Sarah’s guidebook
Food scene
Great restaurant and bar in kihei for brunch, dinner & drinks. They have a great mai Thai! Live music some of the nights. Casual outdoor seating.
151 personas locales recomiendan
Nalu's South Shore Grill
1280 S Kihei RdGreat restaurant and bar in kihei for brunch, dinner & drinks. They have a great mai Thai! Live music some of the nights. Casual outdoor seating.
Great indoor and outdoor seating with scenic distant ocean views. Very popular spot. Catch happy hour for cheap pizza and appetizers!
146 personas locales recomiendan
Maui Brewing Company
605 Lipoa PkwyGreat indoor and outdoor seating with scenic distant ocean views. Very popular spot. Catch happy hour for cheap pizza and appetizers!
This is a fabulous place to catch sunset while enjoying drinks and food truck eats on the large open lawn. You cannot beat the views. Great Instagram shots
42 personas locales recomiendan
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery
4051 Omaopio RdThis is a fabulous place to catch sunset while enjoying drinks and food truck eats on the large open lawn. You cannot beat the views. Great Instagram shots
Sugar Beach Bake Shop
61 S Kihei RdFantastic malasadas! 10 min drive away
SHAVE ICE! Expect long lines because it’s a popular spot
76 personas locales recomiendan
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
61 S Kihei RdSHAVE ICE! Expect long lines because it’s a popular spot
Our favorite Thai food spot- easy take out
31 personas locales recomiendan
Nutcharee's Authentic Thai Food
1280 S Kihei RdOur favorite Thai food spot- easy take out
Local coffee spot- drive thru or walk in. Worth stopping in for the ambience. I recommend their honey bee latte!
20 personas locales recomiendan
Akamai Coffee Co
1325 S Kihei RdLocal coffee spot- drive thru or walk in. Worth stopping in for the ambience. I recommend their honey bee latte!
This is a hot spot for breakfast. Expect long lines but it moves fast. Better to go super early in morning or late for breakfast, because it’s packed around 8 am and 9 am. Probly cheapest restaurant on island. CASH ONLY! Try their loco moco
185 personas locales recomiendan
Kihei Caffe
1945 S Kihei RdThis is a hot spot for breakfast. Expect long lines but it moves fast. Better to go super early in morning or late for breakfast, because it’s packed around 8 am and 9 am. Probly cheapest restaurant on island. CASH ONLY! Try their loco moco
Great restaurant! Affordable happy hour. Best Mai Thais around. My favorite drink is their “no ka oi”
241 personas locales recomiendan
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
10 Wailea Gateway PlGreat restaurant! Affordable happy hour. Best Mai Thais around. My favorite drink is their “no ka oi”
Great breakfast and lunch, and obviously pies. I highly recommend their lilikoi pie! Stop at the nearby fruit stand in same parking lot
79 personas locales recomiendan
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
820 Olowalu Village RdGreat breakfast and lunch, and obviously pies. I highly recommend their lilikoi pie! Stop at the nearby fruit stand in same parking lot
Coffee food truck with delightful flavor combinations. Tip- ask for coffee ice cubes!
6 personas locales recomiendan
Kraken Coffee
1 Piikea AveCoffee food truck with delightful flavor combinations. Tip- ask for coffee ice cubes!
Gooey cinnamon rolls! Popular spot, expect lines but worth the wait
35 personas locales recomiendan
Cinnamon Roll Place
2463 S Kihei RdGooey cinnamon rolls! Popular spot, expect lines but worth the wait
Best beach take out for lunch, hands down. Check out their Facebook daily special for cheap eats. You have to try the pudding, it’s that good.
79 personas locales recomiendan
808 Deli
2439 S Kihei RdBest beach take out for lunch, hands down. Check out their Facebook daily special for cheap eats. You have to try the pudding, it’s that good.
This is considered THE best place to eat on Maui. Definitely go to celebrate a special occasion. It’s pricey but worthwhile. Make reservations WAY in advance, like when you book your trip, it’s that popular!
355 personas locales recomiendan
Mama's Fish House
799 Poho PlThis is considered THE best place to eat on Maui. Definitely go to celebrate a special occasion. It’s pricey but worthwhile. Make reservations WAY in advance, like when you book your trip, it’s that popular!
Restaurant of Maui’s favorite chef- Sheldon Simeon. It’s a hole in the wall spot near airport, no dining area just take out. Really easy to order online. Not open everyday so check their hours. I love their kale salad. They also have daily specials.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Tin Roof
360 Papa PlRestaurant of Maui’s favorite chef- Sheldon Simeon. It’s a hole in the wall spot near airport, no dining area just take out. Really easy to order online. Not open everyday so check their hours. I love their kale salad. They also have daily specials.
If you’ve been to Maui in the past you may recognize the former Mill House Restaurant. Ownership changed during the pandemic. This is a beautiful location with incredible views of west Maui mountains. Only 10 min away. Set aside time not only for dinner but to walk around their grounds. They also have some gift shops, fruit stand, & ice cream. Great date night, we go here for special occasions.
Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation
If you’ve been to Maui in the past you may recognize the former Mill House Restaurant. Ownership changed during the pandemic. This is a beautiful location with incredible views of west Maui mountains. Only 10 min away. Set aside time not only for dinner but to walk around their grounds. They also have some gift shops, fruit stand, & ice cream. Great date night, we go here for special occasions.
New hot spot in kihei- lots of different food trucks outside. Live music once a month.
South Maui Gardens
New hot spot in kihei- lots of different food trucks outside. Live music once a month.
Sightseeing
This is a small aquarium that’s half indoors, half outdoors. Very well done. Kids love it. Make reservations online
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Maui Ocean Center
192 Maalaea RdThis is a small aquarium that’s half indoors, half outdoors. Very well done. Kids love it. Make reservations online
Great town with boutique shops, restaurants, and nearby beaches. Definitely worth a half day to spend here.
208 personas locales recomiendan
Paia
Great town with boutique shops, restaurants, and nearby beaches. Definitely worth a half day to spend here.
Scenic look out to watch surfers. Great spot to see several turtles sunbathing on the beach- just keep your distance
19 personas locales recomiendan
Ho'okipa Lookout
Scenic look out to watch surfers. Great spot to see several turtles sunbathing on the beach- just keep your distance
Parking fees required. Top 5 places to visit on Maui (in my opinion). Can be quick trip. Less than half mile walk up to needle look out. I consider this the "jurassic park" of maui. In summer months, it's popular for locals to swim in river but water is cold!
39 personas locales recomiendan
Iao Needle State Monument
Parking fees required. Top 5 places to visit on Maui (in my opinion). Can be quick trip. Less than half mile walk up to needle look out. I consider this the "jurassic park" of maui. In summer months, it's popular for locals to swim in river but water is cold!
Beautiful dormant volcano at 10,000 feet! Bring a long sleeve it’s chilly up there!
249 personas locales recomiendan
Haleakalā National Park
Beautiful dormant volcano at 10,000 feet! Bring a long sleeve it’s chilly up there!
If you’re into gardens this spot is lovely to walk around. It’s up country so a bit of a drive but great views up there. Could stop here after Haleakala sunrise. They even have lavender coffee!
100 personas locales recomiendan
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm
1100 Waipoli RdIf you’re into gardens this spot is lovely to walk around. It’s up country so a bit of a drive but great views up there. Could stop here after Haleakala sunrise. They even have lavender coffee!
Beaches
One of largest beaches on Maui! Also known as “Big Beach.” Strong shore break. Lifeguards on duty. Paid parking
158 personas locales recomiendan
Makena Big Beach
One of largest beaches on Maui! Also known as “Big Beach.” Strong shore break. Lifeguards on duty. Paid parking
Family friendly beach - great for little kids because it’s protected by rock walls. Often turtles perched on the walls, but look closely because they really blend in!
22 personas locales recomiendan
Kalepolepo
S Kihei RdFamily friendly beach - great for little kids because it’s protected by rock walls. Often turtles perched on the walls, but look closely because they really blend in!
D.T. Fleming Beach
Lower Honoapiilani RdBeautiful large beach
Smaller secluded beach you take steps down to get to it- look for blue railing.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Slaughterhouse Beach
6501 Honoapiilani HwySmaller secluded beach you take steps down to get to it- look for blue railing.
Another favorite beach- popular for families. On windy days it’s nice to use the grassy area in front of Mana Kai resort- it’s open to the public as long as you don’t use their lawn chairs.
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Keawakapu Beach
Kilohana DriveAnother favorite beach- popular for families. On windy days it’s nice to use the grassy area in front of Mana Kai resort- it’s open to the public as long as you don’t use their lawn chairs.
Playa Black Rock
Another beautiful beach with great snorkeling
Super scenic spot with small beach. Lots of kayak tours go out from here. Amazing snorkeling. Turtle spot at far end of parking lot- walk through trees tiny path to see where they sunbathe, just keep your distance and stay off their little beach.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Makena Landing
5083 Makena RoadSuper scenic spot with small beach. Lots of kayak tours go out from here. Amazing snorkeling. Turtle spot at far end of parking lot- walk through trees tiny path to see where they sunbathe, just keep your distance and stay off their little beach.
Polo Beach
Family friendly beach with lifeguards. Calm in mornings, picks up in afternoons.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Kamaole Beach Park I
75 Alanui Ke'ali'iFamily friendly beach with lifeguards. Calm in mornings, picks up in afternoons.
Hikes
My second favorite hike on Maui! This is all the way past Hana, so something to do if you have time on your “road to hana” day. It’s about 2 miles each way. You go through bamboo forest in second half- it’s breathtaking. 400 ft waterfall at the end. Popular hike for everyone!
