I’ve spent a lot of time on Maui (I used to live there and still go back to visit frequently), and this is the itinerary I sketch out for friends and family who ask me for my recommendations : )

7 Day Maui Itinerary

Where to Stay

I’ve written a lot about where to stay on Maui (including Wailea vs Kaanapali), but I personally always like to stay in South Maui so I’m gearing things in this itinerary to assume you’re staying in that area. It’ll still work if you’re staying in West Maui, but you may want to swap out some of the places to eat, etc. to make more sense.

Arrival Day

If your flight arrives midday, stop and pick up lunch at TinRoof in Kahului. You can order online to avoid the line. I highly recommend the chopped steak with garlic noodles, but you really can’t go wrong with anything and I’m still working my way through the menu.

Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon just hanging out. Enjoy the beach and pool and get the lay of the land.

My first night tradition is always mai tais at the Monkeypod. There’s one in Wailea and Kaanapali. They have a great happy hour here. Honestly everything on the menu is really good, but I’ve found that 90% of the time when people aren’t impressed with this place it’s because they ordered the margarita pizza ; )

I love their kalua pork and pineapple pizza, potstickers, lobster deviled eggs, garlic truffle oil fries, and seafood pasta.

Day 1: Sunrise at Haleakala

One of Maui’s top “do not miss” experiences is watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala. Haleakala (meaning “House of clouds”) is Maui’s dormant volcano. The summit has an elevation of 10,000 feet and watching the sunrise through the clouds is something you’ll never forget!

This experience takes some planning though!

It can take up to two hours to reach the summit of Haleakala from Wailea (it’s a little over 1.5 hours of driving time plus you usually have to wait in line at the park entrance to pay the entry fee) so it’s going to be an early morning.

But this is why I recommend doing Haleakala on your first day in Maui. You won’t be adjusted to the time change so a 3AM wake up call will feel much later for those traveling from the US mainland.

**Reservations are now required for a viewing spot at the summit (a parking spot really) so make sure you book in advance with the National Park Service. The booking window opens up 60 days in advance at 7AM HST. Plus a limited number of spots become available two days in advance. Sometimes reservations sell out really quickly so I recommend creating an account and being logged in and ready to go as soon as they become available.

Online reservations are $1 per reservation/vehicle PLUS you’ll pay the park entrance fee of $30/vehicle when you arrive (National Park annual passes are also accepted at the gate).

Look up the sunrise time and plan to be at the summit well before (like at least an hour before). You want to be up there when it’s still pitch black (not at first light) and then factor in the time traveling from your resort to the summit.

Here are some tips for surviving the sunrise: Give yourself plenty of time for travel. Pack motion sickness medication if you’re prone to it. The drive up is very winding. Take snacks and drink plenty of water. You’ll be driving from sea level to 10,000 feet in about 25 miles. The change in altitude is no joke! Pack super warm clothes! It’s usually 30-40 degrees at the summit for sunrise. You’ll want long pants and layers on top. Pack a hat, scarf, and gloves and bring blankets (or beach towels) if you can!

Read this post for absolutely everything you need to know about doing sunrise at Haleakala.

I fully acknowledge that this all probably sounds completely BONKERS, but I promise that it’s worth it!

After an early wake up call and braving the cold, you’ve earned a GOOD breakfast. My favorite spot on the island for breakfast is Grandma’s Coffee House in Keokea.

Their kalua pork eggs benedict is incredible plus they’ve got great waffles and EVERYTHING in the enormous dessert/pastry case is phenomenal.

After breakfast, go across the street and take a walk (or drive) up Thompson Road.

This is one of my favorite parts of Maui. If you didn’t know you were in Hawaii and could look out and see the ocean, you’d probably think you were in Ireland or the Texas Hill Country.

Spend the rest of the day at the beach or pool at your hotel.

For drinks and dinner, stop by the Tikehau Lounge in Wailea.

There are far fewer “tiki bars” in Hawaii than most people would expect, but this craft cocktail lounge fills a major void on the island.

