Planning

The Best 6-Day Maui Itinerary

You probably think that after you book your flights, your accommodations, and your rental car, you’ve got it made in the shade, right? Not so fast. Surprisingly, many people find laying out a daily itinerary for their trip the trickiest part!

While Maui has some of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere, it’s too far to go and too expensive to just lay around and work on your tan the whole time. Most visitors want to get out and really explore the island. But how do you know how much you can you do in a day? What are the “don’t miss” spots and what’s overrated? Do you need to do organized tours or can you see everything on your own? And how can you see it all and still have time to lay on the beach (because you need to come home with a tan, right?)???

Don’t panic! ; ) I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you can plan the perfect Maui itinerary!

Island Breakdown

First up, you need to know a little bit about how Maui is laid out. Maui is the second largest Hawaiian Island and it’s a lot bigger than most people think. It has a lot of unique geographical areas as well. It’s divided into five areas:

West Side: The west side is the largest (and oldest) resort area and includes the historic whaling town of Lahaina, the resort complex of Ka’anapali, and the planned golf resort community of Kapalua. This side has plenty of gorgeous beaches and so many shops and restaurants but can feel a little isolated from the rest of the island.

South Side: The south side is the driest and sunniest part of the island, and it’s home to Kihei (an area with a boat load of affordable condos), and Wailea (Maui’s most upscale resort area). This side has plenty of swimmable beaches and shops and restaurants, yet feels a bit quieter than the west side.

Central Maui: Most tourists don’t see much of central Maui besides the airport and Costco (both in Kahului) since until recently the valley has mostly been used for sugar cane production.

North Shore/Upcountry: Maui’s north shore and upcountry towns (Paia, Makawao, Haiku, and Kula) feel very “local” but are a still a big draw for tourists wanting to see the “real Maui.” These former plantation and ranch towns are full of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

East Maui: Mostly jungles and waterfalls, east Maui is typically experienced via the Road to Hana. While some choose to stay overnight in Hana (or for a few days), it’s very “off the grid” and most visitors see east Maui on a day trip.

Do You Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?

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Do I need to rent a car in Hawaii? I get asked this question a lot. Going to Hawaii can be such an expensive trip that many travelers look to cut costs wherever they can. And while there may be many destinations where you don’t need a rental car to get around, I don’t think Hawaii is one of them.

I cannot imagine going to any Hawaiian island without having a car so I can come and go as I please. Going to Hawaii is not like going to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Part of the Hawaii experience is getting out and actually exploring the island. While there are some tours or excursions that offer pick up, not having a car will severely limit what you’ll be able to see and do.

With the exception of Oahu, the public transportation options on each island are pretty much non-existent so don’t expect to be able to travel around by bus. And Uber/Lyft can get REALLY expensive (when it’s even available). The Hawaiian Islands are each pretty sizable, so you could end up exceeding the cost of a rental car with just one or two Uber rides.

What about Oahu?

Oahu has a pretty decent public bus system and it’s handy for getting around to the major tourist sites (Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, etc.), but it takes sooooo much longer than having your own car. Even with an itinerary that takes advantage of the bus routes, you’ll be able to do 2-3 times more each day with your own car. It also offers you the option of being more spontaneous.

For example, from Waikiki, you could take the bus out to Hanauma Bay and snorkel/beach bum for the day and then ride the bus back. But with a car, you can drive over to Hanauma Bay, stop at the Leonard’s truck for fresh malasadas on the way, pull over at an overlook for an amazing photo op, visit the Halona Blowhole after you’re done snorkeling, hike up to the Makapu’u Lighthouse (one of the best views on Oahu), and stop for happy hour at Kona Brewing Company on the way back to Waikiki. There’s no way you could do all of that one the bus.

Best FREE Things to Do in Hawaii

You probably think you’ve paid for the bulk of your trip before you even show up with your airfare and accommodations already paid for, but you’d be surprised how quickly the other stuff adds up. You’ll be bombarded with activities and excursion opportunities from the minute you arrive at the airport. So once you’ve go the big stuff paid for, how do you save money once you get there?

There really is a lot you can do for free in Hawaii and thankfully, the free stuff is some of the best stuff!

