The Ultimate Maui Travel Guide - Arabella Stokes travel + lifestyle blog

Welcome to the Maui travel guide!

Maui is one of my favorite places in the world.

I’m just in love with the stunning beaches, all the fresh seafood and fruit, and the laidback vibes.

I’ve also been to Maui a few times now, so I’ve gotten to know the island pretty well!

On today’s post, I’ve put together a complete guide for planning your trip.

Let’s dive in.

My posts may contain affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through my link, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue to create free content for you!

Where To Stay In Maui

The two most popular areas of Maui to stay in are West Maui and South Maui.

West Maui

The most developed part of Maui, West Maui is the most popular place to stay overall.

West Maui includes:

Lahaina
Kaanapali
Kapalua

The majority of accommodations, dining, and shopping are located on the west side, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for here.

Whether you’re splurging on a luxury resort, or hunting for a budget-friendly condo, West Maui has it all!

Some of Maui’s most famous beaches are located in Kaanapali, and many popular tours leave from Lahaina Harbor.

The downside of that is West Maui can be more crowded, and feel more touristy than other parts of the island.

Another thing to consider is that West Maui can be quite far from attractions in East Maui, including the Road To Hana and Haleakala.

South Maui

Although not as well-known as West Maui, South Maui is still an incredible place to stay.

South Maui includes:

Kihei

Wailea

This side of the island is quieter than the west, and more centrally located, which is a bonus.

In my opinion, Kihei is the best choice for budget-friendly accommodations.

Overall, the town has more of a local feel. That means plenty of affordable dining and condo options, paired with beautiful, quiet beaches.

If money is no object, I recommend staying in Wailea, which is just south of Kihei.

The entire area feels luxurious and exclusive, and is home to upscale resorts like Four Seasons Maui, and Grand Wailea.

The Hana Highway

The least popular places to stay in Maui include:

Paia (North Maui)

Hana (East Maui)

While the scenery is stunning in these parts of Maui, they are very remote and have little to offer as far as lodging and activities.

Staying here for one night, either before or after driving the Road To Hana, can help break up a long day of driving and adventuring.

Other than that, I recommend opting for West Maui or South Maui.

Popular Hotels In Maui:

Budget-friendly

Mid-range

Napili Sunset Beachfront Resort
Royal Lahaina Resort
Ka’anapali Beach Club By Diamond Resorts
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Luxury

How To Get Around Maui

You’ll definitely want to have your own car when you visit Maui!

Although the island is relatively small, a lot of the best things to do in Maui are really spread out.

I highly recommend booking a rental car through RentalCars.com.

Personally, I use them every time I plan a trip.

I LOVE that they compare prices across every company at once, which saves a ton of time hunting down the best deals.

Less time researching, more time on the beach right??

What To Do In Maui

I go into a lot more detail in my Best Things To Do In Maui post, but here are the highlights!

Maui’s Beaches

Although pretty much all of Maui’s beaches are gorgeous, here are some of the highlights:

Secret Cove
Makena/Big Beach
Black Rock Beach
Kapalua Beach

Surf

Can you even visit Hawaii without trying to surf at least once?

You can find lessons all over the island, especially near Kaanapali Beach.

Already know how to surf? Or content just watching the pros?

The North Shore is known for its high surf.

Road To Hana

Driving the Road To Hana is a must in Maui!

This scenic drive highlights some of the most iconic sites and landscapes on the island.

These include stunning beaches such as a red sand beach, and a black sand beach.

On top of that, you can swim under a waterfall at Twin Falls, or hike to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

You also must stop at the Halfway To Hana Stand and try some famous banana bread.

Snorkel

The most popular snorkeling spot in Maui is Molokini Crater.

Located a few miles off the coast of Maui, there are a ton of different tour options that will boat you out and back.

This is a great place to see vibrant coral, and a wide array of marine life.

Additionally, there’s great snorkeling right off of many of Maui’s beaches, (for free!) such as in Kaanapali and Wailea.

Although snorkeling in Molokini Crater was beautiful, we snorkeled in Kaanapali and immediately found sea turtles, which was so cool!

Haleakala Sunrise/Sunset

The summit of the volcano Haleakala stands above the clouds at over 10,000 feet.

Sunrise and sunset on the summit are breathtaking, making this another must-do in Maui.

Due to its popularity, visiting during sunrise requires a reservation, and these book up quickly!

Haleakala sunrise reservations here.

Don’t worry- if you can’t make it for sunrise, sunset is just as spectacular. (And less crowded!)

For all the tips, including the RIGHT clothes to wear, I recommend visiting my post about sunrise and sunset on Haleakala.

Whale Watch

In the winter, Maui is one of the best places in the world to whale watch!

Humpback whales migrate to Maui’s warm waters, and there are lots of great tours that provide an opportunity to see humpbacks swimming, playing, and even breaching.

Hike

Some of the best hikes in Maui:

Waihee Ridge Trail
Pipiwai Trail
Iao Needle Trail
Sliding Sands Trail

Where To Eat In Maui

There is SO. MUCH. good food on Maui. In this Maui travel guide, I’ll share some of the highlights!

Mama’s Fish House

Listen up… getting a reservation at Mama’s Fish House should be one of your TOP priorities.

So plan ahead, because (due to COVID) you need to snag reservations about a month in advance right now.

If you’re lucky enough to get one, prepare for some of the best food you’ve ever had in your life!

Mama’s Fish House serves seafood so fresh, they even reprint their menus daily with the name of the diver that caught the fish being served.

Mama’s Fish House reservations here.

Coconut’s Fish Cafe

For the best fish tacos in the world, you MUST stop at Coconut’s Fish Cafe.

(We ate there five times during our week in Maui, LOL.)

Their poke is also delicious!

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade

You’ve probably seen these famous drinks all over Instagram and Pinterest.

Known for their fresh-pressed lemonades and juices, Wow Wow also has a great selection of other fresh snacks and light bites.

Their açaí bowls seriously blew us away- SO. good! (Add the vegan cookie dough, just trust me.)

Paia Fish Market

You know a restaurant’s good when they have three locations just on Maui.

And there’s a line outside the door before they open.

Make sure to try their mahi mahi and cajun rice!

Shop The Maui Essentials

Love it? Pin it!

Posted By: Arabella · In: hawaii, travel, usa