You're headed to West Maui! Yay! First of all, we're glad you're coming, and that West Maui is beginning to heal from the fires and regain its vibrancy. Visitors who love this island are a great reminder of what a wonderful world West Maui always has been and will forever be! This itinerary will give you some ideas for planning your week, no matter which part of West Maui you choose.
Day 1: You're here! Success!
Once you're secured your vehicle, get ready for your breathtaking drive to West Maui. There's only one lovely winding road, and the scenery will make you so glad you planned this getaway! Sparkling blue Pacific on your left, and rugged volcanic cliffs on your right. And during whale season, you'll almost always see blows and sometimes even breaches off the coastline, so make sure you have an ultra-focused driver behind the wheel!
Once you arrive at your Airbnb and drop your bags, I'll issue you a challenge: DON'T NAP. It's probably late afternoon, and you're likely operating on an entirely different time zone, but it's time to embrace that little thing called Hawaii Time. In this case, that means you keep it moving. Throw on your bathing suit and casual Maui clothes, and hop right back in the car!
First: FOOD! Your first stop is Captain Jack's Island Grill. Or as they say there, "Haul yer booty into Captain Jack's!"
One of my favorite casual dining spots on Maui, and the perfect location and intro meal! Enjoy the breeze and ocean view, and for food, here are my top picks: Tacos (steak or fresh fish), ribs (trust me), the steak wedge salad, or the shark bait salad.
All fantastic, and there are tons more options where those came from! This will likely not be your last trip to this yummy dining spot with a view. They serve a great breakfast too!
And once you're done, you're already at the beach, so enjoy the last of the afternoon on the warm sand, take a dip at golden hour, and raise a glass to your amazing vacation to come as the sun sinks over the Pacific!
Day 2: Surfing or Kayaking by Day, Luau by Night
There's nothing like a little surfing to get you feeling like an islander! You can do a group surf lesson or if you have some experience, rent a board and just paddle out on your own.
Or if you prefer to move a little slower like me, rent a paddleboard and leisurely check out the passing fish and an occasional turtle friend!
Surfing is rewarding but tiring and also makes you HUNGRY! Hula Grill Ka'anapali it is! This is such a fun beachfront lunch spot, with a sand floor and often featuring live music with a stunning ocean view!
Great burgers, poke tacos, fish and chips, or the chicken caesar salad will give you your energy back from riding waves.
And a hula pie for dessert, obviously!
After lunch, relax on the beach, since again you're already there!
Or if you have shoppers among you, you're at Whaler's Village with all kinds of options: Surf and swimwear shops, jewelry and luxury stores, and clothing boutiques.
Tonight, it's luau time! Such an important part of a trip to Hawaii, especially if you're a first-time visitor.
The Wailele Luau features traditional dancing including a fire and knife performance, with beautiful live music and a buffet dinner, all in a stunning oceanfront location. Open bar included with your ticket!
Day 3: Snorkel Trip Time!
One of the many great things about staying in West Maui is the array of boat trips that pick up right on Ka'anapali Beach!
You'll gather with your group on the beach and watch your catamaran pull right up to the sand, and the helpful boat crew will help you navigate the waves at the water's edge as you board your ride for the day!
Then you're off to meet lots of reef dwelling sea life on your snorkel adventure, enjoy lunch on the water, and if it's whale season, possibly see a giant sea creature or two popping up!
After your cruise, if you have adventurous spirits in your party, it's a great time to walk up to the northern end of Ka'anapali Beach and check out Black Rock.
It's a common jumping spot, which you'll be able to see for yourself from a distance. I'm not telling you to jump, but I'm not telling you not to either!
Dinner tonight is Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina. It's a family-owned Italian restaurant with incredible authentic artisan pasta and pizza, and the original location was lost in the 2023 fire.
But we're thrilled that it's BACK in a new location and better than ever! Incredibly creative and unique design makes the environment feel magical, and the flavors are top notch. Check the reviews and head on over, but make a reservation, it's a popular spot!
Day 4: Road to Hana
This one is a journey no matter what, but more so when you're staying on the west side, so plan ahead and leave early.
Bring snacks and beverages and plenty of entertainment if you're traveling with kids, and buckle up for a great day exploring Maui's eastern rainforest!
OR let someone else do the planning, driving and bring your breakfast and lunch! Take a tour and remove all the stress!
If you're driving yourself: Please, for the safety of all, leave ego and any thoughts of city driving back at the resort!
Do not rush at any point. Let local vehicles pass. There are endless one-lane bridges and stretches of road and steep dropoffs. Keep everyone safe.
