Your answers save under a random ID cookie on this browser. They're stored on our server and reconnected here on your next visit. Clearing cookies makes them inaccessible from this browser but doesn't delete them. Use Delete My Data above to remove them for good. Anyone else using this browser can see them.
← All Destinations
Plan this trip →
beach
Maui
Maui, Hawaii, USA · North America
Select a thumbnail to explore Maui.
Photo credits & sources
- Maui · photo 1 · NASA · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
- Maui · photo 2 · Kelisi · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
- Maui · photo 3 · dronepicr · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
- Maui · photo 4 · Jawed Karim · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
- Maui · photo 5 · dronepicr · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
- Maui · photo 6 · dronepicr · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
Ready to book?
Find hotels in Maui
We may earn a small commission if you book through this link. No cost to you.
A LITTLE PREPARATION. A BETTER TRIP.
Before you go
Destination intelligence: safety, disruptions, weather and practical details, before booking and before departure.
KNOW WHAT COULD AFFECT YOUR TRIP
Travel updates for Maui
Conflict & securityCrime & kidnappingFloods & firesHealth & entry rulesStrikes & transportConstruction & closures
Official country guidance
Warnings, safety and security, health, entry rules and regional risks. Country advice may describe places far from your hotel; read the affected regions.
Checking official sources…
FCDO guidance is written for British travellers. Passport, visa and consular information may differ for your nationality. US travellers should also consult US travel advisories. Cruise guidance covers the countries in our sample itinerary; confirm every port with your operator.
GOV.UK content: © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Recent destination reports
Publisher headlines from Google News, up to 14 days old. These are reported news, not verified travel warnings. Confirm the location and dates in the original article.
Checking recent reports…
A news search can miss events or include unrelated places. No feed covers every hotel renovation, road closure or developing incident. Check your hotel, airline, local authorities and attraction operators directly.
Checking official alerts
Weather & travel conditions
Loading the latest available information.
Current alerts can change quickly and do not predict conditions for a trip months away. Follow local authorities and your transport provider.
Check the details that matter
Construction and hotel closures are not comprehensively reported. Confirm these directly for your exact dates.
Questions to send before booking
For my travel dates, is any renovation or construction planned at your property or nearby? Which hours and rooms are affected? Will the pool, beach access, elevators and advertised amenities be open? Can you confirm accessible access and any road closures affecting arrival? Please confirm in writing and explain my options if conditions change.
About
Catalog prices are planning estimates, not live offers. Confirm current prices, opening times and availability before booking.
Road to Hana, Haleakala sunrise above the clouds, snorkeling with sea turtles at Molokini. Kaanapali beach for lazy days. Whale watching Dec-April.
Recommended Hotels AI-curated · verify prices
Maui Beach Hotel
3-star
📍 Kihei
$120–$280 / night
No-frills beachfront with direct Kihei beach access and friendly service at reasonable rates.
Book: Standard ocean-view room on upper floors (4+) for better views without premium pricing.
Aston Maui Hill
3-star
📍 Kihei
$140–$320 / night
Condo-style units with full kitchens help families save on dining; great value for longer stays.
Book: One-bedroom condo with ocean or pool view for extra space and self-catering flexibility.
Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott
4-star
📍 Wailea
$280–$520 / night
Sprawling beachfront property with calm lagoon, excellent restaurants, and prime Wailea location near snorkeling.
Book: Partial ocean-view room facing the lagoon on floors 3-5 balances views and value.
Fairmont Kea Lani
4-star
📍 Wailea
$320–$650 / night
All-suite property with private plunge pools, world-class spa, and pristine beach suitable for young children.
Book: Ocean-view suite on mid-levels (5-8) provides privacy and beachfront views without penthouse premium.
Grand Wailea
5-star
📍 Wailea
$450–$850 / night
Iconic mega-resort with water slides, multiple pools, acclaimed restaurants, and top Maui beach real estate.
Book: Garden or partial ocean-view room in the Napili Tower for resort experience without ocean-view markup.
