Maui Vacation And Travel Guide 2024

What to see and do on Maui vacation

Maui's five quite distinctive regions offer farm-to-table mouthwatering cuisine, mesmerizing sunsets and sunrises and the most luscious vegetation on the planet.

Central Maui boasts lush valleys and bubbling streams. Kahului Airport serves as the main airport on the island. This is also where most of Maui's population is concentrated. Kahului, the region's town also has the biggest mall on the island, this is where you can spoil yourself with the best shopping.

East Maui is one of the best sites to visit. The famous Road to Hana is located in the town of Kahului and although its hairpin turns and plunging sea cliffs might be dangerous, many tourists love exploring the area. After approximately 600 turns and 50 bridges you will enter Hana, a charmingly beautiful small town, where time is not an essence. If you drive just 15 minutes south of Hana, you will encounter Hana's best attraction-Pools of Ohea. Located just on the lower slopes of Haleakala, the tiered pools fed by the nearby waterfalls allow for a refreshing dip in the tranquil waters.

South Maui offers breathtaking views and the picturesque beaches available only here. Located on the southwestern coast this region is the ideal place for romantic getaways and lazy days at the beach. Here you will also discover Maui's warm hospitality when you stop at the area's cozy lodging spots. And for some exploration, visit Maui's driest part - Kihei. Kihei features 10 km (6 miles) of beaches with amazing views of Molokini, Lanai and West Maui. This area is perfect for swimming, surfing and kayaking!

Molokini Crater, 5 km (3 miles) off the coast, a landmass in the shape of a crescent, is an ideal attraction for onlookers and snorkelers alike. This landmass was formed from a sunken volcanic crater and serves as home to almost 250 species of colorful fish and exotic coral reefs.

Road to Hana is another fabulous attraction in Maui. This is a scenic trip, so cameras are necessary to take with you. Get ready as you will be passing through miraculous waterfalls, one-of-a-kind beaches and beautiful coastlines. The drive to Hana is relatively short, but the frequent stops to do some sightseeing will make it much longer, it can even last you a day. Lao Valley is another quite interesting attraction in Maui that consists of a rock pinnacle rising 686 meters (2,250 feet) up in the air. The Valley is covered in luscious greenery with surrounding volcanic craters, mesmerizing waterfalls and natural pools with the clearest waters and splendid terrains! Either way, if you travel to Maui-explore, you will be pleased with your adventures.

West Maui, a luxury retreat is home to spectacular resorts, fabulous shopping opportunities and plenty of activities. Here you can visit Honolua Bay, a great spot for surfers of all levels. Take a peak at Lahaina, Maui's favorite historic town packed with fine dining and eclectic galleries. Also visit Kaanapali Beach for long coastlines of powder-sand beach and the clearest waters on Earth.

Upcountry Maui is a region like no other. With rolling hills and misty mountains, it is located on the higher elevations surrounding Haleakala-the island's highest peak. This region is also home to paniolo, Hawaiian cowboys, a culture that started back in the 19th century. Visiting the Upcountry side of Maui is a must as it will bring you to the heart of the island.

Beaches in Maui are beyond beautiful and each offers a unique experience to its visitors. A number of breathtaking beaches offering the most surreal views are there for everyone to enjoy. Here, on the beaches of Maui you will find the peace and quiet you have been searching for while enjoying the velvety-sand beach, coastlines of endless walks and the true serenity of paradise. Ka'anapali Beach famous for its stellar beauty is located on the western coastline of the island. It is home to a number of upscale resorts, giving the visitors a chance to contemplate on the beauty of this beach from the comfort of their own hotels rooms. Makena Beach is divided into two parts, first being the Little Beach and the other side of it being a Big Beach. This is one of the best beaches for family gatherings. Makena Beach has the most glorious white and orange color sand and stretches for almost a mile ahead. Mai Poina 'Oe la'u Beach located right in front of the Kohea Kai Resort is an amazing secluded place perfect for long walks and sunbathing. It is often empty and connects itself to other beaches going all the way to Maalaea, a center of Maui's small boat harbor.

Napili Beach is another popular spot for families and people looking for a great but relaxing time enjoying the crystal-clear waters and the sun. This beach is located on the northwestern shoreline of Maui and serves as a great spot for surfers in the winter months and snorkelers in the summer. Wailea Beach is one of the largest beaches in the area and attracts visitors for its pure golden sand and endless opportunities to enjoy the best water sports! And for the ultimate experience, visit the Red Sand Beach (also known as Kaihalulu Beach) that has a perfect mixture of black and red sand and is great for sightseeing rather than swimming or just relaxing there. Visitors should be careful when attending this beach as the cliffs have sudden turns and the trails are not well maintained.

Maui is known for some of the best hiking trails and hiking enthusiasts will never be disappointed. No matter which hiking trails you choose, it will lead you to the fantastic spots on the island you never even dreamed of. Some hiking trails lead to luscious rainforests while others to the picturesque waterfalls. Pack your hiking gear and enjoy a day full of discoveries. Kapalua Coastal Trail, located on the northwest shoreline of Maui is a nice trail for following a coastline. Waihee Ridge Trail, located on the west of the island offers its hikers from moderate to difficult trails with an elevation of 305 meters (1,000 feet). Haleakala Summit Trails is a huge area combined with quick 10-minute trails to overnight camping trips. This hiking adventure will reveal fascinating landscapes, glorious sunsets and sunrises and the isolation from the everyday world. No matter what hiking trail you choose, you will be able to see Hawaii from different, unique sides.

