If you are planning your Maui itinerary, there is an overwhelming amount of information to process…both on the internet and in guidebooks. We want to simplify that for you.
In this guide, we share with you Maui’s top experiences, how to organize them day-by-day, and then how to put this all together to create your perfect Maui itinerary, whether you have 3 days, 5 days, or more.
How to Use this Guide
First, we give a brief overview of Maui and then we list the top experiences to have on the island.
After this brief summary, we list multiple daily itineraries. From these, you can pick your favorites and string them together into a multi-day itinerary.
Whether you just have a few days, or an entire week, we have some great options to share with you.
Overview of Maui
Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Maui County is made of up four islands: Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe. This Maui itinerary focuses solely on the main island of Maui.
The island of Maui was formed by two volcanoes. The older and smaller western volcano forms the northwest section of Maui (the West Maui Mountains). Younger and larger Haleakala is the volcano that forms the southeast part of Maui.
Many of the resort towns are located on the west coast of Maui. Most of the top places to stay in Maui are located along this coastline, in Ka’anapali, Lahaina, and Wailea.
The eastern side of Maui, which is also the location of the famous Road to Hana, is lush, green, and gets a large amount of rainfall.
Upcountry Maui is the area on the Haleakala side of Maui that is not located near the shoreline. Upcountry Maui is the hilly slopes of Haleakala, running from Paia in the north to the south coast.
Map of Maui
Best Things to Do in Maui
Here is a list of the top things to do in Maui. For more information, and many more photos, check out our article about the best things to do in Maui.
Go to the Beach. A visit to Maui would not be complete without a visit to at least one beach. With 120 miles of coastline, the list of the best beaches in Maui is long. Top beaches include Kapalua Bay Beach, Ho’okipa Beach, Big Beach, Ka’anapali Beach, Wailea Beach, and the black sand beach at Waia’anapanapa State Park.
Attend a Lu’au. Dine on traditional Hawaiian foods, enjoy the live music, and go on a cultural and historical journey through Hawaii. Watching the hula dancers dance to the beat of the Hawaiian drums is an unforgettable experience.
Visit Haleakala National Park. Watch the sunrise above the clouds, hike into the crater, and hike the Pipiwai Trail. For a full list of things to do, read our Guide to Haleakala National Park.
Go Snorkeling. One of the best things to do on Maui is to go snorkeling. Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, Honolua Bay, and Kapalua Bay are some of the top spots for snorkeling in Maui.
Go Surfing. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced surfer, there are lots of great spots in Maui to ride the waves. If you are new to surfing, consider taking a lesson while you are here.
The Road to Hana. This scenic drive is one of the most popular experiences to have in Maui. On this drive, you will see waterfalls, quaint coastal towns, Waia’anapanapa State Park, and a section of Haleakala National Park (the Pipiwai Trail and ‘Ohe’o Gulch). For the best experience, consider doing this drive in two days with an overnight stay in Hana.
Visit Lahaina. Lahaina, with its collection of shops and restaurants, is a great place to spend an afternoon on Maui. If you like shopping, you have many boutique shops, art galleries, jewelry stores, and clothing stores to visit, not to mention the typical touristy souvenir shops.
Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail. In less than two miles, you will walk past tidepools, several beautiful beaches (including Kapalua Bay Beach, mentioned earlier), past posh resorts, and are treated to some of the most stunning coastal views in Maui.
Visit Iao Valley State Park. Located in central Maui, this state park is home to the Iao Needle (Kuka’emoku). In Hawaiian culture, it is the phallic stone of Kanaloa, the god of the ocean. The cliffs of this state park were used as a burial site for Hawaiian royalty.
Go Whale Watching. From November to May, you can take a whale watching tour to see humpback whales.
Visit the Maui Ocean Center. This center provides educational programs and exhibits to teach visitors about the local sea life. In this small aquarium, you can learn about Hawaiian coral, sea turtles, reef fish, and hammerhead sharks.
