Maui, Hawaii Travel Guide

There is no place in the world like Hawaii. From the moment you arrive, something in the air shifts. You feel instantly relaxed, grounded, and aware that you’re somewhere so very special. Hawaii calls you to be present. To soak up every moment. To breathe in the ocean breeze, watch the sky change colors at sunset, and drink up every last drop of your piña colada.

And if you’re deciding where to start, Maui is the perfect choice, a mix of adventure, beaches, food, and relaxation that makes it the best of all worlds, especially for first-time visitors.

Quick Overview of Maui

South Maui (Wailea, Kihei, Makena): Sunny, dry, luxury resorts, calm beaches, great snorkeling.
West Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Napili): Kaanapali and Lahaina are more classic resort strips, while Kapalua and Napili are more luxury and quieter.
East Maui (Hana): Remote, lush, waterfalls, black/red sand beaches, bamboo forests. Heaven on earth.
Upcountry (Makawao, Kula, Ulupalakua, Haleakalā): Rolling hills, farms, cooler temps, sweeping island views.
Central Maui (Kahului, Wailuku, ʻĪao Valley): Where locals live, the airport/Costco, plus some hidden dining gems.

To Eat/Drink

South Maui (Wailea / Kihei / Makena)

South Maui Gardens – Outdoor food truck garden with favorites like Reef’s, Happy Belly, Kitoki, and Aloha Prime. We ate here for most meals while staying in Wailea. Some of the best food on the island!
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (various locations) – Fluffiest shave ice EVER! You can’t go wrong with the flavors but I usually opt for the Pineapple, Coconut, Lilikoi, and it’s best with mac nut ice cream on the bottom and a snow cap.
Nalu’s South Shore Grill – Brunch spot with hearty portions and live music.
Monkeypod Kitchen – Their mai tais with liliko‘i foam are amazing. Happy hour is also excellent.
Lineage – Sheldon Simeon’s family-style Hawaiian comfort food.
Island Vintage Coffee – There are several locations throughout Maui and though there is nothing earth shattering about them, pretty consistent and my normal go-to for easy acai bowls and lattes.
Brekkie Bowls – Acai and smoothie bowls that hit the spot after a morning swim.
Paia Fish Market – Big, casual portions of fresh seafood.

West Maui (Lahaina / Kaanapali / Kapalua / Napili)

Gazebo – Famous for their mac nut pancakes served with whipped cream and coconut syrup. The real star of the show is their fried rice, which thankfully my sister-in-law has now mastered. Go early, the line is long but the view is worth the wait.
Miso Phat – Fresh, local sushi. Simple but delicious.
Honu – Oceanfront seafood with incredible views. Though it is a seafood spot, Dan said the burger was one of his favorites of all time.
Joey’s Kitchen – Filipino-Hawaiian comfort food in a casual setting. Great, easy, and affordable lunch spot.
Star Noodle – Creative noodle dishes and Asian-inspired plates. Ahi Avo and Hapa Ramen are 10/10.
Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop – Maui road tripping must do, the banana cream and haupia (coconut) cream pies are our faves.
Honolua Store – Quick, cheap eats with good lattes and cafeteria style lunch to-go. Conveniently located next door to the Ritz Kapalua.

East Maui (Hana + Road to Hana)

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread – Always served hot and fresh, so worth the hype. Grab your loaf, then continue down the road for beautiful ocean views.
Bruddah Hutts – The best BBQ ribs, hands down. Hours are random, so check Google first.
Koki Beach Huli Huli Chicken – Unreal chicken with unbeatable views, run by the sweetest family.
Hana Farms – Gorgeous setting, delicious wood-fired pizza and homemade pineapple soda, with an adorable (but pricey) farm stand.
Da Fish Shack – Excellent poke bowls. Worth the drive itself.
Coconut Glen’s – The best vegan ice cream ever, out of a funky roadside truck.
Hana Farmers Market – Fridays, packed with local produce, flowers, and handmade goods.

Upcountry (Makawao / Kula / Ulupalakua)

T. Komodo Store & Bakery – Old-school donuts on a stick. Get the plain, sugar coated, and guava filled.
Jaws Country Store – Great brunch stop before or after the Road to Hana.
Kula Bistro – Comfort food with local ingredients.
O‘o Farm – Farm-to-table dining and tours with sweeping views of Maui.
Kula Country Farms – Smoothies, produce, and beautiful art prints by Mari Sealy.
Maui Wine – Known for their pineapple sparkling wine.

Central Maui (Kahului / Wailuku)

Tin Roof – Our go-to when we land. Garlic noodles, mochiko chicken, poke bowls. Grab right after the Costco run.
Mama’s Fish House – We were personally underwhelmed on our honeymoon, but everyone else raves. The setting is gorgeous, the drinks are great, and the views are unbeatable, but to us, the food was just meh.

