Maui
THE AMERICAS · ISLAND · PACIFIC
Maui packs an absurd amount into 1,900 square kilometres: a dormant volcano you drive to 3,055m for sunrise, a rainforest road with 600 bends, some of the best snorkelling in the state, and humpback whales in the channel every winter. Lahaina is rebuilding after the 2023 fire — visit with care, spend locally, and give the town its space.
The plan
Haleakalā at sunrise
Drive to 3,055m in the dark for sunrise above the clouds. Reservations required and they sell out sixty days ahead.
The Road to Hana
Ten hours, 620 curves and 59 bridges past waterfalls and black-sand beaches. Start at 7am or don't start.
Snorkel Molokini
A sunken crater rim off Wailea with 45m visibility. Morning boats only — the wind ruins the afternoon.
Whale watching, December to April
Humpbacks calve in the Auʻau Channel and you'll see them from shore. Pacific Whale Foundation boats are the ethical pick.
Ka'anapali and the cliff dive
Black Rock at sunset, where a diver lights torches and jumps. Free, and the beach is superb.
Book before you fly
Haleakalā sunrise
A reservation is required between 3am and 7am, released 60 days ahead plus a next-day drop at 4pm on recreation.gov.
Mama's Fish House
Books up to six months ahead — reserve before you book flights.
Road to Hana & Waiʻānapanapa
The black sand beach park now requires a timed parking and entry reservation.
Getting there
Fly Kahului (OGG)
The island's main airport with direct flights from the US west coast, Seattle, Dallas and Chicago, plus interisland hops.
Fly Honolulu (HNL) and connect
Thirty minutes on Hawaiian or Southwest, and often cheaper than flying direct to Maui from the mainland.
Getting around
You need a car. Book it before flights in peak season — Maui genuinely runs out of rental cars and prices spike.
When to go
Best time to go
April to May and September to October — dry, warm, and between the two high seasons.
Cheapest months
Late April to early June and September, when flights and rooms drop noticeably.
Priciest & busiest
Mid-December to March, which is both whale season and the most expensive time to be here.
If you've got one day
Morning
Haleakalā at sunrise
Late morning
The Road to Hana
Lunch
Tin Roof
Afternoon
Snorkel Molokini
Evening
Dinner at Mama's Fish House, then Whale watching, December to April
If you've got a week
Day 1
Arrive, settle in around Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and take it slowly — Tin Roof for dinner.
Day 2
Haleakalā at sunrise.
Day 3
The Road to Hana. Dinner at Mama's Fish House.
Day 4
Day trip — Lanai.
Day 5
Snorkel Molokini. Merriman's Kapalua at some point.
Day 6
Whale watching, December to April.
Day 7
Ka'anapali and the cliff dive. Finish with Star Noodle.
Staying longer?
Nearby & day trips
Lanai
A 45-minute ferry from Lahaina to an island with two roads and Hulopoe Bay.
Molokai
The least touristed Hawaiian island, with the highest sea cliffs in the world.
Thirty minutes by air to Oahu.
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