Travel Tips

We've learned a few things on our visits to Maui that can make the island experience more enjoyable. Here are some of our suggestions to help you make the most of your visit.

  • Pick the main activity of the day and plan around it: To make the most of your day, try to plan your activities near each other and avoid wasting precious Maui time driving back and forth across the island. For example, Wailea is about a 45 minute drive from Kapalua. If you plan to see the beautiful Wailea beach and hotels, plan to eat lunch and/or dinner at one of the tasty restaurants in Wailea or in Kihei. If you plan to go to Haleakala, plan to spend nearly all day and be back in time for a nice dinner. On the Road to Hana, plan to spend the entire day.

    • Enjoying young coconut
    juise from a roadside
    farmer's market.
  • Plan extra driving time: The island may look small on the map, but make sure to plan more time than you think when travelling from point A to point B. First, there are so many random things to do off the side of the road, you should not hesitate to stop and enjoy. There are many small beaches, beautiful viewpoints, and small farmer's and arts/crafts markets. Second, Maui does not cater to highspeed driving. Most of the roads are only two lanes and traffic jams do occur during the normal rush hours of 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm especially near towns like Lahaina and Kahului. Finally, Maui is the land of aloha and nobody is in a hurry to get where they need to be. So we suggest you plan the extra time, relax on your journey, and take in everything Maui has to offer.

  • Wear sunscreen: "Lahaina" in the Hawaiian language stands for "merciless sun". Like Maui, we guarantee that the sun will have lots to offer and not just in the town of Lahaina. If you're extra sensitive, wearing a rash guard when snorkeling is a good way of protecting your exposed back (the Pacific Whale Foundation offers them on their trips for a small fee).

  • The sun is beautiful: Don't miss the beautiful sunsets on the west-facing beaches. Wailea offers sunset views where you will see nothing but water and the sun. At Lahaina and Kapalua, watch the sun set behind the lush, green island of Lanai. In the mornings, don't miss the beautiful sunrise. Get up early and make your way up to Haleakala to watch the sun rise over Haleakala's amazing crater, but make sure to dress warmly and in layers. Alternatively, make your way out to Hana on the east end of the island, stay the night, and watch unobstructed views of the sun rising over the ocean horizon.

    • Relaxing in the sun.
  • Make reservations: Some popular activities can fill up quickly, especially those that are offerred by more well-known tour companies. If you want to save some money, book activities through one of the Expedia activities stands in Lahaina or Kaanapali when you arrive on the island. They often offer last-minute deals on snorkeling, helicoper, luaus and others if room is available. For popular restaurants, be sure to make dinner reservations ahead of time. Some restaurants now take reservations through Open Table.

  • Eat seafood: Maui offers some of the freshest seafood in the world! Many restaurants serve up fresh fish local to the region. Don't be shy! Ask your waiter about the fish when it has a strange sounding Hawaiian name.

  • Bring appropriate footwear: Bring sandles/shoes that you can walk comfortably in on hot days. Make sure they can take the fine sand and warm waters of the beach. If you plan to go hiking, make sure you bring some rugged shoes that can withstand thick mud or sharp lava rocks!

  • Be prepared on remote journeys: On day trips, pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on one of the many roadside beaches. If you're going to take the long journey on the Road to Hana, make sure you fill up your gas tank as there is limited gas along the way. If you plan on hiking, make sure to bring plenty of water in addition to your snacks. We made the mistake of not bringing enough water at Haleakala and we nearly died of thirst on our return trip up and out of the crater.

  • Salty tap water: The tap water on Maui has a bit of a salty taste. If you are sensitive to how your tap water tastes, be sure to pick up some gallon jugs of fresh bottled water from one of the many grocery/convenience stores on the island.

  • Careful with your valuables: When stopping to catch some waves or take in the sights and sounds of the beautiful waves, it may be tempting to just step out of your car. But this is a tourist destination so be sure you're not tempting casual strollers. Please do not leave any valuables in your car. If you are checking out of our hotel several hours before your evening flight, most hotels can keep your bags for you so that you can continue to enjoy the sun and scenery for a few more hours.