beach at Wai’ānapanapa State Park
This beach is unquestionably one of the most dramatic ones you’ll see on the entire island and is rich with Hawaii’s history.
Visiting here is a little confusing, though- in fact, you actually need reservations! Luckily, we wrote a whole post about everything you need to know about visiting Maui’s Black Sand Beach a (Hawaiian) breeze.
10. Pools of ‘Ohe’o
A collection of about 20 waterfalls and pools in the ‘Ohe’o Gulch. Lots of folks on Tripadvisor are salty, because, while you used to be able to swim in these pools, they’re now inaccessible (the system used to detect flashfloods here has been broken for a solid year or so). Still worth it, in my opinion!
11. Pipiwai Trail
A magical jaunt through a towering bamboo forest.
Tips for the Road to Hana
Bring cash
Lots of places charge $5-$15 for parking and many of the cute fruit stands and the like along the way don’t take cards.
Wear some kind of hiking shoes or hiking sandals
True story- while hiking with my flip flops in Twin Falls along the Road to Hana, I stubbed my big toe on a river rock and ripped the nail clean off. Not only was this mega gross, it was also incredibly painful and, frankly, ruined a good chunk of our trip (not a lot of things you can do in Hawaii with a gaping wound on your foot…).
Once we got home, I immediately bought some Tevas (Justin was smart enough to already have some) and I’ve never looked back since!
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes
Between the waterfalls and the beaches, you’ll definitely be getting in the water at least a few times!
Consider spending the night in Hana
If you like to have more chill vacations, I’d recommend evaluating whether it makes sense to stay the night in Hana, like at the luxe Hana Maui Resort.
If you do the Road to Hana in just one day (which, to be clear, is what the vast majority of visitors do), driving back and forth can EASILY take you 15 hours. Additionally, you’ll generally need to drive back to your accommodations while it’s pitch dark out along a super windy road that frequently drops down to just one-lane for both directions of traffic.
On the other hand, if you spend the night in Hana, you can simply end your day relaxing on the Black Sand Beach after all the other tourists have left, having dinner at Hana’s tasty food trucks, like Ae’s Thai Kitchen (it’s SO good, guys!), and leisurely make your return trip along the Road to Hana the following day, with some daylight and fresh coffee in your veins.
Dinner at Mama’s Fish House
If you do the Road to Hana as a day trip, you’ll drive right past Mama’s Fish House just in time for dinner, which is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants on the island (meaning- you should make reservations, like, yesterday). The food here is AMAZING and the views are spectacular (you’re likely to see turtles on the neighboring beach!), but word of warning- it’s quite pricey!
If you aren’t lucky enough to snag reservations at Mama’s Fish House or don’t want to blow half a paycheck on one meal, Cafe des Amis, a surprisingly delicious mixture of Indian, Mediterranean, and French food, is another fantastic option in Pāʻia.
Pssst.... are you interested in enjoying the Road to Hana but a little nervous about the aforementioned one-way roads? While this scenic drive can be perfectly safe, you can also choose to go on one of the many awesome Road to Hana tours, where you can let someone else sit in the driver's seat (literally!).
Day 4: Beach day and exploring the ‘Iao Valley
So our trip so far has been pretty jam-packed- so let’s take it down a notch, shall we?
Get breakfast in Kihei
Head to the beach town of Kihei.
If you happen to be visiting on a Tuesday, kick off your morning with an acai bowl and a stiff cup of cold brew from Brekkie Bowls (I love the prevalence of both food trucks and acai bowls in Maui). It’s a little hard to find (you can find them here), but it’s usually parked in front of the Makena Crossfit Gym.
Visiting on one of the other six days of the week? Head to Akamai Coffee for some seriously good coffee and tasty breakfast pastries.
Enjoy beach time
Kihei is home to several incredible beaches to explore in the morning.
Some of the best ones are Secret Cove, Kamaole Beach Park II and III (which, if you’re like me and exceedingly bad at just, like, laying on the beach, both have awesome snorkeling!), and Makena Beach.
