MAUI
Golden beaches, the Road to Hāna, sunrise above the clouds on Haleakalā. Pure magic. Everywhere.
The Valley Isle — Maui magic casts its spell at every turn. This is also the winter home of the humpback whales.
Find magic in Maui
From the resort coasts of the west and south to Upcountry farm country, the Road to Hāna and the island's wild edges — every corner of Maui has its own character.
West Maui
West Maui is the classic resort coast — a run of golden, swimmable crescent bays like Kāʻanapali, Kapalua and Nāpili, set against the sharp green West Maui Mountains, about 45 minutes from the airport. Snorkel Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock), settle into a beachfront resort, or head out on the water with a Hawaiian outrigger-canoe and land-restoration day at Kīpuka Olowalu. Lāhainā, just south, is welcoming visitors again — and Front Street reopens on 1 August 2026 after three years of rebuilding. Maui County asks that the town be treated as a place for residents first and visitors second. Come, stay, spend locally, and tread lightly.
South Maui
South Maui — Kīhei, Wailea and Mākena — is the island’s sunniest, driest coast, made for easy beach days. Wailea is the polished resort enclave; Kīhei the relaxed, better-value side. Swim the Kamaʻole beaches, snorkel Molokini offshore, and from December to April watch for humpback whales in the Māʻalaea channel. When the kids need a change, the Maui Ocean Center at Māʻalaea is one of Hawaii’s best aquariums.
Haleakalā & Upcountry
Inland and up, Maui changes completely. Upcountry climbs the slopes of Haleakalā through cool, green farm country with long coastal views. At the summit, sunrise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is a definitive Maui experience — book ahead. Below, this is Maui’s agritourism heartland: tastings at the Ocean Vodka farm, strawberry picking at Kula Country Farms, botanical gardens, and the paniolo art town of Makawao.
The Road to Hāna
The Road to Hāna is East Maui’s great drive and a Maui rite of passage — 600-plus curves and some 50 one-lane bridges through rainforest past waterfalls to the remote town of Hāna. Start with breakfast and Baldwin Beach in bohemian Paia, then chase the Garden of Eden Arboretum, Twin Falls, Waiʻānapanapa’s black sand, Hāmoa Beach and Hāna’s living Hawaiian culture. Best taken slow — and easy as a guided tour.
For the adventurous, guided waterfall rappelling takes you over the edge and down through the rainforest canopy near Hāna — one of Maui’s great half-days, and no experience required.
Central Maui
Central Maui — Wailuku and Kahului — is the island’s practical heart and the way in and out. It rewards exploring: the sheer green walls of ʻĪao Valley and its famous Needle, hands-on Hawaiian culture like lauhala weaving, locally made goods in Wailuku, coastal restoration at Waiheʻe, and the family-friendly Maui Tropical Plantation. Watch the windsurfers at Kanaha and graze the local food trucks.
Things to Do
Snorkel Molokini, watch for whales, drive the Road to Hāna and greet the sunrise on Haleakalā — Maui packs a remarkable amount between its two coasts.
On the Water
Water is Maui’s main event. Molokini, the crescent submerged crater off the south coast, is one of Hawaii’s best snorkelling sites, reached by boat from Māʻalaea or Kīhei. From about December to April, Maui becomes the whale-watching capital of Hawaii as thousands of humpbacks gather offshore. Add calm resort-beach swimming, surfing, stand-up paddle and sunset sails up and down both coasts.
On the Land
On land, the two signature Maui days are the Haleakalā sunrise above the clouds and the Road to Hāna through the rainforest — both easily arranged as guided tours. Beyond those, Upcountry rewards a slow day of farms, gardens and the art town of Makawao, and Maui has zip-lines, celebrated golf at Kapalua and Wailea, and hiking from the coast to the crater.
Culture, and the Kids
Maui carries deep Hawaiian history and culture, and visiting respectfully is part of a good trip. A Maui lūʻau — food, music and hula — is a classic evening out. For families, Maui is one of Hawaii’s easiest islands: the calm resort beaches of Kāʻanapali, Kapalua and Wailea, the Maui Ocean Center aquarium, winter whale watching and gentle snorkelling keep everyone happy.
Foodie Hot Spots
Farm-to-table Upcountry produce, Paia's café scene, fresh island seafood and a proper lūʻau — Maui eats very well.
Paia & the North Shore
The little North Shore surf town of Paia, at the start of the Hāna road, is a walkable hub of cafés, farm stands and casual seafood — grab an açaí bowl, browse the produce, and watch the windsurfers at nearby Hoʻokipa. It is the most bohemian corner of Maui, and a favourite first or last stop.
Upcountry's Farm Tables
Much of Maui’s best food starts in the soil Upcountry. Kula’s farms feed a strong farm-to-table scene, and you can eat and drink where it is grown — a tasting and sunset at the Ocean Vodka farm, lunch among the strawberry fields at Kula Country Farms, or Maui-grown coffee and produce along the cool mountain slopes.
A Maui Secret
The island rewards travellers who slow down and go looking.
Sunset at Pu'u Keka'a
Every evening at sunset, the lava headland at the northern end of Kāʻanapali Beach becomes the setting for one of Maui’s oldest ceremonies. A conch shell sounds, a diver in traditional dress lights the torches along the cliff, and at the last moment throws his torch into the sea and follows it down — honouring Kahekili, the last ruling chief of Maui, who is said to have made the leap himself.
It’s free, it happens nightly, and if you’re staying on the Kāʻanapali strip it’s a short walk along the sand. Snorkel the same rock by day — Puʻu Kekaʻa, Black Rock, is one of West Maui’s easiest and best snorkelling spots, straight off the beach.
Pick Your Coast, Then Your Resort
On Maui, the first choice is your coast. West Maui — Kāʻanapali, Kapalua and Nāpili — is the classic resort strip with long swimmable beaches. South Maui — Wailea and Kīhei — is the sunniest coast, from polished resorts to easy condos. Both put you near the water, Molokini and the whale channels, and within a day of Haleakalā and Hāna. Tell Island Escapes how you like to travel and we’ll match you to the right coast, resort and room.