Maui, Hawaiʻi

Scenic drive · East Maui

Road to Hāna

A narrow, winding drive along the northeast coast from Pāʻia to Hāna, with waterfalls, one-lane bridges and taro valleys. Make the stops the point of the day and treat Hāna as the turnaround. NPS puts Kahului to Kīpahulu at about 4 hours one way, without stops.

Road work: the week of Oct 19–23, 2026 HDOT listed alternating one-lane closures on the Hāna Highway near mile markers 9.8, 14, 19.5 and 25–31. Check the morning you go.

Leave Pāʻia early on a dry-forecast day; it's the last gas before Hāna. Pull fully off the road to stop, yield at one-lane bridges, and stay out of anything posted private or kapu. Stay out of streams during or after rain.

Black-sand beach · East Maui

Waiʻānapanapa State Park

Pailoa Bay's black-sand beach, sea caves, a natural stone arch, blowholes and a stretch of the ancient coastal trail, just north of Hāna. Open daily 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Reopened after the September 2026 storm closures (the state's Oct 19 notice lists all Maui state parks open except Polipoli). Check park notices before you book.

Reservations required for non-residents (timed entry and parking): $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle. Hawaiʻi residents with ID are free. The ocean here is often rough, so swim only when it's calm.

Hike · Haleakalā National Park, Kīpahulu

Pīpīwai Trail & ʻOheʻo

In the coastal Kīpahulu District, 12 miles past Hāna. The Pīpīwai Trail climbs beside a stream to a Makahiku Falls overlook (0.5 mi), through a bamboo forest on boardwalks (1 mi) to the Waimoku Falls viewing area (2 mi). 4 mi round trip, about 800 ft of gain, moderately strenuous. The short Kūloa Point loop (0.5 mi) looks over the Pools of ʻOheʻo.

The Pools of ʻOheʻo are closed to swimming and entry for safety reasons. You can view them from the Kūloa Point Trail.

National park entrance fee (card only; one pass covers both districts for 3 days). Expect rain and mosquitoes. No food or gas in the park.

Waterfall walk · private farm

Twin Falls (Hoʻolawa)

An easy waterfall walk at the very start of the Hāna Highway, around mile marker 2. A handy first stop of the day.

This is private land, not a park, and we couldn't confirm hours or fees with an official source. Follow the farm's posted rules; swimming is at your own risk.

Viewpoint · Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā summit sunrise

Watch the sun come up over the crater from the summit district at 10,023 ft. It's cold, windy and popular. NPS puts the drive at about 2.5 hours from Kahului, 3 from Wailea and 3.5 from Lahaina.

Every vehicle entering 3–7 a.m. needs a sunrise reservation: $1 on Recreation.gov, released 60 days ahead at 7 a.m. HST, with more released 2 days ahead. One per 3 days; no weather refunds. The entrance fee ($30 per car, good 3 days) is separate. The park is cashless and has no gas: the last is in Pukalani.

Hike · Haleakalā crater

Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail

Drops from the summit visitor center into the cinder desert of the crater. The first overlook is just 0.5 mi round trip. The full trail runs 11 mi one way, descending almost 2,500 ft, and reaches the crater floor at 3.9 mi.

High altitude: altitude sickness is a real risk and the climb back out is strenuous. NPS says to allow about twice as long coming up as going down. Carry water and layers. Before 7 a.m. you also need the sunrise reservation.

Towns · Upcountry

Upcountry: Makawao & Kula

Cool, green ranch and farm country on Haleakalā's slopes: paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage in Makawao, and farms and gardens around Kula. The natural add-on to a summit morning.

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area above Kula is still closed (downed trees) per the Oct 19, 2026 state parks notice.

Wildlife & surf · North Shore

Hoʻokipa Beach Park

A world-famous windsurfing and surf beach where green sea turtles (honu) often haul out on the sand in the late afternoon. Watch from the lookout or the beach.

Lifeguarded. The surf here is for experts. NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles, and 50 ft from Hawaiian monk seals (150 ft from a mother and pup). Never touch or feed them.

