Maui is one of my favorite Hawaiian islands that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit (I love it so much that I’ve gone twice). The combination of city life + ability to go off the grid and immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery provides an endless amount of things to do. There’s still things that are on my Maui bucket list, but for now, I’ve put together the ~perfect~ 7 day itinerary, filled with some of my favorite activities + must sees in Maui!

*While Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit, I want to note that extreme tourism + people relocating there is pushing locals out of their homes/homeland. It’s important to do your research before visiting and respect the culture and land of the Hawaiian Islands + their people.

Day 1: Arrive in Maui

When coming to Maui, you’ll fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) where you’ll gather your bags, pick up your rental car, and head to your home for the week. Most flights, depending on where you’re place of origin is, land pretty late so I always utilize this time to eat, shower, and relax + prepare for an adventurous week.

Lodging

Since Maui is a big island, there are many places to stay and the choices can be overwhelming. I’ve stayed in two different areas that aren’t far from each other, but provide a completely different experience.

The first place I’ve stayed is Kaanapali, which is one of the more popular areas to stay in Maui. Located in West Maui, Kaanapali is home to several resort options with access to Kaanapali Beach and is super family friendly. There’s also tons of shopping and dining options in Whalers Village, located right in the middle of the strip of resorts. We stayed in an Air Bnb in the neighborhood across the street for more privacy, but if you don’t mind a lot of noise + prefer resort style living then Kanaapali is the perfect place for you.

The second place I’ve stayed in, and my personal preference, is Kapalua. Located in Northwest Maui, Kapalua provides a quieter atmosphere than Kaanapali. It’s home to the Ritz Carlton, and while I didn’t stay there, I did make good use of their pool + hot tubs (which are amazing, by the way). I stayed in a condo at The Ridge of Kapalua, which provided us with a full kitchen, two balconies with ocean views, and two bathrooms! Our condo was walking distance to a private beach, restaurants, and the Kapalua Walking Trail. If you’re like me, and prefer a more peaceful/less touristy area, then Kapalua is a great place to stay.

Day 2: Explore Lahaina

Traveling is exhausting, especially to a place as far as Hawaii, so utilize this first full day to take it easy and explore Lahaina. Lahaina is a historic whaling village that now hosts dozens of art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Enjoy the day by taking a stroll down the lively Front Street and walking along the self guided historic trail. If you love diving deep into the history of places, be sure to stop at U.S. Seamen’s Hospital, Hale Pa’ahao (Lahaina Prison), and of course, Maui’s oldest living banyan tree (she’s a beaut).

End the day by attending a luau or sunset cruise. While luaus are touristy, they are an incredible way to learn about the Polynesian culture, enjoy some delicious food, and have fun! I personally recommend the Drums of the Pacific. As someone whose been to a couple of luaus, I feel as though once you’ve been to one, you won’t miss out on anything if you don’t attend another. If luaus aren’t your thing, or you’ve already been to one, I’d recommend taking a sunset cruise with Sea Maui. There’s nothing like catching a West Maui sunset while out in the middle of the ocean. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll get to see a pod of dolphins swimming and playing alongside the boat.

Once the evening festivities are over, head back home, prepare for the next day, and get a good nights rest.

Day 3: Road to Hana

Hopefully you were able to get some good sleep because the Road to Hana is a Maui must do + all day adventure. Spend this day exploring the eastern side of Maui, seeing beautiful waterfalls/beaches, and trying not to lose your mind on one of the most dangerous roads in the world. With 600+ turns (most of them being hairpin) and 59 bridges (most of these being one lane), the Road to Hana will leave you breathless and probably more appreciative for your local road conditions.

Our Adventure

When I did the Road to Hana, I was very lucky that my then boyfriend now husband had done it before. He knew some great places to stop and was able to drive us around safely. We woke up pretty early (I wanna say around 6-7 a.m.) because we were making the drive from West Maui, which is about a 2 hour drive away. We stopped in Pa’ai to get gas + snacks then we were off on our journey!

