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The Hawaiian island Maui is extremely diverse in landscape!
From the world's largest dormant volcano to a rainforest, Maui has a lot to offer. Whether you want to go chasing waterfalls or hike a mountain, there is always something to do on the island. If you are lucky enough to visit from November to April keep an eye out for the thousands of whales migrating through the warm waters just offshore.
In this Maui Travel Guide, we will be breaking down where to stay, how to get around, things to do, where to eat, and a few tips and tricks to help plan a Maui vacation that is Worth Your Wallet!
Where to stay in Maui:
While visiting Maui we stayed in a few different places on the island and had good experiences in each location. We recommend picking a hotel based on proximity to things you plan on doing during your stay! Otherwise, you may end up driving back and forth across the island!
The island is so diverse it can be hard to pick! If you want to stay in a tropical rainforest, a hotel near Hana is a great choice, but if you prefer white sandy beaches and shopping you’ll want to look closer to Wailea or Ka’anapali!
We have personally stayed in Wailea, Ka'anapali, and Lahaina. All have been easy to navigate, and have food, shopping, and beaches within walking distance of each other.
Wailea:
Wailea is about a 30-minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG) and makes for a perfect resort-style getaway. During our time in Wailea, we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea Resort (full review here). This resort is expensive, ranging from about $600 to $1500 per night, but is perfect for those who plan on lounging at the resort during their stay.
There are a bunch of other resorts in Wailea as well. A cheaper option in the area is the Wailea Grand Champions Villas!
They have great reviews and are almost a third of the price of the Grand Wailea per night! We plan to stay here soon!
Running along the length of the Wailea coast is the Wailea Beach Path, which connects the resorts, restaurants, shops, and beaches. The trail makes it easy to get to food and shopping on foot!
(For those who are planning on going out on any excursions from Maalaea Harbor, it is only about 20 minutes away from Wailea!)
Ka’anapali:
Ka’anapali is about a 40-45 minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG) and offers multiple resort hotels, shopping, restaurants, and warm sandy beaches. We stayed at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali, and enjoyed their many pools and Ka'anapali Beach which is a few steps from the resort! This resort is less expensive than the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea, but still not cheap by any means. Room rates range from about $500-1000 per night depending on the season! Within walking distance of most Ka'anaplai hotels is the Whalers Village shopping mall, which is packed full of stores and restaurants. We were able to be picked up for tour excursions with no issues, and had easy access to rideshare pickup and drop-off in Ka'anaplai! (From the Ka’anapali area it is about a 30-35 minute drive to the Maalaea Harbor, where a lot of snorkeling and whale watching tours leave from.)
Lahaina:
We had the opportunity to stay in Lahaina and enjoyed our stay at the Pioneer Inn, a quaint historic hotel. However, Since our last visit to Maui, a few things have changed. The Lahaina area of Maui was tragically affected by a wildfire which has had detrimental effects on the community. The area is closed and asks tourists to not visit or take pictures of the areas struck by the fire. The community is still recovering and they deserve privacy to heal and rebuild.
Below is a link to a post from Jenny Brocious where she breaks down what to do while visiting Maui, and what to avoid. She also goes into great detail about ways you can help the community by volunteering or through donations! You can find her post here talking about what to do, and what not to do while visiting Maui!
Getting Around Maui:
A good way to decide how to get around the island during your stay is to first figure out what you plan on doing while you are there. If you do not plan on leaving the resort, taking public transit, or an Uber/taxi can be cheaper than renting a car and paying for parking! However, if you are doing multiple excursions, or staying in multiple cities, renting a car can save you from paying hundreds of dollars for rides. In Maui, we have both rented a car and used ride-share, and had no issues with either!
Ride-share:
There are plenty of Uber/Lyft drivers on the island! We have never had an issue with getting a ride, but we have never tried to get one going to or from the Hana area. Below is a rough pricing guide for Uber rides going to various locations on the island.
OGG Airport to Wailea $45-60
Wailea to Maalaea Harbor $30-45
OGG Airport to Ka'anapali $65-$80
Ka'anapali to Maalaea Harbor $55-$65
OGG Airport to Hana $180-$250
OGG to Maalaea Harbor area $25-$35
Rental Car:
If you plan on renting a car, booking in advance is recommended as sometimes rental cars sell out! The rental car station at Kahului Airport (OGG) is simple, and not far from the arrivals exit. The average price for a full week with a compact car/full insurance is about $600. This does not include parking, which can be roughly $30-$80 per night depending on the hotel. Turo is an app-based rental service, and can sometimes be cheaper!