Their drinks here are FAR superior to the often “ho hum” drinks you’ll find poolside at the resorts in and touristy oriented restaurants and at a much better price.

Go for their happy hour for before dinner drinks, but their food is actually really good too. Their kalua pork sliders are amazing.

Day 2: West Maui

Some of Maui’s best (and most popular) beaches are on the west side of the island.

Head to Napili Beach for breakfast.

The Gazebo is by far the most popular spot. This tiny restaurant is one of the most popular breakfast spots on Maui. It’s hidden away in a small resort (Napili Shores) but the people still find it.

It’s right on the water (gorgeous views!) and they’re famous for the banana macadamia nut pancakes. Be prepared to wait in line but it’s worth it!

Alternatively, I also really love the Sea House on the other side of Napili Bay. It’s not quite as iconic, but it actually has better views of the beach and usually no line.

Both restaurants have a very small number of parking spots, but I think your best bet is to park near Kapalua Beach and walk over. They recently started charging $29/day to park in the beach lot. You can park in the tennis garden lot across the street for less (I think around $15 for the day), and there’s also some free street parking. If you’re coming early enough for breakfast, you should be able to find street parking.

But since you’ll be parked in this area all day, I don’t think paying for parking is unreasonable for a day’s worth of entertainment ; )

After breakfast take a stroll on the beach and watch for turtles (they usually frequent this area).

From here, walk over to Kapalua Bay and hike the Kapalua Coastal Trail. If you’re looking for a fairly easy and accessible hike, with INCREDIBLE views without having to go to the Hana side of the island, this is my number 1 recommendation.

The Kapalua Coast Trail stretches for about 1.75 miles along West Maui’s coastline and offers beautiful beaches, sweeping ocean views, and dramatic lava landscapes all from a fairly easy walking trail.

If you do this as an out and back hike…depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the sights, the hike can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. For casual hikers who like to take photos and enjoy the scenery, setting aside 2 hours is a pretty good estimate.

The trail is easy to follow and part of it feels more like a rugged hiking trail, but some of it feels more like a pleasant stroll through a resort area.

From Kapalua Beach you can take the trail all the way north to the Ritz Carlton at DT Fleming Beach. It’s about 1.75 miles there.

You could stop in at Cafe Kai in the resort for coffee or an acai bowl. There’s a lot of great seating around the cafe and lobby with great views out over the resort and ocean.

Also the Burger Shack on DT Fleming Beach has amazing views and they’re well known for their fun milkshakes.

Walk back towards your car and then spend the rest of the day at either Kapalua or Napili Beach. Both have good snorkeling plus you can rent gear and paddleboards from a little shack at Kapalua Beach.

Have dinner at Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina.

This is my go to spot for a laid back meal of good, local style food, at a reasonable price WITH A VIEW.

After the fires in Lahaina, a smattering of restaurants have reopened in spaces that survived the fire, and they very much want and need business.

Aloha Mix Plate has reopened in its original location on Front Street (next to the Old Lahaina Luau) and it’s a gem.

The food is so good and reasonably priced for the atmosphere.

Try the Aloha Mix Plate (teriyaki beef, shoyu chicken, and fish) with mac salad and a lilikoi soda. But seriously…EVERYTHING is good here.

Also, Mala Ocean Tavern and Honu are open in this same area and VERY good (more upscale).

Day 3: Road to Hana

If you’ve read many blog posts or done much research about the Road to Hana, you’ll know that there are about 6709 must see stops out there. I swear blogs compete with each other to see who can suggest the most stops.

So….I’m kind of the opposite of that. I like to keep it simple. For me, driving the Road to Hana is about the actual drive–it’s seriously one of the greatest drives you’ll ever do without even getting out of the car–and I like to mostly enjoy the drive and only stop for the very best stops.

I don’t know about you but NOTHING wears me out quicker than being in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out of the car all day.