Destination planning notes
AI-generated catalog notes, not verified customer reviews. Research current conditions and confirm details with operators.
Highlights to research
- Stunning sunrises at Haleakala above the clouds
- Sea turtle snorkeling at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town
- Scenic Road to Hana drive with waterfalls and bamboo forest
- Whale watching and breaching December through April
- Perfect sandy beaches with calm waters and warm year-round swimming
Things to check
- Heavy crowds at popular beaches and Haleakala during peak season
- Very high food and activity prices across the island
- Road to Hana extremely crowded and slow-moving (2-3 hour drive each way)
- Some beaches have strong currents or rough conditions without local knowledge
- Limited evening entertainment outside resort areas; quiet nights for non-resort visitors
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Hover a month for details. Green = go, red = avoid.
What to Do filter by style
romantic
adventure
family
foodie
wellness
cultural
- Haleakala sunrise hike & private breakfast picnic overlooking the crater and clouds
- Molokini Crater snorkel charter with champagne & sunset return (calm summer waters)
- Old Lahaina Luau — traditional Hawaiian feast, fire dancing, oceanfront tablescape at dusk
- Wailea Beach sunset walk + beachfront dinner at Ferraro's or Mama's Seafood
- Couples massage & spa treatment at Grand Wailea or Fairmont Kea Lani spa
- Road to Hana — 10-hour scenic drive with 600+ curves, waterfalls (Wailua, Nailiili-haele), black-sand beaches, hiking side trails
- Haleakala National Park sunrise hike + crater rim trails (40 min drive from Kahului, 10,000 ft elevation)
- Molokini Crater snorkeling trip — crystal-clear water, sea turtles, tropical fish (30–40 ft visibility)
- Maui surf lessons at Wailea, Lahaina, or Honolua Bay (all levels, winter/summer swells vary)
- Iao Valley State Park hiking — 1,200-ft West Maui landmark with short to moderate trails through lush valley
- Maui Ocean Center Aquarium (Maalaea) — interactive touch tanks, jellyfish, sea turtles, 5 min from highway
- Snorkel cruise to Molokini Crater — kid-friendly boat operators offer life jackets, calm-water morning trips
- Haleakala sunrise drive + crater rim walk (short, accessible boardwalks for families with young kids)
- Old Lahaina Luau — family packages, kids eat free or reduced; cultural show safe & engaging for all ages
- Beach days at Wailea, Kaanapali, or Ka'anapali (calm summer waters, lifeguards, nearby rentals/food)
- Farm-to-table dining: Mama's Seafood, Paia Fish Market, or Aloha Shares farmers market (Kahului Sat AM)
- Maui Culinary Academy cooking classes — traditional Hawaiian & modern Pacific Rim techniques
- Old Lahaina Luau — traditional kalua pork, poi, laulau, fresh tropical fruit in culturally immersive setting
- Wailea & Kaanapali resort restaurant scene: Ferraro's (Italian-Mediterranean), Monkeypod Kitchen (farm-to-table), Mama's Seafood
- Sunrise breakfast at food trucks near Haleakala or Paia village — fresh acai bowls, local plate lunch, shave ice
- Haleakala sunrise + meditation at crater rim (spiritual, quiet, often mist-shrouded)
- Spa retreats at Grand Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani, or Four Seasons — Couples massage, lomi lomi (Hawaiian massage), facials
- Yoga classes at Maui Yoga Studio (Lahaina) or beachfront sessions at resorts (Wailea, Kaanapali)
- Iao Valley walk & waterfall meditation — serene valley, misty views, minimal crowds off-season
- Beach wellness: sunrise yoga on Wailea or Kaanapali Beach, followed by ocean swimming & healthy juice/smoothie bowls
- Iao Valley State Park & West Maui historic sites — 1,200-ft iconic landmark, site of 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai, lush sacred valley
- Old Lahaina Luau — authentic Hawaiian cultural show, traditional music, dance, storytelling; reserve in advance
- Maui Arts & Cultural Center (Kahului) — local exhibits, Hawaiian artisan markets, hula workshops, cultural events
- Road to Hana — drive through Maui's remote windward side; stop at Kailua village, local fruit stands, coastal Hawaiian heritage
- Haleakala National Park visitor center — exhibits on Hawaiian astronomy, geology, native flora, cultural significance of the mountain
Day Trips
Lanai (ferry + car rental or tour)· 9 miles / 45 min ferry
Exclusive island with pristine Hulopoe Beach, dramatic cliffs, and nearly traffic-free exploration.