Here are some of my favorite stops along the way:
Red Sand Beach: This one is my first mention for a reason: It's my absolute favorite! It's incredibly beautiful and requires just a small hike to get to.
Be careful when swimming, because the lava rocks are sharp, but even if you just relax on the sand, it's completely worth the stop and you'll get some great pictures to frame when you get home! The blue water against the red sand is strikingly beautiful.
Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls: This one is a 4-mile round trip hike with a 400-foot waterfall as the reward, and it's amazing.
I went on this hike the first time I visited Maui and felt like I was home (turns out I was right)! But if you're planning to do this hike, it will add a lot of time to your day, so leave early. Don't let it get dark on you on this hike (I have done that as well, on a different occasion, and it's much less homey when that happens)! On the ocean side of the road are the famous Seven Pools, and you can walk to those also, before or after your hike.
Note that this area is part of the state park, so you do have to pay to enter. Check online for current rates.
Hamoa Beach is another great stop, with nice waves to play in, soft golden sand, and it's quieter than most Maui beaches.
Honokalani Black Sand Beach: Another famous and unique Hana location, an entire beach formed from lava rock that was turned to sand by the pounding ocean. Not the best swimming beach, but great for relaxing, taking a peek inside the sea caves, and getting some great photos.
Eats: Thai Food by Pranee in Hana is a great lunch stop. I love Thai food and theirs is some of the best!
Be sure to stop off for banana bread and shave ice along your journey. There are a lot of food stops, but they're spread out, so go ahead and stop when something catches your eye!
One more mention: Early in to the Road to Hana, around Mile Marker 7, you'll see the famous rainbow eucalyptus trees on your left. Absolutely gorgeous and a great spot to pull over and stretch your legs!
You'll also spot waterfalls along your drive, visible from the car. If it's been rainy before your arrival, you'll get some pretty impressive ones with no hiking required!
Day 5: Hiking Kapalua Coastal Trail and Dinner at Taverna
After you're rested from Hana, Kapalua Coastal Trail is a must-do hike in West Maui.
It's 3.5 miles round trip from D.T. Fleming Beach Park to Kapalua Bay Beach. We recommend starting in Kapalua Bay and enjoying dinner at Taverna after you finish! You may need a quick clothing swap and freshen-up session, but that's Maui style for you, so embrace it! Taverna is resort casual, so you'll be fine in relaxed attire. Wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta will hit the spot after the trail!
Day 6: ATV Adventure and Ziplining
Here is our recommendation for your final full day on the Valley Isle: Seeing it from above on Maui's longest zipline course--2 miles of panoramic ocean views! Plus, you can ride with a friend or family member by your side, since this one is dual-line!
This tour also includes an ATV ride through the rainforest and a journey across Maui's longest suspension bridge! Embrace your love or fear of heights and bond with your loved ones over the adrenaline!
For your last Maui sunset, it's dinner at Coco Deck!
The reviews speak for themselves, and the stunning oceanfront location speaks even louder! It's the perfect location to raise a glass to the amazing Maui week you just had!
So special that it's on Front Street, a reminder that Lahaina is still alive and thriving!
Highly recommended: Coco Crusted Mahi, Fish and Chips, and the Smash Burger!
Day 7: All About the Water!
Before you hop your flight home, get a little floating in! Literally! Buy a cheap floatie if you don't already have one, and drift around in the water in your sun hat as you remember all the fun you had on this magical island!
If you're into snorkeling, visit your underwater friends one last time.
Or if you took up surfing on your vacation, rent a board and paddle out one last time!
OK, fine, maybe not with this much style, but if so, respect!
Then it's off to OGG and back to reality, hopefully with some sand still between your toes! Maui will be here for you when you're ready to return....A hui hou!
NOTE: I did leave a couple of things off this itinerary that I would LOVE to have included, but had to edit out just for time and location's sake, so I'll briefly mention them here....
Number one being Haleakala for sunrise! Because you're on the west side and it's far and early, I recommend using a tour company for this and here is a great one!
Another is Scuba! If you're a diver like me, you can definitely get some good diving in while you're here!
My number one recommendation is a day trip to Lanai to dive Cathedrals, which is one of my favorite dives ever. Or if you prefer to keep it simpler and dive off the shore, Mala Wharf is a great option and you're sure to spot tons of turtles!
Maui is also a great place to get dive certified. I got my open water certification here and I highly recommend it!
If you're also interested in visiting South Maui, here is my blog about that side of the island and my most loved things to do!