Beach bumming: Everybody comes to Hawaii for the beaches right? Well get out there and see them! If you’re staying at a beachfront hotel or condo, the temptation is to just hang out on “your” beach, but the awesome thing about Hawaii beaches is that each one looks a little different, especially on different parts of the island. One of my favorite things to do is go “beach hopping.” Plan to visit a different beach each day (or a couple each day) until you find your favorite. You’ll soon realize that different beaches are good for different things. Some are great for swimming and boogie boarding, some for snorkeling, and some for beach combing. Do some research before you get there and make a list of all the beaches you want to check out. Here’s a tip: You’ll have a much more comfortable day at the beach if you have the right gear. Many surf or gear shops will rent chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, etc. to you for the week. Trust me, you’ll have so much more fun if you have the right gear instead of just sitting on a towel in the sand the whole time. But if you are going to rent, I would price check it first as it may be cheaper to buy your own gear at Costco and leave it behind at the end of your trip. Read about my favorite Maui and Kauai beaches as well as my favorite beach town on Oahu.

Snorkeling: Another great Hawaii pastime is snorkeling and many of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii can be accessed right off the beach. If you have your own gear at home, bring it along. If not, there are plenty of places where you can rent by the day or the week (always rent from a gear/surf shop and not your resort as they’ll really gouge you!), but I would suggest picking up a set at Costco when you arrive. You’ll get a nice set for close to the weekly rental price at a gear shop plus you know you’re the first person who’s used it. FYI: Many gear rental places advertise snorkeling gear for $1.99/day but once you get to the shop you realize it’s for kind of a crappy snorkel set and they end up “upselling” you on a more expensive rental. You usually come out ahead just renting your own. Check out my favorite snorkeling spots on Maui and the Big Island.

Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island?

If there’s one question I get asked more often than any other, it’s which Hawaiian Island is best?

I’ve done a pretty extensive blog post on that topic here, but I still get a lot of variations on this question.

After reading up on the different Hawaiian Islands, most people can pretty quickly narrow it down to two choices. That’s when I start getting the this island vs. that island questions.

Say you’re going to Hawaii for a week and you want a laid back vacation without a lot of people around. It’s easy enough to cross Oahu off the list. And after doing a bit of research, maybe the sheer size of the Big Island overwhelms you. So that leaves you with Maui or Kauai. So you start asking around. Guess what? All the people who have been to Maui loved it. And all the people who have been to Kauai will say it’s definitely the best. The people who have been to both will either suggest splitting your trip between the two because who could possibly choose, or they’ll have a definite favorite. Bless those people who can make a decisive recommendation!

Now I’ll tell you what I think ; ) There’s no “best” island. People’s “favorite” or “best” islands depends largely on their personality types and what kind of a vibe they like on vacation. Now unless you match that person 100%, your opinions are likely to differ.

So for the first post in this island vs. island series, I’m going to tackle Maui vs. Kauai. But I’m not going to just tell you which I think is best, because that’s not really going to help YOU decide. I’m going to do my best to break down the pros and cons of each island so you can decide for yourself which will be best. I will let you know my personal favorite at the end though.

Nature

I’m going to start out by making a bold statement. You can’t narrow any Hawaiian Islands out of your search by asking “which ones has the best/most ‘nature’?” I’ve heard so many people say, “if you want nature, Kauai is definitely the best island.” Bull. If you want “nature,” you’ll be happy on any of the islands-even on Oahu with its population of one million. These are some of the most spectacular islands in the world and they haven’t gotten that reputation because of their modern architectural marvels. Each Hawaiian Island features STUNNING natural landscapes. The discussion about which is more “natural” or features better nature is a bit more nuanced.

Kauai’s Highlights

Let’s start with Kauai. If I was forced to name the most beautiful Hawaiian Island, I would probably say Kauai. Most of the island (but especially the north shore) is made up of those jagged, green peaks that movies like Jurassic Park have made so famous. It is lush, it is tropical, and it is stunning. However, I have to admit that 75% of the most spectacular sites I’ve seen on Kauai either involved a helicopter tour, a boat tour, or an extensive hike. So while it might be the most beautiful, most of that beauty isn’t highly accessible.