One of my favorite hikes on Maui. Go early to get parking spot and shade. 2.25 miles each way, you definitely gain elevation. Great way to see west Maui mountains. If it’s clear at top you can even see big island (but 9 out of 10 times it’s cloudy). Bring a lunch to eat at table at the top.
61 personas locales recomiendan
Waihee Ridge Trail
Kahekili HighwayOne of my favorite hikes on Maui. Go early to get parking spot and shade. 2.25 miles each way, you definitely gain elevation. Great way to see west Maui mountains. If it’s clear at top you can even see big island (but 9 out of 10 times it’s cloudy). Bring a lunch to eat at table at the top.
Difficult hike that starts crater hike 11-13 miles. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, layers, raincoat & hiking boots. This is my FAVORITE hike on Maui, you feel like you’re on the moon. The crater has been measured to be one of the quietest places on earth. Hitch hike to get to start so your car is at the end. Strenuous switch backs the final few miles. This is all day thing. Not for kids, only avid hikers. No rescue options or cell service when you’re in the crater.
Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) Trail
Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) TrailDifficult hike that starts crater hike 11-13 miles. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, layers, raincoat & hiking boots. This is my FAVORITE hike on Maui, you feel like you’re on the moon. The crater has been measured to be one of the quietest places on earth. Hitch hike to get to start so your car is at the end. Strenuous switch backs the final few miles. This is all day thing. Not for kids, only avid hikers. No rescue options or cell service when you’re in the crater.
Great to just drive through lava fields and lookout at end- very scenic spot and drive. If you're lucky there's sometimes dolphin pods around sunrise here- do not try to swim with them. There is a hike along lava rock- out and back, I recommend just doing the first part maybe a mile to black and white lava rock beach area. Can go as far as two miles out but it's very rocky. Go early to avoid heat, bring water and sunscreen.
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La Perouse Bay
Great to just drive through lava fields and lookout at end- very scenic spot and drive. If you're lucky there's sometimes dolphin pods around sunrise here- do not try to swim with them. There is a hike along lava rock- out and back, I recommend just doing the first part maybe a mile to black and white lava rock beach area. Can go as far as two miles out but it's very rocky. Go early to avoid heat, bring water and sunscreen.
Nightlife
Local bar with some outdoor seating and occasional live music
Haui's Life's A Beach
1913 S Kihei RdDog & Duck Irish Pub
1913 S Kihei RdIrish style bar in the “triangle” in kihei
Lava Rock Bar & Grill
1945 S Kihei RdROAD TO HANA
This is one of Maui’s famous day trips! Spend the day driving hairpin turns and one lane bridges, stopping to enjoy the views and waterfalls. Toward the end you will reach wainapanapa state park (black sands beach), then hana town, and then Haleakala national park (other entrance). Hard to do it all in one day so just do what you can. Go early! It gets busy and crowded fast. Avoid if you’re prone to carsickness.
Famous black sands beach. Definitely worth stopping! About 20 min before hana town. Make reservations in advance.
75 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Estatal Wai'anapanapa
Waianapanapa RoadFamous black sands beach. Definitely worth stopping! About 20 min before hana town. Make reservations in advance.
This is the other side of Haleakala national park, about a half hour AFTER Hana town. Requires national park pass. Walk down by pools or do popular 2 mile (each way) hike along pipiwa trail. This will take you through bamboo forests and end at 400 ft waterfall! Highly highly recommend this hike if you have time in your “road to hana” day
55 personas locales recomiendan
The Pools at 'Ohe'o
Pipiwai TrailThis is the other side of Haleakala national park, about a half hour AFTER Hana town. Requires national park pass. Walk down by pools or do popular 2 mile (each way) hike along pipiwa trail. This will take you through bamboo forests and end at 400 ft waterfall! Highly highly recommend this hike if you have time in your “road to hana” day
Beautiful beach with large waves. Mark Twain wrote about in during his time on Maui. Make sure to park outside of road lines- they ticket here.
38 personas locales recomiendan
Hāmoa Beach
Hamoa BeachBeautiful beach with large waves. Mark Twain wrote about in during his time on Maui. Make sure to park outside of road lines- they ticket here.
Snorkel spots
Great snorkel spot with easy access- head to keawakapu beach north end (in front of old 5 palms and mana kai resort). Snorkel around the rocks. Always best to snorkel when its calm in mornings, wind and waves tend to pick up around 10/11 am on maui.
80 personas locales recomiendan
Keawakapu Beach
Kilohana DriveGreat snorkel spot with easy access- head to keawakapu beach north end (in front of old 5 palms and mana kai resort). Snorkel around the rocks. Always best to snorkel when its calm in mornings, wind and waves tend to pick up around 10/11 am on maui.
Great snorkel spot in front of Andaz, there's also a small public parking lot here (go early for parking spots). Easy access, sandy beach
Ulua Beach
Great snorkel spot in front of Andaz, there's also a small public parking lot here (go early for parking spots). Easy access, sandy beach
Playa Black Rock
Honolua Bay