Maui, HI
Plan a trip to Maui
A volcano summit, a coast road, and some of the easiest snorkeling in the islands. Distances are long, so pick one side of the island and stay there.
- Families
- Couples
- Beaches
- Honeymoons
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Maui at a glance
Most trips run 5 to 8 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Maui itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 5–8 days
- When to go
- April to May and September to October have good weather and lower rates. Winter brings humpback whales from December through March along with bigger surf. West Maui is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfire, so check what's open around Lahaina before you build a day around it.
- Getting around
- Rent a car and reserve it early; the island runs short in peak weeks. Driving times are long relative to the map, and the Hana Highway takes about three hours one way.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Haleakalā summit
Sunrise entry needs a reservation booked up to 60 days ahead. Sunset needs no permit and is nearly as good.
- 2
Road to Hana
Sixty-four bridges and a full day. Start before 7am, and consider staying overnight in Hana instead of driving back tired.
- 3
Molokini Crater
Morning snorkel boats leave from Mā'alaea. Visibility is best on the earliest departures.
- 4
Wailea and Kā'anapali beaches
Calm, swimmable, and lined with resorts. Public access paths exist at both.
Where to stay in Maui
- Wailea / Kīhei
- South shore, driest weather, closest to the snorkel boats. Wailea is the resort end, Kīhei the affordable one.
- Kā'anapali
- West side resorts with a beach walk connecting them.
- Pā'ia / Upcountry
- Closest to Hana and Haleakalā, small-town feel, cooler evenings.
A ready-made Maui itinerary
Gentle beaches, a waterfall road, sea turtles, and shave ice for everyone.
Maui Family Vacation: 3-Day Itinerary12 mapped places across 3 days, free to read and copy.Maui planning questions
- How many days do you need in Maui?
- 5 to 8 days. Five days is the minimum that survives one full Hana day and one Haleakalā morning. A week lets you have real beach days between the big drives.
- What is the best time to visit Maui?
- April to May and September to October have good weather and lower rates. Winter brings humpback whales from December through March along with bigger surf. West Maui is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfire, so check what's open around Lahaina before you build a day around it.
- Where should I stay in Maui?
- Three areas cover most trips — Wailea / Kīhei (south shore, driest weather, closest to the snorkel boats. wailea is the resort end, kīhei the affordable one); Kā'anapali (west side resorts with a beach walk connecting them); Pā'ia / Upcountry (closest to hana and haleakalā, small-town feel, cooler evenings). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Maui?
- Rent a car and reserve it early; the island runs short in peak weeks. Driving times are long relative to the map, and the Hana Highway takes about three hours one way.
- What should I see first in Maui?
- Start with Haleakalā summit, Road to Hana, Molokini Crater. Haleakalā summit is the one to schedule first: sunrise entry needs a reservation booked up to 60 days ahead. Sunset needs no permit and is nearly as good.
- Is there a free Maui itinerary I can copy?
- Yes. Arriv has a curated Maui itinerary with every stop mapped and a suggested day-by-day order. Reading it is free, and you can duplicate it into your own trip to change dates, swap places, and share it with whoever you're going with.