If you plan on driving to Hana on your own, keep in mind that some rental cars prohibit certain roads and routes. Make sure to check your rental agreement before going! We enjoyed taking a tour so we did not have to drive. The roads can be narrow, and there are multiple one-lane sections. The drive is doable on your own, but if you are not a confident driver we recommend taking a tour!
Public Transit:
Public transit is also available on the island via a public bus. There are routes throughout the island, and it is $4 for a day pass. Students under the age of 24 and adults over the age of 55 ride for free with a valid ID.The bus services the OGG Airport at Kahului Airport pick-up zone 3. Here is a link to the routes and schedules!
What activities to do in Maui:
Whale Watching (peak season February and March):
Finding what activities to do in Maui can be daunting, almost as daunting as seeing a whale up close in person. Every year Maui sees a large migration of humpback whales. They travel near the island to mate and give birth in the warm waters before heading back to Alaska. During this time, around November to April, you can see many whales off the coast of the island! We have gone whale watching multiple times with the Pacific Whale Foundation, and have had good experiences every time. We have gone whale watching in both February and March and were able to see dozens of whales each time! The season runs from around November to April, but the peak season is around February and March! Whale-watching tickets range in price depending on the tour from about $80 to $150 per person. You can find tickets here with the Pacific Whale Foundation!
Road to Hana (self-drive or take a tour):
The road to Hana takes you on an adventure through Maui’s eastern side. You will be immersed in a rainforest as you drive through winding and narrow roads, waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints. It truly is mesmerizing to visit! We opted to take a guided tour with Dynamic Tours Hawaii, and are glad we did. We paid $239.99 per person, and would again! We were glad we did not have to drive the winding roads, and one-lane sections, and were able to fully enjoy the ride as passengers! The only negative to taking a tour is that you are on a schedule and cannot stop everywhere you might want to! We drove past a huli-huli chicken stand on the side of the road and our entire group asked to stop, but we could not because of a time constraint!
Driving yourself gives you more freedom to explore, and time to stop where you wish! If you do decide to drive, keep in mind that some rental car companies do not want you driving the full loop! The full loop was included in our tour, and it was evident why they do not want rental cars driving it. The road is very, very, rough, and there are a few sections where it is only one lane! We had to back down a hill to let a local cattle truck through, and I am glad I was not driving!!! We enjoyed our trip with Dynamic Tours, and our guide Eddie was so funny and charismatic. Book a tour here with Dynamic Tours Hawaii!
Snorkeling:
Snorkeling while visiting Hawaii is an absolute must! Whether you rent gear and snorkel off of a beach, or go on a snorkeling tour it is something you cannot miss! Hawaii offers amazingly clear water with great visibility for snorkeling, and the water is never too cold!
A good tool to have if you plan on going out on your own is the Snorkel Stores Daily Snorkel Report! They send out daily information about the current conditions of the water at popular beaches, so you can always have a safe and informed snorkeling trip! Check out the Daily Snorkel Report here!
For those who may be interested in going on a snorkeling tour let us explain the benefits! On snorkeling tours, the price of the gear is (normally) included and there are crew on board who can show you how to properly use it. The crew are also (on most tours) in the water with you and can help if a problem occurs, as they are lifeguard certified and strong swimmers. The crew and the captain of the ship also know the area well, and know where to find the best snorkeling conditions, with the highest likelihood of sea life! We normally see more wildlife while on snorkeling tours rather than off beaches!
We have gone out snorkeling twice with two different companies and had good experiences with both. Both times we were able to see sea life and had safe trips out on the water. We have gone with the Pacific Whale Foundation and Calypso Maui. Snorkeling tickets can range in price, but an average ticket for a 3-5 hour tour is about $120-$180 per person!
Visit Haleakala:
Haleakala is a dormant volcano within Haleakala National Park. The park offers a variety of things to do; camping, hiking, sightseeing, and sunrise viewing. You can visit the park on your own, or visit with a group on a guided tour. There are many tours available online, including sunrise tours. A guided sunrise tour averages out to be about $250 per person, depending on the company.
