Maui

All viewers: The pins in the embedded map below include key info, tips, and tricks, as well as details ported directly from Google Maps like contact info and ratings. FINALLY, all in one handy place! Check out the sample Day-Ish Long Itineraries below the map to help explore these great spots to the fullest. Also, just click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to port the map directly into Google Maps as its own layer for easy navigation.

Mobile viewers: This is best viewed in landscape mode. Alternatively, click the full screen button ⛶ in the top-right corner to open the map directly in Google Maps.

 
 

Overview

If you’re just looking to tour around the island, it can be covered in about two days. Add another day if you want to do some serious hiking or are anticipating some rain. The western shore has some of the most pristine beaches and are easily accessible from town. The Road to Hana is a spectacular 24-mile, cliff-side, less-than-single-lane adventure drive.

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Day-ISH Long itineraries

+ West Shore

Breakfast: Paia Bay Coffee Bar

Kaanapali Beach - One of the most pristine beaches in the world. The resorts have sliced the whole stretch up, but there's some public parking available, and you can use the resort facilities and avoid the massively overpriced resort food (bring snacks if you plan to stay long).

Lahaina - The town of Lahaina has a little beachside walkable area, with some solid food options for lunch:

  • Down the Hatch - Laid-back seafood spot with an outdoor patio and bar, as well as an excellent happy hour that goes most of the afternoon.
  • Breakwell Shave Ice - Very popular spot for this local Hawaiian dessert.
  • Kohola Brewery - Local brewery with a wide selection with a fun hang-out setting. It's Bring Your Own Food.

Dinner: Tin Roof Cafe in downtown Kahului serves up local Hawaiian cuisine, and Paia Fish Market is a casual seafood spot in Paia, a few miles east of downtown, with local catch. Paia has some bars and brewpubs worth hopping between as well.

Check the tips section of each pin for more info.

+ The Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is long and winding and completely unique. If you're planning to drive it yourself, there are some worthwhile stops along the way. Wear a bathing suit - there's a few spots to jump in.

Twin Falls Maui Waterfall - A short hike off the road are these two waterfalls that look quite similar to each other. Cliff jumping into the pools below.

Ka Haku Smoke Shack - As local and authentic as it gets, this roadside barbecue spot opens at 10AM and usually sells out by noon.

Hanawi Falls - Lots of waterfalls and pools along the switchbacks along the road - this one is the easiest to access and hang out in.

Honokalani Beach - Also known as "Black Sand Beach", this cove features tiny, grainy polished rocks that are fun to walk on. Very popular spot. Short hike to a cliff yields panoramic views and a blowhole.

Hana Farms - Quality food spot along the road that sells snacks to go and some food to order.

Check the tips section of each pin for more info.

Note: This road averages about 12 miles per hour due to the continuous switchbacks and frequent stops over single-lane stone bridges. It is an adventure, to say the least - make sure someone is prepared to drive it. Otherwise, there are tours available, but they are typically ~+$100USD/person.

Logistics

Airport Stuff: Fly into Lahului Airport (OGG) via Hawaiian Airlines and grab a rental car.

Getting Around: There are public buses, but the schedules are limited and aren’t very suitable to sightseeing. If you’re planning to do the Road to Hana, the drive is narrow, twisty, and spectacular. You can drive it yourself, or pay a tour driver to do it - but the tours are not cheap.

Where to Stay: The west shores of the island are generally dotted with higher-end resorts directly abutting the beach. The north-west shore, including the walkable town of Lahaina and idyllic Kaanapali beaches, has more to explore than the south-west shore of Wailea and Makena, which is primarily just resorts.

Staying in the vicinity of Kahului has some advantages: it’s the more developed section of the island, it’s cheaper if you’re basically just looking for a place to stay for the night, it’s closer to the airport, and it’s a good jump-off point for day trips to the west shore and the east shore (see detailed info in the interactive map at the bottom). Look for lodging in the Kahului area and surrounding villages.