Go Zip Lining. If you want to soar over the lush forests and green valleys of Maui, you have several zip lining companies to choose from. Tours typically last 2 to 4 hours and each company offers something unique, whether it is a super long zip line, the ability to race another person, outstanding views, or a hike through a rainforest.
Visit Upcountry Maui. Visit the towns of Makawao, Pukalani, Kula and Ulupalakua. Go wine tasting at MauiWine, visit the Ali’i Kula Lavender Fields., and have a farm-to-table breakfast or lunch experience at O’o Farm.
Helicopter Ride over Maui. If you want to see Maui from the sky, there are several companies that offer helicopter tours. However, if you also have plans to visit Kauai, skip the Maui helicopter tour and take a doors-on or doors-off Kauai helicopter tour…it’s one of Hawaii’s most thrilling experiences.
How Many Days Do You Need in Maui?
If you want to do everything on this list, you will need 4 to 5 days in Maui.
The Road to Hana will take a full day of your time. Haleakala National Park can also take a full day of your time, depending on what you plan to do here.
Snorkeling, surfing lessons, zip lining, and the Kapalua Coastal Trail each take about half of a day, once you factor in travel times on the island.
Plus, don’t forget to add in some time just to relax at the beach. If you plan to stay at a resort, you will want some extra time, in order to get your money’s worth of what the resort has to offer.
Daily Maui Itineraries
Day #1 Haleakala National Park
Morning and Midday: Haleakala National Park
One of the best things to do in Maui is to watch the sun rise above the clouds from Haleakala.
To do this, be prepared to wake up extremely early. From most locations on Maui, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to the summit of Haleakala. If sunrise is at 6 am, plan on leaving your hotel before 4 am. I know you are on vacation, but having done this twice, it is worth setting your alarm clock to see this sunrise.
You also need to make your reservation in advance. This is such a popular experience that the National Park Service now requires an advance reservation to avoid overcrowding at the summit.
Haleakala sunrise | Maui Itinerary
After watching the sunrise, we have a great hike to recommend. The Sliding Sands Trail starts on the rim of Haleakala and descends into the crater. This is a very unique experience and it looks like you are hiking on Mars. This can be done as a short out-and-back hike (turning around when you are ready) or you can turn it into a big loop, adding on the Halemau’u Trail.
Sliding Sands Trail | Maui Itinerary
Sliding Sands and Haleamau’u Trail Loop | Maui Itinerary
Another great hike is the short Pa Ka’oao Trail that offers great views of the Haleakala Crater.
View from the Pa Ka’oao Trail | Maui Itinerary
Learn more about what to do in our Guide to Haleakala National Park.
Afternoon: Upcountry Maui or chill time
On the drive from Haleakala summit, you will pass through Upcountry Maui. You have the option to visit the small town of Makawao, have lunch at O’o Farm (depending on how much time you spend on Haleakala), or visit the Ali’i Kula lavender fields.
Or, return to your resort for some chill time (and a nap 😊).
Day #2: Snorkeling & Maui Ocean Center
Snorkeling in Maui
There are several different ways to go snorkeling in Maui. On your own, you can visit a beach and snorkel from here. Or, you can join a tour that takes you to Molokini Crater and/or Turtle Town.
Many tours to Molokini Crater are in the morning. They take 4 to 6 hours, depending on the tour. We highly recommend taking a tour, like this one, that includes both Molokini Crater and Turtle Town (for us, Turtle Town was the highlight).
If you don’t like the idea of joining a tour, you can rent or bring your own snorkel gear, and go snorkeling at Honolua Bay or Kapalua Bay.
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater | Maui Itinerary
Maui Ocean Center
Most snorkeling tours leave from Maalaea. This is also the location of Maui Ocean Center, making this the perfect time to add this to your itinerary.
This center provides educational programs and exhibits to teach visitors about the local sea life. In this small aquarium, you can learn about Hawaiian coral, sea turtles, reef fish, and hammerhead sharks.
