Deciding on a travel destination and planning a trip can be stressful. We created this Maui travel guide to help take the stress out of planning and give you the information you need to have an incredible Hawaiian vacation.
We’ve traveled to Maui many times over the years and have explored all over the island. Through all of our experiences, we’ve figured out how to streamline the planning process and lay the groundwork for an unforgettable trip to Maui. This travel guide covers which islands to visit in addition to Maui, how many days you need, what time of year to visit, where to stay, the top things to do, and what to pack for your trip to Maui.
Maui Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip to Maui
Table of Contents 1. Which Hawaiian Island Should I Go To? 2. How Many Days Should I Spend in Maui? 3. What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Maui? 4. Where Should I Stay in Maui? 5. What are the Top Things to Do in Maui? 6. What Should I Pack for Maui?
1. Which Hawaiian Island Should I Go To?
You’re reading this Maui travel guide so you likely are already planning to go to Maui. Great choice! Maui is our favorite island in Hawaii and is an excellent pick for a trip since it has a nice blend of everything that the islands have to offer.  Maui has beautiful swimming beaches, snorkeling, upscale resorts, surfing, lush forests, waterfalls, hiking, volcanic landscapes, epic sunsets, and great dining.
If you plan to go to only one island during your Hawaii trip, we recommend visiting Maui since it has so much variety. For trips that are 10 days or longer, you may want to consider island hopping and visiting another Hawaiian island in addition to Maui.
The islands are all a quick flight away from each other so adding a 2nd island to your trip is very doable. Here is a brief taste of what the other islands have to offer:
- Kauai: Kauai is the Garden Isle and is incredibly lush. The island is less built up than the others, but it is great for stunning scenery and hiking. Hanalei Bay, the Napali Coast, the Kalalau Trail, and Waimea Canyon are a few of the breathtaking highlights in Kauai.
- Hawaii (the Big Island): The Big Island is home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, your trip may line up with when the volcanoes have lava flows! The Waipi’o Valley is another natural wonder on the Big Island. The lush landscape of Waipio Valley is beautiful, however, most of the Big Island is not lush. The Big Island is the youngest Hawaiian island so be prepared to see a lot of lava fields.
- Oahu: Oahu is home to the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu. When walking in the city amongst the skyscrapers, it doesn’t feel like you’re on a tropical island! But don’t worry, the famous Waikiki Beach and that tropical feeling are only a short distance away. Waikiki is amazing for surfing long beginner waves and also has great people watching. Visiting Pearl Harbor and climbing Diamond Head Crater are must-do’s while visiting Oahu. You can also tour the Dole Pineapple Plantation and Kualoa Ranch, a filming location for Jurassic Park, during your trip.
Each Hawaiian island has its own flavor. Any of these islands would make an excellent choice as a 2nd island for your trip. Choosing which island depends on which activities look the most interesting to you.
2. How Many Days Should I Spend in Maui?
Our recommended minimum number of days for a trip to Maui is 7 days. Hawaii is remote, and it can take nearly a day of flying to get there and another day to return home. With a weeklong trip, that leaves 5 full days for exploring the island. There are plenty of things to do during those 5 days. 2 of the 5 days could easily be spent driving the Road to Hana and visiting Haleakala National Park and you’ll want a few days for ocean activities.
If you’d like to visit another island in addition to Maui, we recommend at least a 12-day trip. With a 12-day trip, you’ll have 2 days for travel, 5 days for Maui, and 5 days for another island.
3. What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Maui?
Shoulder Seasons (April, May, September, October)
The best time of year to visit Maui is during the shoulder seasons which include the months of April, May, September, and October. The island is the least crowded during these times. Because the demand is down, these are also the best months for deals on accommodations. Additionally, the weather is ideal during this time, and the water is calm enough for swimming.
For many destinations, visiting during the shoulder season means that the weather may not be as comfortable or as reliable as it is during the peak season, but for Maui, that’s not the case. The weather isn’t much of a factor on when to visit since Maui has beautiful weather year-round. The winter months are the rainiest, however, rain showers are usually short.
Summer Peak Season (June-August)
The summer months in Maui tend to be crowded with those traveling while school is out of session, and the pricing reflects the demand. The waters are the calmest during the summer which is ideal for families who want to swim.
Winter Peak Season (November-March)
The winter months are often crowded and expensive since Maui is a popular winter destination for snowbirds and those looking to have a tropical holiday. For travelers interested in whale watching, winter is the prime time to visit. Winter is also big wave season, which is great for watching surfers, but if you prefer more beaches with calm waters that are safer for swimming and beginner surfing, avoid traveling in the winter.
4. Where Should I Stay in Maui?
If you would like to stay in one location for the entirety of your Maui trip, we recommend staying in Kihei. Kihei is centrally located on the island and makes a great kicking off point for day trips. We enjoy staying in one location while in Maui so we have more flexibility to decide what to do on any given day based on snorkeling and surfing conditions. We check the Maui Snorkel Report from the Snorkel Store and Magic Seaweed each morning to decide which part of the island to go to for the day.
Travelers with a more set itinerary and a desire for shorter drive times may prefer to spend half of the trip with accommodations in the northern part of Maui and the other half of the trip in the south. Wailea is in the southern part of Maui, while Kapalua, Kaanapali, and Lahaina are in northern Maui.
For an upscale resort experience, Wailea, Kapalua, or Kaanapali are the best areas to stay.
When deciding between specific lodging options, whether it’s a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast, or condo, there are a few things in particular to look for:
- Air Conditioning: Some accommodations may not have air conditioning or only have air conditioning in the bedroom. We like to have air conditioning in the bedroom at a minimum. If A/C is important to you, be sure to check that your lodging has air conditioning ahead of time.
- Swimmable Beach Access: Some lodging options are oceanfront or near the beach, but keep in mind that not all beaches are swimmable. We prefer a sandy bottom beach over a rocky shoreline so we have the option to swim. If this is important to you, be sure to research the beach near your accommodation to ensure it’s swimmable.
5. What are the Top Things to Do in Maui?
There are tons of amazing things to do in Maui – so many things that it needed its own post (check it out here). Some things can be done on a whim, but while you’re planning your trip, there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you’re like us and want to explore the island rather than stay at a resort all day every day, you’ll need to rent a car. Also, there are some activities in Maui that require reservations.
Here are some examples of Maui activities that require reservations:
- Wai’anapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
- Molokini Snorkel Tours
- Sunrise Access to Haleakala National Park
- Lanai Ferry
- Road to Hana Tours
- Maui Humane Society Beach Buddies Shelter Dog Program
- Popular Restaurants (like Mama’s Fish House)
If you intend to do any of these Maui activities, plan to make reservations in advance.
6. What Should I Pack for Maui?
Maui has a wide variety of things to do and, therefore, a lot of different activities to pack for. Various types of clothing and gear will be needed for enjoying beaches, the volcano, waterfalls, forests, and upscale dining on the island.
We’ve had years of experience packing for trips to Maui and perfecting what’s in our luggage. Our packing list includes everything you need in order to be prepared for all that the island has to offer. Check out our Maui Packing List here.
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That wraps up our Maui travel guide for planning your trip. For more details on Maui activities for your itinerary, visit our guide on Things to Do in Maui. Head to our Maui Packing List to make sure you have everything you need for all the different types of adventures on the island.