Maui in 7 Days

The things to see and do on Maui become interesting from the moment you step off the plane and start breathing in the tropical air that characterises this beautiful archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

If you want to get a clearer idea of what you could do with each of your days over the course of a week-long visit then I invite you to continue reading this post. I've put together an itinerary that will take you all the way around this community so that you can come back and say that Maui is a destination you'd love to return to.

The west side of the island of Maui is a rather peculiar place because it's a bit more unspoilt than other places like Kahulai or the hotel zone of Kihei and Wailea-Makena. However, that doesn't mean there aren't urban settlements that combine the challenging sandy sea with the best of the beauty that characterises the rainforests that surround West Maui Mountain.

Starting the first day of your trip in this section of Maui is a great way to get an idea of the kind of entertainment you'll enjoy for the rest of your days on this beautiful island. It is named after a mythological demigod of Polynesian culture.

Kapalua is a good place for breakfast

Kapalua is a rather privileged community in West Maui where all kinds of real estate developments have been created because of its convenient proximity to Napili Bay Beach, Oneola Bay and Fleming Beach.

All of these are beaches with relatively calm waters that have provided a place for recreation and fun for the entire community.

As you can imagine, there are several restaurants in the area, so it is an excellent idea to have breakfast here if you are looking for a proposal that combines the best of North American buffets with the gastronomic style of the Polynesian Pacific.

If you have no idea what to do or see in Maui on your honeymoon, I recommend you take some of the hotels in the area as your base for your trip. I guarantee that the luxury and comfort that characterises them will meet all your expectations.

Kaanapali Beach is perfect for a half-day dip

If you head south from Kapalua for a couple of minutes you can reach Kaanapali Beach, a beach that is characterised by the calmness of its waters and the transparency that makes it very similar to an authentic natural pool.

It's one of the favourite places to see turtles on Maui because it's a breeding and nesting ground for these beautiful sea creatures. If you're lucky, you're also likely to spot dolphins in the distant surf and even a couple of humpback whales.

Lahaina is a must-see town

For the rest of your afternoon I advise you to continue another couple of kilometres south as you will be arriving in the centre of Lahaina. It's a town with a very typical Hawaiian architectural style and if you walk around you'll notice that its streets are lined with restaurants and shops with a distinctly Polynesian and North American identity.

In fact, at one point in its history it was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and it's an ideal place to take a break from your beach visit and enjoy a delicious lunch on your second day's itinerary. A shopping session and a quick visit to Banyan Tree Park is a must, as the latter is home to one of the largest trees on the planet.

Olowalu Beach is great for watching humpback whales at sunset

The west side of the island is a place that is known for being perfect for whale watching in Maui for most of the year. Olowalu Beach is an ideal spot for whale watching, as it's free to access and the water is favourable for another dip in the sea if you so desire. It's also a perfect spot to marvel at the beautiful sunsets on the western end of Maui.

This beach also offers you the opportunity to participate in one of Maui' s best kayaking activities. This is such a paradise that it's practically reserved for you, and the kayak rental academy is right on the corner of the beach for you to choose your turn when you want it.

Part ofSouth Maui is also an area that is less developed than the western end or the North Shore isthmus. That doesn't mean that there aren't interesting and beautiful places worth visiting during your 7-day visit to the island.

That's why I suggest you turn the prejudice that Maui can only be enjoyed inside a resort around. To achieve this you need to spend your second day on the island visiting the most important attractions in the area that sits off the coast of Maalaea Bay.

Visit the Maui Ocean Center

This is anaquarium that stretches over 2 hectares of land and has a wide variety of animals that make up the marine flora and fauna of the entire Pacific Ocean.

There are tanks for animals from the most diverse and captivating coral reefs of the warm waters of the South Pacific. But there are also all sorts of larger species such as sharks that inhabit a tank designated exclusively for their preservation.

It's a good plan if you're thinking of things to do in Maui with kids for the simple fact that it 's a safe and educational place where they can be exposed to the beauty of the marine world without the need for scuba diving or other more complex activities.

Enjoy a snorkelling session departing from Maalaea Harbour

There are daily excursions departingfrom the Maalaea Pier that are designed for those who are looking to dive in Maui in a safe and planned way.

Keep in mind that in order to participate you need to be certified as an open water diver and also that this is an activity that could take up a good part of your day.

It is therefore prudent for some people to stay with the children at the aquarium, while those who wish to dive will bring this activity forward so as not to lose too much time in the day's itinerary.