Get pricing and hours on the official website.
Planning Your Day: You can take a morning or afternoon snorkel tour. Depending on your tour time, add on the Maui Ocean Center before or after your tour. Some snorkel tours also include a meal, but if yours does not, there are several restaurants in Maalaea.
Day #3: Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kīpahulu. Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) and 59 bridges, 46 of which are one lane.
On the drive, you can visit the beautiful black sand beach at Waia’anapanapa State Park, visit ‘Ohe’o Gulch, hike the Pipiwai Trail, visit arboretums and small towns, and see many waterfalls along the drive.
This drive takes one full day (12 to 14 hours). It can be done either as a loop or out-and-back. We recommend getting an early start (7 am) for the best experience. If you don’t want to drive it on your own, consider joining a small group tour that includes your transportation…then you can sit back and enjoy the drive.
We have a detailed guide to the Road to Hana that discusses things to do along the drive, how to do it as a loop or out-and-back, with lots of important information to help you plan your visit.
Waia’napanapa State Park | Maui Itinerary
Banyan Tree in the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana
‘Ohe’o Gulch | Maui Itinerary
2 DAY ROAD TO HANA OPTION: If you don’t want to rush the experience, plan an overnight stay in Hana. This allows you to break up the drive into two days and the extra time makes it easier to visit both Waia’anapanapa State Park and the Kipahula section when they are less crowded.
Day #4: North Maui
On this day, you get to visit several highlights and several underrated gems in Maui.
Morning: Kapalua Coastal Trail
The Kapalua Coastal Trail is 1.76 miles point-to-point. It starts at Kapalua Beach and heads north, ending at D.T. Flemings Beach. The trail alternates between sidewalks, rocky, sandy trails, and boardwalks. You can get by with a pair of flip flops but it might be easier to walk some of the more rugged sections with hiking sandals or sneakers.
Along the walk, you will see Kapalua Beach, the Kapalua tidepools, Oneloa Bay, and the Ritz-Carlton.
If you do the full walk, you will walk just under 4 miles out-and-back.
Kapalua Coastal Trail | Maui Itinerary
Kapalua Beach Maui | Maui Itinerary
If you are short on time, or if you don’t want to walk 4 miles round trip, I recommend walking from Kapalua Bay Beach to Oneloa Bay. A long boardwalk heads alongside Oneloa Beach. Once you get to the far end of the boardwalk, turn around and retrace your steps back to Kapalua Beach (this makes the walk roughly 2 miles round-trip). Beyond the boardwalk at Oneloa Bay, the trail is sidewalk that runs along Lower Honoapiilani Road and through the Ritz Carlton, so the views are not nearly as good as the first mile of sights.
Where to Park: The best place to park is the free public parking lot just south of Kapalua Beach (GPS coordinates: 20.997744, -156.666019) but spaces here are extremely limited. When we couldn’t get a space here, we parked across the street at in the parking lot for the Kapalua golf course and tennis courts for $10 (GPS coordinates: 20°59’53.1″N 156°39’53.6″W). You can also park at Kapalua Parking, which is located near Oneloa Bay. This is about the midpoint of the Kapalua Coastal Trail. And finally, you can also park at the free public parking for the Dragon’s Teeth.
Adding on the Dragon’s Teet
Located on Makalua-puna Point, you can see pointed spires that line up in a way that they resemble a line of dragon’s teeth (with a little bit of imagination). You can also see the Kapalua Labyrinth, a giant, circular maze.
Dragon’s Teeth
The Kapalua Coastal Trail passes by Makalua-puna Point. Once you are at the free public parking lot at the intersection of Lower Honoapiilani Road and Office Road, follow the signs for Dragon’s Teeth. You will walk on a path next to a golf course to get out to the point. A visit here lasts 20 to 30 minutes.Note: If you plan to only walk a portion of the Kapalua Coastal Trail out-and-back from the starting point near Kapalua Beach, you will have to drive and park at the free public parking lot next to Makalua-puna Point.
