A trip to Maui, Hawaii is famous for two things: the Haleakala sunrise and the beaches. The soft, warm sand and 72° (23°C) water temperature combined with gentle ocean waves is what makes Maui’s beaches the best.
There are so many things to do in Maui, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, so you don’t miss a thing, and you can even book your activities in advance! Get yourself a guidebook with a map to help you plan the things you want to do. If you are going to rent a car, they will give you a driving guide with a map. Have it on hand!
kaanapali
If you want great beaches on this side of the island, called West Maui, you have to be in Ka’anapali, Honokawai, or Napili. My favorite stretch of beaches in West Maui is Napili.
Ka’anapali has the Westin, Marriott, and Sheraton mega resorts and condos, as well as smaller resorts, a few hotels, and you can find great budget condos in this area. A little further up the road is Kahana, which also has some great beachfront resorts like the Sands of Kahana Resort, though for the most part it’s not as exclusive as Ka’anapali.
Ka’anapali’s beaches are best during the summer months; during the winter months, part of the beach erodes. But it is still a very popular beach area, with the large boardwalk connecting the mega resorts and winding its way along the beach. There are some really good snorkeling spots here, and if you’re not staying in the area there are a couple of beach parks you can access and there are beach access areas that hotels have to reserve with some parking spaces. Keep an eye out for beach access signs to find them. They often feel like part of the hotel.
Napili Beach in West Maui is a beautiful year-round beach area. You can frequently see turtles there and there are some nice trees along the back of the beach for shade. This is a very popular area and it can be difficult to find a parking space here, but it’s worth looking for one. There is a small grocery store where you can grab a cold drink or snack and a restaurant at the west end of the beach.
Kihei
Beaches in the Kihei area are blessed with wide stretches of sand that slope gently into the ocean, creating gentle wave action that’s perfect for just lazing around. If you are new to boogie boarding or if you are traveling with children, these beaches are perfect. Just south of Kihei there are 3 beaches called Kama’ole Beach I, II and III. Three half-moon beaches that follow each other along the coast. At the north end of Kam I is Charley Young Park. This is where you can find a webcam to greet people at home. Condo rentals dot the area generously in all price ranges and good amenities can be found with plenty to choose from in the form of restaurants and groceries, shopping venues and activities including surfboard lessons and rentals and a horse rider. flow.
South of Kihei is the beautiful resort area of Wailea. These luxury resorts spend a lot of money on maintaining the grounds. Kihei is the dry side of the island, however Wailea’s resorts are lush and green with lots of tropical foliage. Grand Wailea, Four Seasons Maui, and Fairmount Kea Lani can be found in this area and front beautiful beaches.
In this area is Ulua beach where many dive instructors take students to get certified in open water diving due to the reef that juts out into the water here which makes the dive interesting when you can dive with turtles . Shade can be found here and in the afternoon the waves sometimes get good for boogie boarding fun. You can find the parking lot hidden between the resorts and although there are no lifeguards there, restrooms, showers and a grassy area are available and the parking lot is shaded. Truly a great beach.
If you’re looking for a nude beach in the islands, head a little further south to Little Beach Maui. It’s the only nude beach I know of in Hawaii. It is isolated and not easy to bump into, but it is well known. I’ve heard that the authorities occasionally harass people here, but I’ve never seen it happen, and this is one of my favorite beaches in the entire Hawaiian island chain. To get there you have to go through Playa Grande.
Lahaina
Lahaina was a whaling town in the 19th century and is located on the same street as the Ka’anapali resorts. If you like shopping, don’t miss it! Lahaina’s main street is several blocks long and runs along the boardwalk and you’ll find store after store after store! It’s a great place to find gifts for people back home.
At the end of the city, near the port, there is a huge banyan tree that covers an entire city block. Yes, just a tree! It’s shady and cool, with benches to rest on and arts and crafts fairs are often held here. They set up a stage and have live music too. One of the best things to do in Maui!
At Lahaina Harbor you’ll find outlets for all things to do on Maui related to the water, including parasailing, dolphin cruising, snorkeling cruises, whale watching and fishing. This is also the departure point for the Lana’i/Moloka’i ferry and where cruise ships disembark.
The rest of Lahaina’s main street is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. You can find Cheeseburger in Paradise, Bubba Gumps, Maui Divers, art galleries, Na Hoku, timeshare street vendors, and many independent shops along this 1 1/2 mile stretch of town.
Lahaina is always crowded, but that’s part of its charm. There are a couple of hotels here, but no real resorts. The beaches along Lahaina’s main street aren’t that great either, but you don’t go to Lahaina for the beaches, you go for one of the best things to do in Maui: shopping!
Lahaina is also a Halloween destination, but that’s another story!
Hana
The road to Hana. People who have made the trip either love it or hate it. There’s even a t-shirt that says “I Survived The Road To Hana” and people who have done it know exactly what that means! It is not only a beautiful trip, it is an adventure. If it has been raining recently, you will see some amazing waterfalls, but only if it has been raining in the mountains.
Start early! The trail can get ugly and crowded later in the day, which I think is why so many people don’t enjoy it. There are 52 one-lane bridges on this winding, winding highway and it can be quite a hassle having to stop on each and every one to wait for traffic.
Stop often on the way. Take some of the walks, stop and walk along the beach, take advantage of the photographs. Visit the fruit stalls at the beginning of the trail and you’ll have something to eat along the way. It’s a long drive to Hana and there’s no other town before you get there, so pack drinks and snacks.
After reaching Hana, you have two options. You can turn around and go back the way you came, or you can continue around the island. There is a point, not far from Hana, where a car rental agreement becomes null and void. If you get stuck it will cost you a lot to get back. But the road goes all the way around. It is narrow and not always paved. I highly recommend you turn around if it’s been a great day to see waterfalls, because this trail can get ugly when it rains a lot.