Best Things to do in Maui | 3-Day Maui Itinerary

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When people ask me which of the Hawaiian Islands they should visit, I always suggest Maui for first-timers. I’ve been to all of the major Hawaiian islands at least twice and Maui has the most balanced mix of active things to do along with places to chill. You can find a mostly private stretch of beach on an island that doesn’t roll up the welcome mat at 6 p.m. (I’m looking at you, Kauai!)

So pour yourself a mai tai and read on as I share a 3-day itinerary that highlights the best things to do on Maui, along with where to stay on Maui and logistics like how to get to Maui!

Note that for the purposes of this itinerary, I have omitted West Maui attractions in the wake of the Lahaina fires.

How to get to Maui

When flying from the Continental US, you’ll fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). Hawaiian Airlines is the official airline of Hawaii, but major carriers like United, Delta, American, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all fly into Maui. Non-stop flights are available from many western US cities (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle) as well as cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.

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Where to stay on Maui

Maui is divided into several sections and choosing where to stay is a crucial component of your trip. The sections are West Maui, South Maui, East Maui, and the North Shore.

West Maui (Lahaina,Kaanapali, Napili, and Kapalua)

As previously mentioned, I’m not including West Maui information in this article out of respect to the Hawaiian people who have recently suffered greatly from the Lahaina Fires.

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South Maui (Kihei, Wailea)

Along with West Maui, South Maui is the most centrally located place to stay and is where I suggest first-time visitors to Maui stay. Kihei has ample condo rentals that are a five-minute (or less!) walk to swimmable beaches like Kamaole I and III. There are also ample restaurants and shops that you can walk to in Kihei. It’s a great spot for families or low-key couples who don’t need high-end luxury.

But if you are looking for luxury, Wailea is the place to stay! Hotels like Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons Resort Wailea offer five-star amenities (albeit at five-star prices). Things like on-site restaurants, multiple pools (often with separate kid and adult pools), concierge service, and oceanfront views can be found at many Wailea area resorts, making them perfect for couples and families who are seeking a more upscale experience.

East Maui (Hana)

Hana is a several-hour drive from everything else on Maui, so I don’t recommend staying in Hana for the entirety of your trip. However, if you’re going to do the Road to Hana (and you should!) it’s definitely worth staying for a night or two in Hana for a little off-the-grid respite. The Hana-Maui Resort is a luxurious 75-acre resort that features a mix of suites and oceanfront bungalows that come without clocks, radios, or TVs to truly allow you to disconnect from the outside world.

North Shore (Paia, Upcountry)

In contrast to Wailea, Paia and Upcountry Maui offer laid-back local vibes. The Paia Inn is Paia’s five-room hotel and the Bali-inspired property has private beach access and is located in the very walkable hippie town of Paia. Walk to dinner at Paia Fish Market, shop for beachwear along Hana Highway, then cap off your evening with shave ice from Tobi’s.

As you climb into the higher elevation that is Upcountry Maui, you’ll notice vast farmlands as Hawaiians farm the fertile volcanic soil. Hawaiian cowboys, called paniolo, make Upcountry their home, and the small town of Makawao is a paniolo town with a thriving art community. From painters to glassblowers, Makawo is full of working artists. Grab a cream puff from the famous T. Komoda Store and stroll the streets of this small community. Stay at Kula Lodge for easy access to Upcountry activities like Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm and Surfing Goat Dairy.

Do you need a car when visiting Maui?

I 100% recommend renting a car while on Maui. At over 700 square miles, Maui is a large island. Sure there are some tours that provide transportation, but to really see the island, you need a rental car.

