Maui is easily one of my favourite Hawaiian islands; there truly is something here for everyone— whether you seek adventure or pure relaxation, or both. Here is our complete guide to making the most of your time on this beautiful island.

Getting Around:
Your best bet is to rent a car when you arrive at Kahului Airport. Taxis are expensive and places are very spread out; 40 min. drives are typical between destinations. The highways and roads are very simple to navigate, so renting a car is a good way to become more familiar with the island.

Where to Stay:
In Maui, where you stay is very important because you actually spend a lot of time at your hotel, leaving only to do activities, shop, and dine out. You will want to stay at a beachfront hotel with amazing pools, awesome service, and luxe guest rooms.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali
WestinMaui.com
Good option if you want to stay at a nice hotel at a relatively affordable price. The Westin is near Lahaina Town, which is a great place to shop and dine.

Grand Wailea Resort
GrandWailea.com
Best swimming pools in Maui, which resemble a water park with slides, waterfalls, a water bar that you can swim up to, and even a water elevator! Free scuba lessons for guests. You will never want to leave once you stay here.

Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
FourSeasons.com
The service is impeccable—need to be up by 2AM for your sunrise tour at Haleakala? No problem, your car will be out ready for you and there will be free coffee and muffins in the lobby. You’ll also find L’Occitane bath products in the very spacious guest rooms (at least 660 sq. ft.), and the pool area feels like a private beach club.

What to Do:
Snorkeling in Molokini Island & Turtle Town
SailTrilogy.com
No trip to Maui is complete without an excursion to Molokini, a crater off the coast of West Maui. Afterwards, you can swim near giant sea turtles in Turtle Town. A great time to go is in February when you might also catch a glimpse of whales while on the boat.

Ziplining
Zipline.com
You can zipline in the mountains of Haleakala, and on your way down the lines, you also get a beautiful view of Maui. Each line gets higher and scarier as your tour proceeds. Early booking is highly recommended.

Sunrise at Haleakala National Park
Haleakala is a dormant volcano 10,023 ft. above sea level—the sunrise is breathtakingly beautiful. The best time to go would be the first day you get there if you’re not used to the time zone yet. You’ll have to wake up at 2am because most tours depart at 3am. You can also opt for a tour that allows you to bike down the mountain afterwards.

Road to Hana
HanaMaui.com
Known as “the most beautiful drive in the world,” this is a trip you won’t forget. Rent a convertible, and make sure you have a full tank, for spectacular views of waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and the natural, unspoiled beauty of Maui. The road is long and winding, with over 600 curves and 54 bridges, so prepare to reserve a whole day for this trip.

Feast at Lele Luau
FeastAtLele.com
The best luau in Maui is not your typical luau, which usually consists of long buffet lines and sharing tables with strangers. Feast at Lele will seat you at your private table and bring you a 5-course Polynesian meal while you enjoy the dinner show.

Mama’s Fish House Restaurant
MamasFishHouse.com
A must for seafood lovers. This special restaurant is right on the beach and the menus change daily. Order the Tahitian Black Pearl for dessert; it is divine! Make reservations as soon as you can.

Ululani’s Shave Ice
UlulanisShaveIce.com
The shave ice is as soft as powder, and with so many flavors to choose from, there is no way that you should miss out on Ululani’s in Lahaina Town. We love the Haleakala flavor! To die for.

Helicopter tour of Maui
The best way to get an aerial view of the island is via helicopter. See volcanoes, waterfalls, and the beautiful landscapes from high above.