7-Day Maui Itinerary

Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) and pick up your rental car

Collect your car and stock up on water, snacks and reef-safe sunscreen at a Kahului grocery store.

Check in to a Kihei or Wailea base

Drive about 30 minutes south and settle in. The south shore is sunny, central and close to Molokini departures.

First swim at Kamaole Beach Park

Shake off the flight at one of Kihei's three Kamaole beach parks, with lifeguards, restrooms and gentle water.

Sunset and a poke bowl dinner

Watch the sun set over Kahoolawe and Lanai, then grab poke or a plate lunch from a local seafood counter.

Morning snorkel cruise to Molokini Crater

Depart from Maalaea or Kihei on an early boat to the crater's clear inner basin, often with a stop at Turtle Town.

Turtle Town and the return cruise

Swim with green sea turtles along the lava reef, then cruise back with views of Haleakala.

Stroll the Wailea Beach Path

Walk the paved 1.5-mile coastal path linking Wailea's beaches and lava points, with a swim at Wailea Beach.

Sunset at Makena (Big Beach)

Head to wide, golden Makena Beach in Makena State Park for sunset. Heed the strong shore break warnings.

Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala

With your Recreation.gov sunrise reservation, leave around 3:00 AM and watch dawn break over the crater. Bring warm layers.

Crater views and the Sliding Sands Trail

Walk a short way down the Keoneheehee (Sliding Sands) Trail and look for silversword plants at the overlooks.

Lunch and browsing in Kula and Makawao

Descend to upcountry Kula for farm views and lunch, then wander Makawao's paniolo (cowboy) town shops and galleries.

Early night before the Road to Hana

Rest after the early start, pack snacks and water, and fuel up for tomorrow's long drive.

Early start from Paia on the Hana Highway

Leave Paia by 7:00 AM and stop at the Twin Falls area, Ke'anae Peninsula and roadside banana bread stands.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park black sand beach

Use your reserved time slot to see the black sand beach, sea arch and lava caves along the coastal trail.

Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala's Kipahulu district

Continue past Hana to hike the 4-mile round-trip Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

Drive back before dark

Return the way you came, aiming to clear the winding stretch by dusk, and grab dinner in Paia.

Iao Valley State Monument and the Iao Needle

With your reserved entry, walk the short loop to the Iao Needle lookout while clouds are still high.

Drive to Kaanapali

Take the coastal Honoapiilani Highway to West Maui, about 45 minutes. Be respectful passing Lahaina, which is still rebuilding after the 2023 fire.

Snorkel Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach

Check in to West Maui and snorkel around Black Rock with turtles and reef fish, then relax on the sand.

Sunset at Napili Bay

Watch the sun sink behind Molokai from Napili's crescent cove, then dine at a West Maui restaurant.

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Walk the easy trail from Kapalua Bay past lava points and Oneloa Beach, with whale spouts offshore in winter.

Honolua Bay snorkel or surf lookout

In calm summer months snorkel this marine conservation area; in winter watch big-wave surfers from the cliffs.

Lazy afternoon at Napili Bay

Return to Napili for a nap on the sand and a turtle-spotting swim.

Dinner and live music in Kaanapali

Stroll the Kaanapali Beachwalk and catch the Black Rock torch-lighting and cliff dive at sunset.

Whale-watching cruise (December-April)

Humpback whales gather in Maui's warm channels each winter; book a naturalist-led boat. Outside whale season, take a snorkel sail.

Brunch and shave ice

Refuel with a local-style brunch and cool off with rainbow shave ice.

Pool, spa or beach time

Keep the afternoon free for the pool or a massage. A slower day is part of the Maui experience.

Sunset catamaran from Kaanapali Beach

Several boats board right off the sand for a sunset sail with Lanai and Molokai on the horizon.