From pure relaxation to the wildest adventures, Maui is the island that has something to offer for everyone. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature and Hawaiian culture.

1 Week in Maui

A scenic drive through the east coastline of Maui.

The Road to Hana is filled with amazing viewpoints and activities. I recommend spending at least a full day here. Some people will drive to Hana and sleep there for a night before making their return the next morning. 

A beautiful botanical garden with incredible viewpoints of waterfalls, the ocean and various local plant species. It's a great place to relax, grab a bite and discover the fawn and fauna. This little gem has numerous trails to pick from that include towering bamboo forests and unique flowers.

Home to the lush green gardens of Maui and striking canyons.

The touristic center of Maui, full of shops, restaurants and activities.

Away from the resorts, Makena Beach is an authentic experience. Its also known as Big Beach since it stretches out to 1 km long. Off the coast, it offers an excellent snorkeling experience due to reduced crowds.

A small town situated in the Northwest of Maui with a homely feeling and beautiful coastline with its past deeply rooted as a whaling port.

Depending on how long you are visiting Maui and what your budget is, you can easily spend a day or two in the locations listed below. If you enjoy a particular area more or wish to continue exploring then there is plenty to do at each of these locations. 

I recommend staying somewhere central in Maui like Kihei. Lahaina is very far from everything and will add to driving time while Kihei is far enough from the airport to avoid noise, but still very accessible and filled with all the necessities (shopping, food, gas, etc.)

If you look at the pictures, this stop hardly requires an explanation. The sand is nice and toasty to dig your feet into and the sea is warm and gentle for swimming.

Hands-down the best place in Maui for shaved ice. The flavors are unreal and its so smooth. They also have a wide selection to pick from so there's a flavor for everyone in the family.

West Maui has some of the best snorkeling spots along its lush, green coastline. There is a high chance of spotting turtles, dolphins and octopi if you go on one of the morning expeditions. I highly recommend snorkeling here as opposed to the Molokini Crater. You are much more likely to see wildlife as there are significantly less crowds.

The legendary active volcano that towers over the island of Maui.

Visiting at Haleakala during either sunrise or sunset is an essential in any trip to Maui. They are both very similar experiences, however most tour groups visit at sunrise so it can be very difficult to find parking and get there on time with traffic. Sunset is an equally beautiful experience with the opportunity to stay later to catch the stars in the clearest skies you have ever seen. I suggest going for sunset to avoid crowds, star gaze and squeeze in a few extra hours of sleep.

The Sliding Sands trail brings a new perspective to Haleakala as it takes you into the heart of the volcano. With constantly changing landscapes from Martian-like to grasslands, this hike is a spiritual experience. The trail is about 18 km long with 600 meters of elevation gain. It is doable in a day for people in decent shape, yet still challenging. Make sure you pack enough water as well since there is nowhere to fill up in the volcano. This trail is also end to end so try to plan for a way to get back to your car at the starting point.

Additionally, having a car rental is a must in Maui. The bus system is okay, but will greatly limit where you can go and what you can do.

Depending on the day and the strength of the waves, the surf may start picking up sand as it crashes on the coast. If you notice sandy water in the afternoon this may be a sign to get out of the water. In Hawaii, sharks like to hunt in the sandy waters since it hides them from their prey.

Local Hawaiians like to tell tourists that those who take lava rocks off the island become cursed and have horrible luck. I can't attest if this is true, but out of respect for the locals, please don't take lava rocks. You are welcome to collect seashells or dead coral however. 

In the town of Paia, in Ho'okipa Beach Park, they hold drum circles every Friday night. Its a cool spot to participate in dancing and watch fire performers practice their tricks. If you are travelling with children, beware that people may be taking substances here.

The sun in Maui can be quite treacherous at certain times of the year so having sunscreen is key. Additionally, certain parts of Maui can be quite windy and rocky. For instance, on Haleakala be careful with your eyes and wear sun glasses since the wind can pick up little rocks and get them in your eyes. This can be prove quite painful.

The prices listed here may fluctuate depending on economic circumstances and the prices were updated as of March 2024.

The Road to Hana has a million water falls along its path. I highly recommend stopping at a few and taking a moment to listen to the water and take a refreshing dip.

This is the famous black sand beach in Maui. It's incredible to run the sand through your hands and realize the thousands and thousands of years of erosion that went into creating such small granules. Don't forget to make your reservations (required for entry)!

This marvel of nature was formed through the trickling of streams and their pooling. The Seven Sacred pools has the reputation of being one of Maui's most beautiful waterfalls and is a must see on the Road to Hana.

Kaihalulu Beach is home to an even rarer color of sand: red! A short hike is required to reach this marvel and be sure to be careful with the cliffs. The small beach is behind a barrier of rocks and provides quite a unique ambience. Beware that at this beach nudism is allowed.

This hike will take you up winding ridges of the volcano. Its full of waterfalls to fill you with wonder as the thick fog slowly rises to reveal deep, lush canyons. This is a wonderful place to bird watch and observe all the colorful species native to Maui.

If you are looking for Maui's nightlife this is it. The five bars surrounding the parking lot are the place to be. It doesn't look like much during the day, but at night this is where everyone goes. I recommend trying the Lava Flow, a delicious drink only available in Hawaii.

Kihei is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs and clothes. One of my personal favorites is Happy Hawaiian Collectibles because of their welcoming staff and authentic pieces.

A Hawaiian Luau is an essential part of visiting any Hawaiian island. It gives you a fresh perspective on Hawaiian culture and festivities as well the chance to witness some amazing dances and fire play. They can be more on the expensive side, however the once in a lifetime experience is well worth it.

This short hike takes you through, the dried lava fields leading down to the ocean. It's really interesting to see the stark contrast of brown and black against the rolling grasslands of the volcano. This area is more a hidden secret on Maui as hardly any tourists go here despite its beauty.

This 60 foot Banyan tree is an iconic spot in Maui. To the locals, this tree symbolizes hope as it was planted to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the first Protestant mission in Maui.

It is rumored that banana bread was invented on Maui by a substitute teacher during the Great Depression. Maui is known for its delicious banana bread and Aunty Sandy's at the halfway marker of Road to Hana is phenomenal. The little shop has so many varieties and nothing tastes as good as fresh from the oven banana bread.

1 Week in Maui

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