The Napali Coast is by far what makes Kauai the most beautiful island, but like I mentioned above, it’s so remote that you’ll only see it via helicopter, boat, or strenuous hike. Actually, I would say the Napali Coast is trumped in beauty by Wai’ale’ale Crater (the birthplace of Kauai), but since you’ll only see it for a couple of minutes on a helicopter tour (and because of weather conditions only a percentage of helicopter flights are actually able to enter into the crater), it’s not a major factor for most visitors.

However, I will make another bold statement here. I would almost say if you’re not going to do a helicopter tour, skip Kauai because you’ll be missing its most magical parts.

The other major natural site on Kauai is Waimea Canyon, often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is truly unique, and it’s easily seen by car or via hiking if you’re more adventurous. However, once again, it’s most impressive when seen from a helicopter.

The north shore of Kauai is its true gem. It’s so lush, green, and gorgeous, however it’s that way because of all the rain. It is a rainforest after all. I cannot emphasize how much it rains on the north shore of Kauai, especially during the winter months.

Overall, Kauai does lush and tropical very well, but now on to Maui.

RELATED: Where to Stay on Kauai

Where to Stay on Maui

15 Things to Do on Kauai

15 Things to Do on Maui

Maui’s Highlights

Maui wins easily for the most diverse island. It has lush and tropical, curated resort areas, rainforests, valley, rolling ranchland, and an arid volcano summit. While Kauai excels in the green, jagged peaks department, Maui has it all.

Maui’s two most notable natural features are the Road to Hana which is a gorgeous winding road through the junglish side of Maui featuring countless waterfalls and colorful sandy beaches, and Haleakala, the 10,000 foot summit of Maui’s dormant volcano. Watching sunrise or sunset at the summit of Haleakala is a completely unique experience. You’ll feel more like you’re on Mars than earth due to the terrain. And driving the road to Hana is one of the best adventure day trips in Hawaii. Along this route is where you’ll find the famous black and red sand beaches. Here’s something to note: both of these drives (while not dangerous) feature a LOT of winding roads so if you’re seriously prone to motion/carsickness that may have just knocked those out for you.

Hawaii Trip Planning Timeline

You’re planning a trip to Hawaii…wahoo!! How exciting! But it can also be pretty overwhelming…I mean, how do you even know where to start? While you’ll find detailed posts on topics like choosing the best time to go, picking an island, booking accommodations and flights, etc., on my blog, this timeline will let you know exactly when you should be tackling each one of these tasks to insure that you have the most options available for the best prices.

12+ months

If you’re planning this trip over a year in advance, use this time to do preliminary research about when the best time to go will be (for your circumstances) and choosing an island (or two).

How to Create the Perfect Kauai Itinerary

UPDATE: In April 2018, Kauai experienced record setting flooding especially on its north shore. As a result, the road west of Hanalei town is currently closed cutting off access to the popular Kalalau Trail, Ke’e beach, and snorkeling at Tunnels. I encourage you to check local news coverage before your trip to obtain the most current conditions, and I will also update this as things reopen.

So you’ve got your airfare booked, hotel picked out, and rental car reserved. You’re all ready right? Not so fast. While it has glorious beaches, most people don’t go to Kauai just to lie on the beach and work on their tan. I mean, it’s too far and too expensive to just laze around the whole time. You want to get out there and experience the best things to do in Kauai.

So that means you’ll want to plan out some sort of daily itinerary so you’ll be able to see everything you want to see. Surprisingly, many people find this to be the trickiest part of planning their vacation. How much can you do in a day? What are the “don’t miss” spots and what’s overrated? Do you need to do organized tours or can you see everything on your own?

Don’t panic! ; ) I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you’ll be able to see all the best things to do in Kauai!

Island Breakdown

First up, you need to know a little bit about how Kauai is laid out. Kauai isn’t a very big island (it’s the smallest of the four main islands), but there’s pretty much only one road that runs around the island so it feels pretty broken up. It’s divided into four areas:

North shore: The north shore is the most epic part of Kauai. It’s lush and filled with jagged green peaks. You’ll find countless waterfalls and some of the island’s best hiking and beaches. It also rains a lot.

South shore: The south shore is dry and sunny and full of glorious beaches. The south has a nicely developed resort area (Po’ipu) and many people are drawn here because of the sunshine.