To Stay

Wailea Beach Resort (South Maui) – Sleek, modern, beachfront luxury.
Four Seasons Wailea (South Maui) – Iconic resort with White Lotus vibes, gorgeous grounds.
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (West Maui) – Tucked away in lush northwest Maui, worth all the Marriott points.
Airbnbs / Vacation Rentals– Great option to keep prices down as you’ll have a kitchen. We always stay at the same rental in Hana everytime, but I am gatekeeping that one (no shame, message me if you really want it).

To Do/See/Explore

South Maui (Wailea / Kihei / Makena)

Makena Beach (Big Beach) – Huge, undeveloped stretch of golden sand. Be careful with the strong shore break.
Secret Cove Beach – Tiny, beautiful cove, great photo spot.
Wailea Beach Trail – Scenic beachfront walk connecting the big resorts.

West Maui (Lahaina / Kaanapali / Kapalua / Napili)

Napili Beach – Classic golden-sand beach, great for families and mellow swimming.
Kapalua Beach – Right in front of the Montage. My favorite beach on the island. There is a small parking lot but take advantage of the Kapalua shuttles if you are staying in the resort area.
Snorkeling at Honolua Bay – Calm waters with tons of tropical fish and coral. There’s also a magical forest that you “hike” through on the way to the beach.
Kapalua Coastal Trail – Easy seaside boardwalk connecting beaches and tidepools in the Kapalua resort area.
Kaanapali Beach & Black Rock – Iconic resort beach, plus cliff diving at sunset.
Sea Maui – Snorkeling excursions and sunset cruises, highly recommend.

East Maui (Hana + Road to Hana)

Road to Hana – Waterfalls, bamboo forests, roadside stands, and jaw-dropping views. Our favorite place on the planet. If you can, make it an overnight. If you can’t, expect a very full day. Some of our favorite stops:
- Pipiwai Trail – Stunning bamboo forest hike leading to 400-ft Waimoku Falls. Dan’s favorite hike ever.
- Seven Sacred Pools / Oheo Gulch – Series of waterfalls and pools right by Pipiwai.
- Hamoa Beach – Beautiful, soft sand and great for a beach day.
- Koki Beach – Gorgeous stop with strong currents (skip swimming here, just eat huli-huli chicken instead).
- Waikoa Pond (Venus Pools) – Hidden swimming hole, requires walking a short, unmarked trail.
- Kaihalulu (Red Sand Beach) – Secluded and stunning. The short hike is along a cliff, so not for anyone with mobility issues. Do not wear sandals, pack it in and pack it out, stay on the trail, and respect the land.
- Waianapanapa State Park – Black sand beach and lava caves. Reservation required.

Upcountry (Makawao / Kula / Ulupalakua / Haleakalā)

Haleakalā National Park – We’ve been told that watching the sunrise above the clouds is legendary but unfortunately we haven’t had much luck on our attempts (bitter cold, clouds blocking sunrise). In turn, we prefer sunset as there are fewer crowds, no 3am wake-up, and warmer temps.
Upcountry Maui – Rolling hills, flower and lavender farms, and sweeping island views.
Makawao Forest Reserve – Shady trails through eucalyptus and pine.
O‘o Farm – Farm-to-table tours with a killer view.

Central Maui (Kahului / Wailuku / ʻĪao Valley)

Maui Swap Meet (Kahului, Saturdays) – Fun weekend market with food, flowers, crafts, and local eats.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument – Sacred valley with easy hikes and lush scenery.

To Know

Best Time to Visit – Honestly, you can’t go wrong, it just depends on what matters most to you. We typically go in winter (Dec–March) to escape Chicago winters, and as a bonus this coincides with peak whale watching. Our other favorite times are April/May and September–November for fewer crowds and better deals. Summer is obviously very popular with calmer waters for snorkeling, but more families and higher prices.
Car Rentals – Rental cars are a must, and we’ve had pretty good luck with Costco Travel. If you keep checking, prices sometimes drop significantly before your trip. Public transit is limited and Uber/Lyft are unreliable outside major towns. Also, I hate to admit it, but the Mustang is totally worth it.
Reservations – Some restaurants like Lineage, Mama’s Fish House, and Star Noodle, as well as activities like Waianapanapa State Park and Haleakalā sunrise, require booking in advance.
Beaches – Many do not have lifeguards. Always check surf conditions.
Weather – South and West Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Kaanapali) are sunny and dry. East Maui (Hana) and Upcountry are wetter and cooler. Do not panic if you see rain in the forecast. Much of Hawaii is rainforest, but this does not mean it will rain all day. Usually it is just an afternoon shower.
Groceries – Eating in Hawaii is expensive, but worth it. We offset costs by picking up groceries for beach days and snacks.
- Costco (Kahului) – Right across from the airport. Best prices on the island for water, coconut water, reef-safe sunscreen, wine, etc. They also sell great Hawaiian gifts like Honolulu Cookie Company cookies and Aloha Macs, perfect to pack home.
- Foodland Farms – Great poke and most everything else you need for your trip.
Local Etiquette – Respect the land (‘āina) and sea. Keep your distance (10ft) and absolutely DO NOT touch wildlife (turtles, monk seals). Always use reef-safe sunscreen.