The Ultimate MAUI Guide

You’re looking for the best things to do or see in Maui and are overwhelmed with all the options?
You might have just found THE best ultimate Maui Guide for first-timers and anyone who loves exploring the island’s natural beauty!
In this post, you’ll learn about the 8 most breathtaking spots in Maui, Hawaii. Stay tuned for some HIDDEN gems & tips…

What you need to know

Now, you might know Maui as being the island for lovebirds – due to its reputation for honeymoons, weddings, and engagements (yes, even I got engaged here!)

What you’ll learn is that Maui is definitely NOT just for that.
The stunning natural beauty of this Hawaiian Island has so much to offer, no matter if you’re traveling as a couple, a family with kids, by yourself, or with friends.

Maui has an uncountable amount of different hikes, beaches, waterfalls, and activities. So when trying to find something to do or explore you will definitely not run out of options. Since there are too many things to actually do in a short amount of time, this guide here summarizes THE ABSOLUTE BEST THINGS TO DO IN MAUI.

Where to Stay

Maui has four regions: West, South, Central, and East. Each of those has its pros and cons.
Generally speaking, Maui has plenty of hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs. If you love exploring and are thinking of being on the go most of the time, I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb.
We stayed at a beautiful Airbnb by the beach in Kihei (south) and really enjoyed it!

Here’s where we stayed: Airbnb in Kihei

West Maui | Lahaina

Probably the most popular area to stay in on Maui is Lahaina & Kaanapali.
It offers the most options for hotels, resorts, or Airbnbs. Due to being one of the most developed regions on Maui it also has plenty of options for shopping, water activities, and stunning beaches.
This also means that West Maui is typically very touristy and crowded.

South Maui | Kihei

Similar to the west, South Maui also offers beautiful beaches which usually are a little less crowded though. The weather in the south is the driest and warmest, meaning you’ll encounter fewer rainy days during your stay.
We stayed directly in Kihei and really enjoyed the proximity to one of our favorite vegan food spots (Sprout Vegan Cafe – keep reading for more) on Maui.

Central Maui | Kahului

Compared to the two regions above, central Maui has less to offer to visitors. Even though there are also beautiful beaches and activities there, options are limited and usually require a farther drive.

East Maui | Paia & Hana

This side of the island is probably the most isolated it gets. Not only are stays here very limited, but the weather is also the most humid and rainy here. I’d only recommend staying here if you plan on exploring the Road to Hana (read more about it here) for a few days and want to avoid the crowds and thus prefer the proximity it has to all the major attractions like Wai’ānapanapa State Park and hikes like the Pīpīwai Trail and Ohe’o Gulch.

How to Get Around

Even though Maui is pretty developed, cities and attractions are spread around the whole island and public transport is rather limited. Like any Hawaiian Island, renting a car will probably be the best choice.
We rented our car through Turo.

Not only will you be able to move around more freely, but also have the opportunity to explore all the hidden gems of the island like SPOILER the Road to Hana.

If you were just thinking about a simple beach vacation, you might have to reconsider this after reading my guide on The Best Things to Do in Maui!
If you really are only interested in beaches (who can blame you?!), you might want to check out this blog post.

Where to Eat vegan

This might be surprising but Maui has a great selection of vegan food spots all over the island – from fully vegan food trucks to vegan restaurants – there’s something for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite food spots…

Sprout Vegan Cafe:
Located in Kihei, this is a vegan dream. Offering the perfect breakfast & lunch options on the island!

Earth Aloha Eats:
A food truck in Kahului and Lahaina. Fully vegan selection & super delicious!

That’s a Wrap Cafe:
Super tasty vegan options on the menu close to the beach in Kihei.

Curious about more? Check this out:
Vegan Food Guide to Maui

What to Do in Maui

Makena Beach aka Big Beach

As an island, Maui is home to many stunning & beautiful beaches. Learn more about Maui’s Best Beaches here.

Yet, a number one recommendation has to be Makena Beach in the southwest of Maui close to Kihei and Wailea. Also known as Big Beach, it’s most known for its 1.5-mile-long stretch of golden sand & stunning tropical scenery. 

The beach is great for tanning, enjoying the views, and going for a swim. Depending on the season and weather, please be mindful of the waves, since they can be rather powerful.

