The Ultimate Maui Travel Guide

My husband and I recently returned from Maui and I’m excited to share my personal recommendations with you! Maui offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling, surfing, hiking, and exploring local cuisine. One of the most iconic experiences on the island is driving the Road to Hana, a scenic route that winds through breathtaking landscapes. Click here for my Road to Hana recommendations. For other recommendations, including where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and where to find the best coffee and mai tai’s on the island, keep reading.

Luau at Andaz Maui Wailea Resort

Baya Bowls Acai Bowl

Secret Cove Beach

Stay

West Maui (Ka’anapali, Lahaina, Kapalua, and Napili) and South Maui (Wailea, Kihei, and Makena) are the two areas that the majority of visitors to Maui choose to stay. I’ll share my thoughts on the areas we visited the most during our trip.

Lahaina: Lahaina is a historic whaling village on the west coast of Maui. It has a lively atmosphere with plenty of restaurants, art galleries, and shops. Lahaina also has a rich history, which is evident in its preserved architecture and landmarks.

Wailea: Wailea is a resort town located on the south shore of Maui. It is known for its luxury hotels, world-class golf courses, and stunning beaches. Wailea Beach, Ulua Beach, and Mokapu Beach are just a few of the popular spots. Wailea also has several high-end shopping centers, spas, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for those seeking a luxurious vacation. We stayed in Wailea at a Vrbo and loved the close proximity to beaches, beautiful resorts, and our day trips. 

Kihei: Kihei is a beach town located on the southwest coast of Maui. Kihei has a laid-back beach town vibe, great options for food, and several beautiful beaches, including Kamaole Beach Park and Keawakapu Beach, both of which are great for swimming and snorkeling.

Do

Lahaina 

1. Visit the Banyan Tree: The Lahaina Banyan Tree is one of the largest banyan trees in the United States, and it covers an entire city block.
2. Explore Front Street: Front Street is the main street in Lahaina, and it’s filled with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
3. Take a hike: The Waihee Ridge trail hike requires a bit of a drive and I suggest arriving as early as possible. The parking lot fills up quickly and there is no overflow parking lot. The moderate hike offers beautiful views of Maui’s lush greenery and ocean.
4. Pick up local produce, lunch, and fresh juice: If you are visiting Lahaina for the day and traveling from South Maui, I recommend a stop at Olowalu Farmers Market, along the side of the road, on your way home.

Wailea

1. Visit the beaches: Visit Wailea Beach, one of the best beaches in Maui! My other favorites that are nearby include Makena Beach (Big Beach), Polo Beach, and Secret Cove.
2. Take a stroll along the Wailea Beach Path: A scenic walkway that stretches along the coastline. We loved picking up a coffee and starting the morning with a scenic walk!
3. Go golfing: We don’t golf, so I don’t have any personal recommendations, but there are several options in the area.
4. Indulge in a spa treatment: Practice self-care at one of the luxurious spas in the Wailea area, such as the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui or the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Kea Lani.
5. Go shopping: The Shops at Wailea, an outdoor shopping center, have a variety of upscale shops and restaurants.
6. Enjoy a luau: We went to the Luau at The Feast at Mokapu at Andaz Maui Wailea Resort and it featured traditional Hawaiian food, music, and dance. There are several options for luau’s and most large resorts offer one, so be sure to find one that meets your needs for day of the week and location.

Other Recommendations

1. Go snorkeling: I recommend a sunrise snorkel trip to Malakena Crater and Maluaka Beach to see marine life in their natural habitat. We booked with Kai Kanani and the early alarm was worth it! 
2. Take a whale watching tour: From December to May, humpback whales migrate to the waters around Maui. We didn’t go on a whale watching tour, but we did take a sunset sail, more on that next, and we had the opportunity to see many whales and dolphins.
3. Take a sunset sail: Leave from Maalaea or Lahaina for a sunset sail, where you can watch the sun sink below the horizon while enjoying a cocktail and some appetizers. We booked through Sail Trilogy and everything about the experience was fantastic! For other sunset ideas, check out this guide.
4. Take a hike: Hike the nearby trails at Haleakala National Park, which features scenic views of the island and the Pacific Ocean, or enjoy a Haleakala sunrise or sunset tour, a breathtaking experience at Maui’s highest peak.

Because there is so much to see and do in Maui, I recommend that you rent a car for your stay in Maui to get the most out of your adventure. We rented from Go Rent a Car, Maui and had a very positive experience!

Eat

As you have probably heard or read, food is not cheap in Hawaii. If you have a specific budget in mind for food, I recommend a mix of food trucks and restaurants. The food trucks offer great value and were some of our favorite spots!

• Mama’s Fish House: a fine dining restaurant known for its fresh seafood and beautiful ocean views. Reservations are required and they book fast. I recommend a reservation at sunset if you can and arrive a few minutes early to enjoy the ocean views.
• Paia Fish Market: a casual restaurant serving up delicious fish tacos and sandwiches in Paia.
• Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice: a must-visit spot for a refreshing treat after a long day of exploring. There are a lot of options for shave ice, but this was our favorite!
• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a: a beautiful restaurant located at the Grand Wailea resort, offering a unique dining experience over a lagoon filled with fish.
• South Maui Fish Company: a food truck offering fresh seafood and poke bowls. My husband raved that this was the best poke he has ever had. It’s a popular spot and a line starts to form before they open, so get there early.
• Outrigger Pizza Co.: located across the street from South Maui Fish Company, this food truck is a great option for kids or anyone in your group that doesn’t want seafood. They offer a menu of wood fired pizzas for a very reasonable price.
• Monkeypod Kitchen: recommended to me by several people, we ate here our first night in Maui and it was my favorite mai tai of the entire trip. Be sure to make a reservation in advance or arrive early enough to put your name on the waitlist.
• Baya Bowls: a colorful food truck located in a parking lot near Lahaina with delicious acai bowls, smoothies, and breakfast pastries. This is worth a stop if you are spending the day in Lahaina.

Drink

• Akamai Coffee: a great spot for a morning pick-me-up and delicious breakfast options, including homemade waffles and avocado toast.
• Four Seasons Resort Maui: the Four Seasons Resort Maui offers several bars and lounges with beautiful ocean views of the sunset.
• Maui Brewing Company: A fun vibe and atmosphere with options for beer flights to try the rotating limited selection beers, frozen cocktails, a full dining menu, live music, and games in the outdoor space.
• Monkeypod Kitchen: This deserves a second mention in this post because as I mentioned, it was the best mai tai we had during the trip. They put a fun twist on the traditional mai tai with a passionfruit foam on top.

Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Maui is a destination that is sure to capture your heart.

– Karen