Travel Guide: Maui, Hawaii
So you’ve stumbled upon this Hawaii post… lucky you! If this isn’t a sign to finally book that flight, I don’t know what is! (lol) but seriously… after reading this, please make sure you find a way to make it to Hawaii at least one time in your life. Hawaii is one of my favorite places on Earth - extremely beautiful, you feel safe exploring and the people are so nice and welcoming. This post specifically narrows in on Maui, my favorite island - island of the sun!
If you think you might be interested in Maui, I would personally recommend staying in Kaanapali. If you are looking to save money, you could also stay on the other side of the island in the Kihei area, but since you’ve made it all the way to Maui… treat yourself! :) Keep in mind that if you want to explore, I would recommend renting a car for a part of the trip. Some places require a day trip and I think that a car is much better than taking the tour buses, especially if you want to stop at more than one destination.
Here are some of the best things to do in Maui - the ones in bold are my personal favorites! It’s so hard to narrow it down, but you can look these up and see what fits best for you!
Eats
Maui has some of the best food - from authentic Hawaiian dishes to delicious and fresh acai bowls. Depending on your mood, there are tons of places to try! I recommend going to at least one nicer restaurant listed to get the amazing food, views and locations, but you really can’t go wrong!
Pictured: Choice Health Bar, Acai Bowls
Ululani’s Shaved Ice - the BEST shaved ice on the planet
Miso Phat Sushi - delicious, fresh sushi! Smaller place and more local.
Sansei - Great happy hour sushi and even kareoke on certain nights! Their Shrimp Dynamite is to die for!
Merriman’s - fancier with an incredible view!
Seahouse (Napili Bay) - Beautiful view and sunsets, great happy hour
Hula Grill - right on the Kaanapali beachfront
Leilani’s - on the beach front as well
Cheeseburger in Paradise - Go here if you’re walking around Downtown Lahaina
Mama’s Fish House - a treat-yoself kind of restaurant with high status. If you go here, get the Polynesian Black Pearl!
Star Noodle - *Need Reservations, but great food. Lunchroom style seating.
Slappy Cakes - Breakfast/brunch + has a skillet to make your own pancakes (fun!)
Joey’s Kitchen - Smaller and local with the best authentic food
Aloha Mixed Plate - Great Hawaiian food
Da Kitchen Cafe - Local and Authentic Hawaiian
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop - Amazing desserts! (Go here if you rent a car)
Honolulu Cookie Company - Many locations - the best cookies! Need these for little treat souvenirs.
Farmer’s Market - Acai Bowls (in a grocery store)
Choice Health Bar - Acai Bowls
Shopping
Maui has the cutest streets lined with different stores to stop into and even outdoor malls. Most areas also have fun restaurants around to stop in for a snack, or sit down for happy hour!
Pictured: Restaurant in Lahaina
Lahaina Front Street - Shops, restaurants and beautiful views all down Front Street + don’t forget to visit the Banyan Tree!
Swap Meet - Open every Saturday only and filled with a bunch of tents with different vendors + food trucks + other food!
Paia - A Street with many shops and boutiques
Whalers Village - Outdoor Mall with food and restaurants by the beach
Things To Do
There are endless things to do in Maui whether it be an excursion, water activities or driving to a destination to see amazing views.
Pictured: Haleakala Crater at Sunset
Sunset Dinner Cruise - Boats in Downtown Lahaina
Black Rock Cliff Jump - At every sunset you can watch someone on Black Rock blow a shell horn from the Sheraton (if I remember correctly lol!) or you can even cliff jump off Black Rock yourself - a lot of people do it and it’s super thrilling!
Snorkel Around Black Rock - If you don’t want to do a whole excursion for snorkeling, I recommend going around here and renting snorkel gear!
Whale Watching - (Lahaina Harbor) Make sure that it is whale season before you do this! It’s pretty incredible being close to the whales, and it’s a high probability that you will see at least one while you’re out on the boat! Bring dramamine if you get motion sickness easily!
Snorkeling Tour on Molokini - There is a lot of snorkeling around the island if you want to pay for an excursion for the whole experience!
Surfing Lessons - There are a lot of places that have lessons if you want to try and get up on a surf board!
Zip-lining - Zip-lining is available at many locations!
Ho’okipa Beach - We try to visit this beach because you can usually find all of the turtles taking naps in the sand!
The Road To Hana *Need a Car Rental - A long road on Maui where you can stop at many beautiful destinations: Ho’okipa Beach Park, Twin Falls, Huelo Lookout, Maui Garden of Eden, Hanawi Falls, Wai’anapanapa State Park, The Seven Sacred Pools, and many more!
***Haleakala State Park - A definite place to go! Drive the rental car to the top and see the sunrise or sunset. I prefer sunset because it takes a while to get there and drive up, but a sunrise is very spiritual. Before you go, make sure to try and go on a day that there will be clear skies for a clear sunrise or sunset. The roads seem a little small (and super high up so a little scary), but SO worth it because they are the most beautiful views I have seen.
Hiking
Maui has SO many great hiking trails! You can drive along Road to Hana and stop at many, or just pick some of your favorites around the island. They are all picture perfect and the most beautiful views.
Pictured: Pipiwai Trail, Bamboo Forest
‘Iao Valley State Park - Another easy spot for beautiful views
Pipiwai Trail-Oheo Gulch (Bamboo Forest) - so beautiful and a must see! Also has a really pretty waterfall at the end
Twin Falls - Easy access to pretty waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana
Nakalele Blowhole & Sweetheart Rock - Easy to get to and very pretty - Don’t get too close to the blowhole though!
Waihee Ridge Trail - beautiful views and only takes a couple hours max!
Kings Gardens in Maui - I haven’t personally done this one, but I know there is a pretty water fall! Might cost money if you want to do touring.
Lahaina Pali Trail - “The windmill hike” - It’s a great workout and close to Kaanapali, plus the windmills are beautiful.
Luaus
A luau is a go-to if it is your first time in Hawaii! It is a gathering with Hawaiian dancing, fire dancing and great food!
Old Lahaina Luau - buffet of food (great for having something for everyone)
Feast at Lele - served food (harder if you’re not willing to try their specific dishes)
Hotels
I would recommend staying at a hotel along Kaanapali Beach! Most of these hotels have a bus system to bring you to other locations such as other hotels, downtown Lahaina, the Whalers Village Shopping Mall (where a lot of the beach restaurants also are), etc. Any place in Maui would be amazing to stay at, but these are just some great ones if you’re looking to be close to the best beach (Kaanapali), shopping and things to do.
Pictured: Lobby at The Westin Kaanapali Resort Villas
The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas (Originally Timeshares, but can rent from a owner)
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach
The Grand Wailea - located on the opposite side of the island, but very beautiful (A Waldorf Astoria Hotel)
+ A video I made from a past visit to Maui!
Hope this helps you out if you are planning a trip to Maui! If you have any questions, please ask - I will talk about Hawaii forever if I could! Also, if I forgot something, leave a comment below! :)
-K