We have been to Maui 7 times now, we love this island. I put together all of our favorite things to do on the island of Maui and mostly in Lahaina. As you know there sadly was a fire in Lahaina, which was mostly near Front Street, we used to go to Front Street often on previous trips and even stay close by, that being said there is still so much to do in Lahaina. We typically stay in Maui about 7-10 days and pack a carry on. We rent snorkel gear, chairs, boogie boards, sand toys etc. Sharing where we stay, eat, what we do and where we rent supplies below.

STAY in Maui-

• The Westin Kaanapali– We have stayed in a couple different places, and personally with just our family we like to stay at a hotel, our favorite is The Westin Kaanapali. We like that it is right next to Whalers Village for restaurants, has a great pool, food to order poolside, and you can walk right out to the ocean to swim, and a short walk to Black Rock Beach. We stay in the Hokupa’a Tower, where breakfast, snacks and dinner are included in the Lanai.
• Honua Kai Resort– we stayed here in 2022 for my birthday with 20 of us. It is a short walk to the beach. We liked that it had a kitchen, an area to BBQ on the patio, swim in the pool, and food trucks within walking distance, along with Dukes restaurant.

DO in Maui-

• Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali– Great spot for snorkeling, we always see turtles here (reminder give them space, Green Sea Turtles are endangered) and lots of different species of fish and beautiful coral. It isn’t a trip to Maui without jumping off the black rocks! You can walk over to the hotel pools and order food, pinacoldas, and really yummy snow cones. Black Rock is a short walk to Whalers Village for lunch (we love grabbing an açaí bowl or sitting down to eat at Monkey Pod).
• Napili Bay in Kapalua– We loved kayaking and paddle boarding here. Great for snorkeling too. You can rent paddle boards and kayaks by the hour right on the beach (off to the far right).
• D.T. Flemmings Beach- Best beach to boogie board. Large waves for surfing on the right and swimming on the left. Also you can order food at the restaurant right by the water and they have an açaí Food Truck in the parking lot (we love it!!).
• Hookipa Beach- This beach is in Paia, about an hour drive from Lahaina. We love to come here to watch the surfers and see the giant waves. Also on the far right of the beach is where turtles come to sun, there are ropes and a sign where you can keep the turtles safe, but get a good view! Make sure to plan other things to do in this area. Baldwin Beach is close and great for swimming. And don’t forget to eat at Paia Fish Market!
• Twin Falls Hike- We love this hike! Check out the lower and upper falls. You can swim under the waterfall, make sure to bring a towel and wear Tevas because you walk through a river and it rains often. One time when we went the upper falls were closed, so we could only see lower falls. You could check Friends of Twin Falls Instagram, and hopefully they post if closed.
• Road to Hana– This is an all day adventure. Gas up the rental car and be ready for windy roads and cool things to see (take non-drowsy motion sickness pills if you get motion sick, we all took some!). We prefer to do this on our own, no tour guide, but we do love the tour guide on the Road to Hana Maui Audio Tour App. This is what I would suggest if doing this tour: don’t stop everywhere the tour guide tells you to on the app (we like the app because he gives history and fun facts).
  • If you are staying in Lahaina I would start the Road to Hana early, like 6 am and stop at Twin Falls first and hike to the upper falls, you can get in and swim!
  • Next you could pull over and see the Eucalyptus trees to stretch your legs.
  • Waterfalls, I wouldn’t stop for any of them, you can slow down and see them from your car window.
  • Botanical Gardens (costs about $15 a person to go in) it is a good place to stop if you have to go to the bathroom, and want to walk around. There is a really pretty overlook of Koepuka Rock and also a waterfall lookout (that is far in the distance). Personally I had to go to the bathroom really bad, so I was happy we stopped. I personally wouldn’t stop again.
  • Aunty Sandy’s is a must for banana bread!!! We also got a fruit smoothie and a few hot dogs. There are signs you need to take your food and go because of limited parking. But it is a must! *There are no bathrooms here, there is a public park with restrooms down the road or near the peninsula’s viewpoint, which is a short distance past the stand. 
  • We liked the view at Wailua Valley State Wayside of the valley, village, and Koʻolau Gap.  Ke’anae has been a taro producing Hawaiian village, and the Lanakila Ihiihi O Iehova O na Kaua Church built in 1856, the only building left after a tsunami with 35′ waves hit on April 1, 1946.
  • Coconut Glen’s for coconut ice cream, was the next place we stopped, the tour guide on the app sold Kevin on it! And happy we stopped, it is hard because you want to support all the small businesses! We also tried the coconut pineapple bread, that was so good too!
  • Black Sand Beach, we didn’t know it had changed to where you need to make a reservation to even see the beach! So we didn’t get to see it this time. You can make reservations 30 days in advance, so make sure to do that!!! We will have to go back. A few of you said you stay the night in Hana so you can spend the day at the beach.
  • Haleakalā National Park is where you will see waterfalls, bamboo and a huge banyan tree. Hike 1 mile round trip to an overlook of Makahiku Falls (200 foot waterfall) by taking the Pīpīwai Trail. The trail continues for a little bit further to reach a giant banyan tree, then past this point to Waimoku Falls (400 foot waterfall) for a 4 mile roundtrip hike. We ran out of time to make it to Waimoku Falls, wish we didn’t stop on the smaller hikes so we could do this! You see waterfalls and bamboo trees here. *Be sure to have water, snacks, rain gear, and sun protection. There are restrooms at the visitor center before you start your hike.
  • Then on your way back stop somewhere for dinner. We like to go to Pāʻia Fish Market for dinner (1.5-2 hours from Haleakalā National Park).
• Whale Watching- December to April are when the humpback whales are in Maui. We have been on several whale watching tours and prefer smaller boat tours, move fast, more personal, less likely to get sea sick, and you can see the wildlife better. We did our tour through Hawaii Ocean Rafting, (recommended by Captain Steve, who lost his boats in the fire, but many his employees work at Hawaii Ocean Rafting now) *If you get motion sickness at all, I suggest taking something to help!
• Snorkel Trip out to Lanai- This was fun to be able to see Lanai up close, and a beautiful snorkel spot. We also saw dolphins, snorkeled at the bay of Lanai (gorgeous).
• Boat tour to see the Spinner Dolphins– The waters to the southwest of Maui are filled with Hawaiian spinner dolphins, making the islands of Lanai and Molokini excellent destinations for dolphin watching and snorkeling!
• Snorkel at the old Carthaginian Ship Wreck off Maula Harbor– I ran into a blog reader in Maui and she said that this was one of their favorite things! We loved it too, and saw turtles and little reef sharks.
• Ohai Loop Trail– Short loop, easy hike with a beautiful lookout. Nakalele Blowhole and Dragons Teeth walk are all close by. Stop at The Gazebo Restaurant too!
• Nakalele Blowhole– There are only 3 blowholes in the world, must see! For hiking, we wore Tevas or you can wear any supportive walking shoe. It could be considered a harder hike because you are climbing over rock to get down to the Blowhole.
• Dragon’s Teeth– Neat rock formations formed from one of the last ancient lava flows to occur on the island. A short walk, but worth it to see the beautiful area of Kapalua. The Ritz Carlton has a small public parking area and trail leading to the formation through the golf course.
• Bamboo Forest on the Hana Highway– secret entrance across from the eucalyptus trees, on the other side above Paia. So pretty! We did this about 10 years ago.
• Luau– Old Lahaina Luau, this Luau they roast a pig in the ground, you can see how they cook it and as they take it out. They also have activities going before you eat, so get there early. The entertainment is good, great views no matter where you sit.
• Helicopter Tour over to Molokai– I heard it is amazing from my in-laws. I get really motion sickness, so that was not something I wanted to do.
• Drive to the top of Haleakala- Top reader suggestion! We have done the sunset bike tour and the zip-line, both fun.
• Oprah’s Home on Thompson Road- We snorkeled right by her house, but keep in mind, it was really rocky and tricky to get in and out of the water. You can see how to drive by her home HERE.
• Ioa Makena State Park– Very pretty views, gorgeous rain forest, and easy hike.
• Maui Tropical Plantation– we did this last time we went. It was a beautiful spot. I would say do this if you are tired of the beach and have seen all of the other sites above.

