Maui: Travel Guide

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island and, by most measures, the most resort-developed. It draws roughly 3 million visitors per year — more than twice the number that Hawaii’s Big Island attracts — and the combination of consistently excellent beaches, the Road to Hana, a dormant volcano summit you can drive to, and some of the best whale watching in the North Pacific makes that volume understandable. The island’s main population centers are Kahului (the commercial hub and airport town), Lahaina (a historic whaling town rebuilt after the devastating August 2023 wildfire), Kihei (a long strip of condos and beaches on the southwest coast), and Wailea (the luxury resort corridor further south).

The August 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of historic Lahaina killed 102 people and burned approximately 2,200 acres. Lahaina’s Front Street and much of the old town remain under active reconstruction as of 2026. Some businesses have reopened; many have not. Check current status before planning a day centered on Lahaina.

Getting There and Around

All commercial flights to Maui arrive at Kahului Airport (OGG). Direct flights operate from major West Coast cities (approximately five to six hours from Los Angeles or Seattle) and from several mainland hubs. Inter-island flights between Maui and Honolulu (OGG–HNL) take approximately 30–35 minutes and run frequently; fares start at approximately $60–80 one way as of 2026.

A rental car is essentially required on Maui. The island has limited public bus service (the Maui Bus runs routes connecting Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Wailuku, and Upcountry Maui for approximately $2 per ride), but frequencies are too low for sightseeing. Rental cars at OGG run approximately $60–100/day as of 2026; book early, especially for the Road to Hana and peak winter season (December through March). The Road to Hana specifically requires a car — there is no public transport route.

Driving times from Kahului: Wailea approximately 30 minutes, Lahaina approximately 45 minutes, Haleakalā summit approximately 90 minutes, start of the Road to Hana approximately 45 minutes.

Haleakalā

Haleakalā National Park — summit at 10,023 feet above sea level. The dormant shield volcano dominates the eastern half of Maui and is the island’s single most dramatic landscape. The summit crater is roughly 7 miles across and 2,600 feet deep, with a high-altitude desert floor studded with silversword plants found nowhere else on Earth. Sunrise visits require a timed reservation booked via recreation.gov — demand is extreme, and same-day access is rarely available; book up to 60 days in advance. The recreation.gov reservation covers entry from 3am to 7am; the $30/vehicle park entry fee applies separately. Temperatures at the summit can be 30°F below Kahului on any given morning — bring layers regardless of beach weather.

Daytime entry (after 7am) does not require a sunrise reservation, only the $30/vehicle entry fee. The Visitor Center near the summit rim (open daily 7am–3pm) offers exhibits on the volcano’s geology and the silversword ecosystem. The 11.9-mile round-trip Sliding Sands Trail descends into the crater floor. The shorter (but steep) Halemau’u Trail connects the summit to the crater interior at the other end; allow five to seven hours for the full through-hike if arranging a car shuttle.

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana (Highway 360) runs approximately 65 miles from Kahului to the town of Hana along Maui’s northeast coastline. The road crosses 59 bridges, passes more than 600 curves, and moves through rainforest, bamboo groves, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. It is not a fast drive — the full round trip from Kahului takes a minimum of 10–12 hours if stopping at the main points. Most visitors start before 8am to avoid traffic piling up on the single-lane bridge sections.

Key stops with logistics:

Twin Falls — Mile marker 2 on Highway 360. The first waterfall stop, accessible via a short flat walk through private fruit-stand land. Free but donation jar present. Open daily during daylight. Good for stretching legs early on.

Wai’anapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach) — Mile marker 32. Entry requires a timed reservation ($5 per person plus $10 parking, booked at gostateparks.hawaii.gov). The black lava sand beach is genuinely striking; the sea arches and lava tube cave system add to the stop. Allow 60–90 minutes.

Hana Town — Mile marker 44. The small, quiet town at the road’s terminus has a gas station (fill up here; prices are higher than Kahului), a few food trucks, and the Hasegawa General Store. The Hana Cultural Center ($3 suggested donation) gives useful context on the region’s history.

‘Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) — 10 miles south of Hana, accessed via the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. Entry $30/vehicle (same as the summit, but a separate entry point). The tiered freshwater pools are accessible via a flat half-mile walk from the parking area. Swimming is permitted when not closed due to flooding — check conditions before the drive.

Beaches

Ka’anapali Beach — Just north of Lahaina. Three miles of wide, consistent white sand backed by resort hotels. No entry fee; public access points between the hotels. Snorkeling around Black Rock (Pu’u Keka’a) at the northern end is excellent — green sea turtles and spinner dolphins are regular sightings. Rental gear available from beach concessions.

Wailea Beach — In front of the Wailea resort hotels. Calmer and more sheltered than Ka’anapali. Public parking approximately $5/hour at the Wailea Beach Resort; street parking limited. Good for swimming and snorkeling.