So this is a very streamlined list of stops along the Road to Hana. The best of the best if you will. Also, I’m perfectly fine just “driving by” a lot of stuff. The Road to Hana is not the Audubon. You’re not flying along at 100 miles per hour. You’re going slow enough to soak it all in. I realize this is not everyone’s travel philosophy, but bear with me.

But I will say, I do like pulling over at overlooks or anywhere it looks like there’s a good view. I just don’t feel the need to go down every little hiking trail or try to park and scamper down some rocks to get 10 feet closer to a waterfall.

All that being said, whenever I’m taking people on a Road to Hana day trip for the first time, I have two major priorities: 1) Waianapanapa State Park (the black sand beach) and 2) the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park.

My Favorite Road to Hana Stops (in Order – Clockwise)

Grab coffee and a quick breakfast near wherever you’re staying, or stop in Paia at either Paia Bowls, Paia Bay Coffee or Belle Surf Cafe.

Here are the best places to spend your time on the Road to Hana (and sights to keep an eye out for):

Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

Starting around mile marker 6 or 7, you’ll pass groves of rainbow eucalyptus trees fairly often (depending on where they are in their shed cycle sometimes they’re easier to spot than others. Parking is pretty tricky along this stretch so unless you’re passing through early sometimes it’s not so easy to pull over.

Further down the road at the Keanae Arboretum there’s a grove of them with some parking across the street.

Keanae Peninsula & Aunty Sandy’s

This peninsula (you’ll take a left to drive down to the water between mile marker 16 and 17) is home to a quaint little town (village really). It’s one of the more popular stops along the Road to Hana because it’s very accessible, but the view at the bottom is so lovely. It feels like old Hawaii. Stop at Aunty Sandy’s roadside stand for some fresh fruit or banana bread.

Halfway to Hana

If you didn’t stop at Aunty Sandy’s, you’ve got to stop at this roadside stand just past the Keanae Peninsula.

Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears Falls)

These falls at mile marker 19.5 are some of my favorites. It’s a “drive by waterfall” meaning you can see it from the road but you can also park past it and walk back for a longer look (although you’re just walking down the road-it’s not protected). You can also climb down under the bridge and make your way to the pool at the bottom but I would probably just settle for a look and keep going.

Waianapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)

This dramatic black sand beach is STUNNING and it’s easily the #1 don’t miss stop along the Road to Hana. As you near Hana, this is the first “epic” stop you’ll make and besides the beach, you can easily spend an hour or so hiking around here.

Take the hike up around the other side of the beach to see another black sand beach and a good view of the blowhole.

And don’t miss the sea cave which is just to the right of the beach as you’re facing the ocean.

WARNING: Don’t forget to make reservations or you WILL be turned away at the gate. You can make reservations 30 in advance (and no later than the day before) here. Parking is $10/vehicle and there’s a $5/person entry fee that all has to be registered and paid for when you make your reservation. You’ll make your reservation for one of four time slots (they vary slightly throughout the year): 7AM-10AM, 10AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-3PM, and 3PM-6PM.

They are strict with the entry times. The two time slots in the middle of the day are the ones that sell out first. I prefer the second time slot and always pace myself to show up right when it opens (10AM).

Hana Town

You’ve made it! There’s not much in Hana (you might find a gift shop or two-if they’re open), but be sure to stop in Hasegawa’s General Store for a cold drink. There are also two food truck courts (one before you reach Waianapanapa and one in Hana town) that are great for lunch.

Wailua Falls

As you leave Hana and head towards the National Park (the Seven Sacred Pools and Pipiwai Trail), you’ll pass Maui’s most photographed waterfall. You can’t miss it as it’s right by the side of the road. And there’s plenty of parking here. Watch out for crowds as it’s a popular stop with the tour buses. For me, I’m ok just doing the drive by because I know what’s ahead…

Kipahulu District at Haleakala National Park

This is it. For me doing the “Road to Hana” is about the drive, the black sand beach and this spot. This is a separate entrance from the summit of Haleakala National Park (where people go for sunrise and sunset), but if you pay the entrance fee ($30/vehicle), your receipt is good at BOTH locations for three days. Kipahulu is home to two of the most popular stops on the Road to Hana: Oheo Gulch (the Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trail.

