There are many great spots on Maui but here are my favorite spots.
Hawaii is safe! Nothing could kill you on land. Water has tiger sharks but extremely rare, however, always be cautious. Watch out for waves at the beach and never turn your back to the ocean. Always stay 10-20 feet from turtles and monk seal or receive a hefty fine or get yelled by locals. Always respect Hawaii and never take any rocks, sands, shells, etc. It’s a well known curse (Pele’s curse) by the people here if you are superstitious.
Caution:
1) Do not go on the north road of west side if you are a weak driver. It’s many sections could fit only one car, cliffs, and no rails.
2) Avoid driving the south road of east Maui. It's forbidden by rental car companies. Drive at your own risk!
3) Always lock your car and never leave any important belongings in your car.
4) Always wear sun screen and bring bug spray.
5) Respect the land and tips!
West side:
1) Blow hole but tough terrain with rocks down hill but a beautiful view of cliffs and ocean. Park your car on the street. No restroom. DO NOT get near the hole!! It will suck you in!!!
2) Honolua Bay and snorkeling on west side. Beautiful rainforest 1/4 walk to the bay. It has portable restrooms near the street. Park your car on the street at a designated area.
3) Dragon's teeth near Ironwood beach. The parking is near by Ironwood parking as well. A short hike and follow the path. Do not walk on the golf course. No restroom.
4) Beautiful beaches on west Maui (From north to south):
a) DT Flemming beach is a big beach. It has public parking lot and restrooms.
b) Ironwood beach with cliffs and a beach right next to it. It’s quite windy at times. No restroom and a small parking lot. If full, park at Dragon’s teeth parking lot and walk over.
c) Kapalua beach has sand, lava rocks on the sides, and palm trees. It's great for snorkeling if not too wavy. Many condos are behind the beach. It has public parking lot and restrooms. Less windy compare to Ironwood beach.
d) Napili beach is right on the south side of Kapalua beach and similar. It has sand, lava rocks, and palm trees. Many condos and hotels behind the beach. Park your car on the street. No restroom.
e) Kaanapali beach is one of the famous beaches on Maui and tourist attractions. Most hotels are along this beach. No professional photographers are allowed.
f) Black rock is at Kaanapali beach near Sheraton hotel and you could park at Sheraton hotel for free parking to access to the beach. You could jump from rocks and snorkeling.
g) Olowalu beach has darker sand and trees. It's very natural with very little buildings on site. Usually super calm waves and no rest room.
South:
1) Lava field - It's just a big field of lava rocks and able to do a few miles of hiking. It's at the end of south Maui. Just keep driving south until dead end.
2) Beautiful beaches along south side. Here are my favorites:
a) Makena Cove aka Secret Beach. It's a small peace of beach with lava rocks, sand, and palm trees. It's one of the most popular beach on Maui. It's popular for elopements, photo shoots and tourists. It's easy get crowded during sunset. It's at the south end of Big Beach. Use Google map to navigate. Park on the street next to lava rock walls and access through an entrance walls.
b) Big beach is right on north of Makena Cove. It's a beautiful big beach. It has only portable restrooms. Very strong waves here so be cautious.
c) Charley Young Park beach with beautiful lava rocks formation, palm trees, and a beach right next to it. It has a public parking lot. No restroom but has water to wash your feet and shower.
d) Po’olenalena beach has two big beaches. It has lava rocks, palm trees and sand. One is at the parking lot and another one that you will walk through a little trail to the north of the parking,
e) Maluaka beach is great for snorkeling but kind of wavy at times and a bit small but nice corals. It has sand, lava rocks, and palm trees. There are two parkings. One is north of the beach and one is at south of the beach. They both have different entrance. There are restrooms.
f) Kamaole I, II, III, beaches. A very popular tourist beaches. It’s popular and great for snorkeling near lava rocks. Next to pool tides as well. You will see small fish swimming in the pool tides. Public restrooms are available and water to wash.
North West Mountain:
1) Kepaniwai Park right before IAO valley with beautiful sides mountains and stream. Small trails there with lush green forest. It has public parking and restrooms. Many locals go here and swim at the stream.
2) IAO valley is further pass Kepaniwai at the end road. It’s famous for the needle hill and historic about a victory of King Kamehameha. 1/4 mile trail to see the needle. If you take another direction inside IAO, you will see the stream and hiking about 1-2 miles up the stream. You can swim in the stream as well. You will see green lush beautiful forest.
3) Waihee ridge trail north side with 4 miles round trip, easy walk but lots of hills as you are walking up the mountain. It’s beautiful as you can see the ocean, the valley of Maui and Kahului town. One of my favorite hikes.
4) 13 crossing hikes with 2 small waterfalls near the end. It’s half mile passed Waihee ridge trail. Most beautiful small waterfalls area on Maui in my opinions due to the green lust landscapes around the waterfalls. Park your car on the street right close to the bridge and the entrance is right before the bridge. Be cautious, do not leave any valuable items in your car.
East side (Road to Hana): Not recommended if you are easily getting motion sickness. It’s about 750+ constant curves. Take motion sickness pills if you can.
1) Paia town, Paia secret beach and Baldwin park beach. It's a small town and two nice beaches close by. Paia town is a must visit and walk around.
2) Kaulahoa Beach - A small beach with many turtles and you get to go up close. Make sure always to stay 10ft away.
3) Hookipa beach with many turtles and a small cliff walk at the top parking.
4) Twin falls - about 1 hr drive from Kihei and about 1.5 hr drive from Kaanapali. $10 entry per car. 3 falls about 1 mile walk, 2 miles round trip. First fall is best for swimming and jumping from the fall. 2nd fall not so interesting. 3rd fall is higher and it's like a cave where the water falls over. You can swim there but jumping is not recommended.
5) Eucalyptus Rainbow Trees - it's a great stop to take some photos.
6) Haipua'ena Falls - My favorite waterfalls and ropes swinging. It passes Twin falls about 30 mins. It's hidden but next to the road.
7) There are many other stops between here to black sand beach such as Garden of Eden Arboretum, many other water falls, Hana Lava Tube, etc. It can be easily searching online if interested.
8) Waianapanapa black sand beach, 2 miles from Hana town. You need reservations to access through a website. It's a beautiful pure black sand beach. It has parking lots and restrooms. It has a small cave right before you get down to the sand. You could also hike along the bay area to the next beach.
9) Pipiwai Trail and Ohe’o Gulch pool, passing Hana town. You need to pay parking fee and no reservation needed. Pipiwai trail is 4 miles round trip. You will walk through a beautiful banyan tree, lush green forest, bamboo forest, and crossing a few small water falls. The trail could get muddy if raining. Bring bug's spray.
10) Driving back using south east road. It's not recommended as there are many pot holes and prohibited by rental car companies. Also, this road is normally blocked and for residents only. Drive at your own risk but you will see the beautiful grassland and hills. Anything happens, you will pay for it.
Up the mountain:
Haleakalā summit is about 1.5 hours drive from Kahului town. You will be on top of Maui above the clouds. Easy drive and a little windy roads but a lot less windy than road to Hana. It’s 10,000 feet above sea level. Morning requires reservations but sunset doesn’t need reservations. You will need to pay entrance fee. I highly recommend sunset. If the sky is clear, you can see the whole valley of Maui and the west mountain.
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