Plan your trip to Maui, Hawaii — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.
Top things to do in Maui
Haleakalā National Park — Summit Sunrise. At 10,023 feet, Haleakalā's dormant summit crater is one of the most otherworldly landscapes on Earth. Watching the sun rise above a sea of clouds from the crater rim is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that draws visitors back to Maui again and again.
Road to Hāna (Hāna Highway). Fifty-two miles of two-lane highway spiraling through sea cliffs, bamboo forests, and 59 one-lane bridges make this one of the world's most iconic scenic drives. Stops include Waiʻānapanapa's black sand beach, Wailua Falls, and the 400-foot Waimoku Falls at trail's end.
Molokini Crater Snorkeling. This partially submerged volcanic crescent two and a half miles off the southwest coast is a protected marine sanctuary with visibility up to 150 feet, more than 250 fish species, 38 coral species, and resident Hawaiian green sea turtles. Boats depart from Maʻalaea Harbor.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park — Black Sand Beach. Maui's only black sand beach, formed from volcanic basalt, sits inside a wild 122-acre park on the Hāna coast that also features sea stacks, blowholes, ancient lava tubes, and a section of the old King's Highway coastal trail.
Kāʻanapali Beach. Three miles of white sand on West Maui's leeward shore, formerly ranked America's Best Beach, face west for spectacular sunset views toward Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. Each evening a torchlit cliff diver reenacts the leap of King Kahekili from Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock).
Pīpīwai Trail & Waimoku Falls (Kīpahulu District). This four-mile round-trip hike inside Haleakalā National Park threads through a cathedral bamboo forest and past the 200-foot Makahiku Falls before culminating at 400-foot Waimoku Falls. It is consistently rated one of the finest hikes in all of Hawaiʻi.
Hoʻokipa Beach Park — Windsurfing & Sea Turtles. Maui's legendary North Shore break hosts professional windsurfers and kitesurfers on afternoon swells while Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) haul out on the sand to rest each evening. Lifeguards are on duty daily and the park has full facilities.
Humpback Whale Watching (December–April). Maui lies at the heart of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, one of the world's most important humpback breeding grounds. From December through April thousands of North Pacific humpbacks fill the channel between Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi — breaching, tail-slapping, and nursing calves.
Best time to visit Maui
April–May or September–October (shoulder seasons). Spring and fall shoulder seasons offer the same warm, sunny weather (highs 82–86°F) that Hawaii is famous for, but with 20–30% lower accommodation rates and meaningfully thinner crowds than the winter holiday peak or summer family rush. April–May is in the dry season (trade winds keep conditions pleasant); September–October benefits from the warmest ocean water (post-summer) and less rain than winter. Both windows avoid the winter whale-watch crowds while still catching good snorkeling on the calmer (summer) side of the calendar
Maui weather by month
Month
High (°F)
Low (°F)
Notes
Jan
73
64
warm & changeable
Feb
73
63
warm & wet
Mar
73
63
warm & wet
Apr
74
64
warm & wet
May
76
66
warm & wet
Jun
78
67
warm & wet
Jul
79
69
warm & wet
Aug
80
69
warm & wet
Sep
79
69
warm & wet
Oct
78
68
warm & wet
Nov
76
67
warm & wet
Dec
74
65
warm & wet
Getting to Maui
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the gateway; most visitors pick up a rental car right away, since Maui has no island-wide transit and the best of it — the Road to Hāna, Haleakalā sunrise, Kapalua and Wailea — needs wheels. Allow real time for the winding Hāna and Haleakalā drives.
OGG Kahului Airport — 10 min drive
Where to stay in Maui
Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.
Wailea (South Maui). Maui's most upscale resort corridor, Wailea lines its gentle crescent of white sand beaches with luxury properties, world-class spas, and a concentration of fine-dining restaurants. The atmosphere is calm, the beaches are uncrowded, and the sunsets face open… Good for: Luxury travelers, honeymooners, romance, wellness retreats.
Kāʻanapali (West Maui). Hawaiʻi's first planned resort destination, Kāʻanapali stretches three miles of west-facing beach lined with major hotel brands, the Whalers Village open-air shopping complex, and easy access to Lāhainā town for dining and culture. The central location,… Good for: First-time visitors, families, activity-focused travelers, couples.