Kipahulu is about 10 miles past Hana town (about a 30 minute drive) and the road gets interesting but it’s all paved (the tour buses come back here y’all so it can’t be that bad!).

Once you make it to the National Park, here’s what you’re dealing with…

Oheo Gulch

Famously known as the Seven Sacred Pools, these cascading pools go all the way to the ocean and became famous as a spot to swim. But they haven’t actually allowed swimming in the pools for years for various reasons. If this is a big thing on your bucket list, check the conditions before you go. They’re still really cool to see even when you can’t swim and the trail from the parking lot is about half a mile round trip, but I think the best view is from the bridge above them.

Pipiwai Trail

THIS is why I blow through a lot of the stops more towards the beginning of the Road to Hana…so I have time to hike the Pipiwai Trail. It’s a four mile round trip hike that takes you through Hana’s famed bamboo forest and ends at the spectacular 400 foot Waimoku Falls.

Yes, I will trade all of those cute drive by waterfalls to be able to stand at the bottom of this bad boy. It’s not a particularly difficult trail (it’s super well maintained), but it’s usually pretty humid so it can feel challenging.

The hike itself probably takes about 2 hours if you’re not stopping too much, (but plan at least 3 hours in the park in general and maybe more if you’re going to hike down to the Oheo pools).

Once you’ve come to the falls, you’ll reach a point on the trail where there’s a sign posted not to go any closer. In the past, a lot of people used to go past it right down to the bottom of the falls, but this last time I hiked it (August 2024) the trail was completely overgrown.

And these falls break over rocks so there’s not a pool to see or swim in anyways.

This trail is a truly stunning experience and if you are at all able bodied, I 100% recommend that you put forth the effort to do this hike.

But remember, it takes good time management throughout the day to make sure that you’ll make it all the way to the National Park and have time for the hike.

Bold statement here…if you’re not going to hike the Pipiwai Trail, I’m not sure I’d spend the time driving out (10 miles/35 minutes past Hana) just to see the pools. If you’ve got plenty of time, give it a go, but remember it costs $30/car and if you’re going to reverse course and drive back through Hana anyways, it adds quite a bit of time to the day.

Day 4: Resort Day & Mama’s Fish House

After doing the Road to Hana, I always need a day to recover!

So spend a day VACATIONING at your resort.

When I’m staying in Wailea, my perfect day looks like:

Coffee at Akamai or Whale’s Tale, strolling the Wailea Beach Walk, pool, beach, pool, beach, lunch at the pool, maybe the spa, beach, and more pool ; )

If you’re not staying at a resort, take a look at ResortPass. You can purchase daypasses or rent a cabana at some of Maui’s best resorts.

You can also book chairs at Wailea Beach Resort’s Olakino “Wellness Experience” pool.

For dinner, make reservations at Mama’s Fish House IN ADVANCE.

A meal here is my #1 non negotiable recommendation for anyone coming to Maui.

Tell 100 people who’ve been to Maui before that you’re going to Maui and 95 of them will ask “are you going to Mama’s?”

It’s not a “hidden gem” or an out of the way place that nobody knows about. But it’s the best.

I like to think of this places as “Gilligan’s Island meets fine dining.” The inside of the restaurant is layered and welcoming while still being impressive. Like maybe you’re eating in someone’s home or family restaurant.

One of my favorite parts is that the menu is printed fresh everyday so they can list not only which fish they’re using in each dish, but where on the island it was caught and the name of the fisherman. I’ve never seen anything like that anywhere else.

My Usual Order: I must confess, I get the exact same thing EVERY time I’m at Mama’s. I mean, when I’m paying this much for a meal and I find something outstanding, I just don’t like to mix it up.

Drink: Guava Fizz

Appetizer: Crispy shrimp wontons.