Day 1 – Upcountry, Maui

• Start your day early. Super Early. It will be worth it because the Haleakala Crater is one for your Maui bucket list! Head to Haleakalā National Park to see the sunrise (reservations required) and consider hiking one of the shorter trails. The Pa Ka’oao Trail (aka the White Hill Trail) is a half-mile out and back that is moderately challenging and provides scenic views of the crater.
• Fill your tank and refuel with breakfast at Kula Lodge & Restaurant. Their banana mac nut pancakes with maple syrup and lilikoi butter are lifegiving after the early morning wake-up call for sunrise and quite possibly the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten. Wash it down with some Kona Coffee.
• Upcountry offers a few unique options to spend your day. As an animal lover, Surfing Goat Dairy is my favorite. We got to hand feed and pet the goats (including some recently born kids) as they pranced around their surfboard-decorated enclosures before sampling and shopping for their locally made award-winning goat cheese and chocolates. If you want a richer experience, consider their Evening Chores & Milking Tour where you can try your hand (pun intended) at milking a goat!
• Another Upcounty personal favorite is the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Caveat: if you’re allergic to, or just generally freaked out by bees, this is not the spot for you! Enjoy a self-guided farm tour (admission is reasonably priced at $3/person) of this 13.5-acre selfie-rich environment that’s home to 55,000 lavender plants. Stop in the gift shop for tasty lavender treats to enjoy while you admire the views.
• Makawao, known as Upcountry, is famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Grab lunch or dinner in this charming town (Polli’s Mexican is a favorite) and visit local artists like Makai Glass Maui or painter Kenny Lloyd.

Day 2 – Maui Beach Day

• Spend your morning swimming and snorkeling! You can take a Molokini Snorkel Boat Tour or simply drop your towel in the sand at Makena Beach Park. This 2/3 of a mile-long stretch of sand is also known as Big Beach and is surrounded by stunning black lava. With lifeguards and restrooms, Big Beach is an easy way to spend the day in the surf and sand.
• Head to Sam Sato, a local favorite spot for lunch. Keep in mind that they close at 2 p.m. and are cash only. But the dry mein is so worth it!
• Once you’ve eaten your fill, spend some time at Iao Valley State Park (reservations required). A paved half-mile walk offers views of Kuka‘emoku (aka ‘Iao Needle). The 4,000-acre park also overlooks Iao Stream and longer trails like the Waihee Ridge Trail offer options for more avid hikers.
• Cap off your day with dinner at what might be my favorite restaurant on the planet: Hali’imaile General Store. Did I eat there two times in a four-day trip? I most certainly did AND I had the sashimi napoleon both times. (I’ve also got their cookbook and it’s on my list of dishes to make at home). Tucked among pineapple fields on the lower slopes of Haleakala, HGS was founded by Chef Beverly Gannon and her husband Joe. Upon her retirement, Chef Bev sold the restaurant to Gather Restaurant Group which maintains its legacy today.

Day 3 – Road to Hana, Maui

• Get an early start on the day and begin your journey along the famous Road to Hana. Prep the night before by grabbing bottled water and snacks. The Hana Highway is almost 65 miles and if you drove it straight without stopping it would take you close to three hours. But with the Road to Hana, the journey is as important as the destination! With over 600 turns, the winding road is incredibly scenic and has many amazing places to stop along the way! People typically make all their stops on the way to Hana, then drive straight through on the way back, but you could consider reversing that to beat the crowds.
• Make stops at Ho’okipa Beach Park to watch surfers and Twin Falls for a refreshing swim. Plan time to explore attractions like the Garden of Eden Arboretum, the black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park (reservation required), and the Pools of Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools) in Haleakalā National Park. Note that this is a completely different entrance than the one you went to on day 1 to see the sunrise at Haleakala.
• Enjoy your packed snacks and a picnic lunch along the way or stop for snacks like Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread and a plate lunch from Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill in Hana.

In reality, three days is far too short a time to spend on Maui so this itinerary scratches the surface of the amazing activities you’ll find on the island (and it crams them into a very condensed time, making this a less-than-relaxing trip!) However a lot of people choose to visit multiple islands on their trip to Hawaii, so this quick itinerary allows you to whet your appetite and leave you wanting more of Maui!

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