Happy New Year! Maui continues to top the charts on best places in the world for a vacation, honeymoon, corporate trip… you name it! Are you planning to visit the Valley Isle this year? If this is going to be your first visit to the island, here are some of the experiences that you should put at the top of your list.
1) Enjoy the Beaches
What is the #1 draw for visitors to Maui? It’s the gorgeous, world class beaches! Maui island has some of the most incredible, beautiful, swimmable beaches in Hawaii. What’s cool about Maui’s beaches is that each one is different. We have sugar white, golden, red, and even black sand beaches. Some generally have stronger surf and shore break, while others have a zero-entry, perfect for young families. If you’re looking for people-watching (and maybe spot a celebrity or two), then the beaches in Wailea are for you. But other beaches are off the beaten path, less crowded, frequented by locals, and just as pristine.
The beaches in South Maui, Makena, and west Maui are generally the ones best for swimming and snorkeling. The north shore beaches in Kahului, Paia, and Ho’okipa typically have larger surf and better for hanging out and enjoying from the shoreline. During the winter months, Ho’okipa is the perfect place to watch surfers. In fact, this is your first stop on our Road to Hana audio guide!
2) Haleakala National Park
There two national parks in Hawaii. Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island, and Haleakala on Maui. Haleakala is a must-visit! There’s so much to do within the park, and just outside of the entrance. Sunrise and sunset viewing from the summit district are very popular. Other activities include: miles and miles of hiking, camping, birdwatching, stargazing, horseback riding, and just taking in the insane views.
Haleakala has two visitor centers: one just inside the park main entrances: One at the Summit District, and one at the Kipahulu District (on the Road to Hana). Sunrise and sunset viewing from the summit district are very popular. You must have a reservation in advance for entrance into the summit district between 3am – 7am for sunrise viewing. Other times of the day don’t require a reservation, just the entry fee.
The Kipahulu District offers camping, hiking, views of the famous Pools of Oheo and Waimoku Falls, and a visitor center. Is it possible to visit both areas in one day? Yes, it technically is, but to get from one entrance to the other will be about a 3-hour car ride one-way. Keep this in mind when planning your itinerary!
3) Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is one of the most famous road trips in America. It’s 40+ miles of beautiful rainforest, jaw-dropping cliffside views, and lots of fun stops along the way. The Hana Highway is marked only by mile-markers. You won’t find any billboards (banned in Hawaii) or signage telling you where to stop for beautiful view or where to swim in a waterfall. That’s where our Road to Hana audio guide comes in! Just hit play & we will guide you along to some of the best stops.
The Road to Hana is typically an all-day adventure. To truly experience all it has to offer, you need to plan a 10-12 hour day. Even at that pace, you won’t be able to see it all. It’s always best to do your research, listen to the guide ahead of time, and make a plan/timeline for what you want to see. Just a reminder: You’ll need to get reservations for the famous black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park at least 24 hours in advance. They are very strict about not letting visitors in without a reservation.
See https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/waianapanapa to get your reservation.
Get the Road to Hana guide here: https://ther2h.com/
4) Whale Watching
Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii every winter. You can spot them from the shoreline, or even better, book a whale watching boat tour between December and April. The “peak” of the whale activity is usually mid-January through February.
Many companies offer whale watching excursions, and usually have a naturalist on board to offer narration, education, and answer questions about the whales. If you’re lucky, you might even encounter a “mugging” where a whale will surface right next to the boat to say “aloha!” Whale watching tours launch from Kaanapali, Maalaea, and Kihei. The boats range from smaller, faster Zodiac boats, to catamarans, to larger, double-decker viewing boats.
5) Hiking
Maui is a hiker’s dream destination. There are so many different hikes available to try with varying degrees of difficulty. Here are some of our favorites:
· Kapalua Coastal Trail (easy): Wander between the ragged west Maui shoreline and five-star resorts. Great for whale watching during the winter!
· Waihou Springs Forest Reserve (easy to moderate): Take a step into an upcountry forest reserve that takes you back to the Pacific Northwest. If you need a break from the sun, this is the perfect one. It’s also a great hike for kids with lots of exploration and surprises along the way.
· Waihee Ridge Tail (moderate to difficult): Located just past Wailuku in the west Maui mountains, this is a ridgeline hike with decent elevation gain. Some days you might hike right into the cloud line. Other days, you’re treated to incredible view of the valley and north shore.
· Pipiwai Trail (moderate): This is a 2 hour out-and-back trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala Park on the Road to Hana. See several waterfalls, walk through a bamboo forest, and take photos in front of a massive banyan tree.
· Sliding Sands (moderate to difficult): Sliding Sands is a hike that takes you down into Haleakala Crater. The trailhead begins at the upper visitor center, and the trail continues for miles into the crater and around its cinder cones. If you’re pressed for time, choose to hike just a short way in, then turn around and return. You don’t have to hike far into the trail to experience the awesome views. Be cognizant you’re at a very high altitude, and you’re hiking uphill on the return. Pace yourself – this is the “difficult” part.
6) Shop & Eat Local
One of our favorite things about Maui is the community. There are some chain restaurants available, but the vast majority of restaurants and shops are locally owned and operated. Maui has experienced some incredible hardships over the last five years with the island shutdown during the pandemic, then recovering from the 2023 wildfires. Spending your money at locally owned shops is so appreciated and aids in the recovery of the island.
Not to mention, you can sample food or buy souvenirs that only can be found on Maui! We have so many suggestions and favorites, but we’ll save them for another article.
Enjoy your time on Maui and be sure to put these six experiences on your Maui itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!