The Ultimate Travel Guide to Exploring Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and home to the world’s clearest waters, most active volcanoes and shaved ice (yummy!). Hawaii is composed of hundreds of islands but there are eight main islands including the majestic island of Maui. Maui, known as the “The Valley Isle”, is the second largest island in Hawaii.

After arriving in Kahului Airport, I took the Honoapiilani Highway through majestic scenery of mountains to my right and clear-blue water to my left all the way to Ka’anapali. West Maui is home to total relaxation with resorts in every direction and gorgeous white sandy beaches making it a gold-star getaway.

Where to Stay on Maui:

I have been to Maui twice in the past two years (September 2017 and 2018) and both times I have stayed in the Ka’anapali/Lahaina area.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

This beautiful resort is perfect for all ages with multiple pools, a water slide, pool side bars, glorious spa and little boutiques. I was amazed by my room’s exquisite ocean and beach view, perfect for watching sunrises and sunsets. The staff was welcoming with a high level of personable service as soon as I entered the hotel. Umalu and the Grotto Bar had exceptional service, great food and drinks and did an amazing job accommodating our large group. The Swan Court’s breakfast buffet had a descent selection of items and a beautiful view of the swans.

Words cannot describe how convenient it was to attend a lu’au (Drums of the Pacific) steps from my hotel room. If you have never been to a lu’au, then it is an absolute must in the Polynesian Pacific. It is a complete immersion of traditional ceremonies and exotic flavors. While the resort is a bit on the expensive side, I had an amazing time and would definitely come back. My recommendation is to look at Costco packages or Expedia packages to find good deals, especially for people traveling with their families.

Honua Kai Resort and Spa

If you are looking for pure relaxation, this resort is for you. Away from the hustle and bustle, Honua Kai is perfectly located just a few minutes away from the main area of Lahaina. This resort consists of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos with a modern, full-stocked kitchen, washer and dryer in-unit, and spectacular views. There is one main restaurant, Duke’s Beach House, and a small convenience store. Duke’s has amazing food, fantastic ambience, and beautiful outdoor seating. We made great use of the kitchen by stopping by the local grocery store (Times Supermarket), located right across the resort. This is the best place for large groups, families and individuals on a budget.

What to Do on Maui:

Lahaina

This old whaling town has been entirely transformed with art galleries, little boutique shops and restaurants. Not only is it home to some of Maui’s fine dining experiences but you can set sail from Lahaina’s Harbor to Lanai, Molokai and some of the best whale watching.

Whalers Village

Whalers Village is a modern, outdoor shopping center with high fashion stores and restaurants and bars. They have a little something for everyone, in varying price ranges. The village has weekly events, shows, live music and even an escape room. A couple of places I loved were Honolulu Cookie Company, Leilani’s On the Beach, and Island Village Coffee. It is worth wandering through and spending some time.

Road to Hana

East Maui is a must-do on any traveler’s list. The Hana Highway can last an entire day, navigating through hundreds of hairpin turns, lush rainforests, and the Pools of Oheo. Hana is completely isolated from the rest of the island and gives you a chance to see the real aloha way of life.

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala, the highest point on Maui, is a dormant volcano with beautiful landscapes, guided hikes and horseback rides. The best time to visit this natural beauty are sunrises and sunsets when the landscape makes you feel like you are on Mars.

Snorkeling, Kayaking and Surfing

This is an outdoor paradise so take as much advantage of the sun as you possibly can. There are plenty of water activities for all levels and there is no better place to learn. I highly recommend Redline Rafting for your next snorkeling adventure. I took their Molokini excursion with some of my cousins and it was an experience of a lifetime. Redline Rafting leaves from Kihei and travels to Molokini Crater, the lava coastlines and provides an up-close and personal adventure with green sea turtles. Depending on the season you can even see whales and dolphins! As an individual who had never snorkeled before, I felt completely safe with the crew and they have extensive knowledge about the geology and wildlife.

To Lu’au or Not To Lu’au:

I really wanted to get the “Hawaiian experience” and I had heard mixed reviews, the main concern being that it’s one of the most expensive tourist attractions and the food is just okay. On my first trip to Maui, my family and I opted to skip that luau and go out for a nice dinner. During my second trip to Maui, I came for a wedding and the entire wedding party was going to the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au at the Hyatt Regency.

Our server was incredibly friendly and was quick to take our drink orders. The initial part of the show was cheesy and quite slow. The tables are dismissed to the buffet in order from VIP to General seating. I tried most of the food and it was pretty decent and they had plenty of vegetarian options. While the food was mediocre, the show had an amazing demonstration of performances leading the audience through the different Polynesian islands. The fire dancers were my favorite part of the show. Now if you want the whole Hawaiian experience, you should attend a lu’au for the entertainment but one time is plenty.

Mahalo & Happy Travels!