Entree: Mac nut crusted mahi mahi (stuffed with lobster and crab)

Dessert: The Pearl (Honestly, I’m usually too stuffed for dessert but this is their signature)

It’s not cheap, but it never disappoints. And it really is an EXPERIENCE.

Since it’s such a hot spot, you NEED a reservation. They take reservations about 18 months in advance, and honestly they’re usually pretty booked up for dinner at the six month mark. So reserve early!

Day 5: Snorkel Molokini OR Lanai

Maui is known for having the best snorkeling out of all of the Hawaiian Islands, and in large part that’s because there are so many places that you can snorkel right from the beach making it super accessible.

But one of the top things to do on Maui is a snorkeling tour. Being out on the boat is such a fun way to spend the day, and there are some spots that are only accessible via boat.

Maui also has two superstar off shore snorkeling sites that get a lot of buzz. Well, one is technically another island but it’s only accessed via Maui.

If you’ve done any research at all about the must do things on Maui, you’ve heard about snorkeling in Molokini Crater. It’s iconic.

But slightly more off the radar is a day trip to Lanai to snorkel at the renowned Hulapoe Bay.

Snorkeling Molokini and Lanai both involve booking a snorkel trip on a boat.

Since Molokini is closer to Maui (and such a big draw with the tourists), there are a lot of companies that do trips there and you’ll find a wide range of types of tours at different prices…from bargain to luxury.

Since Lanai is quite a bit further from Maui, there are fewer companies that do trips to Lanai for snorkeling and therefore they’re a bit more expensive.

My two favorite snorkel tours on Maui go to each spot: One to Molokini (and Turtle Town) and one to Lanai.

In my opinion:

The best Molokini excursion is Kai Kanani’s Sunrise Snorkel Trip.

The best Lanai excursion is Trilogy’s Discover Lanai Tour.

On a 7 day trip, I would pick one or the other. Generally, I recommend Kai Kanani’s Molokini trip for first time visitors and Trilogy’s Lanai trip to repeat visitors.

Both tours are GREAT experiences and 100% worth doing, but here are some things to consider:

Kai Kanani’s Molokini Sunrise Snorkel Tour is $279/adult and lasts 3.5 hours (6:15 AM – 9:45 AM) and departs from Makena in South Maui.

Trilogy’s Discover Lanai Tour is $295/adult and lasts 8 hours (6:30 AM – 2:30 PM) with departures from both Kaanapali Beach (West Maui) and Maalaea Harbor (Central/South Maui).

So cost/hour could be a factor here (or not).

FOR EXAMPLE. Trilogy’s Lanai trip is basically a full day’s excursion. It could be the best day of your vacation! When I’m staying at a more budget friendly hotel or condo and looking to be out doing things all day, that’s a pretty good value.

Alternatively, when I’m paying $$ to stay in Wailea, I really love that I can go do an incredible snorkeling adventure with Kai Kanani to Molokini (the boat leaves about 5-10 minutes away from the resorts in Wailea) and be back at the resort by 10AM to enjoy the entire day.

Day 6: Upcountry

Plan to spend the day exploring, what I think, is the most special part of Maui.

But first! Breakfast. For me, Kihei Caffe is a must do. It’s hearty, big portions, and GOOD local style food. Be prepared to wait in line if you go mid morning (but it moves fast) and take cash (or there’s an ATM inside).

It’s right across from Kalama Beach park and it just feels like where you want to be when you’re on vacation in Hawaii.

Make reservations for the first tour of the day at Maui Pineapple Tour in Haliimaile. The Maui Pineapple Tour is probably my top “off the beaten path” thing to do on Maui.

The 1.5 hour tour is offered multiple times a day and takes you into the heart of one of the last remaining pineapple plantations in Hawaii. You’ll head into the fields where you’ll see sweeping views of the island, see how pineapple is picked, plant your own pineapple, and even get to sample sweet Maui Gold pineapple straight out of the dirt.

The tour also includes a peak into the packing facility and everyone goes home with their own Maui Gold pineapple!

I’ve done a lot of tours and excursions in Hawaii, and this is definitely one of my top picks.