Town · North Shore

Pāʻia

A laid-back surf town of shops and cafes at the start of the Hāna Highway. Breakfast before a Hāna day, or dinner after the Hoʻokipa turtles.

NPS notes Pāʻia has the last gas before Hāna.

Viewpoint · Central Maui

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

A short paved walk (0.6 mi) to a lookout of Kūkaʻemoku, the ʻĪao Needle, which rises about 1,200 ft from the valley floor. A sacred and historic place, site of the 1790 battle of Kepaniwai. Open 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Out-of-state visitors must reserve entry and parking ahead: $5 per person plus $10 parking. Residents with ID are free. Go in the morning, before clouds settle in.

Aquarium · Māʻalaea

Maui Ocean Center

Hawaiʻi's large aquarium at Māʻalaea Harbor, with living reef exhibits, sharks, a turtle lagoon and a humpback whale dome show. A good arrival-day or rainy-day stop; plan about 2 hours.

Paid admission; check current prices and hours on its website.

Beach & snorkel · West Maui

Kāʻanapali Beach & Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock)

A long resort beach with a lava headland at its north end. On calm days you can snorkel around Puʻu Kekaʻa from shore. The headland is culturally significant as a leina, a leaping place of souls.

No County lifeguard tower here. Snorkel only when the water is calm. Public beach parking is limited.

Snorkel · Marine Life Conservation District

Honolua Bay

A protected marine reserve with coral on both sides of the bay in 10–40 ft of water: Maui's classic summer snorkel, and a famous winter surf break.

No taking or harming marine life. Winter surf makes it dangerous, so go in only when seas are calm, roughly May–September. No lifeguards. Near the boat ramp the water is often murky.

Easy walk · West Maui

Kapalua Coastal Trail

An easy shoreline walk linking Kapalua Bay, Oneloa Bay and D.T. Fleming Beach Park, past lava points and resort grounds. Lovely in the morning or at sunset.

It crosses resort and private land, so stay on the marked path. We couldn't find an official length.

Viewpoint · north tip of West Maui

Nakalele Blowhole

A sea-driven geyser on the rugged north tip of West Maui, reached by a short, steep, rough walk down from roadside parking.

Road work: HDOT listed one-lane closures for rockfall work on Route 30 at mile markers 35.3–36.1 (Oct 19–23, 2026).

Watch from well above. People have been swept away getting too close. Stay off the wet rocks. Bigger surf means bigger spouts and more danger.

Town · West Maui

Lahaina

Historic Lahaina was largely destroyed by the wildfire of Aug 8, 2023, and is rebuilding. Front Street reopened to cars on Aug 1, 2026 between Pāpalaua and Shaw streets, and many local businesses have reopened. Visitors are welcome to support them.

Stay out of fenced, private and posted areas, and don't photograph fire-damaged sites or people's homes. Expect construction and temporary closures. Market Street, Papelekane Street and Mokuhinia Place stayed closed for ongoing work.

Beach · South Maui

Mākena State Park: Oneloa (Big Beach)

A long, wide golden-sand beach backed by kiawe trees and the Puʻu Ōlaʻi cinder cone. Open 5 a.m.–7 p.m. (to 7:45 p.m. May–July).

Non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 parking (no reservation). The state warns the shore break can be very dangerous: it causes serious neck and back injuries. Stay out when it's pounding.

Snorkel tour · by boat only

Molokini Crater

A crescent-shaped volcanic crater rim about 3 miles off southwest Maui. Its sheltered inner cove has clear water and lots of reef fish.

Reach it with a permitted tour, mostly from Māʻalaea or Kīhei. Mornings are calmest; currents outside the cove can be strong. No feeding fish, and no landing on the islet (a seabird sanctuary).

Hike · South Maui

La Perouse Bay & Hoapili Trail

A historic lava-rock trail, the King's Trail, beyond the end of the south Maui road. It crosses Maui's youngest lava flows past ancient Hawaiian walls and house sites. Rated difficult; the state suggests turning around at Kanaio Beach.

No water, no shade, and rough lava footing: start at first light and wear boots. No road or shoulder parking through ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve (violators are towed). Leave archaeological sites untouched.