Afternoon: Scenic Drive on North Maui
From Kapalua, drive Highway 30 north (Honoapiilani Highway). This road twists and turns along the northern coastline, similar to the Road to Hana. The scenery is different…it’s not quite as lush here but you still get amazing coastal views. The road is wider and there is less traffic, so in some ways, it can be a more enjoyable experience than the Road to Hana.
On the drive, you can visit Slaughterhouse Beach or go snorkeling in Honolua Bay. There is a dirt road north of Honolua Bay that has great viewpoints looking south over Honolua Bay and the coast of Maui.
Honolua Bay | Maui Itinerary
Another great viewpoint on this drive is overlooking Punalau Beach (GPS coordinates: 21°01’19.5″N 156°37’38.0″W).
Punalau Beach | Maui Itinerary
As you continue along the coast, the road name changes to Highway 340 (Kahekili Highway).
Not to be missed is Nakalele Blowhole. Located on Nakalele Point, this hole in the ground frequently “erupts” as waves pound the shore and sends the water streaming up and out of the hole.
To get here, park along Highway 340. There are several parking lots and the blowhole is free to visit. From the parking lot, it is a short but very steep downhill walk to get to the blowhole. You can either see it from the top of the cliffs or make the trip down the sandy, slippery path to the coast.
Nakalele Blowhole | Maui Itinerary
WARNING: Keep your distance from the blowhole. If you get too close, you risk being pulled into the blowhole by a wave. It has happened before. I recommend staying on the dry areas and not even walking onto the wetter areas where the waves have washed up on shore. The danger of this place is underestimated by tourists.
Beyond Nakalele Blowhole, the road continues to wind along the coastline. You can continue the drive to Kahului or turn around and end the day in Lahaina.
Maui coastline near the Nakele Blowhole
Evening: Lahaina
Spend the evening in Lahaina. Go shopping at the boutique shops, see the enormous Banyan tree, and have shave ice. For dinner, there are many restaurants to choose from. Note: Wildfires in Lahaina have devastated most of this city. Currently, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority is asking visitors to refrain from visiting Lahaina and West Maui.
Lahaina Banyan Tree | Maui Itinerary
This is also a great time to watch a lu’au. Dine on traditional Hawaiian foods, enjoy the live music, and go on a cultural and historical journey through Hawaii. Watching the hula dancers dance to the beat of the Hawaiian drums is an unforgettable experience.
The most popular lu’au on Maui is the Old Lahaina Lu’au, which is located in Lahaina.
Day #5: Upcountry Maui
Morning: O’o Farms & Lavender Fields
Start the day with a farm-to-table breakfast at O’o Farms. After breakfast, it’s a short drive to see the Ali’i Kula Lavender farm.
Midday: MauiWine
Continue the scenic drive in Upcountry Maui as you head out to MauiWine. Along this road, you will have scenic views over the west coast of Maui. Once at MauiWine, you can take a private tour or do a wine tasting.
View of Maui near MauiWine
Afternoon and Evening: Paia, Ho’okipa Beach & Dinner
In the afternoon, explore the small, charming town of Paia. If you are doing well on time, it is just a short drive to Ho’okipa Beach. This is one of Maui’s top surfing spots and a great place to see sea turtles.
Ho’okipa Beach | Maui Itinerary
For dinner, you can eat in Paia or go to Mama’s Fish House. Mama’s Fish House is the top-rated restaurant in Maui and you will need to make a reservation months in advance of your visit. We haven’t eaten here but it came highly recommended to us.
Day #6: Ziplining in Maui
If you want to soar over the lush forests and green valleys of Maui, you have several ziplining companies to choose from. Tours typically last 2 to 4 hours and each company offers something unique, whether it is a super long zip line, the ability to race another person, outstanding views, or a hike through a rainforest.
