MAUI
Top 5 Maui Adventures
Aloha! Justin and I went to Hawaii and to the islands of Maui and Kauai on our honeymoon about three years ago. We LOVED Maui so much we knew we needed to return one day! We went back in April, and it was just as dreamy as we remembered it. Why we love Maui so much is because you can relax or go out on some amazing adventures!
Here are our top 5 adventures you must do if you visit Maui!
1. Snorkeling
Snorkeling in Maui is unmatched. We always stay at the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Hotel right on Kaanapali Beach, and it is so close to Black Rock, which is a fantastic snorkel spot!
Every time we have snorkeled at Black Rock, we have seen sea turtles and Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a! It is free to snorkel at the beaches, but if you want to pay for a snorkeling tour, I’d recommend PacWhale.
2. Whale Watching
Whale season runs from December until April in Maui. Humpback whales come to Maui for the warmer ocean waters and for breeding and birthing. The heart of the season is January through March, but even in April we were able to see some whales!
We booked with the Quicksilver. The crew was phenomenal! Whales are a part of nature, so on our first trip out, we did not see any. They have a policy that you can rebook for free if you don’t spot any whales.
Our tip is to book your whale-watching tour early in your week so that you can rebook if needed! Werebooked and got to see whales on our second trip. It was a really cool experience. They even put a microphone down into the water, so you can hear the whale calls!
3. Road to Hana
No adventurous trip to Maui is complete without driving the Road to Hana!
This road is not for the faint of heart! It has 620 hairpin turns! If you get motion sickness, you’ll want to make sure you are prepared before taking this 64-mile drive.
Along the Road to Hana, there are so many fascinating stops, more waterfalls than you can count, and delicious treats like Auntie Sandy’s Banana Bread. The rainforest views are breathtaking, and there is even a black sand beach along the journey!
Just past Hana is Justin’s and my favorite beach, Hamoa. It’s a long day if you try to do the road in one day, but if you are East Coasters like us, you’ll have no issues waking up early, heading out, and making it home by dinner. There are also many tour groups where you can book a trip so you don’t have to do the driving!
4. Haleakalā National Park
National parks are always on our list. This one is unique in that it is a dormant volcano!
Many people book a reservation in advance to see the sunrise over Haleakalā. We have never made it or been able to book a reservation for sunrise, but we enjoy going nonetheless. I would recommend trying to go early in the day or later in the afternoon/evening to enjoy the sunset.
Haleakalā makes its own weather, so be prepared to get to the top and find it misty, raining, and with no visibility. We think the trek up is worth it! Check out the temperature on your car at the base, and then see what it says when you’re at the top, we’ve experienced a 20-degree drop in temperature from base to summit!
Haleakalā also has some trails at the end of the Road to Hana to explore on a different day. We really enjoyed the Pīpīwai Trail! Your park ticket is good for 3 days of use.
5. Kapalua Trail
This feels like a bit of a hidden gem. North of Kaanapali, you can drive to the Kapalua Trail, which is a cliffside hike with fantastic ocean views!
We also saw lots of birds’ nests, rainbows, and mansions along this trail. It wasn’t a difficult hike, and the views were phenomenal!
I highly recommend spending a morning here, grab a tea or coffee and take the 2.5-mile hike in and out. Then head to Kapalua Bay for snorkeling!
BONUS: Chasing Sunsets
Sunsets in Maui are truly a spectacle. Really, sunsets in Hawaii are an event! We loved each night joining everyone that was around to watch the sunset on the beach.
Each one is unique and spectacular. It is such a warm-hearted feeling to watch so many people, from all walks of life, stop and take in the sunset. It is a magical moment each day!
Have you been to Maui? What is your favorite adventure while you’re there?
Must-See Stops on Maui’s Hana Highway
The Road to Hana might be the most famous “attraction” in Maui.
Hana Highway is a winding, narrow road that stretches from Paia to Hana. Along this 64-mile route, there are 620 curves and over 50 bridges! The ride can be rough, but the sights are spectacular! The road features rainforests, coastal views, and waterfalls. Here are our top stops along the way to Hana:
1. Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a must-see stop, but you’ll need to purchase a parking pass and timed entry ticket in advance. Because of this, it’s best to plan your Road to Hana trip around this stop. Here, you’ll find a striking black sand beach formed by lava flows centuries ago. There’s also a lava tube to explore! With restrooms and picnic tables available, it’s a great spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch while taking in the bluest of blue waters set against the dramatic black sand. The parking fee is $10 and you can reserve your spot online. There is also a $5 per person entry fee too.
2. Ke’anae Peninsula
We arrived at Ke‘anae Peninsula early in the day hoping to try Aunt Sandy’s famous banana bread. Although it wasn’t open yet, we took time to relax, watch the waves crash, and enjoy the stunning ocean view. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun and take a peaceful breather on your journey.
