what to do when visit maui for a week

Maui is dear because it successfully offers a piffling fleck of everything. From five-star, oceanside luxury resorts to backcountry cabins atop a 10,000-foot volcano, Maui can offering y'all both extremes and everything in the middle.

Its range is even more than impressive when you consider the island is dwelling to less than 200,000 people. The second-largest landmass in the chain, much of Maui's appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its 2 massive volcanoes, protected marine sanctuaries, whale breeding grounds, and remote, wild jungles.

According to tourism statistics, the typical length of stay on Maui is almost viii days (pre-covid), the most of whatsoever Hawaiian Island. While you can certainly explore the island faster than that, a week would ready a proper pace. Our itinerary is not meant to be viewed as consummate or exhaustive – please, pursue your ain specific interests as you lot wish – but we hope our sample can be useful as a template and introduction to the master areas and attractions on Maui, should yous wish to dive in and accept a bite of each.

Table of contents

• Solar day 1: Inflow
• Day ii: Explore Your Home Base
• Day iii: Pāʻia, Hoʻokipa, the Route to Hana, Kīpahulu
• Mean solar day 4: Solar day on the Water
• Day 5: Wailea and La Perouse Bay
• Day vi: Haleakalā and Upcountry Maui
• Mean solar day 7: ʻĪao Valley and a Lūʻau
• Day viii: Last Adventures and Difference

Table of Contents

• Twenty-four hours 1: Arrival
• Day 2: Explore Your Home Base
• Twenty-four hour period 3: Pāʻia, Hoʻokipa, the Road to Hana, Kīpahulu
• Day 4: Day on the Water
• 24-hour interval 5: Wailea and La Perouse Bay
• Day 6: Haleakalā and Upcountry Maui
• 24-hour interval 7: ʻĪao Valley and a Lūʻau
• Solar day 8: Last Adventures and Departure

We wish you a good time on Maui, and ask that y'all help protect the island by respecting all of its ecological, cultural, and historical offerings. Have goose egg but memories, leave null but footprints.

Day i: Arrival

In most cases, you'll make it in Maui in the afternoon or evening, ready for some rest after a long travel day.

Grab your rental car at the Kahului Airport. There are shuttles from the airports to the hotels (such as Robert'due south Hawaii), so if y'all prefer, yous could go that route the outset twenty-four hour period and then rent a auto later, on the days y'all intend to use it (many hotels take motorcar rental locations nearby). Either manner, Maui is spread out, so if yous plan to adventure, you'll need wheels to explore.

Upon landing, make your manner to your respective hotel. The major hubs of the island are Lāhainā, Kīhei, Kaʻanapali, Wailea, Kapalua, and Pāʻia, among others (if you lot're having problem deciding where to stay, see our Introduction to Maui).

Kahului as seen from ʻIao Valley, two popular destinations in central Maui. Paradigm credit: Hawaii Tourism Say-so (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Take a moment to breathe, and take in your environment. You've just arrived on the "Valley Isle," named for the flat saddle that connects the two giant volcanoes, Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains. If you arrive before dark, go for a walk on the beach, and if your arrival corresponds with the sunset, even better. Settle in for your first meal in Hawaiʻi – we suggest either fresh seafood or a classic Hawaiian dish, like Kalua pork. Use this night to refresh and unwind after the long day of travel.

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Twenty-four hour period two: Beach Twenty-four hour period/Explore Your Home Base

With jetlag, you lot'll probably wake up early on 24-hour interval 2. Don't resist. The beach is a beautiful, calm place in the morning, and it was made for java-in-hand strolls before breakfast. If you lot happen to wake up earlier the sunrise, even ameliorate. The colors in the sky at dawn are merely as beautiful every bit they are during the sunset at night.

Today is all most adjusting to Maui's slower step and getting to know your hub. Whether its Kaʻanapali, Lāhainā, Kīhei, Pāʻia, or Wailea, there are world-class beaches to check out inside minutes of your hotel or rental (see our guide to Maui's beaches). Yous could browse local restaurants and shops, continue a snorkel, kayak, or stand up-up paddle outing, or simply enjoy the offshore scenery with a relaxing, do-goose egg embankment day.

Wailea Beach tin can't milk shake the resort feel but sometimes that's only what makes a beach special. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Say-so (HTA) / Tor Johnson

If y'all accept specific interests, yous can use this day to pursue them every bit well, such every bit golf, horseback riding, or other land activities (encounter our guide to land activities hither).