You can also have a tour to the Molokini Crater

Excursions to Molokini Crater from Maui are a great way to combine family entertainment with the opportunity to dive or snorkel in the southern waters of this beautiful island.

This crescent-shaped volcanic crater is considered one of the top 10 places in the world for scuba diving. The diversity of the fauna and flora, consisting of some 250 marine species, makes it a site worth visiting during the afternoon of your second day on Maui.

Keep in mind that most of these excursions start from the Maalaea Pier and can therefore be a good alternative to diving sessions that are only for professional divers.

Spend an evening wandering the streets of Kihei

Kihei is one of two large communities that are developed along the coast of Maalaea Bay. It is one of the most populated spots on the island and actually has as diverse and interesting cultural and commercial offerings as Lahaina.

Touring the Wailea-Makena area when you've had enough of Kihei is also another good idea for things to see or do in Maui by night. You'll soon find plenty of options for accommodation and plenty more for fine dining.

The Road to Hana is one of the most iconic roads in all of Hawaii and specifically in Maui it is a tourist destination that has gained far too much significance over the decades. So it's only right and proper that you travel a good portion of its length on the third day of your visit to this welcoming community.

Start the day admiring the waves in Peahi

Peahi is one of those typical North Maui beaches with waves that are so aggressive and consistent that they have become a favourite destination for surfers who know the true secrets of the Hawaiian coast.

If you want to start your day with a good energy boost and enjoy a true spectacle of nature, then it is advisable to make a short stop at this viewpoint. It will give you a good perspective on how surfing has become so strongly associated with the identity of this community.

Ho'okipa Beach Park is great for spotting sea turtles

On the other hand, if you're looking to spend a good part of your morning on the sand and you're also interested in the opportunity to see sea turtles in their nesting areas, then you may want to replace Peahi Beach with Ho'okipa Beach Park.

This new space has several picnic areas that will allow you to comfortably enjoy a nutritious breakfast. In fact, you don't even need to take a detour on the Hana Highway that will take you to the section of the Road to Hana that is lined with tourist wonders.

Start the Road to Hana tour

What is known as the Road to Hana starts at the end of Route 36 to give way to Route 360. There are different ways to travel this tourist route and bus or minibus tours are one of the most appropriate for those who are touring the island without a rented car.

However, the Road to Hana in Maui is also a perfect place and highly recommended for those who are looking for a route to drive their rental car. This way you can stop at every corner that catches your eye without the need to conform to the guidelines of a tour guide.

Take the Twin Falls Trail

The Twin Falls are identical waterfalls that fall parallel to each other in a completely unspoilt setting that is accessible to tourists from the Road of Hana.

You can reach them by parking your car in the space designated for this purpose free of charge on the side of the road. The walk to this waterfall is not excessively long. It is a short trail of about 1 km in length.

End the day at Keanae Lookout Point

Keanae Lookout offers panoramic views of the north shore of the eastern end of Maui. At the same time, it can be a good midway point if you feel that at this point in the day it is better to return to continue the rest of the Road to Hana the following day.

In fact, this viewpoint is very close to a legendary ice cream parlour called Halfway to Hana. It has a name that refers to its location in the area that is halfway along this route that leads to the town of Hana on the eastern tip of Maui.

If you have decided to stop your Road to Hana journey on the third day of your trip, it is highly recommended that you resume it at sunrise. Not only for the natural beauty that characterises the second half of this route, but also for the fact that you will reach the eastern tip of Maui, which has countless other secrets to share with you and your travel companions.

The Hana Lava Tube should be your next stop on the road

If you choose to dedicate the fourth day of your visit to the rest of the Road to Hana, then a stop at the Hana Lava Tube is a must.

This is a sort of underground tunnel that was formed by lava flowing through this terrain hundreds and hundreds of years ago. The most interesting thing is to observe the textures on the walls and ceilings of this natural formation.

Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach is a once-in-a-lifetime scenery

This black sand beach, a product of the volcanic activity of the region, contrasts sharply with the greenish, tropical vegetation that surrounds it from the ground. As well as with the calm and clear water along the coast.

I advise you to take advantage of this stop before arriving in Hana to take a dip in the sea water and also to keep photographic memories of a place worthy of being remembered for the rest of your life.

Don't hesitate to catch the sunset at Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach

In the town of Hana you will have the opportunity to find comfortable and safe accommodation to continue your adventures along the east coast of Maui.

You will also be able to have lunch and dinner at some of the restaurants that are characterised by their offerings based on local cuisine and seafood ingredients.

