YOUR MAUI GUIDE
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON MAUI, THIS MIGHT HELP YOU OUT
(And if you’ve already been here, maybe you’ll learn something new)
WHERE TO EAT
Wether if it’s just to explore or a nice dinner spot you are looking for, here you’ll find some of my most recommended places.
PLACES YOU’VE GOT TO VISIT
Here you’ll find some of my favorite (photogenic) locations.
If you want to take pictures to rub on your friend’s (and social media) faces…
here you’ll find a few!
#1 - RED SANd BEACH
Location: Hana
It’s one of the last stops on the “road to Hana”, but it’s a MUST, one of my favorite spots to take some awesome photos.
*It’s a spot that you got to get early or the beach will be crowded
Hana is an all-day trip, but something that you have to do if you’ve come all this way to Maui.
(I’ll talk more about “Road to Hana” on the “Things to do in Maui” section)
#2 - BLACK SAND BEACH (Waianapanapa State Park)
Location: Hana
Not just for the black sandy beach (and I mean sand, not just black pebbles like other “Black sand beaches”), it’s also an amazing spot for its greenery.
*Another spot to tackle early morning!
#3 - PIPIWAI TRAIL
Location: Hana
The Pipiwai trail is a hike that can take anywhere between 2 to 4 hours (round trip) depending on how well-trained you are, but it’s a fairly easy hike. (Do take “appropriate” shoes, and I mean, no sandals/flip-flops)
It’s a lovely trail that starts at the “Seven sacred pools” and ends at the HUGE “Waimoku Falls”, going thru different sorts of landscapes, even a bamboo forest.
#4 - THREE BEARS FALLS (Upper Waikani Falls)
Location: Hana
It’s not an easy “hike”… and I quoted the word “hike” because it’s on the side of the road, but you do need to climb and descend a bit since it’s under a bridge.
It’s not hard, but not easy….
#5 - Kaipukaihina BEACH
Location: Kihei
This one is a bit closer if you are not planning a trip to Hana.
Kaipukaihina is a long beach, but if you go far left, you’ll find a tiny beach cove with these beautiful palm trees to enjoy.
#6 - UKUMEHAME BEACH
Location: Olowalu
It’s definitely not the most beautiful beach on Maui, but it’s got some interesting tree logs in it which makes it so photographically appealing.
Plus, if you shoot in the opposite direction, you’ll get the West Maui Mountains in your background.
#7 - OLOWALU WEST MOuNTAINS
Location: Olowalu Beach
This actual spot is on a private road, but if you go to Olowalu Beach, and look towards the mountains, you’ll get this backdrop!
#8 - HONOLUA BAY FOREST
Location: Kapalua
A magical forest in paradise? Yes, it’s possible and real. One of my MUST explore spots.
#9 - BIG BEACH
Location: Makena
As the name says it, it’s a big beach with different sceneries. You’ll get a lava rock mountain formation, you can dive into the corals, or get a massive beach. You’ll also watch the sun set behind “Molokini Island”.
THINGS TO DO ON MAUI
Some of my favorite activities if I’m doing an “staycation”
#1 - WHALE WATCHING (DECEMBER TO MID-APRIL ONLY)
If you happen to be on the island during Whale season, Whale watching is a MUST. If you can combine it with a dinner on a sailboat even better, but at least, take the time to go to a whale-watching lookout, you'll never regret it.
I personally recommend medium-to-smaller size boats/sails, to get a better one-to-one experience, and better chances of getting closer to you.
*If you are into droning, Olowalu Beach is my favorite place to spot whales and launch my drone from.
#2 - SNORKELING or SCUBA DIVING
My top five spots to explore underwater:
Mala Ramp (better for scuba, there are a few friendly white tip sharks that frequent the area)
Molokini Island (paid tour, but it’s a nice spot. Is it worth it? Maybe for scuba diving)
Ulua Beach (Snorkeling spot, and if you get lucky, you’ll even see a manta ray)
Makena Landing (Plenty of turtles swimming in and out of their sleeping cove)
Mile 14, Olowalu (A common diving spot, but not easy to find if don’t know the area, still good for snorkeling)
#3 - CHILL ON A BEACH
My favorite beaches to chill and swim:
Slaughterhouse Beach (Kapalua)
Big Beach State Park (Makena)
Po’olenalena Beach (Wailea-Makena)
Baldwin Beach (Paia)
Sugar Beach (Kihei)
Toddler-approved beaches:
Baby Beach (Lahaina)
Olowalu Beach (Olowalu) *It’s next to the main road so should have an eye on them
Sprecklesville Beach (Paia)
Kalepolepo Beach Park (Kihei)
Sugar Beach (Kihei)
Ulua Beach (Wailea)
#4 - ROAD TO HANA (ALL-DAY TRIP)
As you've probably seen, the first 4 spots from my “photogenic places” of Maui, are from Hana’s road… and that’s just 4 of the stops along the way. There are a bunch more to explore if you have the time.
My advice:
If you plan on stopping at each spot just for a bit take some photos and move on, my advice is to drive in the opposite direction (thru Makawao)*. So, I would;
Start at Red Sand beach (aim to arrive there at 7 am so you can enjoy the beach while it’s empty).
Move on to Black Sand Beach (Waianapanapa State Park), which should also be “empty” before 9/10am
Once you are ready to hike, go to Seven Sacred Pools, and do the Pipiwai Trail hike.
On your way back, stop at the Three Bears waterfalls.
If you still have light, you can do a few more of the stops. Here you can get more info on them: roadtohana.com
*Why do I say it’s best to drive in the opposite direction?
You’ll go against the traffic
You enjoy the BEST spots while they are empty
Parking spaces can be hard to find, but if the spot is empty…
To consider:
Not good for low to the ground vehicles (rough terrain paths)
Might be a river flow not letting you cross without a 4x4
It does have some “off-roading” parts
#5 - DINNER SUNSET CRUISE
Enjoy the sunset over the ocean while you cruise on a sailboat.
Once in a lifetime experience!
There’s a bunch of services out there, but the one I’ve tried and recommend is: Teralani
If you just want to cruise over to Lanai, in search of dolphins, or just enjoy the sunset while cruising, Trilogy is another great option.
#6 - SURF
While you are here you should surf!
Some great “beginners” spots are:
The Cove (Kihei)
Ukumehame Beach (Olowalu)
Puamana Park (Lahaina)
More advanced/expert:
Ironwoods (Kapalua)
D.T Flemings (Kapalua)
Honolua Bay (Kapalua)
S-curve (Kapalua)
Hookipa (Paia)
#6B - IF SURF IS NOT AN OPTION, STANDUP PADDLE SURF!
#7 - WATCH JAWS SURFING FROM THE CLIFFS
It only happens a very few lucky dates of the year (Usually between December and January).
Find your spot over the cliffs at Peahi.
Photo just for reference, since this is actually Oahu island.
#8 - GO ON A HIKE
We have plenty of hikes to explore on Maui, at all levels of expertise, with all different kinds of scenery.
Download the AllTrails app to find the best fit for your style.