Nonetheless, Makena should definitely be on your bucket list.

Drive the Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is a scenic drive along Hana Highway leading to and past the town of Hana on the east side of the island. Most people spend an entire day doing this road trip because of the many stops along the road (e. g. Maui’s only Black Sand Beach, bamboo forests, and amazing waterfalls and viewpoints).
Read my full guide about the 10 best stops here!

It is easily the best thing to do in Maui and not worth missing!

Make sure to pack properly – Click to get my Road to Hana Essentials List! (FREE)

Sunrise or Sunset on Haleakalā

The summit inside the Haleakalā National Park is Maui’s highest viewpoint at 10,000 ft.
This makes it a great location for viewing the sunrise or sunset – making it one of the best things to do on Maui.

Due to its popularity, watching the sunrise will require a reservation (click here) and getting up super early.
If you can’t make it to sunrise though, watching the sunset is equally beautiful and even allows you to see the stars after. Reservations for sunset are not required but you don’t want to arrive last minute since they close the parking lot when it’s full making you turn around again.

See Sea Turtles

If you haven’t heard, Maui is home to sea turtles. And the chances of spotting them aren’t even that slim!

You just need to know where to look for them.
Here are some of the best turtle viewing spots on Maui:

1. Kapalua Bay 
   • We came here in the afternoon & saw 2 sea turtles swimming right by the beach in the shallow waters!

2. Black Rock Beach
3. Maluaka Beach aka Turtle Town
4. Ho’okipa Beach Park

If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot them on other parts of the island…
We even saw a sea turtle while swimming at Kamaole Beach II!

Stay mindful that turtles and any marine life are wild animals just trying to live in their habitat.
Please don’t touch, feed, or scare them. Watch from a safe distance and be respectful.

Wai’ānapanapa State Park

As this natural wonder is along Hana Hwy, you’ll also find it in the Best Stops on the Road to Hana. Since there are plenty of things to see and explore here, I wanted to make this its own point on the best things to do in Maui.

Wai’ānapanapa State Park has the following things to explore:

• The famous Black Sand Beach aka Honokalani Beach
• Hiking Trails with stunning views of the black cliffs and luscious greenery
• Easily accessible freshwater cave by the beach

The park has camping grounds, restrooms, showers, and benches to sit at.
To enter this park you will need a reservation beforehand! Make it here.

We went here in combination with the Road to Hana road trip and made it our very first stop. Thus, we reserved the earliest time slot from 7 – 10 a.m.

Pīpīwai Trail & Waimoku Falls

Another stop along the Road to Hana but totally worth mentioning separately.

This hiking trail leads through a luscious bamboo forest and ends at one of the most stunning waterfalls of Maui – Waimoku Falls. You’ll also get to see a huge banyan tree on the way there.

This has to be one of the best hikes on Maui!

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

This honestly screams Hawaii to me. Hiking through these lush rainforest trails and getting to see the amazing Iao Needle that stands over 1,200 feet tall will be an unforgettable experience.

Unfortunately, the State Park was closed during the time we went to Maui – so make sure to check if it’s reopened again by the time you go. You can check right here.

Yoga Above the Clouds with Goats

Now, this last thing on the list might not be for everyone…
But if you love discovering new & unique experiences, this might be the one for you!

Maui Goat Yoga is a beginner-friendly yoga class that takes place at an elevation of slightly under 3,000 ft with stunning views of the Maui coastline. The highlight of the yoga class is the mini goats that join in and keep you company. They’re so much fun and it will be an unforgettable experience!

Price: $56.75 per person + $5 to rent a yoga mat (if you don’t have one – cash only)

We found this awesome activity through Airbnb and booked the sunset with live music session!
I totally recommend it!

You made it! This was The Ultimate Maui Guide with things to do that you definitely don’t want to miss the next time you visit Hawaii.
No matter if you like your trips more laid back or adventurous, this bucket list should have something for everyone.

And don’t forget to download and print your FREE packing list for road trips!

Leave your suggestions and must-dos in the comments. 🙂

Wondering what’s next in Maui? Check out these:
Vegan Food Guide to Maui || A Road to Hana Guide || Maui’s Best Beaches

Love it? Pin it!