Ho’okipa Beach — 2 miles east of Kahului on the Road to Hana road. The premier windsurfing and kitesurfing beach in Maui; conditions on a good day are spectacular to watch even without a board. Green sea turtles haul out on the beach most afternoons. No entry fee; free parking. Powerful shore break — swimming is hazardous and often prohibited.

Hamoa Beach — Near Hana. A small, remote crescent of grey-sand beach reached via a steep path (54 steps). Strong shore break. Not a beach for casual swimming in winter swells, but one of the most beautiful on the island. No facilities; no fee.

Whale Watching

Maui is on the primary wintering grounds of North Pacific humpback whales, which gather in the shallow, warm waters of the Auau Channel (between Maui and Lanai) from approximately late November through April. Peak season is January through March. Adults reach 45 feet and 40 tons; breaching behavior, tail slaps, and mother-calf pairs are common in calm conditions.

Whale watch tours depart from Ma’alaea Harbor (the most central departure point) and from Lahaina Harbor. Most operators offer 2–2.5 hour morning tours for approximately $40–55 per adult as of 2026. Pacific Whale Foundation (pacificwhale.org) runs frequently reviewed trips and applies a portion of ticket revenue to research. Afternoon tours are also available but morning seas are generally calmer.

Land-based whale watching from McGregor Point (the pullout on Highway 30 between Maalaea and Olowalu) is effective at no cost from roughly December through April — binoculars recommended.

Where to Stay

Hotel Wailea — 555 Kaukahi St, Wailea. Adults-only boutique hotel in the Wailea resort area; 72 rooms; rates approximately $500–900/night as of 2026. Not directly on the beach (a short shuttle runs to Wailea Beach), but the setting is quieter than the large resort strip. Pool and spa on-site.

Fairmont Kea Lani — 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea. All-suite luxury resort directly on Polo Beach; suites approximately $700–1,200/night, villas higher. One of the more family-accommodating high-end options on Maui — suites have full kitchens. Multiple pools; direct beach access.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort — 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea. Contemporary luxury with a tiered pool system running toward the ocean. Rates approximately $600–1,000/night as of 2026.

Kaanapali Beach Hotel — 2525 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina area. One of the more affordable large hotels on Maui’s west side; rates approximately $280–420/night as of 2026. Strong reputation for Hawaiian cultural programming — hula lessons, lei making, outrigger canoe paddling. Directly on Ka’anapali Beach.

Maui Seaside Hotel — 100 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului. A basic, well-maintained property two minutes from the airport; rates approximately $140–220/night. Useful for early/late flights or as a budget option not dependent on being resort-adjacent.

Where to Eat

Mama’s Fish House — 799 Poho Pl, Paia. The most famous restaurant on Maui, and justifiably so. The menu names the fishing boat and fisherman who caught each species on the day — whole preparations of local fish like opakapaka (pink snapper), onaga (ruby snapper), and ono (wahoo) are prepared with a combination of Hawaiian and French technique. Mains approximately $55–90. Reservations are required months in advance; walk-in cancellations occasionally open at the bar. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Paia Fish Market — 100 Hana Hwy, Paia. The counter-service casual version of Maui’s fish obsession. Fish tacos, fish sandwiches, and plates change based on the catch. Plates approximately $18–28. No reservation; expect a queue at lunch. Also in Lahaina (when open) and Kihei.

Tin Roof — 360 Papa Pl, Kahului. Chef Sheldon Simeon’s counter-service restaurant, popularized by his appearances on Top Chef. Affordable, personal, deeply local: mochiko chicken, garlic noodles, Fatu’s fried rice, and rotating specials. Plates approximately $12–18. Lines form before opening; arrive early.

Monkeypod Kitchen — 10 Wailea Gateway Pl, Wailea (also Whalers Village, Ka’anapali). Mid-range restaurant with a strong local ingredient focus and excellent pizza and fish tacos. Mains approximately $20–38. Happy hour runs until 5:30pm with reduced prices on small plates. Good option for families.

Café des Amis — 42 Baldwin Ave, Paia. A small Paia fixture serving French-Moroccan crepes and Mediterranean plates. Crepes approximately $14–20. Outdoor seating on the main Paia street. Breakfast and lunch only; no reservation.

Practical Notes

• Best time to visit: April–May and September–October offer the lowest crowds and good weather. December–March is peak whale season but also peak visitor season — expect higher prices and advance booking requirements.
• Lahaina status: Rebuilding is ongoing as of 2026. Some Front Street businesses have reopened. Confirm current operating hours before making specific Lahaina plans.
• Road to Hana: Start before 8am. Fill the gas tank in Kahului before leaving. Carry cash for food trucks along the route.
• Altitude at Haleakalā: The summit is above 10,000 feet. Allow a day of acclimatization after arriving from sea level before attempting a full summit hike. Sunscreen at altitude is critical — UV intensity increases significantly above 8,000 feet.