Next, head up to Makawao. Makawao is paniolo (cowboy) country and the town looks straight out of the Wild West. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here.

Park the car and explore the shops, boutiques, and art galleries that have revived Makawao from its days as a cattle town.

While there’s quite a bit of parking on the street, there’s also a free lot behind the buildings at the northeast intersection of Baldwin & Makawao Avenue. Continue east on Makawao avenue and take the first left (Brewer road) and then turn left into the lot. It’s a bit hidden if you don’t know it’s there but once you park, there’s a staircase that takes you right up towards town (plus that’s where the public restrooms are).

Some of my favorite boutiques are Driftwood, Pink by Nature, Homme by Nature, and the Mercantile, but you HAVE to check out Haku Maui. You’ll see her sign on the mainstreet, but it’s hidden back a bit and it is the CUTEST lei shop. There’s a few things to purchase, but if your trip coincides with one of her lei po’o workshops, then booking a spot is a must!

A trip upcountry isn’t complete without going out to Ulupalakua to visit Maui Wine.

The drive from Keokea to Ulupalakua has great views of Wailea and Makena down below and is a real highlight of the upcountry area.

This place is a real example of Hawaiian hospitality. Located on a beautiful tree filled estate, the winery’s property is filled with historic buildings and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Maui Wine is famous for their pineapple wines but they have a growing collection of estate wines (look for the vineyard on the right side of the road on the way to the winery) that are gaining popularity.

The King’s Cottage Tasting Room is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11AM to 5 PM and reservations can be made 90 days in advance here.

When you’re done at the winery, drive back down to the north shore for some turtle spotting.

Ho’okipa Beach is one of the most popular (and reliable) spots to see turtles resting on the beach on Maui. It’s a well known turtle “resting ground” and the turtles show up here like clockwork every afternoon.

Ho’okipa overlook is about a mile past Mama’s Fish House on the north shore (there’s a small sign but there’s usually a couple of food trucks in the small parking lot). The overlook is a great spot to watch the surfers, but to get to the actual beach you’ll have to drive or walk down below.

The east end of the beach is the resting area for the Hawaiian green sea turtles. Every afternoon they will swim up onto the beach to sun themselves while they nap. A volunteer group usually has a perimeter blocked off around the turtles, but this is the perfect spot to see a whole herd of turtles (usually around 20) both in and out of the water.

Ho’okipa may be the most famous place for spotting turtles, but there’s an even better spot close by. Tavares (Kuau) Bay is just east of Paia town and the water is usually calmer and there are a ton of turtles.

There’s a small parking lot and you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the big blue tile house.

It’s a mix of local families (watching small children being nonplussed about a turtle because they’ve grown up with them is pretty cool) and visitors staying in Airbnbs nearby.

The turtles aren’t monitored here like they are at Ho’okipa and there aren’t nearly as many people so it feels like a more natural environment. Just remember to stay AT LEAST 10 feet away from them and don’t be tempted to sneak in close just because there’s nobody enforcing the rules.

Wrap up the day in Paia town. Some of my favorite shops on Maui are here (I love Wings and Nuage Bleu).

Have dinner at Paia Fish Market or Cafe des Amis.

Day 7: Iao Valley & Luau

Last day on Maui! I seriously wouldn’t blame you if you want to take this day for another resort/beach day. Go for it!

But if you want a bit of adventure first, make the drive into central Maui to see the Iao Valley.

First, stop in Kahului for breakfast at Momona Bakery. This decadent bakery moved into an old bank in Kahului and they’ve absolutely perfected their croissants any way you’d like them (savory, sweet, BOTH).

This is a popular local spot, and it gets crowded to go early if you want to snag a table.

After breakfast, head to Iao Valley. This is where you’re going to want to go to get those “Jurassic Park vibes.”

Jagged, green mountains are the backdrop to a lush jungle that seems like it could be home to a spare dino or two.

In terms of actual history, this is the site where King Kamehameha I defeated Maui’s army and united the Hawaiian Islands.

