Skip to main content

Pacific Paradise: The Best of Maui, Hawaii

Even by Hawaiian standards, Maui is downright stunning.

The state’s second largest island provides copious opportunities for adventure travelers looking to check off dozens of to-do’s from their lifelong bucket list. Here are just a few of our favorite, off-the-beaten-path, best of Maui experiences:

Play

The Road to Hana is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. It’s long, winding, impossibly beautiful and, particularly in high season, overrun with rental Jeeps as tourists jockey for position to snap photos of the countless waterfalls along the way. For a real adventure, the South Road to Hana (or “backside” as it’s often called) is far less traveled, potentially treacherous, classified as “unauthorized” by rental car companies, and way more fun. Just steel your nerves, don’t forget to bring your camera and be sure to rent a reliable 4×4 vehicle.

Road to Hana
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The best time to see Maui is at daybreak and day’s end, and the absolute best way to see the island is from the water. Trilogy offers sunrise cruises from Lahaina Harbor that pack many of Hawaii’s best experiences into a single day, including the chance to SNUBA. But the big get for travelers is taking an exclusive swim and snorkel in Hulopo’e Marine Preserve — often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Lanai.

Related: Micro Guide: Hawaii

Eat & Drink

Widely recognized as Hawaii’s best restaurant, Mama’s Fish House is perhaps Maui’s worst kept secret. The simple, tastefully appointed interior recalls luxury Polynesian-style resorts from the Golden Era of Hawaiian travel. The iconic, family-owned restaurant has been serving simple, locally-sourced seafood dishes for more than 40 years. The focus is on gourmet Hawaiian cuisine with modern American influences. Think: mahi-mahi stuffed with crab and lobster and baked in a macadamia nut crust.

Mama’s Fish House
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For dessert, shaved ice is as close as food gets to religion in Hawaii and there’s no shortage of the cold stuff on Maui. With the tagline “all shave ice is not created equal,” Ululani’s clearly takes the treat seriously. They offer super fine ice, generous cones, and arguably more flavors than any other joint on the island. Be sure to check out the Tiger’s Blood and Li Hing Mui (salted plum) varieties.

Stay

Eschew the cookie cutter resort experience in favor of more traditional digs at western Maui’s Napili Kai Beach Resort. Don’t let the word “resort” fool you. There are no garish, over-the-top theme restaurants or multi-pool, family-friendly fun complexes here. This is just a classic, full-featured hotel with a lot of old-school Hawaiian charm. The hotel is situated in Napili Bay amid some of the island’s calmest waters with perfect opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddle boarding lessons.

Haleakalā National Park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a unique — and decidedly more rustic — experience, check out the wilderness camping at Haleakalā National Park. The two primitive campsites there provide the best opportunities for rugged, backwoods camping on the island. While these sites provide few facilities or amenities of any kind, overnighting travelers can be among the first to catch the epic sunrise at the Haleakalā summit.

(Photo via Flickr)

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Stowe Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat, and More
Church in Stowe, Vermont

Spread in the shadow of Vermont’s highest peak, 4,395-foot Mount Mansfield, Stowe has a well-deserved reputation as a winter sports destination. Founded in 1794, the historic hamlet cradled by the Green Mountains emerged as a hub for downhill and cross-country skiers beginning in the 1930s -- and is home to the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. But, there’s much more than just skiing. The town is an alluring year-round destination, a portal to the Green Mountains with a bustling après adventure scene, and a wide array of accommodation options.

Related Guides

Read more
Indianapolis Travel Guide: Rediscovering the City at the Crossroads
travel guide indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana

Once considered a humdrum city best seen while zipping past on the interstate, Indianapolis has gone through a remarkable renaissance in the last decade. Craft beer bars, art galleries, record shops, and a revitalized Canal Walk set the stages for a memorable ramble in a city that’s much more than a mere “Crossroads of America.” These are the best destinations and things to do in Indianapolis.
Related Guides

Best Places in America to Visit
Chicago Travel Guide
When to Plan Travel in 2021

Read more
The 10 Best Theme Parks in America You Can Visit Right Now
best theme parks in america

Home to over 400 theme parks, the U.S. offers some dizzying choices when it comes to high-octane amusement. Disney takes top honors when it comes to the plethora of options, but there are plenty of surprises for those wanting to explore America’s lesser-known gems. You can enjoy sky-high views from clifftop rides in the Rockies, get your fill of Appalachian music and country-themed rides in Tennessee, and snorkel amid vibrant marine life in an Orlando park that does a fine imitation of Caribbean paradise. Here's a rundown of our top 10 favorite parks.
Related Guides

Six Flags Parks in the U.S., Ranked
When to Travel in 2021
Best Amusement Park Drinking Establishments

Read more