Eat in Maui-

• The Gazebo Restaurant- for Breakfast (go early or plan on waiting an hour in line, which isn’t bad, there is shuffle board and chairs) You can also call ahead and order it to-go! Then sit right outside by the pool. Must try are the pancakes and fried rice!
• Leoda’s Pie Shop– not just pies, (but the pies are so good), I had a yummy salad, tried the pot pie, the pork sandwich….all so good. Also my favorite banana bread.
• Papi Ohana– the best cinnamon rolls!!! Opens at 7 am, people start lining up at 6 am. Worth it. Kevin went and waited in line, and brought to us on the beach. Best treat. They also serve pizza later in the day, it was good too, we ordered around noon then picked it up at 6 pm.
• Paia Fish Market– this used to be on Front Street, now the only location is in Paia. We typically eat here multiple times. After going to Hookipa beach or Baldwin Beach and after Twin Falls Hike.
• Monkey Pod– try the pork tacos, lobster deviled eggs, pizza, banana cream pie, really everything!
• Leilani’s– ALL the seafood dishes were amazing, we all got something different and taste tested! My favorite is the goat cheese salad with shrimp. Don’t forget the famous Hula Pie.
• Hula Grill– I had a good Chinese chicken salad, I like this restaurant, but Monkey Pod is my favorite right by it.
• Dukes– I love their Maui Sunflower Caesar Salad (add coconut shrimp), really good calamari, sticky ribs and of course a Hula Pie.
• Manuela Malasada Co– “Maui’s best donuts!” Honestly SOOO good! They moved their food truck from Lahaina to closer to the airport due to the fires.
• Mama’s Fish House– we ate here once, hard to get into, and pricey, but an experience! Call ahead and make reservations before you travel!!
• Baya Bowls– food truck at DT Beach for açaí and smoothies.
• Maui Fruit Ninja– pop up tent at different locations for açaí and smoothies.
• Taverna– my friends said this was their favorite new place to eat in Maui, Italian food.

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