Maui, known as “ The Valley Isle,” is a top choice for those visiting Hawaii, and for good reason! The island boasts a variety of unique landscapes. From lush green forests to sprawling beaches with turquoise waters, epic waterfalls, and sunrise & sunset views from almost 10,000 feet above sea level, Maui’s got it all. We were lucky enough to elope on stunning oceanside cliffs that were reminiscent of Ireland. You can read more about our elopement experience here! Along with its incredible landscapes, Maui is home to many luxury resorts and fine dining restaurants. It’s hard not to fall in love with the relaxing island vibe that radiates off those who are fortunate enough to live in Maui. I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be dreaming of this Hawaiian gem for years to come.
What To Pack
- Luckily, Maui boasts pretty incredible weather all year round. The winter months of December, January, and February typically have the lowest temperatures with the highest amounts of rain. However, the temperature and amount of rainfall can vary greatly based on the region of the island. For instance, South Maui, where we stayed, gets the least amount of rain on the island. During our 9 day trip, temperatures reached over 80 degrees Fahrenheit each day and it only rained one day!
- With those considerations in mind, it’s always a good idea to pack a light rain jacket just in case, especially with the unpredictable island weather.
- You’ll likely want to get out and explore the beautiful island of Maui. If you’re wanting to have a true Maui adventure, make sure you’ve got the footwear to match. I would recommend hiking boots or tennis shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Of course, you can’t forget your bathing suit(s). Luckily, the water was still pretty warm when we visited in January, so we were able to get in the ocean where the waves weren’t too intense. There are also lots of activities that revolve around the water in some capacity, so I made sure to bring a couple of cute coverups as well as sandals that I didn’t mind getting wet!
- I’m not normally the type of person to carry around cash…like at all. But whenever we travel, we try to make sure we’ve got enough just in case! If you’re staying at a resort, you’ll need plenty of cash for tips. We also found that there were a few places like ice cream shops or shave ice stands that were cash only, so it certainly came in handy.
- Lastly, don’t forget your masks! You’ll need them pretty much everywhere, including on your flights. I always bring a couple different masks with me so I can rotate them out to wear and wash.
- Tip: packing cubes are a lifesaver! This is the best way to keep everything organized when you travel, and they make unpacking at your destination such a breeze. I picked up this set on Amazon, but they’ve got tons of options!
WHERE TO STAY
- The island of Maui is primarily divided into four distinct areas: North Shore, South Maui, East Maui, and West Maui. During our trip, we were able to explore many of the different areas and what they had to offer through renting a car. This is a MUST for exploring the island properly! Driving across the island never felt like a chore as the drives are consistently breathtaking. We stayed in Wailea in South Maui, which was a bit quieter than some of the other areas and had a relaxing feel as many of the luxury resorts are located here. Wailea pretty much encompasses what you think of when you imagine Maui. The landscape was pristine and well-manicured. I absolutely loved waking up to those incredible views each morning! Wailea and Kihei are close in proximity and offer a good mix of serene landscapes and shopping and dining options. South Maui is also a common choice for tourists due to the consistently sunny, dry weather. Plus, this area is generally only a 20-30 minute drive from the airport, making it super convenient for travel in and out of the island. This area is an excellent choice for both budget friendly condos and luxury resorts alike!
- West Maui is another hot spot for tourists. Like South Maui, it also boasts consistently sunny and dry weather. Lots of activities can be found in the town of Lahaina such as whale watching and boat tours with glass bottomed boats. North of Lahaina is Ka’anapali, a beachfront area with popular shops and dining. Kapalua is another popular choice, as the area is a little quieter than Lahaina and Ka’anapali. Kapalua boasts many resort options for those looking for a luxury stay. Generally speaking, the towns in West Maui probably have the largest selection of places to stay. Be aware that because these areas are home to so many activities, they generally tend to be more crowded!
- Next up we have the North Shore. We spent time in the North Shore soaking up the amazing beaches of Maui and heading out on the Road to Hana. The area feels much less touristy and includes the charming beach town of Paia. Whether you choose to stay here or not, you’ve got to visit Paia and the nearby Ho’okipa Beach. On our first full day on the island, we walked around Paia, grabbed a bite to eat at Paia fish market, enjoyed some shave ice, and watched the surfers at Ho’okipa Beach. It was the perfect introduction to Hawaii.
- Last, but certainly not least, we have East Maui. If you’re planning on taking the Road to Hana (which I highly recommend), you’ll experience some of the best parts of East Maui. However, there aren’t many options for lodging, and the area is pretty remote. Plus, staying in East Maui would mean that you’d be taking some pretty intense drives each time you ventured out. I remember wondering if Amazon could even get to the houses along the road, honestly I’m not sure how I’d survive if they couldn’t! With that being said, the area holds some of Maui’s greatest hidden gems and is SO worth exploring.
What To Do
- First and foremost, rent a car!!! It’s such an easy process and worth every penny. We got a Jeep at the airport, which was especially perfect for conquering the Road to Hana.
