The Best Things to Do on Maui

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We traveled to Maui for a little over a week in October 2021. We traveled with a few of our friends and had a group of eight for the first part and six for the second part. When we went, reservations were basically required to eat out, so be sure to prepare as much ahead of time depending on the state’s rules. As we planned our trip, these were considered some of best things to do on Maui, so we tried to incorporate as many as possible!

Google will tell you that the best time to visit is between April and September. We went at the beginning of October, so the crowds were starting to die down and the beaches weren’t too busy. the first few days were a little overcast, but the majority of our trip was full of sunshine and no rain. January is supposed to be the best for whale watching. Between January and March you’ll find the best waves. The temperature is pretty consistent year-round, but rain is less likely in the summer.

We started our trip on the Road to Hana. For this part, we rented Jeeps to be able to get around the entire road and have the clearance to do so. Then we split our time between Lahaina and Wailea. After the Road to Hana we returned the Jeep and got a “normal car/SUV” for the remainder of our trip. If you want to visit the northwestern part of the island between Kapalua and the airport, you might want to keep the Jeep.

For more information focused on places to eat while on the island, check out my next post!

Road to Hana

Before you Start

To start, you’ll want to plan this part out with a lot of reasearh or at least buy a guide book and follow it closely. The Road to Hana leads from near the airport southeast to Hana and around the island back north to the airport. Most people will drive to Hana and back. We decided to stay in Hana overnight and spilt the full loop into two days.

We stopped at Costco and Walmart first to stock up for the next few days. There aren’t many places to stop along the way and there also aren’t many options in Hana so it’s better to be over prepared. We also packed overnight bags and stored the rest of our luggage in a storage unit overnight. It isn’t uncommon that cars get broken into along the road so we figured better safe than sorry. Another option are luggage storage spots around the airport.

Packing wise, we all wore bathing suits, running shorts, tank tops, and Chacos (or similar) for these two days. You’ll be in and out of the car as well as in and out of the water. We stocked up on sunscreen, snorkels, and beach towels while at the store.

Kahului to Hana (North / East Half)

With a guide book or you plan handy, you’ll start out on the road towards Paia. We stopped at the Paia Bay Coffee House for some food and caffeine and it was amazing. About 10 miles east of Paia, you’ll see Mile Marker 0, the beginning of the Road to Hana. As you’re driving along the road, go slow and look for cars passing by. It’s tight in some spots and the locals aren’t afraid of squeezing by. Keep an eye out for mile markers and places to pull off and park.

For the first few miles, most places to stop aren’t very obvious. You’ll park and look for clearings along the roadway. There are many hikes to waterfalls. The one we stopped at, if it would’ve just been my husband and I we would have turned around. There was fresh fruit on the ground and so many flies. The trail was nonexistent and required climbing and walking over wet, slippery rocks. BUT, once we got to the waterfall, it was so worth it!

Be sure to stop at the Kaenae Lookout and on your way don’t forget Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread stand! There are a ton of options to stop at, and it really depends what you’re looking for. You can focus on viewpoints, waterfalls, hikes, beaches, etc. There’s a black sand beach just before Hana that is supposed to be spectacular. We didn’t know we had to make a reservation ahead of time, so unfortunately we missed out on that one. There are a handful of food tucks and restaurants near the Hana-Maui Resort. We stayed at an Airbnb in the area that could fit all eight of us, but be aware there aren’t a ton of options.

Hana to Kahului (South / West Half)

We started our second day at the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach in Hana. You park at a dead end in the Uakea Road and hike to the beach. We went around sunrise and didn’t see anyone else. The views were incredible and I highly recommend this stop!

Our second stop was the Waioka Pond also known as Venus Pools. For this one, you park along the road and walk through the field to an area where you can “cliff jump” into the pools. It was a little overcast when we went but the photos when it’s sunny are amazing. It can also get dangerous when it rains, so be aware of the weather. A bit after you leave Hana, the landscape drastically changes from more of a rainforest to volcanic. It was so cool but obviously not as popular based on how many cars we didn’t see. There are a couple of spots to stop at, including a few lesser known black sand beaches.

One fun stop to change things up is MauiWine. It’s a pineapple winery along the Road to Hana on the west side. The have white and red wines but also pineapple wines that are definitely worth trying and maybe also purchasing! We stopped here for a wine tasting before heading back to Kahului to switch out rental cars.

Snorkel the Molokini Crater

There’s a small area between Wailea and Lahaina called the Maalaea Harbor. From here, you can book a snorkeling or diving trip to the Molokini Crater. The Crater is almost directly west from MauiWine, out offshore. It’s a volcanic atoll with a diverse variety of fish, coral and wildlife to see. The water is calm, so the boat ride out and back is pleasant and you’re able to relax.

Look for Turtles in Lahaina

After the Road to Hana, we headed to an Airbnb in the Napili-Honokowai area. Ours was off of Lower Honoapiilani Road right on the coast. The shore was rocky, but with our snorkels we could get out and explore right outside our door. It was also right where the turtles would come up and sun on the beach. We sat out there for hours just watching them swim in and out.

You can also stay in Lahaina, but it seemed like more of a small city vibe compared to being on the beach. Another great option would be to stay on the beach on or near Kaanapali Beach. There’s a beach path connecting all of the resorts and condos so it’s easy to explore. Most beach areas have walking paths so you can stay in one area and explore the various beaches nearby.

Old Lahaina Luau

While near Lahaina, we had to attend the Old Lahaina Luau! Most resorts in Hawaii will do Luau’s but this one claims to be the “most authentic.” Based on reivews, it’s one of the best ones in Hawaii. The food was incredible, the drinks were endless and the show was entertaining. All with the sunset over the beach in the background. It’s about $200 per adult, but remember it’s dinner, drinks and a show!

Spa and Golf day in Kapalua

One main reason for this trip was to attend our friend’s wedding. They were married on Kapalua Bay Beach (apparently all you need is a beach permit and you can get married on almost any of the public beaches) and then the reception was at The Plantation House at the Plantation Golf Course. This is another great area of the island to explore!

The day of the wedding, the guys golfed at the Plantation Golf Course, and the ladies visited the Ritz-Carlton Spa. Using the spa gave us access to all of the amenities and a place to get ready since we were in between accommodations. Everything about the spa and resort screamed luxury and it was a really fun experience.

Beach Hop in Wailea

After the wedding, we headed south to Wailea. This area is very resort heavy and was definitely a splurge. We stayed at the Wailea Beach Resort. There were two pools, beach access, restaurants, and really everything you could ever need. The Wailea Beach Path will take you from Mokapu Beach south to Polo Beach and is about 1.5 miles long. The path is a great way to explore and see some different beaches. There are four different beaches along the path with many more on either side.

Visit Haleakala National Park

A great activity if you get lucky with weather is to visit Haleakala National Park. The summit is at just over 10,000-ft in elevation so be prepared for a very different experience. We were not. We got to the top and it was cloudy, windy, rainy and maybe 40-degrees. We we dressed for the beach, so not our best moment.

If you’re a morning person, make sure to get a permit to watch the sunrise from the summit. It’s probably two hours from most areas, and you’ll want to get there early so you’ll have to get up and head out around 3am. Since it’s a popular activity, a permit is required to enter at that time. During the day or at sunset isn’t as busy.

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