Kīhei (South Maui). A long, sunny strip running south from Maʻalaea, Kīhei mixes condo rentals, local restaurants, and grocery stores with three lifeguarded Kamaʻole beaches. Rates run 20–40% below Wailea for comparable space, the airport is 20 minutes away, and Wailea fine… Good for: Families, longer stays, budget-conscious travelers, self-catering.
Pāʻia & North Shore. A walkable plantation-era town with pastel storefronts, a world-class art gallery scene, organic cafes, and surf shops, Pāʻia is Maui's most eclectic base. It sits 10 minutes from Hoʻokipa Beach and serves as the logical starting point for the Road to Hāna.… Good for: Surfers, art lovers, bohemian travelers, Road-to-Hāna explorers.
Kapalua (West Maui — North). Nestled inside one of Hawaiʻi's largest private nature preserves at the northern tip of West Maui, Kapalua is Maui's quietest luxury enclave. Two championship golf courses, marine sanctuary bays, a well-marked coastal trail, and properties including The… Good for: Golfers, honeymooners seeking seclusion, luxury travelers wanting fewer crowds.
Where to eat in Maui
A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Mamaʻs Fish House. Pāʻia / North Shore · Pacific Seafood — Operating since 1973 and consistently ranked among the top fine-dining restaurants in the United States, Mamaʻs serves daily catches from named local…
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. Kāʻanapali / Wailea · New American / Farm-to-Table — Peter Merriman, co-founder of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, sources heavily from Maui farms for a menu of handcrafted island dishes paired with…
Koast. Wailea · Contemporary / Local-Sourced — Opened in early 2025 by Top Chef Masters winner Chris Cosentino alongside island hospitality veterans, Koast is a freestanding restaurant in Wailea Village…
Nobu Grand Wailea Maui. Wailea (Grand Wailea Resort) · Japanese / New-Style Sashimi — Over 13,000 sq. ft. of indoor and alfresco space showcase Nobu Matsuhisa's signature dishes — Black Cod with Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño,…
Nalu's South Shore Grill. 1280 S Kihei Rd · 4.7★ (5,183 reviews)
Paia Fish Market Restaurant. 100 Hana Hwy · 4.6★ (5,524 reviews)
Duke's Beach House Maui. 130 Kai Malina Pkwy · 4.4★ (6,002 reviews)
Cafés, bakeries & casual
Tin Roof Maui. Kahului · Local Hawaiian — Two-time Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon runs this beloved casual lunch shop, celebrating the multicultural food heritage of Hawaiʻi through mochiko chicken, poke bowls,…
Aloha Mixed Plate. Lāhainā / Front Street · Local Hawaiian / Plate Lunch — Reopened after the 2023 fires in its original oceanfront spot on Front Street, Aloha Mixed Plate is the go-to for kalua pork, lau lau, shoyu…
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop. 820 Olowalu Village Rd · 4.7★ (5,161 reviews)
Komoda Store and Bakery. 3674 Baldwin Ave · 4.6★ (1,052 reviews)
Fine dining & Michelin
Star Noodle. Lāhainā / Front Street · Asian Fusion / Noodles — Relocated to Front Street after the 2023 fires, Star Noodle pairs fresh hand-made noodles and sake cocktails with panoramic ocean views. The hapa…
Spago Maui. Wailea (Four Seasons Resort) · California-Hawaiian Fine Dining — Wolfgang Puck's Maui flagship has earned Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond recognition for its blend of California cuisine with…
Old Lahaina Luau. 1251 Front St · 4.7★ (4,937 reviews)
Merriman's Kapalua. 1 Bay Club Pl · 4.7★ (2,793 reviews)
Leilani's on the Beach. 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy · 4.4★ (4,235 reviews)
Hali'imaile General Store. 900 Haliimaile Rd · 4.6★ (1,790 reviews)
The Plantation House. 2000 Plantation Club Dr · 4.5★ (1,987 reviews)
Honu Oceanside. 1295 Front St · 4.6★ (1,510 reviews)
A 7-Day Maui Plan
Day 1 — West Maui Welcome & Water. Settle into West Maui and take a leisurely stroll along Kāʻanapali Beach, one of Hawaii's most celebrated stretches of golden sand. Swim in the calm turquoise waters and enjoy the backdrop of the West Maui Mountains. Visit the Maui Ocean Center in Māʻalaea, where floor-to-ceiling…
Day 2 — Haleakalā Summit Sunrise. Rise well before dawn and drive to the summit of Haleakalā National Park (10,023 ft) to witness one of the world's most spectacular sunrises above the clouds. Book your sunrise permit in advance through Recreation.gov, and bring warm layers — temperatures near the summit hover around…