Grab lunch at a food truck
For lunch, you can either check out any of the food trucks that usually are parked by Makena Beach. Alternatively, check out Coconut’s Fish Cafe for some much deserved tacos after all that beach lounging.
Hike to the ‘Iao Needle
Make the 25-minute drive west to the ‘Iao Valley State Monument, where you’ll make a short 0.6 mile hike to gaze up at the 1,200-foot ‘Iao Needle.
This rocky outcropping, covered with lush greenery, is not only gorgeous but an important piece of Hawaiian history. In 1790, King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui’s army on this very spot to determine whether the Hawaiian Islands would be unified as one. Even with the advantage that Maui’s chiefs had from the Needle’s vantage point, Kamehameha prevailed, changing the course of the islands’ history forever.
Most visitors just simply walk along the Iao Needle Hike and head on right back to the car, but there’s plenty more to explore here. If you follow the walking path to the south of the monument, there’s some hiking trails along the ‘Iao River and several natural pools to relax in and take in the incredible lushness of the West Maui Mountains towering above you. Word of warning- this water is FROSTY so it’s best on a hot day!
Before heading to the monument, though, it’s important to note that all non-residents need to make an online reservation on the Hawaii State Parks website for the date and timeslot of your choosing.
Check out Wailuku
Explore the small but charming town of Wailuku, with quaint wooden storefronts along Market Street. For example, pop into Native Intelligence, which offers handcrafted artisanal goods by locals or get, like, actually cool souvenirs from Paradise Now.
Before you leave, be sure to grab a shave ice from Ululani’s, which makes their own syrup flavors, like pickled mango and lychee. I’m kind of a shave ice aficionado and I think it’s one of the best spots on the island!
Have a picnic dinner at the Kanaha Beach Park
If you’re still feeling up for more adventure, grab a dinner to go from Kahului’s food truck park (we had some seriously good vegan fish tacos from the Earth Aloha Eats truck) and take it to Kanaha Beach Park, which offers wide stretches of white sand against the towering green West Maui Mountains.
Day 5: Exploring upcountry Maui and the world’s largest dormant volcano
Today, we’re getting a change of scenery and heading to the rolling hills and misty mountains of upcountry Maui.
This epic green landscape is home to many farms, which grow taro and other local veggies, as well as the famed paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys that ranch these hills. These lush green fields are but a stop along the way as you journey to the summit of the famed Haleakalā volcano!
Coffee in Kahalui
As you make your way to Haleakalā, you’ll likely be passing through Kahalui. Grab a Haleakalatte (kind of a genius name, right?) from Kraken Coffee, yet another food truck brewing up some of the best coffee.
I’d also recommend stopping at the Down to Earth grocery store and picking up some of their grab-and-go sandwiches or salads (… and maybe some banana bread, while you’re at it) for lunch today, given that there’s no food available in Haleakalā National PArk.
Breakfast in Makawao
Make a slight detour to the historic ranching town of Makawao to pick up breakfast from either Rodeo General Store, with lots of locally-grown fruits and homemade goods, or fresh-baked pastries at Komoda Store and Bakery. This bakery was originally started way back in 1916 by a Japanese plantation worker and still draws crowds over a century later!
Shop in Kula
Next up on the upcountry road trip- Kula, a rustic town tucked on the slopes of Haleakalā. If you’re looking to pick up some souvenirs you’ll actually enjoy, pick up some local goodies at Maui Upcountry Jams and Jellies (their persimmon jam is the stuff of my dreams) and the Kula Marketplace.
Visit Haleakala National Park
Finally, make your way up the 32 switchbacks that zig-zag up to the Haleakalā summit, towering 10,023 feet above the island floor. Haleakalā is not only an incredibly impressive geological landmark, it’s also sacred to Native Hawiians.
Haleakalā actually means “House of Sun” in Hawaiian, named after a legend that the prankster demigod, Maui, lassoed and held the sun god captive here to make daylight last longer. To this day, Haleakalā is still considered wao akua (or a place of the gods).
