Maui is the ideal blend of natural wonder and exotic luxury. Devoid of the hustle of dense urban dwellings, the landscape unfolds into every kind of environment imaginable. Get off the beaten path and get a bit more adventurous with food choices. With the right mindset, the natural rhythm and slower pace of life will leave you relaxed and refreshed long after you leave the island. Take advantage of the best Maui has to offer and you will understand why the island rightfully earns it status as the best. Nō ka ʻoi.
Makena Beach State Park is one of Maui's signature beaches. With golden sand extending nearly 2/3 of a mile long, it is one of the largest, undeveloped beaches in Maui. Nestled between two black-lava outcroppings, Makena offers protection from the trade winds and provides great views of the islands of Molokini and Kahoolawe. The powerful shore break offers a fun water park experience of bouncing around in the waves. My favorite beach on the island.
Pro Tip: Day drinking at the beach is always cheaper than poolside. Get a soft cooler stocked at hit the beaches. Save your money for dinners. For some local flavor stock up on Longboard Lager or Maui Brewing Company’s Bikini Blonde.
You can find Poke bowls (raw Ahi) in all grocery stores. Very good and fresh! Favorite Poke is Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors in Kahului. AMAZING! Fresh Poke counter hidden in the very back corner of the store. Great variety. Perfect stop right after getting off the plane to stock your Minibar with good booze and snacks.
Flatbread Pizza in Paia, Wood-fired pizzas with organic ingredients & free-range meats, made in traditional clay ovens. Perfect spot to hit on the way back from Waterfalls, or hiking near Hana HWY. Order the Legendary Mopsy Pizza!
Try best fish burger on the planet. Order the secret menu item “Obama Burger” - Blackened Ono with Wasabi Butter.
My good friends own the Southshore Tiki Lounge Bar in Kihei. GREAT place for after beach drinks, and tasty bites. They use all fresh ingredients. Nothing canned. They have live music almost every afternoon, and early evening. DJ's starting at 10pm.
Best Sushi is Sansei. They run 2 happy hours a day, 25%-50%-off. Packed! Line starts at the door at 5:30pm, and 10pm for the happy-hours. Located in south Kihei and Ka'anapali. Very fun night of local Karaoke.
The highest point in Lahaina is the rooftop lounge of Fleetwood’s on Front Street in Lahaina. ($$$) Cheaper options would be anywhere on front street Lahaina with ocean view. A close second would be Merriman’s in Ka’anapali on the westside. Get there early to secure a table.
Renting scooters for the day is super fun, and it’s a great way to experience the island in the open air. The south side is very pedestrian/bike friendly so there is a shoulder or bike lane on most the roads. It’s also the least windy spot on the island, so easier to ride. Find hidden adventures and free parking with the scooters.
If you want to pack a picnic lunch for hiking or just food for the beach, stop in at 808 Deli in Kihei. BEST sandwiches on the island. Another great option to grab food on the run is The Whole Foods in Kahului.
Between Mile marker 6 and 7 on the Road to Hana (Na'ili'ili Haele). You will see cars parked along the road on the mountain side. Look for the small path opening under the canopy. Follow the stream all the way and you'll reach your first waterfall, keep going and you'll reach the second where there is a rope swing. If you head up higher you'll need to climb a ladder/rope to get higher (highly recommend because it's so worth it at the end).
You'll reach another waterfall and at the last waterfall when you think you've reached the end, you'll need to stash your stuff and jump in and swim. You can walk along the right side of the stream until you reach the point (see photos) where you can't walk anymore. Stash your belongings and jump in. Climb up the waterfall and you'll reach the last waterfall which is about 40 feet and absolutely gorgeous! You can jump off the rocks or swim and relax before making your way back.
Pro tip: Wear water shoes or something with grip. Slippery rocks and mud the further in you go. Waterproof phone or case.
While the most popular surf spots can get crowded with pro level surfers during a decent sized swell, the west side of the island is home to some amazing surf spots. Google Thousand Peaks and Launiupoko for spread out peaks so that everyone can get waves. Smaller waves and longer riders are perfect for beginners and party waves. Longboarding and SUPs can be rented from Kahului. (Adventure Sports Maui)
Pro Tip: Google webcams to check surf before you go.
The sunset cruises on Catamarans are great! They take you out and around Honolua Bay and back. See a perspective of the coastline you can’t get from the land. Great photo-op! I recommend Hula Girl. Picks up right from the sand at Ka’anapali beach. $75 for 2 hours. The westside Cats are less windy on the leeward side of the island, plus you get a sunset view.
If you do one touristy thing, make it the Old Lahaina Luau. It’s easily the best Luau in Maui, and for the price, you get unlimited drinks, and an authentic buffet of Hawaiian cuisine and deserts. They are booked out every night of the year. Book tickets online before you leave for Maui. WELL worth the price. Great dancers and you learn about the Polynesian cultural history if you go early. (We designed their website).
You can buy cheap snorkel gear at Walgreens/Walmart in Maui for less than the cost of renting them for a few days. The best things in Maui are under the water. Explore!
Follow the big rock formations and reefs to find turtles. They eat the algae off the rocks, which is why they are green. While snorkeling swim to the rock walls and you will find them hiding among the caves and floating in the currents. South side of the island and near Kapalua are the best spots.
Black Rock is the far right side of Ka’anapali beach, offers a rather mellow cliff jump (25 feet). Most popular and safest cliff jump on the island. Great snorkling around the corner there, and even higher jump spots can be found on the backside. Start small and work up. Venus Pool is the other popular jump. It’s on the road to Hana.
MonkeyPod in Wailea has award winning craft cocktails made with fresh local ingedients. Stop in on the way home from Wailea beaches.
Famous Mai Tai Ingredients:
1 oz. Old Lahaina Light Rum
1 oz. Old Lahaina Dark Rum
1/2 oz. macadamia-nut orgeat
1/2 oz. Marie Brizard Orange Curaçao
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
Honey Liliko‘i Foam
1/2 oz. honey
1 oz. liliko‘i purée
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. egg whites
1.5 oz. cold water
The Haleakala sunrise is surreal. But due to recent restrictions, it takes many days in advance to book a reservation for the sunrise. Instead, go for sunset or after dark for the clearest look at the Milky Way in North America. Nothing else compares to this experience back home. Google for approximate sunset and drive time.
*No reservation required for night viewing, but check the park website for updates.
Pro tip: Pack warm clothes or snag the hotel blanket! It’s 40 degrees at the summit.
Make sure to get a massage while you are there. They can book in-room, or resort spa, take your pick. Some of the best spa’s in the world in Maui, take advantage!
Pro tip: If you pay for any spa treatment you can relax at the pool all day. Favorite Resort pools include Andaz, Wailea and Westin.
Twin Falls will be the easiest hike without going all the way to Hana. If you do decide to go all the way to Hana use Google, and Yelp/Guidebooks. Plenty of milemarker info, how far in to hike etc..
Pro Tip: Plan your route before you go and save the info and mile markers on paper or your phone. Limited cell service once you head out to the east side around the cliffs.
The 5-star Hotels and Resorts in Maui are extremely lavish and luxurious. Take time to walk through the best of them, and enjoy a cocktail and take in the view in their lounges (ukulele music near sunsets.) Personal favorites are the Grand Wailea and Fairmont Kea Lani. (best time is before sunset for happy hour!)