Otto & Kara
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Maui Travel Guide
Welcome to our quick Maui Travel Guide, we have collected places, sites, must-do's, etc for your extended stay on the island! We hope you love the island as much as we do!
Restaurants on the Island:
Maui has so much to offer when it comes to food. Being an island, the seafood is fantastic, especially the Mahi Mahi fish. There are so many great restaurants on the island to try and here are only some of our favourite places:
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- Star Noodle (Great Asian place, very popular, must book in advance! Very beginning of Front Street)
- Mala Tavern (Great seafood overlooking the water, very beginning of Front Street)
- Taverna Maui (Staple Italian by Kapalua Bay Course Clubhouse)
- Honu Seafood and Pizza (Tip: Must get the Ahi Bruschetta! Overlooking the water, very beginning of Front Street)
- Maui Tacos (my opinion: best tacos on the island, doesn't look like much but cheap and tasty! in Napili)
- Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Very good, very busy, book in advance! in Kapalua, by the Kapalua Bay Course)
- The Plantation House (Great American breakfast with views of the Plantation Golf Course)
- Leilani's on the Beach (Tip: Get the Sriracha-Guava chicken wings! On Ka'anapali Beach via Whaler's Village)
- Hula Grill (Great vibes, on Ka'anapali Beach via Whaler's Village)
- MonkeyPod Kitchen by Merriman's (via Whaler's Village)
- Kimo's Maui (via Front Street, overlooking the water)
- Cheeseburger in Paradise (Great burgers overlooking the water, via Front Street)
- Baya Bowls (Acai Bowl truck! Off of Front Street)
- Merriman's Kapalua (Great views by Kapalua Bay)
- Down the Hatch Maui (Live music venue, fun vibes, via Front Street)
- Belle Surf Cafe (Healthy foods, via Front Street)
- Olowalu Juice Stand (local fresh fruit stand off of main road, in Olowalu)
- Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop (Great pies, very popular! in Olowalu)
- Honolua Store (General store and deli, great pit stop between holes on the Kapalua Bay Course)
- The Dirty Monkey (sports bar via Front Street, have shuffleboard)
- Marco's Deli (in Kahalui, best vodka rigatoni on the Island!)
- Paia Fish Market (in small town of Paia, very popular)
- Ferraro's at the Four Seasons (Italian open air restaurant at the Four Seasons Wailea)
- Spago Maui (located in the Four Seasons Wailea)
- Nalu's South Shore Grill (locally sourced, in Kihei)
- Cafe des Amis (small Mediterranean & Indian place in Paia)
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Front Street:
Front Street is a must-do on the island! A very convenient stretch of pedestrian-friendly road lined with shops, great restaurants, art galleries, etc. The perfect place to do some souvenir shopping while looking at the ocean. Quite lively at night as well!
At the very end of Front Street, the Lahaina Banyan Court homes Maui's oldest Banyan Tree.... you can't miss it!
Beach Disclaimer:
There are an endless number of beautiful beaches on the island of Maui, and all of them are public. Please be respectful of the nature and land, please don't leave any trash on the beaches... we want to preserve our beautiful surroundings!
Please note that it is illegal to consume alcohol or smoke on any beach in Maui.
Please also note that turtles, seals, and other sea life often sleep on the shores from time to time. Please do no disturb, touch, poke, or prod the wildlife! Turtles may be easily disguised as rocks, please be careful of your footing!
Please also also note that in recent years, there have been a higher number of shark attacks along the shoreline. Please be wary and do not swim far out. Pay attention to beach signs and posts about sharks and wave conditions.
West Maui:
- Kapalua Bay Beach
- D.T. Fleming Beach
- Napili Bay
- Oneloa Beach
- Ka'anapali Beach
- Olowalu Beach
- Ukumehame Beach Park
- Black Rock Beach
- Kahekili Beach Park
South Maui:
- Kamaole Beach Park I, II, III
- Kalepolepo Beach Park
- Charley Young Beach
- Mokapu Beach
- Wailea Beach
- Palauea Beach
- Po'olenalena Beach
- Maluaka Beach
- Makena Beach
East Maui:
- Hamoa Beach
- Kaihalulu Beach (red sand)
- Wai'anapanapa State park (black sand beach)
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North Maui:
- Ho'okipa Beach Park
- Kaulahao Beach
- Baldwin Beach Park
- Baby Beach
- Kanaha Beach
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Golf Courses:
Maui hosts some of the most breathtaking golf courses in the world. If you are an avid golfer, playing on Maui is a MUST. Book far in advance to reserve a spot! Here are two of the more famous courses, note there are many other courses available as well:
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Kapalua Bay Course: This championship course has hosted over 20 major professional tournaments and is most known for its 17th hole, the only hole to play over the ocean on Maui. Breathtaking views, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those coming from abroad! (picture on left)
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Kapalua Plantation Course: This course is the site of the PGA TOUR's Sentry Tournament of Champions every January. This extremely challenging course offers dramatic elevation changes, and over 7,500 yards of green. The Plantation Course also offers stunning views of the ocean and Maui coastline. Also a must if you are looking to play like the champions for the day!
The Town of Paia:
Paia is a small artisan town located on the North side of Maui. It is also known as the 'hippie' town of the island! It's a great place to buy artisan crafts, souvenirs, and eat at relaxed restaurants. Combining the town of Paia with Baldwin Beach Park (just minutes away) is the perfect day trip!
We recommend Cafe des Amis or Paia Fish Market if you are hungry!
Hiking:
Hiking on Maui is a very popular activity, there are many trails (over 100) throughout the island. With boasting scenery, hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in the nature that Maui has to offer! Some trails are more rigorous than others, so please be prepared with the proper equipment and resources. Do your research!