If you plan on going on your own, a great resource to have is the National Parks website, you can find it here! They provide great information on how to plan a safe visit to the park.
To visit on your own during sunrise (3:00 am to 7:00 am) you need to make a reservation in advance and can do so here.
Beaches:
There are many great beaches in Maui, and every beach has its perks! Below are some beaches we enjoy when we visit the island.
Black Sand Beach:
The Black Sand Beach is a unique experience! The sand is black (hence the name) and has a stark contrast with its bright blue water. It is strikingly beautiful! If you are on your way through Hana we recommend checking it out!
Ka’anapali Beach:
Ka'anapali beach is a great spot to relax on the sand, and go for a swim or snorkel! It is near resorts, so it can get busy! On the same stretch of beach about 1 mile away is black rock beach, a popular snorkel spot! You can check out the daily conditions with The Snorkel Store’s Daily Snorkel Report! Find Ka’anapali Beach on Google Maps!
Wailea Beach:
Wailea Beach is a sandy strip near resort hotels. It is a nice spot to relax, and the water is calm enough to get in and swim! We did not snorkel here, but we did see a few people in the water with their gear on! Find Wailea Beach on Google Maps!
Where to Eat on the Island:
Island Vintage Coffee:
Island Vintage Coffee is near Ka’anapali at the Whalers Village Mall. They offer a wide selection of food and drinks but our favorite thing on the menu is the acai bowls! It is about $15 for an acai bowl, and they are so good and refreshing on a hot day! They also serve 100% Kona Coffee, which if you have not tried, you definitely should! Find Island Vintage Coffee on Google Maps!
The Cinnamon Roll Place:
The Cinnamon Roll Place went viral a while back, and we were able to try it around the same time it was trending. In the past, we have been disappointed with viral food, but this place is worth the hype!!! The cinnamon rolls were so gooey and delicious!! They also offer huge portions, one roll could easily be split between two or more people. One roll costs $6.20, but does not include frosting! The frosting is an additional $1-$2! We chose to pay for the frosting, and for us, it was worth it! Find The Cinnamon Roll Place on Google Maps!
Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread:
Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread has been featured on Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted and lives up to the high expectations set by the show! The banana bread is delicious, rich in banana flavor, and perfectly moist! Not only is the banana bread amazing but so are the smoothies! If you are driving the road to Hana, this is a great spot to stop and get a quick snack! A loaf is about $9. (P.S. They are closed on Sundays!) Find Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread on Google Maps!
Other Advice/Tips for Visiting Maui:
Whale watching season is November through April (peak February and March).
Water shoes save your feet at waterfalls and rocky beaches!
If you go out on a tour near Maalaea Harbor bring a jacket! It is windy!
Carry cash! Some food spots are cash only, and tipping on tours is normally in cash.
It is cheaper to visit during the summer than in winter months like November-January
Get up in time to see at least one sunrise! They are so vibrant and worth losing a little sleep for!
In Hawaii, Costco prices are the same as on the mainland, making items cheaper compared to a standard grocery store.
Consider renting a car with Turo, it can be cheaper than booking a car through a traditional rental car agency!
We book all our rental cars through the same company. This way we can accrue rewards/status with them, rather than having various standings with different companies.
We rent all our cars with Hertz and have a free gold account!
All you need is an email to sign up, and you instantly become a gold member.
This helps you get free upgrades and quicker check-in (sometimes you can skip the counter completely).
Hertz offers a AAA discount of up to 20%.
Consider becoming a AAA member! They offer various travel discounts like young drivers, and additional driver fees being waived on rental cars! Along with other travel discounts.
Pre-book your rental car for the cheapest prices!
We have gone to the counter and been quoted significantly higher for not pre-booking, walked outside the office, booked on our phone, and saved hundreds of dollars.
Maui Travel Guide Summary:
Maui offers a large variety of things to do; exploring waterfalls in Hana, hiking Haleakala, or even witnessing a whale migration! In our opinion whale watching and the road to Hana are must-sees while visiting Maui! For those who are trying to squeeze everything into one trip, we recommend at least five nights. And please, if you visit the island remember to respect the community, they have just faced a large loss and are still recovering. Most of the island is open, but the Lahaina area is still asking for no visitors.
Happy planning! Let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip, or if something was not clear! Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible to help you plan a trip that is Worth Your Wallet!
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