In the winter of 2016, Chad and I went back to Maui with our friends KJ and Emma. Our trip was one for the books that we’ll never forget. We had 7 full days of adventure and can’t wait to go back! This is our very own itinerary from that trip and a great “first timer’s” plan. I’ve included some of our recommendations for food and lodging. Enjoy the views, and if you’re planning a trip, feel free to comment below with questions!
Sunday – Fly to Maui
Wherever you’re flying from, be prepared to wait in line for a bit to pick up your rental car. The way the airport has scheduled flights into Maui is a little crazy. The past 3 times we went, we waited over an hour. If there are 2 of you, send someone immediately off the plane to pick up the car, and then have the 2nd person grab the bags and head over. Once we get our car…
- If you need it, rent snorkel gear from Snorkel Bob’s – they are really laid back and less gimmicky than other shops.
- We check into our hotel in Wailea, but other places you could stay are Kaanapali, Kapalua, Paia, or Kihei for other beach locations. Kula or Makawao for beautiful Upcountry locations.
- Taking the first day easy is helpful as you nurse jet lag. Whether you arrive early in the day or later in the afternoon, you should definitely catch the sunset the first day you arrive!
- Dinner at Taqueria Cruz. They had me at home made tortilla chips and queso. Pictured below are their Carne Asada Tacos. UPDATE: This amazing place has closed. Grab some poke at South Maui Fish Company.
Monday – South Maui Beaches
Check out the beaches of South Maui and put your snorkel gear to work. When you go to these beaches, wear good soled shoes because the thorns from the Kiawe Trees are intense and hide in the sand.
- Grab one of the HUGE cinnamon rolls at The Cinnamon Roll Place in Kihei before heading to the beach. They are the size of your face. You can add macadamia nuts to them to make it even more caloric and delicious. I suggest eating it hot at the store, but feel free to hop in the car and eat it seaside at your first stop.
- Head over to Makena Landing in the morning. There are only a few parking spots, but as far as I know you can park on the side of the road as well.
- Check out Big Beach. You could spend the rest of the afternoon here – there is a great taco truck, Jawz Fish Tacos, that typically parks itself for your pleasure. But this beach is known for it’s killer shore break so be careful. Take the hike on the north side of the beach and gaze over at Little Beach [this beach is clothing optional].
- If you have time on your way back, go to Oneuli Beach, Maui’s less occupied black sand beach.
- Grab appetizers at Monkeypod, and then head to Lappert’s for some ice cream – we come here at least 5 times while we’re on Maui.
Makena Landing
Big Beach
Tuesday – West Maui
- Up for a super fancy buffet breakfast? We love to go to breakfast at The Ritz Carlton’s The Terrace. Their service canNOT be beat. If you’re looking for something more casual, I’ve heard that The Gazebo in Napili is crazy good and worth the wait.
- Once you’re full, drive up to Honolua Bay. If it’s summer, take the snorkel gear. If it’s winter, keep your ear out for the swell report because if it’s on, you’ll struggle to find parking. Be submissive to the locals. Spend some time watching the big waves, the little surfers below, and soaking in the sun! Drive a little further around to see the Nakalele Blowhole.
- If you’re up for excursions, most of them are in Kaanapali. Schedule them for the early afternoon, and your day is full! There is a great mall, a walking path, awesome beaches, Black Rock for jumping, and great places to get shave ice, I believe we went to Ululani’s!
- After you’re exhausted, I would recommend the Asian/Hawaiian fusion place, Roy’s. Although it’s a chain, Roy has his roots deep in the culinary world of Hawaii and each dish is a party in your mouth. For a more casual option, we love heading into Lahaina and getting some pizza at Lahaina Pizza Company.
- Spend the evening walking around Lahaina. It’s a fun street with lots of shops and a few good restaurants. Make sure you make it to the Banyan Tree in the middle of the town – an iconic Maui sight.
Lahaina’s Front Street.
Wednesday – Up Country/Road to Hana
- If you have any jet lag left, use it to visit Haleakala at Sunrise. It can be a very special, spiritual experience for some people. I’ve even given it it’s own blog post HERE.
- You will be hungry after waking up at 3am to watch the sunrise. Most of the people who go to watch the sunrise will head to Kula Lodge in Kula or Komoda Bakery in Makawao. We’ve been to Kula Lodge and it has a great view with pancakes that are out of this world. But I prefer Grandma’s Maui Coffee in Kula. It’s a small place frequented by locals or those who happen to know it’s there. I order the acai bowl and anything else because it’s all awesome.
- Where you go from here is up to you. You can walk off breakfast at Grandmas by taking a stroll down Thompson Rd. I hear Oprah owns most of the land there and it’s gorgeous in the morning light. We’ve visited the Ali’i Lavender Farm and Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center and while I do recommend it for those who think they’d like this sort of thing, it’s not for everyone. Chad would have rather spent the time exploring a waterfall. Also, I’d put off your visit to the lavender farm until the spring or summer when it’s not dead [whoops]. The visual arts center is a great place to buy local gifts, but it’s a small gallery that is out of the way of most things you’re doing. So, again, you decide.
- Because you arrive back in Paia, grab some tacos or fish platter at Paia Fish Market. Then head out to conquer two stops on the Road to Hana: Twin Falls and the Bamboo Forest Hike. Don’t start the Bamboo Forest Hike too late. We started in the early afternoon and made it out before dark, but were driving away at Sunset. I’d hate to be hiking out in the dark…
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE ROAD TO HANA!
