Best time to take a trip to Maui
A winter-phobe’s dream come true, Maui sports sea-level summer all year and sunny beaches both west and south. Even humpback whales take a Maui vacation December through April, playing offshore throughout the season. Bring a jacket for the top of chilly Haleakala.
Paradise is most peaceful – and most affordable – in early summer and fall. Or, time your Maui travel for a special event such as January’s golf-star-studded Tournament of Champions or April’s Hawaiian-culture Celebration of the Arts. June heats up with the renowned Maui Film Festival and Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. Halloween in Lahaina is an experience to remember.
Insider tips for Maui travel
Oneuli Beach
Rarely visited and better for meditating than swimming, this hidden foliage-lined beach has dark volcanic sand, a cinder-cone hill and a far-from-the-world feel.
Maui Crafts Guild
A local-artist owned and operated co-op in seaside Paia, the Guild is the right place to score handcrafted ceramics, prints, jewelry, textiles and other treasures.
Kanaio Coast
Reachable only by boat tour, this less-visited and remote coastal area hides deliciously creepy sea caves and secret snorkeling coves.
Kahanu Garden
Explore an oceanfront native-plant paradise surrounding a massive ancient Hawaiian temple mound. One of Maui’s secret gems, just off the highway in Hana.
Castaway Cafe
A “regular Joe” façade keeps this Island-style Kaanapali Beach poolside café from the swarms. A list of more than 500 wines makes it your immediate destination.
Things to do in Maui
Haleakala National Park
In case you never make it to Mars, the interior of this 10,000-foot volcano crater may do. Inside, an otherworldly landscape of cinder cones and strange plants unfolds.
Iao Valley State Park
Explore a serene Jurassic Park tropical setting just outside of Wailuku, also the scene of an epic battle in 1790 for control of Maui.
Kaanapali Beach
Maui’s most famous beach is both family friendly and babe-alicious. Find golden sand, gentle waves, exotic neighbor-island vistas and plenty of whales in winter.
Lahaina
Visit Maui’s most colorful and honky-tonk town. Once a whaling seaport, now chockfull of historic tidbits, tchotchke shops, art galleries and cafés.
Makena Beach
One of Maui’s best loved sunning beaches, Makena Beach (also known as Big Beach) offers an endless white-sand paradise unfettered by development.
Molokini Marine Preserve
Take snorkeling or scuba diving to psychedelic levels with a boat trip to Molokini, a semi-submerged volcanic crater marine sanctuary just off the coast.
Pipiwai Trail
A moderately easy 4-mile roundtrip trail through tropical rainforest, including groves of bamboo, and ending at the spectacular Waimoku Falls.
Road to Hana
Bust out the Dramamine and brave the curves on Maui’s legendary coastal drive to Hana, with dramatic ocean views, lush tropical landscapes and trickling waterfalls.
Upcountry Maui
Old-Hawaii cowboy meets New-Age yoga guru in the rustic and spring-fresh pasturelands of Upcountry. The wee town of Makawao is café and art-gallery perfect.
Whale watching
Thrill your friends with stories of up-close encounters with 45-foot humpback whales. Pacific Whale Foundation offers some of the best small-boat tours.
Top Maui vacation package deals
Aston at Papakea Resort
Jul 23 - Jul 28
Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului (OGG)
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2023
OUTRIGGER Kaanapali Beach Resort
Jul 20 - Jul 24
Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului (OGG)
Kahului (OGG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Reviewed on Dec 20, 2023
Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach
Jul 20 - Jul 24
Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului (OGG)
Kahului (OGG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Reviewed on Mar 31, 2023
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Jul 20 - Jul 24
Los Angeles (LAX) to Kahului (OGG)
Kahului (OGG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Reviewed on Jul 7, 2023