- The Road to Hana is a must if you’re feeling brave! It’s essentially a 64 mile stretch of highway with some incredible stops and views along the way. If you really want to do it right, I’d recommend getting up early to beat the traffic and plan on spending at least half the day on the trip. Make sure you check the weather beforehand-you don’t want to be caught on that trek during a rainstorm (at least I sure wouldn’t)! Head out on a full tank of gas, and be aware that there’s no cell service on the majority of the highway. It’s best to map out your stops beforehand so that you have an idea of how you want to prioritize your time. Some notable stops:
- Ice cream/fruit stands along the road-we had some vegan coconut ice cream that was to DIE for!
- Twin falls-mile marker 2
- Garden of Eden Arboretum-mile marker 10
- Wai’anapanapa state park (black sand beach)-mile marker 32
- Hana Town-mile marker 34
- Kaihalulu Beach (red sand beach)-just south of Hana Bay
- Pools of ‘Ohe’o (aka the Seven Sacred Pools) & bamboo forest-just beyond Hana Town
The Black Sand Beach
- Haleakala Sunrise/Sunset– The summit at Haleakala National Park is almost 10,000 feet above sea level and offers one of the most memorable views in Maui. We weren’t able to fit Haleakala in our trip this time, but it’s definitely on my list for the next time we return! If you’re planning on going up for sunrise, you’ll need tickets in advance. You can purchase them online up to 60 days in advance. Once you arrive, you’ll also pay a fee per car. I’ve heard that sunset is just as beautiful, though, and no tickets are required! Depending on where you are starting out, it can take a couple of hours to get to the top. Make sure you load up on gas, food, and some warm clothes, as it can get pretty chilly at the top of the summit.
- Paia and Ho’okipa Beach Park-Paia is the coolest little “hippie town” with a true Hawaii vibe. Eat at Paia Fish Market and grab some shave ice afterwards at one of the many spots close by! Then head over to Ho’okipa Beach Park to check out the sea turtles and watch some epic surfing. Paia is also a great spot for unique shopping and gifts to take back home. Make sure you get a reservation for dinner at Mama’s Fish House while you’re in Maui. We received so many recommendations to try it out and the food did not disappoint! It’s located in Paia and is one of the most unique restaurants I’ve ever seen. The fish is as fresh as can be and the desserts are to die for! Really everything we had there was delicious, I would have gone back again during our trip if we had the time!
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- Mama’s Fish House
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- Snorkeling-There are tons of areas across the island for snorkeling. We tried to go Turtle town one day, but the water was pretty rough, so we decided it was best to sit that one out. Side note: I’m slightly terrified of the ocean. I’ll go in…just not that far. I’ve seen one too many Tik Toks of monstrous waves-I need a quick escape!
- Jaws Beach-Speaking of giant waves, Jaws beach aka Pe’ahi is the place for just that. Jaws is located in the North Shore and we were lucky enough to see an epic swell with waves as tall as 40 feet! I have never and probably will never see anything like that again in my lifetime. It was truly an unforgettable experience. The trek up to the lookout was an adventure in and of itself. If you’re lucky enough to be in Maui during a super swell and want to venture out to the lookout above Jaws, come prepared. The dirt road is about 1.5 miles each way and bumpy enough that several 4-wheel drive SUVs had a tough time navigating through. I would NOT recommend driving down yourself unless you’re with a local, it’s pretty intense. Just wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and bring lots of water! The actual lookout area was smaller than I anticipated so going early would definitely be best to avoid some of the crowd.
- Surf Lessons-Having never surfed a day in our lives, we figured, why not? My family had THE BEST time taking a lesson with Maui Wave Riders in Kihei. Plus the company captured some pretty incredible action shots, which was a plus! Who knows, you might even catch us at Jaws Beach for the next epic swell! 😂
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- Surf Lessons with MWW
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- Whale Watching-There are tons of whale watching tours as well as other boat tours that leave out of Lahaina. Whale watching season is officially between December 15th-May 15th, but the first sightings can be seen as early as September. There are lots of options for tours, and many offer an open bar if that’s your thing.
- Luau-If you want to go to a luau, buy tickets beforehand! We went to a luau at Wailea Beach Resort, and it was great! There were several courses for dinner and included an open bar.
Luau at Wailea Beach Resort
- The Shave Ice-Hawaii easily has the best shave ice around. We tried out a couple different spots but Peace Love Shave Ice in Kihei was our favorite! The owner was so kind and had such a large flavor selection to choose from. The Very Berry was so refreshing and delicious!
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- Peace Love Shave Ice
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- Maui Brewing Company-We went to the Kihei location and had the BEST lunch and beer, what more could you ask for? The brewery was huge and had a great outdoor area to enjoy. I’ll be dreaming about the coconut wireless nitro cream ale until I return!
So there you have it, that wraps up my top recommendations for a trip to Maui, Hawaii! Have you made it to Maui yet? I would love to hear what you enjoyed most down below in the comments!
