ALHOA! My Ultimate Maui Hawaii Travel Guide is finally live! This post is long overdue, but it’s worth it, I promise! In today’s post, I am sharing EVERYTHING I know about Maui and giving you ALL the good tips! We are discussing what to pack, where to stay, where to eat, and what to do IN DETAIL! Maui is such a wonderful and unique place!! I want you to have the best trip ever, and I want to share all my tips! Hopefully, you find the post helpful while planning your next trip to Maui! Mahalo for reading my ULTIMATE MAUI HAWAII TRAVEL GUIDE!
Maui, Hawaii, is one of my very favorite places to visit in the entire world! I’ve been traveling to Maui ever since I was a little girl! My family used to have a timeshare where we would go every other year! I’m so lucky I married into a family that loves Hawaii just as much as mine and has a timeshare! Over the years, I have found what I love about Maui and have wanted to do a post like this for a few years. This post has been a long time coming, but better late than never, I always say! Let’s get to it! Here is my ULTIMATE MAUI HAWAII TRAVEL GUIDE!
ULTIMATE MAUI HAWAII TRAVEL GUIDE: by Alex Daynes
What To Pack
Swimsuits
Cover Ups
Sun Glasses
Flip Flops or Sandals
Tevas or Hiking Shoes
Dress or Nice Shirt
Light Jacket
Hat
Sunscreen
Water Bottle
Camera or Go Pro
Exercise Clothes
A neck pillow for the red eye home!
What To Eat
There are so many amazing places to eat in Maui! I recommend always asking your server what the most popular items on the menu are and ordering the fish! Most fish in Hawaii are mild white fish such as mahimahi, Au, butterfish, and swordfish! I always say the best place to try fish is when you can see the water it comes from. In Maui, the fish is SO FRESH and SO DELICIOUS!
I will say it’s expensive to eat in Hawaii, so plan for that! We do not eat out every meal and usually do breakfast and some lunches in our condo. I’ve listed all the places I’ve eaten in my lifetime of traveling to Maui, but I plan for the price tag on most places. Honestly, every place I’ve listed below is 100% worth it!! I’ve selected my very favorites for this ULTIMATE MAUI HAWAII TRAVEL GUIDE.
Aloha Mixed Plate: This place is yummy! The price point is suitable for a large group. I had the Aloha Mixed Plate, and it hit the spot. It has raving reviews and a great location on the water.
Cheeseburger In Paradise: Did you go to Hawaii if you didn’t eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise? It’s a well-known burger place! We like the Lahaina location the best! Right on the water! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
Cool Cats Cafe: It has a fun atmosphere with good food! It’s a great place for kids and families to eat. We love the wide variety on the menu, and it’s fun to walk around Lahaina after dinner! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
Coconut’s Fish Cafe: The fish tacos here are incredible! It’s one of my very favorite places for tacos!
Choice Health Bar: Bomb healthy shakes and Acai Bowls! Located at Whaler’s Village!
Da Kitchen Cafe: Another local favorite! We tried to stop here on our way to the airport but didn’t have time to wait. It looked delicious, and it smelled delicious, too!
Down the Hatch: Such a fun menu! We went for breakfast and loved the cakes, flakes, and French toast tower. The dinner menu looked fun, too! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
Dukes: If you want a classic Hawaiian meal with delicious fresh fish, this is the place for you! You must order the fish Dukes Way and finish up with the Hula Pie!
The Gazebo: The Gazebo Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and is a very popular stop! Plan to wait in line anytime for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour! The line moves quickly, and the service is quick. The macadamia nut banana pancakes are the bomb! It’s worth the wait, I’d say!
Hula Grill: The Hula Grill is great for lunch or dinner! They have two restaurants, a beach grill, and a sit-down. We’ve been to both, and they are both great! We love it because it’s within walking distance from our resort.
Island Cream Company: The best ice cream in Maui, if not in the world, but really! It’s so good! It’s a cross between gelato and ice cream; everything is homemade. I love the caramel and the turtle ice cream!
Kealani’s Juice Co: Delicious Acai bowls served right on the water! A small truck located at the Marriot Hotel in Kaanapali.