3. Ke’anae Arboretum
We love visiting botanical gardens and arboretums, and this one did not disappoint! While it’s not highly curated, the natural beauty speaks for itself. Our favorite part of the Ke‘anae Arboretum was seeing the vibrant rainbow eucalyptus trees. This is a state-owned, free stop on the Road to Hana, and we thoroughly enjoyed it!
4. Pipiwai Trail
Just past the town of Hana, you’ll reach the other side of Haleakalā National Park. Here, we recommend hiking the Pipiwai Trail, a scenic 4-mile round-trip hike. Along the way, you’ll pass a massive banyan tree, walk through a lush bamboo forest, and end at the breathtaking Waimoku Falls. After hours in the car, this trail is a perfect way to stretch your legs and experience the natural beauty of Hawaii.
5. Hamoa Beach
Located just south of Hana, Hamoa Beach was a spontaneous find, and we fell in love with it. It quickly became one of our favorite beaches in Maui. With its sparkling deep blue water, soft white sand, and tranquil atmosphere, it felt like a hidden oasis. We couldn’t resist taking a refreshing dip. It’s truly a special stop!
6. BONUS: Food Vendors
Throughout your drive, you’ll come across various fruit stands and food vendors. We highly recommend stopping for a treat! We grabbed fresh coconuts to drink from and the vendor even cut them open for us and said he had collected them that morning. It was such a fun and memorable part of the trip!
What is your favorite Road to Hana stop?
Sweet Treats to Try on Maui
When on vacation, who doesn’t love some sweet treats?
Maui has so many places to enjoy delicious desserts. Here are some of our favorite spots to check out.
1. Ululani Hawaiian Shave Ice
No trip to Hawaii is complete without shave ice, and Ululani’s is our favorite on Maui. The texture of their ice is incredibly light and fluffy, almost like freshly fallen snow. It’s the perfect cool treat for a warm day.
2. Maui Gold Pineapples
Run, don’t walk to try a Maui Gold Pineapple. They are the sweetest most delicious pineapples you will ever try and so worth the money! Visit the farm, and then make sure to grab a pineapple to eat! If you haven’t had your fill of the Maui Gold Pineapples, believe it or not they even sell them at the airport (in Maui) that come in TSA approved carry-on boxes! They make a great souvenir to take home.
3. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
In Lahaina is Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop. These homemade personal sized pies are so yummy and come in so many different flavors! Not only are these pies a great option, you can also get lunch here as well. I really enjoyed their unsweetened ice tea as well!
4. Island Vintage Coffee Açaí Bowl
Açaí bowls are easy to find across Maui and are perfect for a refreshing treat in the island heat. I picked one up at Island Vintage Coffee in Whalers Village for breakfast, and it was loaded with fresh fruit. It was light, tasty, and just what I needed to start the day.
5. Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Fresh banana bread is sold in many places around the island, but our favorite is from Aunty Sandy’s on the Road to Hana. It’s served warm and sells out quickly, so plan to arrive early. It’s a perfect snack to enjoy during the scenic drive.
6. Papi’s Ohana Cinnamon Rolls
Last but certainly not least, Papi’s Ohana cinnamon Rolls! On our last visit to Maui, we went to the famous Papi’s Ohana for their giant cinnamon rolls. We waited two hours in line, and it was completely worth it. The rolls are flaky like croissants, topped with the most delicious icing, and big enough to fill an entire plate! They’re a must-try. In the evenings, they also serve fresh homemade pizza.
What is your favorite sweet treat to indulge in when you’re on Maui?
Best Places to Eat on Maui
When on Maui, between beach hopping, hikes, and snorkeling adventures, you’re bound to get hungry. Thankfully, there are so many great spots to eat, some viral, some famous, and some just downright delicious. Here are our top places to eat on Maui!
Paia Fish Market $$
On our last visit to Maui, we went here three times! The price, the freshness, the flavor, it’s all worth it, even if there’s a line (which there often is). At Paia Fish Market, you order at the counter, get a number, then choose your seat. Our favorites were the shrimp, blackened mahi burgers, and their rice, it was amazing! Truly, you can’t go wrong here. Stop here on your way back from Hana!
Mama’s Fish House $$$
Everyone raves about Mama’s Fish House. When we saw the prices, we thought, no way it’s worth it. But it is sooo WORTH IT! Reservations are tough to get, so make them months in advance. It’s an upscale seafood restaurant, but still feels casual. There’s even a beach right next to the restaurant where we saw sea turtles basking in the sun!
On our first visit, I had crab cakes. The second time, I got the mahi. Justin got the lobster tail with short rib both times, and he says with conviction that it’s the best meal he’s ever had. Yes, it’s pricey, but the food is incredibly fresh and delicious, the service is phenomenal, and the view is fantastic. It may be the best meal we’ve ever had at a restaurant!