East side: The east side (also called the “Coconut Coast”) is a great home base for exploring Kauai. You’ll find easily accessible beaches, plenty of waterfalls and a lot of hiking trails.

West side: Kauai’s west side is pretty dry and desolate but home to Waimea Canyon and a lot of amazing trails.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Kauai? Read up on the lay of the is(land) and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels.

Don’t Miss List

North Shore

Ke’e Beach: As far as the road goes on the north side, this beach is a stunner and a great spot for beginner snorkeling.

Snorkeling at Tunnels: You’ll find some of the best snorkeling on Kauai right off this famous north shore beach. If you can’t find parking (or the entrance), park at nearby Ha’ena State Park and walk to the right.

Lumahai Beach: Made famous from scenes in South Pacific, this beach is beautiful but not good for swimming.

Hideaways Beach: Accessed by a small trail near the St. Regis’s guard shack in Princeville, just finding this beach is half the fun. Read more detailed instructions for finding it in this post.

Hiking Kalalau Trail: This famed trail along the Napali Coast is 22 miles round trip and requires a permit, but the first two miles (four round trip) are open to day hikers. The trailhead is at Ke’e beach. Don’t miss this!

Hanalei Town: This north shore surf town definitely needs to be checked out. It has some great little boutiques and don’t miss the mai tais at Tahiti Nui.

Napali Coast Boat Tour: During the summer months (April to October), you HAVE to take a Napali Coast boat tour that leaves out of Hanalei. Book a tour in one of the small Zodiacs and spend four amazing hours zipping in and out of sea caves and admiring the most jaw dropping view you’ll see on Kauai.

Kilauea Lighthouse: Not a major attraction, but Kauai’s only lighthouse can be found on the north shore (east end) in Kilauea.

What to Pack for Hawaii

Packing is usually the thing I hate most about a trip-I mean, how do you ever know exactly what you need? But hindsight is always 20/20 so once you’ve been to a destination you know EXACTLY what you need (or don’t need)! So I’m here to tell you (based on experience) what to wear in Hawaii.

The Weather: “It’s the beach so it’s warm all the time right?” Well, pretty much. If you’re staying down near the beaches and resort areas (pretty much anywhere on Kauai and Oahu), the weather will be pretty nice. Temperatures usually hover in the mid-80s year round. It can get breezy at night so you might want layers, and because you’re on an island and the weather can change in a minute, it’s usually nice to have some sort of lightweight rain jacket (especially in the winter months). If you’ll be visiting (or staying) in the upcountry areas of Maui and the Big Island, you’ll want to pack layers so you can bundle up, especially in the mornings and evenings.

Island Style: As far as the vibe of the island, everything in Hawaii is casual and laid back. Shorts and slippahs (flip flops) are respectable pretty much anywhere. If you’re wearing a swimsuit, most places will want you to have a cover up on. Even the fanciest restaurants will only have a “resort wear” dress code, which basically means “try not to look like you just came from the beach.” Khaki shorts and aloha shirts for men and sundresses for ladies are about as fancy as you’ll ever need to get in Hawaii.

Shopping: The good news is that Hawaii is pretty developed so if you leave anything at home you’ll be able to easily pick it up at Walmart/Target or CVS. While prices are higher in Hawaii, you likely won’t notice much of a difference on vacation basics (sunscreen, bug spray, beach gear, etc.). Each main island (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island) has a Costco and Walmart, and each island except Kauai has a Target. Long’s is a drug store chain owned by CVS (similar to Walgreens).

What to Pack

Beach Basics: You’ll want to pack all of the beach basics for your Hawaii trip. Think…shorts, tees and blouses, sundresses, bikinis, cover up, flip flops, hat, sunglasses, beach bag, rash guard/sun shirt. In my experience, you’ll want more casual “knock around” clothes and fewer dress up clothes. I like to pack several breezy sundresses that can be worn as beach coverups or out to dinner. Also, keep everything pretty casual. Unless you like getting all dolled up, simple sundresses and sandals are the fanciest you’ll ever need to be and at most places shorts and shirts are fine. I think they most important thing to make sure you have (or buy once you get there) is a good swim suit coverup. When you’re headed out in the morning, you won’t think much about putting shorts and a shirt over your dry suit, but as you’re in and out of the water throughout the day, you’re going to want something that’s light and airy to pull on over your head. Whether you’re at the resort, running from the beach/pool up to the pool bar for drinks, or stopping by a food truck after a morning snorkeling, you’re going to want something that’s easy to throw on over a wet swim suit without having to put clothes on.