Kimo’s: Kimo’s is located in downtown Lahaina, one of our favorite dinner restaurants. They have a great selection of seafood (I had mahimahi prepare “kimo style and loved it), but are also known for their prime rib. *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
Leilani’s On The Beach: Another staple of Hawaii! Fish tacos are very popular here. Make sure to order the Hula Pie! Located at Whaler’s Village.
Mama’s Fish House: Mama’s Fish House is a well-known and delicious restaurant in Maui. The restaurant is on the water, with spectacular views and even better seafood. However, it is pricey $$$$. *make your reservations 8 weeks in advance by booking on OpenTable or calling the restaurant directly. They book up fast!
Merriman’s: One of our new favorite restaurants on the island! They have the most gorgeous location in Kapalua. The food is farm-to-table, and it’s incredible! It’s well worth the price tag of the dishes.
MonkeyPod: MonkeyPod is another favorite! Plus, they have lots of locations on the island!
Ohana Taco’s: Ohana Taco’s is located in the food court at Whaler’s Village, but we love it! On this last trip, I had fish tacos 3 times for lunch. *2022 update: it’s no longer in the food court. Possibly elsewhere on the island.
Paia Fish Market Lahaina: This was one of our very favorite meals! The portions are HUGE, and the food is fantastic! Fresh fish, burgers, pasta, salads, and more! Everyone in our group of 12 loved their meal here! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire* *Still has locations in Paia and Keihi*
Papi Ohana: Best cinnamon rolls on Maui! Plan for a line, and get there early. The rolls are giant and so fun! They also serve Pizza in the evenings by order only.
Pi Artisan Pizza: This pizza place has become one of our regular stops! Easy, delicious artisan pizza with a great view of the water & sunsets from their outdoor patio. *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
The Plantation House: This has some of the best breakfasts on the island! Order the cinnamon pineapple appetizer dip! SO GOOD! Lunch and dinner are also served here. The mac-crusted Mahi was my favorite meal!
Roundtable Pizza: Easy pizza to pick up for take-out! We all loved the Hawaiian flavor.
Roy’s Ka’anapali: Roy’s is a well-known restaurant chain in the Hawaiian islands. Their food is fine, but be sure to order the Chocolate Soufflé before your meal so they have time to cook it fresh!
Star Noodle: This is a very popular stop for foodies! It is Thai/Asian fusion food. I’ll be honest: when I went 5 years ago, I didn’t love it, but I’ve heard many raving reviews.
Ululani’s Shaved Ice: The best-shaved ice in Maui! There are lots of flavors and delicious soft shaved ice. I recommend the POG with a snowcap!
What to Do
Black Rock Beach: This beach is great for cliff jumping, snorkeling, or laying out in the sand!
Downtown Lahaina: Downtown Lahaina has tons of restaurants and little shops! It’s a fun place to spend the evening. Be sure to stop and look at the giant tree and the ABC store for the Toffee Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts & Acài High Chews! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
DT Flemings Beach: This is our favorite beach to go boogie boarding! Great waves, gorgeous blue water, and easy to walk in and out of!
Golfing: There are so many fantastic golf courses on the island. Suppose you are a golfer. Research and book a tee time at one of the incredible courses.
Haleakala: The large volcano of Maui! On a clear day, the views from the top can be amazing! My father-in-law biked up Haleakala, but the more enjoyable thing to do is bike down or see it in a car.
Honakua Bay: If it isn’t windy, this is a great place to stop and snorkel! The parking lot is small, and there is a bit of walking through the forest to get to the ocean, but the snorkeling is worth it!
Ho’Okipa Beach: Watch the giant sea turtles & windsurfers!
ʻĪao Valley State Monument: A paved 0.6-mile walk provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (a.k.a. the ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature that abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. Great for families with little kids.
Ironwoods Beach: We loved this beach! Nestled into a neighborhood, it’s quiet and beautiful! We took family photos here on our last trip.
Kapalua Bay: a crescent-shaped beach on Maui’s northwest coast. It’s known for its white sand, calm waters, and marine life to snorkel with. It is an excellent, calm beach for little ones, too.