Miso Phat $$
Justin wanted sushi (not my favorite), but we’d heard Miso Phat had amazing rolls, so we gave it a try. It was so good! Granted, we’re from the middle of Pennsylvania, where sushi options are limited, but we were impressed! They roll the sushi right in front of you, which was fun to watch. The restaurant is small, so we recommend making a reservation or going later in the evening. We were one of the last groups seated that night. The sushi chef rolling our sushi was chatting with us the whole time we dined and we loved this experience as well as the fresh sushi!
Kihei Fish House by Maui Grill (Food Truck) $
Hawaii is known for its food trucks, and Kihei Fish House by Maui Grill was our favorite! We both got fish tacos, and they were absolutely delicious. Notice a seafood theme? Haha! We’re landlocked, so we go for fresh seafood whenever we can! This truck is in a food truck park, so there are lots of other options too. We also grabbed a smoothie from another truck while we waited for our tacos, which was super refreshing. The salsa on the tacos had amazing flavor!
Leilani’s on the Beach $$
We always stay in Kaanapali resort area, one of our favorite areas to walk to from our resort is Whaler’s Village! At Whaler’s Village there are many options for grabbing food.
One of the best places there is, Leilani’s. It is great! We sat outside at the bar seating area, looking right out at the beach, and enjoyed live music. The food was good, but it was the atmosphere, the music, the ocean, the stars, that made it feel extra special. So relaxing and very Hawaii!
Papi’s Ohana $
Papi’s Ohana is famous for their homemade cinnamon rolls, and they live up to the hype! They’re like a sweet crescent roll, loaded with cinnamon and sugary goodness topped with icing. We waited two hours in line for one and, honestly, it was worth it! In the evening, they make fresh pizza too! The pizza is a perfect for a quick beachside meal. If you’re planning to order pizza, call ahead. And for cinnamon rolls, get there as early as possible, they sell out fast. We got there right at the opening and still had a two hour wait!
Best Beaches in Maui to Visit
When you go to Maui, you’ve got to enjoy the stunning beaches that, time and time again, are rated among the top beaches in the world! We love to snorkel and enjoy the sand and sea, and Maui has some great spots. Also, all beaches in Maui are public access. Some will charge a fee to park, but all beaches are free of charge!
Here are our top 5 beaches!
1. Kāʻanapali Beach
Truly cannot describe how nice Kaanapali Beach is for lounging or snorkeling. This area is touristy, which is a plus and minus. The plus is there are many hotel options that allow you to easily walk right onto the beach, but it also can get crowded from time to time. Also, Black Rock is located on Kaanapali Beach.
2. Makena State Park (Big Beach)
The surf was a bit rough the day we went, but what is great about this beach is that it has a lifeguard on duty! We loved that you had to walk through some forest before you get to the beach. It really made you feel like you were in a tropical setting! This beach was large, and it was great to walk along the shoreline. When we went, it wasn’t terribly crowded, but it is at a state park. You do have to pay for parking. When we went, parking cost $10 per vehicle for non-residents. There were restrooms too if you needed them!
3. Hamoa Beach
We stumbled upon Hamoa beach after a long day on the road to Hana. We had no intentions of getting in the water, but it was almost like a mirage or that we found paradise and we had to get in! It truly seemed like the water was the clearest water we had ever seen, and it seemed sparkled! This is the best beach we have ever been too.
4. Wai’ānapanapa (Black Beach)
If you are traveling the Road to Hana, this is a must-stop. You do need a reservation, so we advise you to plan all the rest of your stops around this one. The beach has black sand thanks to lava rock! It is a fun and picturesque place to cool off and enjoy the beach for a little while. We found it a little uncomfy to walk on the lava rocks on that beach and recommend water shoes. Also, right beside the beach is a lava tube to explore! We loved being able to check that out and cool off. I feel like some of the best photos I have taken in Maui are landscapes from this beach and right above it!
5. Airport Beach
Airport Beach is just north of Kaanapali. We loved this beach because it was huge and not crowded. It was also a great place to snorkel but less crowded compared to Black Rock! We were able to see some turtles and Hawaiian fish. What was also cool about this beach was that while we were sunbathing, we kept seeing butterflies! We wish we would have gone to this beach sooner.
6. Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay is rocky, but it is a great spot for snorkeling. It also did not have high waves on a day when we couldn’t really snorkel anywhere else. Since it is a bay, it is a little more protected from the high surf. This was the most crowded beach we visited during our trip.
At this beach, we even got to watch a sea turtle that had been rehabilitated go back out into the ocean! So cool to watch! There is some paid parking close to this spot, but if you are willing to walk, you can find free parking a little further down. Along Kapalua Bay, there is the Kapalua Trail, which is worth the hike—then head back to the bay and check out some cool marine life!