For dinner, nosotros recommend kicking off the trip with a local seafood restaurant. Endeavor a local institution like Pāʻia Fish Co. or Mamaʻs Fishhouse, or simply ask around (no affair where you're located, you're never far from a seafood eating place on Maui). Rest upward and get to bed early. Tomorrow volition be a longer, more than active day.

Day 3: Pāʻia, Hoʻokipa, the Road to Hana, Kīpahulu

After breakfast, set up your daypack with enough of water, sunscreen, shut-toed shoes, and snacks. Plan to exist out for the majority of the day.

Today you'll feel the infamous Road to Hana, the all-twenty-four hour period stop-and-get scenic bulldoze around Maui's north shore and due east coast. Along the way you'll have the chance to cheque out Pāʻia, a surfer-hippie town; Hoʻokipa, a surf spot with tall sea cliffs; and Kīpahulu, another part of Haleakalā National Park.

There are limitless things to see and do forth this journeying, and so before going, you should read our guide to the Road to Hana, which explains how to approach the day.

The Hana highway, more famously know as the Route to Hana. Hawaii Tourism Say-so (HTA) / Tor Johnson

We recommend doing this journey early on in the trip so that you have the chance to put information technology off if the weather doesn't cooperate. The eastern (windwardside) of Maui gets a lot of rain, so it's best to have multiple days to endeavor it.

Day 4: Day on the Water

Afterwards a long day in and out of the car yesterday, information technology'south time to get away from state completely and experience why Maui's Auʻau Aqueduct is then beloved. In winter, more than 10,000 humpback whales come into the channel to give birth, offering some of the about guaranteed, up-close-and-personal whale watching in all the world.

Molokini (with Kaho'olawe in the background) is 1 of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving on Maui. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

But fifty-fifty when the whales aren't at that place, the Auʻau channel is nonetheless a playground. Surrounded past multiple offshore islands, including Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, boat rides in the channel are extremely scenic. Snorkel tours to Molokini, Lānaʻi, and various other sites around Maui are available any fourth dimension of year. Boat tours come up in all shapes and sizes, from large catamarans that hold a 100-plus people to zodiacs that fit less than a dozen. Shop around for the all-time fit, only keep in mind, virtually all boats leave from either Lāhainā or Maalaea Harbor. For aid deciding which tour to accept, meet our guide to snorkeling on Maui.

If you lot prefer not-motorized sports, consider a cultural-based active adventure from a visitor like Hawaiian Paddle Sports. Or, you can take surf lessons at the beginner breaks that are plant throughout Lāhainā and Kīhei. For aid trip planning, see our guide to Maui'southward water activities, including the surf scene.

Chances are, after a day in the sun on the water, yous will be pleasantly tired come dusk. Plan on an early dinner this night.

24-hour interval five: Ahihi-Kinau, Makena, and La Perouse Bay (South Shore)

Outset tiresome with an early-morning walk or swim at your embankment of option. If you really want to get afterwards information technology, sneak in an hour surf, paddle, or kayak before breakfast.

Subsequently breakfast, rent snorkeling gear for the day from a surf shop in your hub or from the activities desk at your hotel. Then, hop in the car and make your mode to the far due south shore of Maui for a day of beach hopping, snorkeling, and balmy hiking. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, close-toed shoes, and, if you want, a picnic lunch.

The Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve Expanse contains more than 800 acres of underwater protection to its reefs, lava tubes, and biological diverseness. Information technology'south a peachy, family-friendly identify to snorkel. Other fantabulous snorkel locations on the south shore include Maluaka Beach and Five Graves. You can learn more in our guide to snorkeling on Maui, where we break down each snorkeling spot.

Makena Embankment is a long, white sand beach operated equally a country park. Information technology is 1 of the more undeveloped beaches on Maui, without any high rises or condo buildings at its back. Instead, you lot'll see the dark-green hillsides of the old cinder cones. Families with kids will want to stop past to check it out, peradventure for a picnic dejeuner.

Makena is a spacious and breathtaking embankment ideal for pond & snorkeling. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Dominance (HTA) / Tor Johnson

If you keep driving south, the route will eventually end at La Perouse Bay. It was formed when Haleakalā'southward eruption reached the sea, estimated to be sometime around 1790. Walking paths through the lava fields combine geological intrigue with panoramic ocean views (exist sure to vesture close-toed shoes), and when it's calm, yous can snorkel in its smaller coves and bays.

Day 6: Haleakalā and Upcountry Maui

Today volition be focused on exploring Haleakalā Volcano, which rises up more than than 10,000 feet above body of water level. It will as well take you through some of the towns that make upward "Upcountry Maui," that is, the farm-focused belt that thrives on Haleakalā'due south fertile slopes.

