Travel guide · United States
Maui travel guide
Haleakalā sunrise, the Road to Hāna and winter humpback whales
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Niagara66, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island, formed by two volcanoes joined by a flat central isthmus around Kahului. The dormant summit of Haleakalā rises to about 3,055 metres in the east, while resorts line the sunny west and south coasts at Kāʻanapali, Kapalua, Kīhei and Wailea. Visitors come for beaches and snorkelling at Molokini, the winding Road to Hāna through rainforest and waterfalls, and humpback whales that winter offshore from about December to April. A hire car is essential. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are April–May and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- April–May and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- OGG, JHM
- Mid-range daily budget
- $350–$600 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Haleakalā, Road to Hāna, Whale watching and Molokini snorkelling
Why visit Maui
- Watching sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā, above the clouds and the crater's cinder cones, is one of Hawaiʻi's defining experiences.
- The Road to Hāna winds through rainforest, past waterfalls and black-sand beaches to the bamboo forest of the Pīpīwai Trail.
- Humpback whales gather in the channel between Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi each winter, visible from boats and from shore.
- Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay and the reefs off Kāʻanapali offer some of the best snorkelling in the islands.
- Upcountry farms, the surf town of Pāʻia and plantation-era Makawao balance the resort coasts with local character.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Viewpoint · Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā summit sunrise
From the summit of Haleakalā at about 3,055 metres, sunrise lights up a sea of clouds and the reddish cinder cones of the vast summit depression.
- Time needed
- Half a day including the drive
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
Experience · East Maui
Road to Hāna
The Hāna Highway winds about 85 km from Kahului to Hāna through rainforest with more than 600 bends and dozens of one-lane bridges.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Beach · Hāna
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Just north of Hāna, this park has Pāʻiloa, a black-sand beach framed by green vegetation, along with lava sea arches, blowholes, freshwater caves and a coastal trail across old lava.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Island · South Maui
Molokini Crater snorkelling
A crescent-shaped, partly sunken volcanic crater about 5 km off the south coast, protected as a marine life conservation district.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Active
Experience · Māʻalaea and South Maui
Humpback whale watching
From about December to April, thousands of North Pacific humpback whales come to Hawaiian waters to breed and calve, and the shallow channel off Maui's west and south coasts is one of the best places to see them.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Couples
Nature · Haleakalā National Park
Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail
This trail drops from the summit visitor centre into the cinder desert of Haleakalā's crater, past rust, ochre and black cinder cones and rare silversword plants.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
Where to stay
Kāʻanapali is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, beach and luxury
Kāʻanapali
Planned resort strip on West Maui's main beach with a shoreline walkway
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, luxury and beach
Kapalua and Nāpili
Quieter bays, condos and the island's northwestern resorts
$$$ · Best for budget, families, beach and solo travellers
Kīhei
Long, sunny south-shore town of condos, beach parks and casual food
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples, families and beach
Wailea
Manicured luxury resorts, golf and a coastal path on golden-sand bays
What to eat
- Poke — Cubes of raw ʻahi tuna or octopus seasoned with shoyu, sesame oil, onion, limu seaweed and ʻinamona (roasted kukui nut), eaten over rice as a poke bowl.
- Plate lunch — Two scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a main such as teriyaki beef, chicken katsu or kalua pig — the everyday meal of Hawaiʻi, shaped by plantation workers from Japan, the Philippines, China and Portugal.
- Loco moco — Rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and brown gravy; a filling breakfast before a long day on the road.
- Shave ice — Finely shaved ice drenched in tropical syrups such as lilikoʻi, guava or li hing mui, often with ice cream or sweet azuki beans underneath and a condensed-milk 'snow cap' on top.
- Banana bread on the Road to Hāna — Warm, dense banana bread from roadside stands along the Hāna Highway has become part of the drive; the Keʻanae Peninsula stand is one of the best known.
- Kalua pig — Pork slow-cooked in an underground imu oven until smoky and shredded, the centrepiece of a lūʻau, often served with cabbage.
When to go
April to May and September to October are the best months to visit Maui: the weather is dry and sunny, the sea is calm and prices are lower than in winter or summer. December to March is the season for humpback whales but also the busiest and most expensive, with more rain on windward coasts. June to August is dry and sunny but busy with families.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (whale season) | December–March | Humpback whales, big surf on north shores and the highest prices; rain is more frequent in East Maui. |
| Spring | April–May | Drier weather, calm seas, lower rates and fewer visitors — a sweet spot for snorkelling and driving. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, dry and sunny on the leeward coasts with the calmest snorkelling, but busy with families. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea and quiet beaches in September and October; rain starts to return in November. |
Getting there and around
Kahului Airport (OGG) handles almost all flights, including direct services from the US mainland. It is about 30 minutes by car to Kīhei and Wailea and 45–60 minutes to Kāʻanapali and Kapalua. Small Kapalua Airport (JHM) in West Maui has limited inter-island flights.
Maui is built around driving: public transport is limited, and most sights — Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, Upcountry and the beaches — are an hour or more apart. Allow plenty of time, as roads are slow and traffic builds around Kahului and the Honoapiʻilani Highway.
Plan your days
Four days covers a beach base, one Haleakalā sunrise, a snorkel trip and a long day on the Road to Hāna. A week allows recovery days on the beach, Upcountry, a whale-watching cruise in season and an overnight in Hāna instead of driving there and back in one day.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Hawaiian
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; treat stream water before drinking.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance, ocean rescue)
- Tipping
- Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and 15–20% for snorkel, whale-watching and tour crews, who rely heavily on tips.
Ocean conditions are the biggest risk: shorebreak, currents and high surf cause many visitor injuries, so swim at lifeguarded beaches and when in doubt stay out. Flash floods can turn streams dangerous within minutes on the Road to Hāna, and car break-ins at trailheads are common. The Haleakalā summit is cold and at high altitude.
Flights to Maui
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Maui?
Four days covers a beach base, one Haleakalā sunrise, a snorkel trip and a long day on the Road to Hāna. A week allows recovery days on the beach, Upcountry, a whale-watching cruise in season and an overnight in Hāna instead of driving there and back in one day. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Maui?
April to May and September to October are the best months to visit Maui: the weather is dry and sunny, the sea is calm and prices are lower than in winter or summer. December to March is the season for humpback whales but also the busiest and most expensive, with more rain on windward coasts. June to August is dry and sunny but busy with families.
+What is Maui known for?
Haleakalā, Road to Hāna, Whale watching, Molokini snorkelling, Kāʻanapali Beach, Wailea resorts and Hoʻokipa windsurfing. Watching sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā, above the clouds and the crater's cinder cones, is one of Hawaiʻi's defining experiences.
+Is Maui expensive?
Maui is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $350–$600 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Maui?
Yes. A car is the only practical way to reach Haleakalā, Hāna, Upcountry and most beaches; staying put in a resort without one is possible, but limits you to tours.