The first stop we made was at Kahanu Gardens, which is a botanical garden that also provides great historical information about the area + it’s settlers. We opted to do a self guided tour so we could explore at our own pace. One of my favorite parts was when we discovered the lava rock cliffs along the edge of the ocean. The spongy lava rock was fun to climb on, plus the sound of the waves + endless ocean views created the perfect atmosphere.

After the gardens, we headed over to the Hana Lava Tube. If you’re looking for a family friendly adventure, exploring the lava tube will provide a unique experience even the kids will love! There’s also a botanical garden maze for those who are unable to descend into the lava tube.

Our last big stop was in Haleakala National Park, where we hiked the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls. This is a 4 mile out and back trail, with some pretty steep terrain at some points. Keep in mind that it is a rainforest so unexpected rain can occur, we actually got rained on for the first 10 minutes of the hike. It was pretty spiritual though. I mean if you’re going to get rained on during a hike, Hawaii is a great place for it to happen.

The Pipiwai Trail is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done to date. There’s so many viewpoints during the trek, plus a gorgeous banyan tree, and a bamboo forrest. It can get slippery when wet so good shoes are a must, I’d also recommend hiking poles for those who aren’t as steady on their feet. At the end of the trail, you are rewarded with a stunning 400 foot waterfall called Waimoku Falls.

Once we were done with the hike, we headed towards the backside of Haleakala to see Maui’s dry side. It was honestly so wild to me how vastly different the first and second halves of our drive were. They were both incredibly beautiful in completely different ways. I would definitely recommend driving this route vs going back the way you came. The roads are a little scary, but if you are cautious and drive slowly, then the views are worth it.

The Road to Hana requires a decent amount of research and planning. To help ease some of that stress, head over to my Road to Hana Tips & Tricks and begin planning one of the best days. Also, be sure to save your entrance ticket to Haleakala because they’re good for three days.

Day 4: ATV Tour & Snorkeling

ATV Tour

After spending an entire day adventuring, it is important to have a rest day that still gets you out of the hotel. Start your morning with a 2 hour ATV tour with Maui Off-Road Adventures to get your adrenaline pumping. This tour is kid friendly and provides fun for everyone. If you’re lucky, there will be a little rain prior to your adventure so it’s not super dusty like it was for us. I think I had to wash my hair 3+ times to get all the dirt out of it–though it was totally worth it.

There are other ATV tours throughout Maui, however, I would recommend this one because not only was is super fun, but they work with the Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve. This is one of Hawaii’s largest private nature preserves working to protect native species that help stabilize the soil during heavy rains. So you get to have fun and know that you’re helping the environment. Be sure to bring cash to tip your guides as they do a tremendous job of keeping you safe, providing fun, and educating you on the islands of Hawaii.

Snorkel at Black Rock

After having an adrenaline fueled morning, grab some lunch and head over to Ka’anapali Beach to snorkel at Black Rock. We brought our own snorkel gear, but there’s plenty of places to rent from in the area. While Black Rock is a busy area to snorkel at, it is really fun and you’re guaranteed to see a lot of fish swimming about. Spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out at the beach, snorkeling, and cliff diving if you’re feeling brave.

Day 5: Zip-lining & Haleakala Sunset

Kapalua Ziplines

Book a morning tour at Kapalua Ziplines, I personally recommend the 6 line tour. The tour is 4 hours long, so try to get an early one if possible. This zip line place features the only dual zip lines in Maui, so you’ll get to go down the line with a friend! I had never zip-lined before and lemme tell ya, it was so much fun! I mean, there’s no better way to spend your morning than soaring over a gorgeous, untouched valley with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Am I right? Plus, the staff there are incredibly friendly + ensure that you are safe throughout the adventure, so be sure to bring some cash for a tip.

