🌺 United StatesMaui travel guide
Maui is Hawaii's best all-rounder: golden and black-sand beaches, the jaw-dropping Road to Hana, snorkeling with turtles, a sunrise above the clouds on a volcano, and laid-back towns to slow down in.
Where to stay
West Maui (Kāʻanapali & Kapalua)
Resort beaches at Kāʻanapali and Kapalua, sunset snorkeling at Black Rock, and the best sunsets on the island. Lahaina, the historic harbor town, was devastated by the August 2023 fire and is rebuilding; follow current local guidance.
South Maui (Kīhei & Wailea)
The sunniest, driest coast — long beaches, calm swimming, and easy access to Molokini.
Upcountry (Makawao & Kula)
Cool volcano slopes with farms, lavender, paniolo ranch towns, and the road to Haleakalā.
Hāna & the East
Lush, remote, and worth an overnight at the end of the famous road, with waterfalls and pools.
Don't miss
Drive the Road to Hana
Hundreds of curves and bridges past waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and jungle — go slow, start early.
Sunrise atop Haleakalā
Above the clouds at 10,000 feet as the sun breaks — book the required reservation and bring layers.
Snorkel Molokini Crater
A sunken volcanic ring with clear water and reef fish; morning boat trips are calmest.
Beach-hop the coasts
From the gold of Kāʻanapali to the wild red and black sands near Hana, every beach has a different mood.
Whale watching (winter)
From December to April, humpbacks fill the channel — often visible right from shore.
Sunset luau or beach picnic
Cap a day with a traditional luau or just takeout poke on the sand as the sky turns.
How to get to Maui and get around
Most visitors fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) on the island's north-central coast. Some mainland cities have direct flights; otherwise you connect through Honolulu on Oahu or a West Coast hub. Smaller airports at Kapalua and Hana take limited commuter flights.
Rent a car for the whole stay. The Road to Hana, Haleakalā and most beaches and trailheads are self-drive, and public buses cover the main towns rather than the places most visitors go. Book the car early for peak weeks and holidays, when supply can run tight, and read the agreement for what it excludes, including whether it allows the road that continues past Hana around the south side of Haleakalā.
Choose a base: south, west, Upcountry or Hana
South Maui (Kīhei and Wailea) is the easy default for a first visit: the sunniest and driest coast, long calm beaches and the shortest drive to the Molokini boats. West Maui puts you at Kāʻanapali and Kapalua, with the best sunsets and an easier start for the northwest coastline. Upcountry is cooler and quieter, with farms and ranch towns on the way up Haleakalā, and works as a second base rather than a first.
Most week-long trips split the stay: several nights on the south or west side for beaches, then one night in or near Hana if you want to do the Road to Hana without driving the curves back in the dark.
In August 2023 a wildfire destroyed much of historic Lahaina, and the town is still rebuilding. West Maui has been open to visitors since that October. Treat the burned area as a place where people lost their homes, not as an attraction: follow road closures and signs, spend money with local businesses, and check current guidance from Maui County and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority before you go.
The Road to Hana, planned properly
The Hana Highway (Routes 36 and 360) runs about 52 miles (roughly 84 kilometers) from Kahului to Hana, with hundreds of curves and dozens of one-lane bridges. The Hawaiʻi tourism authority puts the drive at two to four hours before stops, so with stops it is a full day.
- Start early, ahead of the tour vans, and decide your turnaround time before you leave.
- Fill the tank and carry water and food. Services are few and signal is patchy, so download an offline map first.
- Pick three or four stops rather than all of them, and favor the ones with somewhere legal to park.
- Give way at the one-lane bridges and pull over for people behind you.
- Stay on public land and marked trails: many pools and waterfalls sit on private property.
- Keep valuables with you. Thefts from parked rental cars are a known problem at popular stops.
- Decide whether to stay the night in Hana, so you are not driving the curves after dark.
Haleakalā: the reservation and the cold
Entering the summit area of Haleakalā National Park for sunrise needs an advance reservation, made on Recreation.gov and released in batches ahead of the date, and it is separate from the park entrance fee. They go quickly for popular dates, so check the release timing when you fix your dates and treat the sunrise as something to plan around, not a decision for the morning.
The summit is at about 3,055 meters (10,023 feet) and is cold and windy before dawn even when the coast is warm. Bring layers, a hat and gloves. The altitude can bring headaches and breathlessness, so move slowly and drink water. Daytime and after-dark visits, including the stargazing, are a calmer alternative if you miss a sunrise slot.
In the water: Molokini, turtles and reef-safe habits
Molokini is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater off the south coast and a marine life conservation district. Boats usually leave from Maʻalaea and Kīhei, and mornings are the calmest. Calm south-shore beaches are the better choice for children and for a first snorkel.