Hiking/Adventure Necessities: If you’re planning on doing some hiking or other adventure activities, make sure you pack the right gear. Bring your hiking/athletic shoes, reef/water shoes, lightweight rain jacket, and a backpack. Do some research about the trail conditions before you head out to decide what kind of footwear will be best. A lot of trails in Hawaii can be very muddy so I usually prefer wearing Keen/Tevas that can be washed off (as well as worn through a stream) instead of hiking boots or athletic shoes.

Snorkeling/Water Sport Gear: Whether or not you bring your own snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) or rent/buy once you’re on island, there’s still plenty of other things you’ll want to back. Reef safe/friendly sunscreen is the most important thing, however I suggest wearing a sun shirt/rash guard and foregoing sunscreen altogether when you’re out snorkeling as it’s often first thing in the morning and you’re not out for that long. You’ll may also want a waterproof camera (I love my GoPro) or a case for your phone. If I’m doing a catamaran snorkeling trip where they load from the beach, sometimes I’ll pack my waterproof backpack. And if you don’t have a waterproof case for your phone, you may want to bring a plastic bag to keep it in.

Warm Clothes/Layers: If you’re planning to go up to Haleakala (Maui) or Mauna Kea (Big Island), you’ll need to dress warm, especially if you’re going for star gazing or for sunrise since it’ll still be dark when you go up. And I don’t mean cold for Hawaii. It’s not uncommon for it to be in the 20s and 30s at that elevation (Fahrenheit). So plan to bring along pants, layers, a heavy jacket/coat, a hat/scarf/gloves, and I’d even grab a blanket or towels from the hotel to wrap up in.

Beach Packing List

This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I may make a little money on anything you choose to purchase, but as always I only share my absolute favorite things with you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

If you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to improve your packing game. And by improve I mean avoiding situations where you’re throwing random things in your suitcase at midnight before your 6AM flight and then thinking of everything you forgot during the drive to the airport. Oh wait…that’s only me? Well then. If you’re wondering what to pack for the beach, I’ve rounded up what I consider to be essentials for a beach vacation to Hawaii. Now obviously, since you’ll be flying to Hawaii, you won’t be packing some of these things, but if you’re road tripping to the beach on the mainland, these are good ideas, and you also may want to rent some of these (chairs, umbrellas, coolers, snorkel gear, etc), if it won’t be provided by where you’re staying in Hawaii.

So here’s what you should always pack for a trip to the beach:

Bikini. Duh. If you’re like me, you probably already have a collection, but if you’re looking for additions, I like Maaji, L Space, and Boys and Arrows.

Cover Up. My motto is always pack more of these than you think you’ll need. It’s probably what you’ll be wearing most of the time. I’ve been particularly into kimonos lately. Some of my favorites are from Jaxsea.

Flip Flops. For those few situations on a beach vacation when you do need shoes, flip flops are the only way to go. Havaianas are the cutest, but I like Sanuks for comfort.

Water Shoes. If you’ll be doing any hiking or water related activities that are going to require sturdy footwear, pack a pair of Keens. A lot of beaches or snorkeling spots in Hawaii have a rocky entry so these can be helpful.

Hat. Yeah, the first day you’re there you’ll be all about soaking up the sun, but trust me, after a little too much sun you’ll be all about the shade. I like a big sun hat but you can’t beat a good ol’ ball cap either.

Sunglasses. I live in Ray Bans, but sometimes you just want to pack a cheap pair for the beach.

Sun Shirt. Sometimes throwing on a shirt is a lot more convenient than putting on more sunscreen (and more reef friendly as well). These are my favorite.

Beach Bag. You’ve got to have something to haul your gear around in. I like a big bag with plenty of room but you’ll also want something that packs up small.

Planning

Island Breakdown

Nature

Kauai’s Highlights

Maui’s Highlights

Island Breakdown

Don’t Miss List

North Shore

What to Pack

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