Top Ziplining Companies in Maui:
If you are craving adventure but want to do something other than zip lining, how about rappelling down a waterfall? With Rappel Maui, you can explore freshwater pools and cliffs located in a tropical rainforest, and top it off by rappelling down a waterfall. They are located at the Garden of Eden Arboretum on the Road to Hana.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Ziplining will take about half of a day. Tours are typically offered throughout the day. With the second half of the day, you can visit Iao Valley State Park, take surfing lessons, go snorkeling, attend a Lu’au in the evening, or relax on the beach.
Day #7: Surfing Lessons
Whether you are brand new to surfing or have prior experience, surfing is one of Maui’s best experiences.
If you want to take lessons, here are three highly-rated companies:
WHERE TO GO SURFING: For those new to surfing, the coastline from Lahaina south to Ukumehame Beach Park is one of the best places to go, with shallow water and smaller waves. Ho’okipa Beach is great for those with lots of experience, with its larger waves. This is also a great place to spot sea turtles.
Note: Surfing conditions change seasonally. From November through March, big swells hit the north shore of Hawaii, making this the best time to surf in Maui, at least for those with experience. From April to October, the northern swells diminish and the waves get larger in the south.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Surfing will take about half of a day. Lessons are typically offered throughout the day. With the second half of the day, you can visit Iao Valley State Park, go ziplining or snorkeling, attend a Lu’au in the evening, or relax on the beach.
Day #8: Helicopter Tour of Maui
For awesome views of Haleakala and the coastlines of Maui, put a helicopter tour on your to-do list. Tours typically last about an hour.
Maverick Helicopters have impeccable safety ratings (we used them when we took a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon) and they offer a 65-minute tour of Maui that hits all the highlights on the island. Here are a few more helicopter tours of Maui:
PLANNING YOUR TIME: A helicopter flight will only take up a few hours of the day so you will have time to add on other activities. Most flights leave from Kahului. From Kahului, it’s a short drive to the lovely Iao Valley State Park. You can also visit Paia Town, Ho’okipa Beach, have dinner at Mama’s Fish House (make your reservation in advance), or attend a Lu’au in the evening.
Day #9: Chill Time
This is just a reminder that you don’t have to fill every day with an activity. Sometimes, just hanging out at the beach or at your resort is the perfect way to spend day.
Day #10 Maui Highlights
This busy day is perfect for those who want to see the highlights of Maui and don’t have much time to spend on the island (just one or two days).
Morning: Watch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala. Hike part of the Sliding Sands Trail.
Midday: Go on a snorkeling tour or take surfing lessons.
Afternoon: Return to your hotel to shower and change clothes.
Evening: Stroll through Lahaina and attend the Old Lahaina Lu’au. Alternatively, there are other lu’au’s that are offered on Maui. The Drums of the Pacific also gets very good reviews.
The Haleakala Crater | Maui Itinerary
Maui Itinerary Recommendations
To plan your Maui itinerary, take your pick from the daily itineraries listed above. For example, if you have 5 days in Maui, pick your five favorite daily itineraries.
For recommendations on how to put all of this together, below we list sample multi-day itineraries, putting together the daily itineraries listed above.
One Day in Maui Itinerary
With one day in Maui, follow itinerary #10, the Maui highlights. Watch the sun rise above the clouds, go snorkeling or surfing, and attend a Lu’au.
Two Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #10, Maui Highlights
Day 2: Follow Day #3, the Road to Hana OR Day #4, North Maui
Three Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #1, Haleakala National Park
Day 2: Follow Day #2, Snorkeling, Day #6, Ziplining OR Day #7, Surfing. It is also possible to do two of these on the same day (for example, snorkeling in the morning and surf lessons in the afternoon).
Day 3: Follow Day #3, the Road to Hana OR Day #4, North Maui
Four Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #1, Haleakala National Park
Day 2: Follow Day #2, Snorkeling, Day #6, Ziplining OR Day #7, Surfing. It is also possible to do two of these on the same day (for example, snorkeling tour in the morning and surf lessons in the afternoon).