Molokai (ferry + rental car or tour)· 25 miles / 1.5h ferry
Authentic Hawaiian island with fewer tourists, dramatic Kalapapa cliffs, and traditional culture.
Honolua Bay snorkeling (North Maui)· 45 min drive north from Kaanapali
Protected marine sanctuary with excellent coral, fish, and occasional sea turtles; less crowded than Molokini.
Iao Valley State Park & Wailuku town· 30 min drive from Kaanapali
Iconic 1,200-foot needle rock formation, hiking trails, and charming historic plantation town with local restaurants.
Lahaina Banyan Court Park & Front Street shops· 15 min drive south from Kaanapali
Historic whaling village turned tourist hub with banyan tree, galleries, shops, and excellent ocean-view restaurants.
Estimated per person
$2,800 – $8,000
7 days · flights + hotel + activities
Quick Facts
- RegionNorth America
- Typebeach
- Best Seasonyear-round
- Duration7 days
- Adventure3/5
Getting There from your area
Sample E. Coast hub (1-stop)
~11.5 hrs
~$520 RT
Alt E. Coast hub (1-stop)
~11.5 hrs
~$540 RT
💡 No direct flights from PHL to Maui; typical routing through hub (United via Chicago, Delta via Atlanta). Budget 11–13 hours total travel with connection.
high travel burden
Flight times shown use East Coast hubs as a reference - your actual travel time will vary by origin.
Airfare & Flight Ease est. bands · click for live
Coach RT
$420–$820
typical range
First / Biz RT
$1,600–$3,200
typical range
Easiest Flight Score
5/10
Must connect (no nonstop from Northeast to OGG); PHL→PHX→OGG is reasonable but 11.5h total + 45min ground transfer. PHX is reliable hub but adds 2.5–3h to journey. Rental car required and 40–60min drive from airport to lodging.
Bang-for-Buck
7/10
Maui offers world-class snorkeling (Molokini), iconic sunrise hike (Haleakala), whale watching (Dec–Mar), and Road to Hana — all genuinely exceptional. Coach fares are moderate for Hawaii; lodging is pricey but competitive with other Hawaiian islands. Peak season (Dec–Mar, Jun–Aug) crowds & prices inflate value; shoulder seasons (Apr–May, Sep–Nov) deliver better bang per dollar with equal access to natural wonders.
Sample route: PHL→PHX→OGG via American or Southwest, 11.5h total (typical 2.5–3h layover at PHX). Nonstop not available from Northeast. EWR or JFK routing via United adds 90min+ drive time with no fare advantage mid-week. Rental car at OGG essential; Kahului to Maui resorts (Wailea, Kaanapali) 45–60min drive. 1-stop via PHX is sweet spot for price ($420–550 coach off-peak) and schedule.
Search live fares (sample E. Coast origins)
Swap in your home airport for a real search - PHL / EWR are shown as reference hubs.
Practical Info
Currency
USD
Language
English (Spanish widely spoken)
Visa (US)
US passport holder: no visa required (domestic travel)
Airport
OGG (Kahului) - approx 1 hour drive to Kaanapali/Wailea; $35-50 Uber/taxi, or $15 rental car
Tipping
15-20% for restaurants/services; $2-3 per bag for bellhop.
Safety
Maui is generally safe; avoid isolated areas at night and secure valuables at beaches; Kihei and Lahaina have higher petty theft.
Tap Water
safe
Power
Type A/B; 120V
Food / day
$75 pp