Catch the Sunset at Haleakala

After zip lining, grab some lunch and head to the top of Haleakala to catch the sunset. It does take about 2 hours to drive up the volcano, so give yourself plenty of time to get there + find parking. Go from sea level to 10, 023 feet above sea level and experience sunset above the clouds. Be sure to dress WARM; the first time I did it, I was severely underdressed and was freezing (it was the middle of July, too). The second time I went was in October and I came better prepared. I recommend wearing wool socks + closed toe shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, and a windbreaker jacket. If you are cold natured, blankets + gloves are also a good idea.

Most people stay for the entire sunset then make the drive back down in the dark, however, I personally recommend driving down about 10 minutes or so after the sun really begins to set. Both times I’ve done that have been ~so~ special. There’s something about driving down a volcano, illuminated by the orange + yellow hues of the sky, paired with the right music that provides a sense of serenity. Plus, you get to beat some of the traffic, which is always a great thing.

If you’re into stargazing, you can camp out at the top for the night. It is known to be one of the best spots for stargazing so keep that in mind if that’s your thing. You can also catch the sunrise, however you must have a reservation that can be made here. No matter what you decide to do, the summit of Haleakala will leave you breathless. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just driving up for sunset/sunrise, you’re in for an amazing time.

Day 6: Waihe’e Ridge Trail & Nakalele Blowhole

Waihe’e Ridge Trail

Wake up early-ish, pack a lunch + water, grab your favorite hiking shoes and head out to the Waihe’e Ridge Trail. Located in the West Maui Forrest Reserve near Wailuku, this trail provides lush scenery, jaw dropping views, and challenging ridge-line hiking. When you reach the trail, there will be a big parking lot with not a lot of cars, do not park here! This is the overflow lot and will add about 2 miles to your hike. Continue up the path where there will be another parking lot, it may be full depending on what time you get there. If it is full, you can either go back down to the overflow lot or wait for people to leave. When we arrived, we saw several groups coming down from the trail so we waited about 10 minutes for a spot to open up.

Once you’ve parked, use the bathroom and clean your shoes at the shoe cleaning station and begin the trek up the paved hill. The beginning is the steepest part of the trail, so if you can make it up that then you’re set for the rest of it. Climb up the ridge for about 2 miles with stunning valley views to your left and ocean views to your right. Once at the top, take some time to eat lunch + enjoy the views before descending 2 miles downhill. Be careful as it can get slick if there’s been recent rain–ya girl slipped and fell coming down this one. It is truly one of my favorite hikes in Maui, pictures do not do it justice.

Nakalele Blowhole

After making it back to the car from the hike, head to the Nakalele Blowhole. This is a short, rugged trail along the northern coastline in West Maui. If you’re unsteady on your feet be careful as some of the rocks are unstable. Like any hike, proceed with caution. It’s also important to keep your distance from the blowhole because you can get sucked in if you get too close–deaths have occurred here. Keep an eye on the waves as well, if the tide is high (it was when we went) the waves can come over the lava rock and drag you out to sea. Trust me, the blowhole and area around it are just as beautiful and mesmerizing from a distance as they are up close. It’s never worth putting your life in danger for a picture.

Day 7: Pa’ia Town & Head Home

Leaving a wonderful vacation such as Maui is never fun, which is why I recommend spending the day in Pa’ia Town after you check out for the last bit of Hawaiian fun. Filled with shops and restaurants, Pa’ai Town is reminiscent of California beach town from the sixties. Spend some time exploring, grab a bite to eat, and go to the Ho’okipa Lookout for a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. If it’s high tide, you’re guaranteed to see a group of surfers out there shredding the waves. Pa’ai is about 20 minutes from the airport, so you can soak up the last of your vacation without the stress of getting to the airport on time.

Once it’s time, you’ll head to the airport to drop off the rental car and begin the journey back home. Maui is a wonderful island filled with tons of things to do, learn, and see; it’ll always leave you wanting more. As mentioned in my 5 Day Kauai Itinerary, Hawaii has a rich history. Be sure to do research before traveling there, respect the locals + their culture, and go with an open mind to learning about the Polynesian culture.

til the next trip,

bre

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