A number of shore excursions for cruise ship travellers is also available for everyone wanting to explore Hawaii. Maui Tropical Plantation and ‘Iao Valley Tour will give you a chance to see West Maui Mountains, hike secluded trails and experience the Hawaiian nature. Haleakala Crater Adventure Tour is a 4-hour trip, but the fascinating scenery offered during this adventure will not be found anywhere else in the world. After exploring the Maui Coral Factory, Makawao and the proteo farms in Kula, the experienced guide will take you to the 3,048 meters (10,000 feet) summit of the Haleakala Crater from where you will be able to look down almost 914 meters (3,000 feet) of this dormant volcano. Panoramic views here are priceless, and we are sure you will enjoy your outing on this adventure. There are a lot of shore excursions and trips available to the guests of Hawaii. No matter who you come with, take your time to experience at least a few. A lifetime memory!

Just like in any other part of Hawaii, Luaus are a big and very important celebration for the local residents. Many Luau celebrations are available throughout your stay and each one offers a unique experience, a different story and a harming dancing! If you want to experience the most traditional style Luau, check out Old Lahaina Luau. Packed with culture and traditional learning, this Luau is sure to brighten up your day. Pig roasting, dancing and other performers such as hula, fire dancing and beating drums will make your evening unforgettable. Wailele Polynesian Luau offers more than your typical celebration of the local cultural traditions. Your evening will begin with traditional lei greeting after which you may walk along the manicured gardens blooming with unique flowers. Along with trying the mouthwatering local cuisine and taking on a hula lesson, you will be told a story of Polynesian islands like Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii in a way of a dance. It's an amazing experience perfect for all family members. Although there are a lot of hotels, resorts and other places that organize Luau events, all of them are unique in their own way. This is a must-do experience when visiting Hawaii, don't procrastinate, book one as soon as you land on this glorious island!

Maui is pure magic when it comes to attractions and fabulous places to see here. Lahaina, a historic town located on the west coast of Maui is a real gem that needs to be seen. Lahaina was a royal capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and it contains many historical landmarks. Before you get on the main route to the best beaches of Kaanapali, stroll through the town's ancient streets, do a little bit of window-shopping or buy a couple of souvenirs at one of its boutiques. Waianapanapa State Park just screams with excitement and amazing new things to see. From hiking trails to underground caves, this place is one of the top local attractions! !

There is a plethora of the things to do while staying in Maui. From snorkeling, diving, parasailing, paragliding and kayaking to the best off-shore activities such as helicopter tours, having a gourmet tropical meal with Maui's diverse and impressive cuisine, hiking along numerous hiking trails and biking down the volcano, these exciting and thrilling activities will amaze you! Maui treasures its paradise, so here you will also be able to indulge and relax your body and mind in some of the best spas on the island. Close to nature, in total seclusion and privacy, the invigorating experience is guaranteed. Cultural and historical tours are also available for those interesting in learning about Hawaiian treasures. Capture the moment when you attend one of Maui's amazing shows, take a whale-watching trip or drop down to the bottomn of the ocean in the Atlantis submarine. All of these things to do are timeless, so plan to spend a lot of times outdoors.

How to Get to Maui

Travelling to Maui is fairly easy and if you think that the travel time will take you ages, rest assured you will be brought to the island in no time. There are two ways to get to Maui. You may book a domestic flight from Honolulu International Airport in Oahu that will take you directly to Maui. The flight time is approximately 25-30 minutes, depending on the speed of the aircraft. Maui's Kapalua Airport, the main airport on the island also welcomes large airline companies coming from U.S. mainland. A number of U.S. cities offer nonstop flights to Maui such as San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas and even Vancouver. If you are coming from Europe, you will most likely need to fly into the United States and then take connecting or nonstop flight to Maui. Hana Airport, located in the east Maui services domestic aircrafts, so if you are island hopping by air, you will most likely be arriving and departing from this airport.

Where to stay during Maui vacation

No matter what accommodations you are searching for in Maui, they've got it all. Numerous luxury properties located just steps away from the beach are available offering the top-notch service and plenty of onsite activities. All of your family members will find something that will suit the taste and preference of kids and adults. If you are interested in hotels or resorts that are ideal for romantic getaways, Maui has a wide selection of the best suits to make your vacation the one to remember. Aside from high-end lodging, more casual and mid-range properties are also available to the visitors. There are a lot of places to stay including villas and condos, homes and cottages, B&B, small inns and many more. If you are travelling on a budget, choose a more simple but serene setting that faces a fantastic view of the ocean. Meals in such a place will not be included, but you will sure receive the best service and be able to vacation in peace and comfort. Condos and Villas are readily available on the island and are extremely popular among visitors. They are all furnished nicely to make your feel like you are really staying in your home. Condos in Maui are more on a basic side with simple amenities and high affordability. For longer stays choose either a condo or a villa, they are both practical and economical way to vacation.

Maui Home rentals provide a great opportunity for inexpensive but spacious holiday. For friends and families travelling together, a home rental can provide the best travel opportunity where everyone has enough space yet the entire group of people live right next to each other. These home rentals can range from small-sized properties to large lusciously exquisite estates.

Often family-owned, bed & breakfast establishments offer more than just a bed to crash on for the night. These places pride themselves in providing a top quality customer service, deliciously hot breakfasts and clean and cozy rooms. A great place to stay if you are planning on moving through the island consistently and will be spending a lot of time outdoors.