Day 3 — Road to Hāna Adventure. Set out early on the legendary Hāna Highway (Route 360), a 64-mile coastal road winding through 600 curves and 59 bridges. Stop at Twin Falls for a short waterfall hike and Twin Falls Farm Stand for fresh tropical smoothies. Continue to Waiʻānapanapa State Park to walk the dramatic…
Day 4 — Kīpahulu Waterfalls & Coast. Drive south from Hāna to the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. Hike the Pīpīwai Trail (4 miles round-trip) through a bamboo forest that opens dramatically to Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot cascade plunging into a lush pool. Stop at the Pools of ʻOheʻo (Seven Sacred Pools)…
Day 5 — Molokini Snorkel & North Shore Turtles. Board an early morning snorkel boat from Māʻalaea Harbor to Molokini Crater, a partially submerged volcanic caldera hosting some of Maui's clearest water (100+ ft visibility) and hundreds of tropical fish species. Most operators offer two snorkel stops. Return by midday…
Day 6 — Whale Watching & Central Maui Culture. Board a whale-watching cruise from Māʻalaea Harbor with Pacific Whale Foundation or a similar certified operator. Humpback whales congregate in the Maui channel from December through April in extraordinary numbers — spy hops, breaches, and tail slaps are common. Visit…
Day 7 — Lahaina History & Sunset Farewell. Explore the historic town of Lahaina on West Maui — once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a 19th-century whaling hub. Walk the waterfront, visit the Baldwin Home Museum, and stand beneath the enormous 150-year-old banyan tree in Lahaina Courthouse Square. Spend a…
Events & festivals in Maui
Maui Whale Festival (presented by Pacific Whale Foundation) (February (peak of humpback whale season; month-long events)). Annual month-long festival celebrating the return of humpback whales to Maui Nui waters. Events include whale watches, educational presentations, the Great Whale Count volunteer initiative, and the World Whale Film…
East Maui Taro Festival (April (typically last weekend)). Annual festival in Hāna celebrating kalo (taro), the traditional Hawaiian staple food. Features hula, music, cultural demonstrations, and taro-based food. Founded by Maria Orr in 1993; 30th annual edition held in 2025.…
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (April). Annual free festival featuring concerts, jam sessions, and workshops celebrating Hawaiian steel guitar, one of Hawaii's signature musical innovations.
OluKai Hoʻolauleʻa (May). Annual ocean paddling festival on Maui's North Shore, founded by OluKai in 2009. Elite paddlers race the 8-mile Maliko downwind run; also features family fun paddle, sailing canoe rides, luau, and hula. 'A tribute to…
Kapalua Wine & Food Festival (June (typically last week of June)). Annual four-day culinary event at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Founded in 1981 by the Kapalua Wine Society; claims to be the oldest wine and food festival of its kind in the United States. Features internationally…
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival (June). Annual festival in Central Maui showcasing performances by masters of kī hōʻalu (slack-key guitar), a fingerpicking style that originated in Hawaiʻi nearly two centuries ago.
Maui Fringe Festival (July). Annual alternative theatre festival held in Wailuku at the historic Iao Theater. Organized by Maui Onstage (non-profit). Running annually since 2011.
Maui County Fair (October (typically first weekend)). Annual fair held at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku. Among the oldest county fairs in Hawaii; held annually since 1916 except during the World Wars and a hiatus from 2020–2024. Features rides, food,…
Maui travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Maui?
April–May or September–October (shoulder seasons).
What are the top things to do in Maui?
Top experiences include Haleakalā National Park — Summit Sunrise, Road to Hāna (Hāna Highway), Molokini Crater Snorkeling, Waiʻānapanapa State Park — Black Sand Beach, Kāʻanapali Beach.
Which airport is closest to Maui?
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the nearest, about 10 minutes away.
Where should I stay in Maui?
Popular areas to base yourself include Wailea (South Maui), Kāʻanapali (West Maui), Kīhei (South Maui), Pāʻia & North Shore.
How do I get around Maui?
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the gateway; most visitors pick up a rental car right away, since Maui has no island-wide transit and the best of it — the Road to Hāna, Haleakalā sunrise, Kapalua and Wailea — needs wheels.