Once you’ve snagged a parking spot at the summit of the national park, pop into the Haleakalā Visitor Center, to pick up some National Park swag and chat with a friendly ranger, and take a peek from some of the nearby overlooks into the crater below. You’re about to head down there!
Hike the Sliding Sands Trail
Hike the 11.0 mile Sliding Sands trail down to the bottom of the crater floor, passing otherworldly volcanic formation and colorful cinder cones along the way.
This hike is one of the most uniquely stunning trails I’ve ever been on- but be careful!
It’s deceptively challenging, given you need to hike back uphill on the latter half of the trail and because of the high elevation. Bring along plenty of water (we take these massive Nalgene bottles with us everywhere) and allow yourself more time than you think you need for this trail.
Watch sunset at the summit of Haleakalā
Once you get back to the visitor center parking lot, it’s time for a bucketlist experience- sunset at Haleakalā! Make the 0.5 mile final drive to the summit itself to watch the sun sink beneath a blanket of clouds.
Just remember to bring along a few warm layers for once the sun sets. Haleakala is actually one of the few places that actually gets snow in Hawaii!
And if you’re not hangry yet, consider staying to stargaze. Because of its extreme elevation and Maui’s remoteness, the park has some of the darkest skies- and thus, some of the best stargazing opportunities- in the world!
Get dinner
Drive back to your accommodations and pick up dinner wherever is open on your way back home.
This probably doesn’t sound like very travel blogger-y advice, but just trying to be honest- most places on Maui close ridiculously early!
Day 6: Molokini Crater and a Luau
Snorkel tour to Molokini Crater
No trip to Maui is complete without snorkeling Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater that’s positively teeming with turtles, tropical fish, and other incredible marine life.
Try this Pacific Whale Foundation tour, with certified marine naturalists providing helpful insight into the sea life around you, plus staff that are happy to provide guidance to any newbie snorkelers that happen to be aboard!
Coffee and beach time
Once you dock, grab a quick coffee from the Wailuku Coffee Company. Then, make the drive to the western side of the island to relax on a beach before this evening’s activities.
Hanakao’o Beach Park is slightly off the tourist path and is an excellent spot to watch Maui locals take out their outrigger canoes (this beach is home to multiple canoe clubs and races) and a favorite napping spot for turtles.
Hit a luau
Time to enjoy a Hawaiian vacation staple—a good ol’ fashioned luau! There’s tons of options in Maui, but I’d recommend the Te Au Moana Luau.
The experience is lovely, from the moment you’re greeted upon arrival with a fresh flower lei to the iconic fire knife performance. The family-style meal is surprisingly delicious and all of the dancers are SO talented. Plus, its location on the west coastline of the island provides a jaw-dropping backdrop during sunset.
Day 7: West Maui Mountain Adventures
Coffee at Maui Coffee Attic
Fuel up for the day at Maui Coffee Attic. This spot is definitely under the radar and has a more local vibe- plus, there’s plenty of Hawaiian-centric treats like ube haupia pie.
Hike the Waihe’e Ridge Trail
Hike the incredible Waihe’e Ridge Trail, which takes you up and across a ridgeline of one of the West Maui Mountains, with absolutely breathtaking views of the lush green valleys below. It feels like something straight out of Jurassic Park!
Drive along Highway 340
Highway 340 is one of the most stunning drives in Hawaii, but be forewarned—if the Road to Hana is described as “nail biting”, Highway 340 would be categorized as “how is this even legal?”, with plenty of narrow one-lane roads along sheer cliffside drop-offs. If you’re a nervous driver (or even if you wouldn’t consider yourself in the adventurous driver camp), I’d strongly recommend skipping this one.
That being said, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, the views along this wild and untouched coastline are absolutely spectacular and it’ll definitely be one of the most memorable experiences you have in Maui!
Some stops to check out along the way:
- Julia’s Banana Bread—the mango banana bread is SO good!
- Nakalele Blowhole
- Slaughterhouse Beach—it’s sea turtle heaven!
Grab lunch near Lahaina
Stop for a late lunch near Lahaina, like at Miss Arepa, for a funky take on Venezuelan arepas, or TaquerEATa, a food truck beloved by locals that dishes up incredible tacos.