You’ll need to do a little light hiking to get the best views, but it’s a great easy hike (stroll, really). There’s a 0.6 mile paved walkway that leads to an overlook of the Iao Needle. There’s also a small botanical garden where you can learn about the plants brought to the valley by the Hawaiians who first settled there.

To visit Iao Valley State Park, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are offered for 90 minute time slots beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM. They ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot.

Entry is $5/person plus $10/vehicle to park.

In my personal experience, reservations are usually available last minute (at least a day or two before), but if you’re visiting during peak season or on a holiday, you’ll probably need to plan a bit more in advance.

After your morning adventure, head back to the resort and enjoy your last vacation day.

The last night of the trip needs to be SPECIAL, and the Old Lahaina Luau is just the thing.

I strongly believe that the Old Lahaina Luau is the best luau in all of Hawaii. Maybe a bold statement, but I’ve been to a lot of luaus in Hawaii and I know when I’m impressed. And I’m impressed.

The Old Lahaina Luau does absolutely everything right.

The setting is oceanfront and so dreamy
The venue is custom built (no folding tables on a lawn) and designed so well
There’s traditional seating (on cushions at low tables) which is so fun but also table and chair options
As the sun sets, the dancers are framed by palm tree silhouettes
Arrival experience is top notch (fresh flower leis and proper mai tais in actual glasses)
The open bar has amazing restaurant/bar quality drinks
The food is traditional Hawaiian luau food
The dancing is phenomenal and the show tells a story that’s paced just right (but there is NO Samoan fire knife dancer)

I’ve been to a LOT of luaus and honestly most of them kind of run together, but this one is special. Besides everything I’ve already told you, I guess the best way to sum it up is…while a lot of luaus feel like a production or a list of experiences to check off (Imu ceremony, check…hula lesson, check…taste poi, check) the Old Lahaina Luau feels more like a pleasant evening spent with friends enjoying good food and entertainment. Which at the end of the day, is what makes it feel so authentic.

Alternatively, if you’re not sold on doing a full blown luau, I highly recommend the Wednesday Night Hula Show at South Maui Gardens. It’s a lot more budget friendly ($100/adult) and there are a ton of food trucks on site. My favorite is Kitoko. They have a special menu for the hula show and their crispy pork belly with okinawan sweet potato gnocchi is amazing.

Departure Day

If you have a morning flight, you’ll be out of here bright and early (don’t underestimate the lines at the Maui airport!!), but if you’re going home on the red eye, you may have most of the day.

I love sticking around the resort on the last day. Most resorts have a hospitality suite you can use to shower and change before your flight.

P.S. One of the reasons I’m able to travel to Hawaii so often is because I get free flights with my Southwest credit card AND I can fly someone with me for free with my Companion Pass.

I have this Southwest Premier Rapid Rewards Visa card through Chase. The current sign up offer is 50,000 points. Depending on where you live and fly from, that’s at least one completely FREE ticket to Hawaii and it could be two depending on the time of year (or more if you catch a crazy sale).

But the real pro travel hack is getting the Southwest Companion Pass.

If you acquire a certain amount of annual points with Southwest (either through flying or credit card spend), you get a companion pass where you can bring someone with you on every flight you take FOR FREE for the entire year. I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I save using this every year.

What makes this doable is that the sign up bonuses from Southwest credit cards goes towards the point requirement.

By far the quickest way to qualify for the companion pass is by signing up for a personal AND business card through Southwest.

**Besides being a business owner, if you’re self-employed, a freelancer or contractor, a gig economy worker, if you own rental properties, etc…you qualify for a business card.

And you’ll be most of the way towards qualifying for a Companion Pass PLUS you’ll have 110K points to book flights to Hawaii. That’s enough points to book 3-4 flights to Hawaii! AND you can take someone with you for FREE.

P.P.S. Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…

You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!

Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii and a lot of state and national parks have instituted reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to help manage the crowds and make things a little more sustainable.

That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan.

I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )

But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too.
Get that info >> HERE