What is your favorite beach on Maui? Is it the same spot you enjoy snorkeling too?
Our Maui Must-Do List
Top Picks for Resorts, Beaches, Food, Shopping, and Adventure
Maui has quickly become one of our favorite vacation spots. We love a little adventure with time to relax too, and Maui has it all! Here are our recommendations if you visit. In this list, you’ll find our favorite resort, activity, beach, shopping spot, and restaurant to enjoy everything the island has to offer.
Hotel: Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort
Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort is phenomenal. We’ve stayed here both times we’ve visited Maui. I love history, and what we love about this resort is how it weaves Hawaiian culture into your stay. We’ve learned so much while staying here!
The resort is clean, the staff is so friendly, and you’re just steps away from Kaanapali Beach and very close to Black Rock, which has some of the best snorkeling on the island. You’re also just a short walk from Whaler’s Village, which has tons of shopping and restaurants to choose from.
This resort feels true to Maui while also being right in the heart of the tourism area, so you get the best of both worlds. There’s also a Maui Brewing Company location on the property for food and drinks.
At the end of your stay, they hold a lei ceremony. The first time we attended, it nearly brought me to tears. On our second stay, it had switched hands to Outrigger, but the culture of the resort has remained intact. We were so excited to restring our lei with a white kukui nut and can’t wait for our next visit back!
Activity: Snorkeling
I’ve been to a few Hawaiian islands, and so far, Maui is our favorite one to snorkel. We’ve seen so many different fish and turtles each time we’ve ventured out. Once, we even saw a tiger shark! Snorkeling can be a budget-friendly activity, we bought our snorkels at Target and saw turtles in the water just outside of our resort.
We also highly recommend taking a snorkeling tour with PacWhale. We went out to Molokini Crater and another spot called “Turtle Town.” Our boat crew was very knowledgeable about the marine life around the island, and with lunch included, it was well worth the money!
Beach: Hamoa & Kaanapali
Hamoa Beach is just past Hana, so it’s a trek to get there, which is why we’ve included two beaches in this section. Hamoa had sparkling water, very few visitors, and was such a refreshing stop after a long and winding ride on the Road to Hana.
Kaanapali has great snorkeling and is super convenient if you’re staying at a hotel or resort along the beach. Most of the time, the waves are small and the water is clear, plus you can see plenty of fish and turtles near Black Rock. Along the beach, there are places to rent chairs, umbrellas, and anything else you might need (or forgot)!
Shopping: Paia & Whaler’s Village
Whaler’s Village is conveniently located near Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort and has some really cool shops, including Hawaiian-owned stores. What’s great about this shopping center is the range—you can grab a high-end souvenir at Louis Vuitton or pick up more affordable items at the ABC Store. It truly has something for every budget.
Paia is an artsy town full of one-of-a-kind, handmade items. We loved strolling through all the unique shops, from pearl jewelry to a ukulele store and even a gallery featuring local artists. When we visited, one artist was painting in the shop, and we had such a lovely conversation. Since we had a day with high surf and couldn’t get in the water, we really enjoyed spending that time exploring Paia. Paia is also at the start of Hana Highway, so a good place to stop before or after your Hana adventures!
$$$ Restaurant: Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House has sky-high reviews online, and for good reason. Their fresh-caught seafood is phenomenal. We honestly don’t think we’ve had a better meal anywhere. Justin always gets the short rib with lobster tail. I’ve had the crab cakes and, most recently, the mahi mahi. Going to Mama’s Fish House is an experience you may never forget, every dish we’ve tried has been amazing.
The setting is gorgeous too. You can look out over the beach, and while waiting for your table (or during a post-dinner stroll), we’ve even seen sea turtles basking on the sand. This restaurant will give you sticker shock—it’s pricey—but it’s so worth it. Reservations fill up fast, so be sure to book a few months in advance.
$ Restaurant: Paia Fish Market
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for fresh seafood, head to Paia Fish Market. There may be a line out the door, but it’s worth the wait!
On our last trip to Maui, we ate here THREE times, it was that good. The shrimp and mahi mahi burgers are the stars of the show, and we also loved their seasoned rice as a side.
Giving Back: Supporting Maui’s Wildfire Recovery
Maui holds such a special place in our hearts, and while it’s a dream destination for so many of us, it’s important to remember that it’s also home to thousands of people who are still rebuilding their lives after the devastating Lahaina wildfires in 2023.
We feel incredibly grateful to be able to visit this beautiful island, but we never forget that behind the stunning views are communities still healing. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, and many families remain displaced or in temporary housing.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, the Maui Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity are doing incredible work to support those in need and help rebuild Lahaina.
You can find trusted organizations accepting donations at mauinuistrong.info.
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