Relax on Baby Beach
Spend the rest of the day on Baby Beach, which has perfectly clear and calm water and powdery white sand.
If you’re all beached out (it’s your second to last day in Maui- who are you?!), consider instead going on a tour of a nearby dragon fruit farm, where you’ll get to try a bunch of unique tropical fruits you didn’t know existed, like soursop, lilikoi, sapote, and sapodilla.
Dinner at Miso Phat Sushi
Have your last meal on Maui at Miso Phat Sushi, serving up incredible, no-frills sushi rolls in a teeny tiny storefront.
Day 8: Try not to cry as you say “a hui hou” (or “until we meet again”) to Maui
Most flights don’t leave Maui until the afternoon, so you should have time to sneak in one last adventure on the island.
Some suggestions:
- Take a surf lesson (it is Hawaii, after all, the birthplace of surfing!)
- See Maui in the most Jurassic Park-y way possible on a helicopter tour (bonus- it leaves from the airport so you won’t have far to go!)
- Have one final beach day. If you want to go snorkeling one last time, Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve Area along the south shore is 800 acres of colorful coral reefs and lava tubes. Or Kapalua Bay Beach is the perfect beach for basking in the tropical sun.
After your morning explorations have concluded, head to the airport and start planning your next trip to Maui!
How to Get Around Maui
If you’re wondering whether you need a rental car in Maui to get around, the answer is almost always going to be yes, unless you plan on hanging out at your resort the whole time (which I would strongly advise against!).
While there is public transit on the island, it’s quite limited and, given how spread out and large Maui is, you’ll wind up spending the majority of your time waiting and navigating on the bus.
With a rental car, on the other hand, you’ll have total freedom and flexibility. Luckily, there’s plenty of rental cars available at Kahului Airport, the main international airport on the island.
But you should definitely book your rental car as early as you possibly can! Rental cars can be extremely expensive in Maui (i.e., during peak season, it can be challenging to find cars that are under $100 per day) and you’ll be able to snag a much better deal the earlier you book.
Kind of a ridiculous tip, but here goes- be sure to test out your rental car’s horn before you leave the lot. My husband, Justin, and I rented a vehicle from a discount car place and found out that a variety of things, like the air conditioning and more alarmingly, the horn, did not work while we were driving. Maui has a ton of one-way, curvy roads, like the Road to Hana, and accordingly, a horn is kind of a necessary accessory.
How Long to Stay in Maui
Listen- over the course of my life, I’ve been to Maui four times, staying around four to five days each time- and I’ve still not seen anywhere close to everything on the island!
Many travelers visit for a long weekend-type getaway here, but this honestly wouldn’t be my recommendation. Between how spread out Maui is (fun fact: it’s the second largest Hawaiian island), the time zone difference most travelers will be grappling with, and the sheer amount of stuff to see and do here, a short getaway will certainly leave you wanting more.
So what’s the perfect amount of time on the island? I’d say at least 7 days, with any extra days allowing you to have a slightly less jam-packed itinerary.
When to Visit Maui
There is no real bad time to visit Maui. Temperatures consistently hover from the high 70s to the mid-80s year round.
That being said, the “rainy” season here is November through April, while the dry season from May through September.
Honestly, though, I wouldn’t put too much stock into these periods. We last visited Maui in February and didn’t experience a single drop of rain throughout our entire stay!
It’s also important to note that, because there’s a variety of ecosystems on the island (with the southern and western side being dry and sunny and the eastern side having weather you’d expect in a rainforest), it rarely rains across the entire island at one time.
Another factor to consider is whether you want to align your trip with the humpback whales, who migrate to the Hawaiian Islands’ waters from November through May to breed and raise their babies.
One of the most magical experiences of my life was watching a mama humpback whale teaching her calf how to leap out of the water and flop on its side on a whale-watching cruise here. So if you can swing a visit during this period (and who doesn’t want to get away in the cold winter and rainy springtime?!), I’d highly recommend it.
