When we lived in SF, Rebecca and I traveled to Maui several times. Here are our top recommendations!
Map
Sections
6
Beaches
Hiking & Walking Trails
Restaurants
Activities
Guidebooks & Info
Hotels
Beaches
Great video overview of beach options
Top 10 Beaches on Maui
4
Really great for snorkeling and surfing
Honolua Bay Beach
2
One of the most picturesque beaches, beautiful at sunset
Makena Beach State Park
Our favorite beach in Maui. I'd recommend going in the morning rather than the afternoon, because it gets very windy around 2pm.
Wailea beach
Fun sunset sail cruises, great for special occasions
Trilogy Excursions
Small beach, surrounded by resorts. Great swimming but can get crowded
Kapalua Bay Beach
Hiking & Walking Trails
We've explored some of the amazing hikes and walking trails in Maui. There are a ton more on our list when we get a chance to go back, but here are our favorite based on what we've explored so far.
Beautiful and somewhat challenging trail
Iao Valley Secret Trail
Fun walking or jogging path along the ocean, you'll cross the beach front of several of the big resorts
Wailea Beach Path
Favorite Hike on the island. It's about a 45min drive from Lahaina or Wailea, but it's really worth it. The very start is pretty steep but it's really not too hard (it's a paved road for that part). And after that it's dirt switchbacks (don't go if r...
Waihee Ridge Trail
Restaurants
Best fish tacos on the island, we usually stop here after we land AND before we depart since it's close to the airport.
Coconuts Fish Cafe
Great sandwiches/salads, we usually take out sandwiches from here to eat on our hikes
The Market
Fun dinner place with locations in both Wailea and Kaanapali, love the poke tacos.
Monkeypod
Didn't think good Italian food was a think on Maui, but was really pleasantly surprised by this place
Fabiani's
One of the "top" restaurants in Maui, kind of pricey but great for a special occasion
Mama's Fish House
Activities
Works great
Sunset sail near Wailea. Cocktails, music, food, sunsets..what's not to like! Tip: bring a towel and wear shorts or a bathing suite since ship boards from the water (can be knee or hip high).
Kai Kanani
Renting bikes on Maui can be a lot of fun. Best place to do so near Lahaina is West Maui Cycles.