In this context it is very appropriate that you take advantage of your stay in Hana to visit the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, as it is a red sandy beach where locals gather to enjoy the sunset and there is almost always a bonfire or two to keep the party going for the rest of the night.

By the fifth day the adventure is calling and I've taken it upon myself to find the most interesting and appropriate destinations to get to know the tropical beauty that distinguishes East Maui.

Dive into O'heo Gulch or the 7 Sacred Pools

It consists of a system of wells that form 7 completely natural pools with the water that flows down one of the rivers of the Haleakala National Park. Access is subject to the weather at the time, but although you can't swim in any of the pools, it's still a site worth admiring.

Have a hiking session on the Pipiway Trail

The Pipiwy Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in all of Maui and indeed the Hawaiian Islands. If you hike it you'll come across all sorts of waterfalls, bamboo jungles, a significant amount of suspension bridges and even a forest full of tropical trees with twisted trunks.

Take in the sights of Piilani Highway

After the Alele Falls viewpoint, the Hana Highway becomes the Piilani Highway. This is an equally interesting route in terms of the scenery and the number of kilometres travelled. It is therefore a good place to enjoy your surroundings as you drive back to the central region of the island that sits between the isthmus separating Maui's two volcanoes.

Stop at Waiakapuhi Lava Field to understand what the solidified lava fields look like

Waiakapuhi Lava Field marks the area where the Pillani Highway disappears and another route begins that connects to the capital of Maui. What's interesting about this area and what makes it a worthwhile stop on your trip is that it's a solidified lava field that also offers panoramic views of this southeastern part of the island.

It's an ideal setting to enjoy before heading back to civilisation for dinner and some entertaining activities such as the best Luau shows on Maui.

Maui has two volcanoes and at this point in the trip you haven't seen either of them up close. So it's a good idea to dedicate part of your sixth day on the island to the plan to familiarise yourself with these geological formations that have so much to do with the geographic and cultural identity of this community.

Join a hike to Haleakala Volcano

This volcano is the world's largest volcano in a state known as a resting place in modern volcanology. It covers 75% of the island's terrain and is part of a national park that is accessible by private or guided bus or minibus tour.

It is advisable to bring warm clothes and hydration as the top of the volcano is usually completely cloudy for most of the day, especially in the mornings.

Book an afternoon or lunchtime surf lesson

Once you're done with your hiking trip to Maui's highest volcano, it's advisable to sign up for a surfing lesson. You'll find them at most of the island's beaches and I can't put any conditions on you choosing a specific one.

However, many of the best surf lessons in Maui take place on the shores of Kahului. This is simply because it is the urban epicentre of the island and because the swell is favourable for beginners.

You can also visit some of the pineapple farms outside Kahului

A good plan to finish off the afternoon is to visit some of Maui's indigenous pineapple farms. That's for the simple fact that this is a resource that has formed a million-dollar industry throughout the archipelago.

Moreover, the isthmus that separates the two ends of the island is particularly well suited to the cultivation of this delicious fruit. This explains why Kahului is the most urbanised and industrialised area of the whole community.

On the third day of your visit to Maui, there are still a few more activities to do and the best I can advise you to do is to choose the ones that best suit the Hawaiian lifestyle you will leave behind when the plane takes off.

Have a snorkelling session at the beaches of your choice

If visiting Molokini Crater is not enough and you still want to snorkel in Maui, you'll be glad to know that you'll soon find a good alternative no matter where you are on the island. Both the western end and Wailea-Makena beaches offer a variety of options with different durations and all kinds of personalised care and attention.

Paia is another good place in the north of the island for snorkelling without having to travel several kilometres out of Kahului.

Spend the afternoon touring the mountain slopes in a Jeep

The slopes of Maui's two volcanoes create an ideal terrain for off-road vehicles. So the best jeep tours in Maui can be a good plan for the afternoon of your seventh day if you feel a bit of extreme fun is still missing from your trip to make you feel fulfilled.

The area around Kepaniwai Park tends to be a favourite geographic area for this type of sightseeing itinerary, as it's next to the ʻĪao Valley State Monument and is also close to the built-up areas of Kahului.

Make the most of your last Hawaiian sunset by taking a helicopter tour

Saying goodbye to Maui from the heights can be the perfect end to a 7-day trip that has offered you everything from the tranquillity of an afternoon on the beach to the peculiar experience of walking on top of a dormant volcano.

That's why the best helicopter tours in Maui are a great way to make the most of your last sunset on the island before you have to return to your hotel to pack your belongings and head to the airport the next day.