For the most affordable airfare and accommodations and fewer crowds, you should consider checking out April through May or September through November, which are considered Maui’s low months.
No matter when you visit, though, expect to pay a pretty penny- but Maui is worth it!
Where to Stay in Maui
We wrote a whole post all about where to stay in Maui, but if you want the TLDR, we’d generally recommend that most travelers base themselves in either Kaanapali, the Kihei area, or Paia.
Stay near Kaanapali
The historic and colorful town of Lahaina was once the most popular place to stay on the island—and my personal favorite homebase in Maui.
Sadly, most of Lahaina’s beautiful downtown, including a decent amount of its hotels, were tragically lost to a fire in 2023. Now, Lahaina’s neighbor, the resort city of Kaanapali, has recently become the most popular place to stay on the west side of the island.
With its convenient proximity to awesome beaches, plenty of restaurants and bars, and the myriad of tours that depart from Mā’alaea’s harbor, this is an excellent spot to call home during your time on the island.
Consider:
- Napili Sunset Beachfront Resort: This clean and comfortable resort is located right on Napili Beach, with incredible snorkeling and even better sunsets. With friendly service, beautiful grounds, and all the amenities you’d want in a resort, like a pool and hot tub, it’s no wonder that Frommers listed this as one of the top ten beach hotels in the world!
- Westin Nanea Ocean Villas: This beachfront property is definitely on the pricier side, but has a lot to offer, including two pools and rooms with fully-equipped kitchens, private balconies, and washer/dryers.
Stay in Kihei
Kihei is located on the southwestern side of the island and tends to be drier and sunnier than most other parts of Maui, which means GREAT beach weather, baby!
It’s also more centrally located than some of the other big hotel hubs, meaning you’ll have slightly less of a long drive to, say, the summit of Haleakalā or the beginning of the Road to Hana. Plus, there’s a handful of tours that leave from Kihei’s harbor as well.
Most of the awesome things to do in Kihei revolve around its gorgeous beaches. However, unlike some of the other popular places to stay in Maui, there isn’t a super walkable downtown area here. That being said, there’s still a lot of great restaurants around (like Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade and Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice)!
Consider:
- Maui Coast Hotel: This hotel has a unique focus on sustainability, from its array of solar panels, water conservation program, and use of environmentally-friendly cleaners. In addition to its eco-friendly choices, you’ll also get access to resort-like amenities, like a pool surrounded by swaying palm trees and a sun-deck to take in the spectacular sunsets.
- Aston Maui Hill: With roomy suites, including kitchens, staff members that are truly willing to go above and beyond, and fun perks, like a weekly mai tai party, this is one of the best values in the Kihei area.
- Fairmont Kea Lani: If you’re looking to splurge on a bougie stay, the Fairmont, located in Kihei’s neighbor, Wailea, a luxury resort town, offers everything you’d possibly want out from upscale accommodations- impeccably manicured grounds, world-class service, and cabana-style suites.
Stay in Paia
If I had a twin flame town in Maui, it would probably be Pāʻia.
This colorful little town exudes all the hippie and surfer vibes, with tons of cute coffee shops and boutiques hawking hand-crafted goods. It’s also pretty conveniently located on the central north shore of Maui and is right at the start of the Road to Hana, allowing you to get a bright and early start when you embark on that adventure!
Consider:
- Paia Inn: A hip boutique hotel in a laid back surfer town, with proximity to both the beach and Pāʻia’s cute shops and restaurants, an excellent onsite bar, and accommodating and friendly staff- plus, like, a REALLY cool atmosphere.
What to Pack for Maui
If you’re looking for a really thorough guide on what to pack for Maui, we wrote an entire Hawaii packing list post for your viewing pleasure. So, instead of repeating that whole article, here’s 8 Maui essentials you should be sure to bring along:
Reef safe sunscreen
Did you know that most commercial sunscreens contain nano zinc oxide, which can bleach and damage the DNA of coral reefs and basically contribute to the slow and horrible downfall of humanity that is climate change? So be an awesome human and bring along reef-safe sunscreen instead.