Good to know: we have written a complete guide on how you lot tin can best visit Haleakalā.

If you've got the desire, it's possible to sentinel the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā. Several bout operators offer the experience, some combining it with other offerings, similar biking down Haleakalā. These tours require a very early meeting – typically around 3 a.m. – and so it is non for the faint of middle. If you decide to drive upwards on your own for sunrise, you'll need to reserve a permit in advance.

Part of the hiking trail along Haleakala Crater (2 people for scale in the lower left corner). Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Driving yourself to the top of Haleakalā is easy and straightforward. Follow the 37-mile Haleakalā Highway through its many twists and turns until you reach the summit. Discover how the terrain changes from agriculture and ranch land to forests and so, finally, to just grass or rock as you climb in a higher place treeline. It's helpful to read about the road and its terrain beforehand, and so you can understand what you lot're looking at. The bulldoze is not far in terms of altitude, but with the turns, views, and tendency for people to bulldoze ho-hum, yous should expect the drive to take at to the lowest degree 2 hours or more.

At the elevation, at that place's a small Company Center merely no services (only restrooms). The views from the peak into the volcano'south crater are what you came for, so enjoy the walking paths and overlooks. Information technology will exist significantly colder at the summit than downwards at ocean level – sometimes equally much every bit a fifty-degree divergence – so be sure to bring a jacket, layers, long pants, and closed toed shoes. There are trailheads at the elevation, including the Sliding Sands Trail, that we encourage you to explore. Remember that y'all'll need to behave all your water and snacks forth with y'all.

Another way to explore Haleakalā is via a stargazing tour, which begin before sunset and guide you through the Park and its night sky.

On your way back downwards the volcano, consider passing through ane of the UpCountry Maui towns, such as Makawao, the home of Maui'due south paniolo (cowboy) civilisation, or Kula, a fertile farm region. Both have modest, locally-run restaurants and cafes.

Forth the streets of Makawao (Upcountry Maui). Image credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Past the time yous get all the way back down to ocean level, it will probably be tardily afternoon. Render to your local beach or find a waterfront eatery for happy hour.

Day 7: ʻĪao Valley and Lūʻau

ʻĪao Valley is one of the well-nigh dramatically scenic places on Maui, and it also has a lot of history to proceed with its natural beauty, meaning it has something to offer everyone of all abilities. The valley was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, fought betwixt the armies of Hawaiʻi Isle and Maui (Kamehameha and his ground forces from Hawaiʻi Island were victorious). The battle was so bloody that they say the river ran red that day.

Iao Valley is famous for its iconic ʻIao Needle rock germination and narrow, lush valley. Paradigm credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

The chief attraction within ʻĪao Valley Land Park is the ʻĪao Needle. Information technology rises more than 1,200 anxiety above the valley floor, or 2250 anxiety higher up body of water level, and has many cultural tales tied to it. Earlier going, you should read upwardly on the history. In that location are several paved walking paths in the park, as well as hiking trails and admission points to the river, where many locals come to swim.

Overall, you lot won't need more than than an hour at ʻĪao Valley, so don't program on an entire day. Consider visiting early in the morning before it gets crowded. Then, bank check out the nearby, budding boondocks of Wailuku – perhaps yous can finish by one of its java shops on your manner in or out of ʻĪao Valley.

Employ the afternoon to leap on a tour, schedule a tee fourth dimension, visit some other town, or even take another trip out on the h2o. Consider visiting Pāʻia, Lāhainā, Kaʻanapali, Kīhei, Wailea, or Upcountry Maui if you haven't already.

Front Street in downtown Lāhainā serves every bit a celebrated landmark. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Since information technology's your last official night, you may want to get out with a bang. We recommend scheduling a lūʻau for tonight. It's a great fashion to put an exclamation point on your trip by feasting on a Hawaiian buffet, watching the sunset, and enjoying the cultural stories and dancing of Polynesian Culture. For more info, run across our listing of Maui Luau shows.

Day viii: Last Adventures and Difference

In many cases, your flight back to the mainland will be late at dark, pregnant you tin can accept advantage of your final day in total. The morning is a great place to tie upwards whatsoever loose ends you lot may have leftover from your trip – sneak in that last one-half twenty-four hours tour, have a final surf or snorkel, go shopping in Lahaina for souvenirs, or simply relax on the beach.

There are no goodbyes in Hawai'i, and then before you leave, you'll want to learn the Hawaiian saying, "A hui hou," which means, "until nosotros meet again."

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Source: https://www.lovebigisland.com/maui/8-day-itinerary-for-maui/

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