Day 3: Follow Day #3, the Road to Hana
Day 4: Follow Day #4, North Maui (Kapalua Coastal Trail, scenic drive, Lahaina and attend a lu’au)
Five Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #1, Haleakala National Park
Day 2: Follow Day #2, Snorkeling, Day #6, Ziplining OR Day #7, Surfing. It is also possible to do two of these on the same day (for example, snorkeling in the morning and surf lessons in the afternoon).
Day 3: Follow Day #3, the Road to Hana
Day 4: Follow Day #4, North Maui (Kapalua Coastal Trail, scenic drive, Lahaina and attend a lu’au)
Day 5: Follow Day#5, Upcountry Maui
Six Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #1, Haleakala National Park
Day 2: Follow Day #2, Snorkeling and Maui Ocean Center
Day 3: Follow Day #3, Road to Hana
Day 4: Follow Day #4, North Maui (Kapalua Coastal Trail, scenic drive, Lahaina and attend a lu’au)
Day 5: Follow Day #5, Upcountry Maui
Day 6: Follow Day Day #6, Ziplining OR Day #7, Surfing
Seven Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: Follow Day #1, Haleakala National Park
Day 2: Follow Day #2, Snorkeling and Maui Ocean Center
Day 3: Follow Day #3, Road to Hana
Day 4: Follow Day #4, North Maui (Kapalua Coastal Trail, scenic drive, Lahaina and attend a lu’au)
Day 5: Follow Day #9, Chill Time
Day 6: Follow Day Day #6, Ziplining OR Day #7, Surfing
Day 7: Follow Day #5, Upcountry Maui
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. With multiple swimming pools, beach access, a spa, onsite restaurants, shops, and bars, it can be hard to leave this place to explore Maui. All rooms are suites, so the extra space is great if you are traveling as a family.
Fairmont Kea Lani
Reservations to Make in Advance
Here is a list of reservations you will need to make in advance, if you plan to visit these places:
- Snorkeling Tour
- Surf Lessons
- Ziplining Tour
- Lu’au
- Waia’anapanapa State Park
- Haleakala Sunrise Reservation
- Mama’s Fish House
- Helicopter Tour
- Any other dinner reservations
And, of course, your accommodations, flights, and rental cars also need to be reserved in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Maui?
We recommend spending 5 or more days on Maui. This gives you enough time to explore the highlights of the island, including Haleakala National Park, Lahaina, the Road to Hana, upcountry Maui, and go swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
When is the best time to visit Maui?
The best seasons to visit Maui are the spring and fall, when the weather is pleasant and crowds are below peak levels. The summer months are the busiest and most expensive months to visit Maui and the weather can be hot and muggy. In the winter, temperatures are at their lowest, but this is the wettest time of the year to visit Maui.
Which is better, Maui or Kauai?
Both islands offer very different experiences. Maui is a great place to visit if you want to go snorkeling, surfing, and go swimming at the beach. It is also home to Haleakala National Park, which is a very interesting national park to explore, since you can hike into the crater and visit a tropical rainforest. Kauai is more lush and green. This island is a great place to go hiking, take a helicopter tour, or spend some time on a scenic beach.
If you have any questions about planning your Maui itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Hawaii
MAUI: In Maui, visit Haleakala National Park, drive the Road to Hana, go surfing and snorkeling, and visit the beaches. Get the full list in our article Best Things to Do in Maui.
OAHU: Top experiences on Oahu include a visit to Pearl Harbor and hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail.
KAUAI: Plan your visit to Kauai with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Kauai. Learn about how to take a doors off helicopter ride, how to hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, and how to hike the Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trails in Kokee State Park.
HAWAI’I VOLCANOES: In our article Best Things to Do in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, we cover the must-have experiences. And don’t miss the Kilauea Iki Trail, one of the best hikes in the park.
TRAVEL ITINERARIES: For more travel itineraries for destinations around the world, take a look at our Travel Itineraries page.
Read all of our articles about Hawaii in our Hawaii Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide.
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