Hiking sandals
Hopefully, my toenail story above is reason alone. I have these Tevas, which I’m obsessed with and Justin has these.
Snorkel set
Listen, if your Maui itinerary includes snorkeling more than one time (which, if you’re staying there for 8 days, it definitely should!), I’d definitely recommend bringing along a snorkeling set.
After a couple of uses, it winds up being cheaper than the rentals on the island- plus, given how spread out and remote Maui is, lots of the beaches simply don’t have snorkeling rentals onsite.
Swimsuit
When I’m in Hawaii, I basically live in my swimsuit- I mean, I definitely can’t get away with that in my hometown of Seattle!
For the ladies, given how many water sports there are here (stand-up paddle boarding! kayaking! snorkeling!), I’d recommend picking up a two piece with a bit more coverage and support, like this set, and for the fellows, these trunks are versatile enough to take you from the waters of the Pacific Ocean to grabbing a beer at Maui Brewing Company.
Coverup
When I want to wear my bathing suit, but kind of look less like a total beach bum, I throw on a cover-up. I love this one– you can throw it on over your swimsuit, a dress, or whatever AND you can get it in a monstera print. I love a good tropical theme!
Thermal rashguard
So Hawaii’s water temperature is pretty pleasant year round, hovering in the mid- to upper- 70s. But if you’re actually spending any meaningful amount of time in the water (like you’re snorkeling or surfing), it can feel downright chilly, especially if you’re a total baby, like me!
So I’d recommend picking up a thermal rashguard, which both protects your skin from sunburn and provides a little bit more insulation (without being a full-blown wetsuit). Here’s an option for the ladies and here’s an option for men.
Beach towel
Your hotel will definitely have towels but are they really going to be the awesome fluffy kind you want to bask in the sun for hours at a time? Bring your own beach towel and lounge like a champion.
Sunglasses
With the whole bright and blinding tropical sunshine thing, this one is probably pretty obvious, but for whatever reason, the last two times I went to Hawaii, I forgot my sunglasses, so go figure.
I love getting mine from Warby Parker. Not only can you either get them with or without prescriptions (where my nerds at!), but they donate a pair of glasses to those in need for every one sold.
I hope your trip to Maui is nothing short of magical. Are there any questions you have for us about planning the most epic Maui itinerary? Sound off in the comments below!
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Thank you so much for the post! This looks like an incredible way to spend a day.
Maui Photographers
Thank you so much for post, your adventure looks amazing!! I am using a lot of your suggestions for our trip, can’t wait to be there!!!
I’m so glad we could help! Thanks for letting us know 🙂
Would you recommend not staying in Hana for the whole trip?
I personally would not recommend staying in Hana the whole trip, unless you’re planning on staying at a resort the whole time (in which case, Hana would be a very relaxing and chill place to be!). Hana is pretty out-of-the-way and it would be an inconvenient home base for other adventures around the island (given you’d have to drive along the very curvy and oftentimes, one-way Road to Hana to access the other parts of the island). I’d instead recommend staying in Lahaina, Kihei/Wailea, or Paia.
Good job! This is the best practical guide I have come across. I am planning my family trip based on this one. Thank you!!
Thanks, Steven! I hope your family has a great time on Maui- it’s a magical place!
Where did you stay? Did you have the same accommodation the whole time
Hi Elizabeth,
We’ve been to Maui multiple times. We always stay in the same accommodations during each stay, but we’ve tried a number of different hotels throughout our various trips.
So, for example, we stayed at the Kahana Falls Resort during our last trip, given it was more budget-friendly and has a great location (although limited amenities and more basic accommodations): https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/kahana-falls-resort.en.html?aid=2077672&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve also stayed at the Grand Wailea Resort on a previous trip, due to its more upscale amenities and beachfront location: https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/grand-wailea-resort-spa.en.html?aid=2077672&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Besides driving along the Road to Hana, Maui isn’t THAT big and you can get around most parts of the island within a 2-3 hour drive. So for us, it’s always made sense just to treat one hotel as a homebase and take day trips from there.
Thanks for reading and let us know if you have any other questions about Maui!
Jess