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are protected. Keep well back, around three meters (ten feet), and never touch or chase one. Hawaiʻi law restricts the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so pack a mineral sunscreen and rinse off before you go in the sea.
A five-day shape for a first visit
A loose order that keeps the long driving days apart. Swap days around the weather.
- Day 1: arrive, collect the car, settle in and take an easy beach evening.
- Day 2: a snorkel morning at Molokini or a calm south-shore beach, a slow afternoon, sunset on the sand.
- Day 3: Haleakalā at sunrise if you hold a reservation, then a nap and a quiet Upcountry afternoon in Kula or Makawao.
- Day 4: the Road to Hana, with the decision about staying the night made in advance.
- Day 5: beach time, whales in winter, or the slow way to the airport.
Check before you go
These change by season and by year. Confirm each one with the official source before you book; this guide's planning notes were last reviewed on .
- Haleakalā sunrise reservations: the rules, release timing and fees are set by the National Park Service and change. Confirm on the park's page and Recreation.gov before you book flights.
- State park reservations: Waiʻānapanapa State Park near Hana and some other popular state sites require advance reservations and a fee for non-residents. Confirm on the state's own reservation site.
- West Maui and Lahaina: access, closures and visitor guidance have changed since August 2023 and may change again. Check Maui County and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
- Whale season: humpbacks are usually seen between about December and April, with the peak in the winter months. The dates vary from year to year.
- Road to Hana conditions: heavy rain and landslides can slow or close the highway. Check the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation the morning you drive.
When to go
April–May and September–October bring great weather and lighter crowds. December–March is peak (and whale season); summer is busy and warm. It's a year-round island.
Practical facts for Maui, with sources
Each fact comes from the organization named beside it and was checked on the date shown. Rules, seasons and fees change, so confirm with the source before you rely on one.
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the primary airport on the island of Maui and receives both overseas and interisland flights.
Source: Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division · checked
The road to Hāna is 52 miles from Kahului, and the drive can take two to four hours because of narrow one-lane bridges and hairpin turns; the Hāna Highway (HI-360) has 620 curves and 59 bridges.
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority (GoHawaii) · checked
To view sunrise at Haleakalā National Park you need a reservation made ahead of time; reservations are made online on recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance and are valid only for the day reserved.
Source: National Park Service, Haleakalā National Park · checked
The State of Hawaii Ocean Safety Division advises checking with a lifeguard about current conditions and potential safety hazards before going in the ocean.
Source: State of Hawaii Ocean Safety Division · checked
NOAA's recommended viewing distance for Hawaiian monk seals is at least 50 feet (15 meters), on land and in the water.
Source: NOAA Fisheries · checked
NOAA's recommended viewing distance for Hawaiian sea turtles is at least 10 feet (3 meters), on land and in the water.
Source: NOAA Fisheries · checked
Federal law prohibits swimming with, approaching or remaining within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in Hawaiʻi.
Source: NOAA Fisheries · checked
Beginning January 1, 2021, Hawaii law makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale in the State any sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate, or both, without a prescription.
Source: Hawaii Revised Statutes §342D-21 · checked
Good to know
How many days do I need on Maui?
Five to seven is ideal — enough for the Road to Hana, a Haleakalā sunrise, snorkeling, and plenty of unhurried beach time.
Do I need a car?
Yes. Maui is spread out, transit is limited, and the Road to Hana and Haleakalā are self-drive adventures. Rent a car for your whole stay.
Do I need reservations for anything?
Yes — Haleakalā sunrise requires an advance reservation, and some popular spots (like Wai'anapanapa State Park) need timed entry. Book these before you go.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and fall for the best mix of weather, value, and smaller crowds. Winter brings whales and peak prices; summer is sunny and busy.
How do I get to Maui?
Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). Some mainland cities have direct flights and the rest connect through Honolulu or a West Coast hub. Plan on a rental car from the moment you land.
Which side of Maui should I stay on?
South Maui (Kīhei and Wailea) is the sunniest and the easiest first-time base. West Maui has Kāʻanapali and Kapalua, Upcountry is cooler and quieter, and Hana is best as an overnight at the end of the road.
Is the Road to Hana worth it?
For most people yes, if you treat it as the whole plan for the day rather than a line on a checklist. Start early, pick a few stops, and consider staying the night in Hana so you are not driving the curves in the dark.
Is it appropriate to visit Lahaina and West Maui?
West Maui has been open to visitors since October 2023. Lahaina itself is rebuilding after the August 2023 fire, so follow local guidance, stay out of closed areas, and spend your money with local businesses.
Where to next?
More around North America
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