Here are some great resources and guides made by avid hikers that you should read through before embarking on your nature adventure, you can also read below two hiking spotlights, the Road to Hana and the Kapalua Coastal Trail:
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Hiking Spotlight:
Road to Hana
By far the most popular hiking trail on Maui is the "Road to Hana". This adventure consists of both traveling by foot and car... it cannot be done without a car! The Hana highway stretches for a total of 64 miles from Kahului... add another 15-20+ miles from your hotel, and you are looking at a 150 mile roundtrip ride! The full Road to Hana experience is a day-trip affair.
The Road to Hana is also known as the "Divorce Highway", as there are 620 curves on narrow roads overlooking cliffs and 59 bridges...46 of which are one-way bridges. Along the way you can make pitstops and hike by foot on various trails to see multiple breathtaking waterfalls, bamboo forests, experience Hawaiian culinary delights at roadside food stands, and more.
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Recommended Trails off of Hana highway:
1. Pipiwai Trail - takes 2-5 hours to complete, finishes at Waimoku waterfalls.
2. Pools of 'Ohe'o (aka The Seven Sacred Pools)
3. Wai'anapanapa State Park Trail - Piilani Trail and the black sand beach
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If you do decide to embark on the Road to Hana without a guided tour, please drive very carefully and slowly, there are many blindspots and sheer 100ft+ cliff drops. Although it may be tempting, do not stand directly underneath waterfalls, and be careful of falling rocks. Please note that some roads do not have guardrails. Despite it being a very popular excursion, there have been numerous deaths over the years. The Hana Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in the world, but it can be deadly. If you are not comfortable driving on narrow roads and would rather focus on the scenery, please book a tour. This is not for the faint-hearted! Be smart and be safe.
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Here are some helpful resources to review before embarking on this excursion:
1. Valley Isle Excursions (tour group)
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Our recommendation:
If you want to do the whole excursion, book a tour. Tour guides know the roads, the best spots, etc. If you want to drive in your own car, don't try to do too much. Pick three waterfalls or do one trail. For reference, the Pipiwai Trail takes about 2-5 hours to finish, and that's just the trail by foot... not including driving time to and from your hotel or accommodation. Hiking excursions are much more fun when you don't try to rush or cram everything in at once!
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Hiking Spotlight: Kapalua Coastal Trail
One of our personal favourite hikes, the Kapalua Coastal Trail is a scenic walking trail for beginner to intermediate hikers. While the trail isn't too long, there are quite a lot of rocky areas, so be prepared with proper shoes.
This walk covers the beautiful Kapalua coastline. We suggest you start at the edge of Kapalua Bay Beach and work your way up the coast. It is quite a popular hike and is well equipped with signs and maps. Stopping at Namalu Bay for a quick photo of the Kapalua Bay view is highly recommended... unbeatable!
As you continue down the trail, there are the Kapalua tidepools and the Ironwood Cliffs. Please be wary if you decide to go off-path, the rocks are very jagged / sharp and the waves are very angry here! Please do not go too close to the edges.
Oneloa Beach sits at the end of the hike, a beautiful and quiet beach to relax at after an hour hike. The Ritz Carlton (via Office Road) is also nearby, a great resort to end the hike on... with a fresh cocktail in hand and a dip in the pool!
If you would like to continue on without stopping by the Ritz, there is access to the Dragon's Teeth Nature Trail that leads to Makaluapuna Point, Kapalua Labyrinth, and Dragon's Pointe... all beautiful scenic points overlooking Oneloa and Honokahua Bay!
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Shopping:
While Maui is not known for its commercial or high end shopping, there are some locations that shopaholics can frequent on the island.
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1. Whaler's Village - Beachside mall with boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum and hula lessons. On Ka'anapali beach, direct beach access. (pictured right)
2. The Shops at Wailea - Upscale outdoor mall with 70 shops, restaurants, and art galleries. (pictured left)
3. Queen Ka'ahumanu Center - Indoor / outdoor shopping mall in Kahalui with 100+ commerical stores and eateries.
4. Lahaina Cannery Mall - Fully enclosed and fully air-conditioned mall that has more than 50 boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops. Also connected to a big Safeway grocery store.
5. Front Street / Outlets on Front Street - information already mentioned above.
6. Paia Town - information already mentioned above.
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Haleakala Crater
Haleakala is a massive dormant volcano that makes up 75% of the island. The view from the top is stunning and the red sand scape makes it look like Mars! The tallest peak is at 10,000ft, Pu'u 'Ula'ula.
Please check here for updates on closures and restrictions due to COVID.
Please note: The road to get there is very winding and it gets quite cold up there! Bring a sweater and wear long pants! There is also an entry fee, please check the website provided for more information.
Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is 3 acre aquarium and oceanography center located in Maalea. Providing extensive knowledge on all things 'sea', this is truly an experience for those who are interested in learning more about the ocean. Great for kids...and honestly for adults too!
Kapalua Ziplines
Maui's only all-dual zipline adventure! Kapalua Ziplines offers over 5,000 ft of adrenaline and adventure. They offer zipline tours, ATV rides, and a trek across a 360ft suspension bridge. For those thrill-seekers who would like to experience Maui from high above... and at a fast speed!
Blue Water Maui
Hello water adventure! Run by our family friends, Blue Water Maui provides snorkel and scuba adventures, and even whale watching during the winter season. Hop aboard to experience Maui from a different perspective... underneath the surface!
Old Lahaina Luau
As Maui's most authentic Luau, the Old Lahaina Luau showcases the rich Hawaiian culture through food, dance and performance. Perfect night-time entertainment for first-timers on the Hawaiian Islands. Great for those looking to learn about the culture and history of the Hawaiian islands... and eat a lot of food!