Paia Fish Market Fish Tacos [above], Bamboo Forest Hike [below]
Thursday – Rest Day
I love to have one day on vacation where we hang out at the resort, have nothing planned, and play or relax and read and actually vacation. We both have a tendency of GOING so hard [if you haven’t been able to tell by this post]. But having this day is energizing and a great way to remind yourself you are here to rest!
- We got Cinnamon Rolls again… and sat by the pool… and then the beach… and walked from our resort to Ulua Beach Park for some snorkeling on the north side of the beach.
- If you go to Maui for the first time or for the 100th time and you DON’T eat at Mama’s Fish House… SMH. This is the best dinner of your LIFE. A place so fresh they list the name of the fisherman who caught your fish on the menu. Aim for an early dinner for the view since sunset isn’t on this side, it’s best to just catch the view for your entire dinner! Prepare yourself to splurge, or, go for lunch to catch the cheaper prices.
Friday – Road to Hana
We checked out of our hotel and drove to Hana, making necessary stops along the way. Hana is where our heart is so we love to stay in Hana at least 2 nights! I would recommend Hana Kai as a place to stay if you’re looking. Wifi, but no TV’s. It’s an escape for sure.
- Eat Cinnamon Rolls again if you’re near by [because cinnamon rolls]. Or grab an açai bowl for a fresh start.
- We hit the road and made it to Halfway to Hana, our favorite touristy place to get a hot dog, POG Juice, and Banana Bread. It’s literally the best banana bread you’ve ever had.
- JAWS! Or, Pe’ahi. It’s cool if you’re into surfing, but if you’re not, it’s a treacherous drive to look out over a cliff and see the ocean. If Jaws is on, that treacherous drive becomes a walk because the place gets packed! Beware.
- Our first couple times along this road, we stressed about seeing everything. As tempting as it is to stop at every turnoff, we skip stuff we know we can and narrowed down our favorite stops to the following. Some of our favorites are…1. Three Bears Waterfall: a short hike under the bridge down to three booming falls [Ali’s Favorite]. 2. Ke’anae Peninsula: hang out and grab a smoothie and watch the water beat hard up against the rocks. Or take a look in and around the church – the only structure that survived the Tsunami back in the 40’s! Another great place for stunning views is 3. Waianapanapa State Park – you could spend so. much. time. here. Black sand beach, lengthy walking trails, fresh water caves, lava tube… it’s made for the adventurers.
- Because there are very few options [like, two, but one with consistent hours] we ate dinner Hana Ranch Restaurant. And it’s great. Because it’s your only option.
OUR GUIDE TO THE ROAD TO HANA!
The Three Bears… Ali’s favorite fall.
Saturday – Hana and Beyond
If you can make it work into your trip, you should make time to drive around the island past Hana [leave in the afternoon so you can catch the sunset along your drive]. Not for the faint at heart, but Chad did it and it was so worth it. If you’re staying in Hana another night, spend all of your time at the following places:
- Wake up for sunrise [3rd photo above]. Good morning from Hana! Head down to the Hana Pier and get breakfast ate The Barefoot Cafe. UPDATE: This place has closed. I’m not sure where else serves breakfast in Hana.
- Take a stroll up to Fagan’s Cross. It will definitely get your blood moving as you walk uphill through the cow fields. Once you get there, it’s the most beautiful view of Hana!
- Check out Hana’s Red Sand Beach. It’s clothing optional, and a bit of a treacherous hike [Chad was fine, I wanted something to hold on to]. Our sweet waitress said her dad wouldn’t let her go because it’s so dangerous. However, it opens up to a crazy gorgeous private beach that is protected and swimmable… and red!
- Hamoa Beach is a great place to swim, relax, and remind yourself that you’re on Maui. It’s not too hard to find and is easily accessible, but you feel secluded because you’re surrounded by cliffs. Parking is tight, just make sure you’re not out in the road. A great day to spend the day. Hit up the Hana Ranch Burger Truck for an awesome island lunch!
- Apparently now closed indefinitely due to land slides, the Ohe’o Gulch in the National park is a crazy fun playground of waterfalls when the water isn’t pounding down from the mountain. However, it’s only a 1/2 mile trail and so worth going to see them!
- And finally, the Venus Pools. A short hike off the road, this is a great place to get some cliff jumping in. It’s also just so beautiful and feels like a movie set.
Breakfast at the Barefoot Cafe – I opted for the Spam Eggs Benedict. Burger at the Hana Ranch Food Truck.
The 7 Sacred Pools were crawling with people, but we climbed up to the top pool and found we had the pool to ourselves!
Sunday – Fly Home
There are two theories when flying home from Hawaii. Get the latest flight possible, so you basically get another day in Hawaii! But that first flight is pretty brutal and makes for a very long travel day. Leaving early in the day has you feeling fresh for part of the flight, but you miss out on time in Hawaii.
- We got the latest flight possible so we could have another whole day. Because we’re in need of showers after checkout, we try to find a place that has public facilities. For us, this meant going back to Kihei!
- Before hitting up the beach, we ate lunch at Kihei Caffe – better known for it’s breakfast, but a great casual place right across from the beach. They close at 2pm, so don’t be late!
- We hit up Ulua Beach Park again for the rest of the day light – snorkeled and sun bathed and soaked in the rest of the Maui sun!
- After watching the sunset, and showering in the open air public showers, we headed toward the airport and grabbed some pizza at Flatbread Company in Paia. They use local ingredients and it’s just a sweet place to end your vacation… drowning your sorrows in bread and cheese.
There are so many ways to do Maui – our itinerary is just one of so many guides out there. If you have any recommendations for us, please comment below! We certainly are not experts, but we love so much about this place! I hope you have an incredible vacation!
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