Luau: Going to a Luau is a great way to experience the culture of Hawaii. They put on a delicious feast with great food, and they also do a show! Hawaiian dancing, Haka, and fire dancers make for a great night! The best one is the Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt.
Makenna Beach (Big Beach): On the Walea side, Big Beach is a fun beach for massive waves to boogie board!
Mala Wharf: The best snorkeling ever! We saw so many sea turtles! Around a dozen are swimming around. The swim out isn’t too far either. It’s located in Lahaina. You will find the turtles straight out from the ramp!
Molokini: This is a small crater just off the island of Maui. Many tours will take you out here for snorkeling.
Nakalele Blowhole: One of the most incredible sites to see, in my opinion. The blowhole makes for great pictures and a fun little hike that all ages can do!
Paddle Board at Ka’anapali: Almost every year, we rent paddle boards for the beach! We’ve lucked out that each time we’ve rented and paddled here, we’ve seen many sea turtles! This year, we saw whales from our boards, which was incredible.
Paia: Little town with several cute shops! Mama’s Fish House is in Paia!
Road to Hana: This is an all-day trip with incredible stops and views! You won’t be able to see it all, so be sure to plan out your visit ahead of time. A few can’t-miss things to see? The Red Sand Beach, the Black Sand Beach (Wai’anapanapa State Park, mile marker #32), and the Seven Sacred Pools (last stop.)
Spike Ball: We always pack spike balls because playing out on the sand is so fun! It’s easy to bring on the plan,e and it’s a fun game for people of all ages.
Snorkeling: Be sure to go out and snorkel! There are so many incredible fish to see and you may luck out and swim with some sea turtles! You can rent gear when you get there or pack your own.
Scuba Diving: This year, we went diving, which was breathtaking. It was such an incredible experience! I am not scuba certified, but you can go scuba diving up to 40 feet under without certification.
Sunset Dinner Cruise: We went on The Pride of Maui sunset dinner cruise this trip and had a blast! We saw whales, watched the sunset, ate delicious food, and they put on a fun show!
Warren & Annabelle’s Magic Show: If you are looking for some night entertainment, Warren & Annabelle’s was a blast! You must be 21 or older to attend, but it’s a good, clean, fun comedy and magic show! Be sure to book before you get to the island because it sells out weeks in advance every night! *Hoping it rebuilds after the Lahaina Fire*
Whale-Watching Tours: A whale-watching tour is a must if you’re in Hawaii eight months out of the year. From December to April every year, around 10,000 humpback whales migrate to the warmer waters of Hawaii. To see the whales up close, we did a 2-hour catamaran sail with Trilogy Sailing that departed from Ka’anapali.
Whaler’s Village: Outdoor shopping center with lots of cute little shops. There are lots of eating options here, too!
Where To Stay
There are thousands of different resorts, hotels, VRBOs, and rental properties in Maui. When I used to go as a kid, we had a timeshare, and we would always stay at the same resort, the Hololani, which I believe is still there, but I haven’t stayed there in years. Now, I travel with my in-laws, who are timeshare owners at the Hyatt, and it’s a fantastic place to stay. I’d love for you to share in the comments below where you’ve stayed on Maui and your thoughts if you’ve been!
The Hololani: this is a smaller, condo-like resort that is great for families. It’s located on the Lahaina side and has easy access.
Hyatt Residence Club: When I travel with my in-laws, we always stay at the Hyatt on Kaanapali, and I LOVE it! It’s a great location on the Lahaina side of the island, about 40 minutes from the airport. It has great pools, open lawn area, a gym, and it’s right on the beach with great snorkeling. Any hotel in Kaanapali along that beach (Marriot, Hyatt Hotel, Sheraton) is great because it’s conveniently located to lots of dining, downtown Lahaina, and shopping at Whalers Village.
Grand Wailea: I’ve never stayed here, but my husband has, and he said it was incredible. This hotel is charming, and it is located on the Wailea side of the island.
That’s it! That’s my Ultimate Maui Hawaii Travel Guide! Did you find this helpful? Is there anything I missed that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments below! Maui is such a beautiful and unique place!
Happy Travels!
XOXO,
Alex Daynes
