Our Picks for a Great Maui Vacation
Food scene
These recommendations are our picks for great food on Maui. Many of these places are very deliberate in their use of organic, natural and/or locally sourced ingredients.
No trip to Maui is complete without heading to Upcountry and a stop at the Ranch Store for lunch. The drive up offers stunning views. Enjoy a casual lunch of burgers, sandwiches or salads and take in the views. Maui Wine is just across the street.
26 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Ulupalakua Ranch Store
14800 Piilani HwyNo trip to Maui is complete without heading to Upcountry and a stop at the Ranch Store for lunch. The drive up offers stunning views. Enjoy a casual lunch of burgers, sandwiches or salads and take in the views. Maui Wine is just across the street.
If you have never had shave ice, this is a must stop. We stop here every time we are in Maui. The variety of flavors will have something for any taste, but we especially enjoy the tropical flavors of mango, passion fruit and pineapple.
76 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
61 S Kihei RdIf you have never had shave ice, this is a must stop. We stop here every time we are in Maui. The variety of flavors will have something for any taste, but we especially enjoy the tropical flavors of mango, passion fruit and pineapple.
This is the quintessential Hawaiian dining experience. The restaurant sits beachside and the ambiance is old Hawaiian - comfortable setting, surrounded by nature, and excellent food. A great choice for a special night out, anniversary or birthday celebration. Reservations recommended.
355 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mama's Fish House
799 Poho PlThis is the quintessential Hawaiian dining experience. The restaurant sits beachside and the ambiance is old Hawaiian - comfortable setting, surrounded by nature, and excellent food. A great choice for a special night out, anniversary or birthday celebration. Reservations recommended.
Get here early for fresh hot cinnamon rolls, but don't forget to try the mango and banana breads as well. We like to grab some mango bread for the plane flight home.
35 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Cinnamon Roll Place
2463 S Kihei RdGet here early for fresh hot cinnamon rolls, but don't forget to try the mango and banana breads as well. We like to grab some mango bread for the plane flight home.
Kihei Caffe opens super early and offers a variety of yummy breakfast options including egg plates, pancakes, and healthy choices. It is located across the street from the beach. It's a nice spot for people watching and meeting people.
185 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Kihei Caffe
1945 S Kihei RdKihei Caffe opens super early and offers a variety of yummy breakfast options including egg plates, pancakes, and healthy choices. It is located across the street from the beach. It's a nice spot for people watching and meeting people.
Many restaurants on Maui have won prestigious food awards and this is no exception. You will notice on Sundays and Mondays that people line up outside up to an hour prior to opening. That's because on these days sushi is offered at 50% off during the first 30 minutes. We recommend trying any of the award winners that appeal to you. The tuna carpaccio and dragon roll are some of our favorites.
158 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
1819 S Kihei RdMany restaurants on Maui have won prestigious food awards and this is no exception. You will notice on Sundays and Mondays that people line up outside up to an hour prior to opening. That's because on these days sushi is offered at 50% off during the first 30 minutes. We recommend trying any of the award winners that appeal to you. The tuna carpaccio and dragon roll are some of our favorites.
This is a great spot to pick up some poke or plate lunch. It's a tiny place, but their menu is quite extensive. Before the end of our first visit, we were already talking about when we could come back to try something else from their menu.
41 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Eskimo Candy Inc
2665 Wai Wai PlThis is a great spot to pick up some poke or plate lunch. It's a tiny place, but their menu is quite extensive. Before the end of our first visit, we were already talking about when we could come back to try something else from their menu.
Described as a modern Japanese beach house, Moritmoto's is located on the grounds of the Andaz Hotel. Absolutely gorgeous views and a dining experience to match. Sushi and seafood is delicious with many unique preparations. Make reservations as far in advance as possible. A great special occasion restaurant choice.
25 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Morimoto Maui
3550 Wailea Alanui DriveDescribed as a modern Japanese beach house, Moritmoto's is located on the grounds of the Andaz Hotel. Absolutely gorgeous views and a dining experience to match. Sushi and seafood is delicious with many unique preparations. Make reservations as far in advance as possible. A great special occasion restaurant choice.
This is a great place to go with kids or for groups that crave a variety of food options. We especially like Suns Out Buns Out.
Kihei Food Truck Park
This is a great place to go with kids or for groups that crave a variety of food options. We especially like Suns Out Buns Out.
Two food truck parks are nestled into this nursery/food scene/event space. Walk through the tropical nursey to explore the variety of food options before settling in to one of the outdoor tables. Great for kids and don't forget to look for the resident tortoise.
South Maui Gardens
Two food truck parks are nestled into this nursery/food scene/event space. Walk through the tropical nursey to explore the variety of food options before settling in to one of the outdoor tables. Great for kids and don't forget to look for the resident tortoise.
Hands down the best place for happy hour on the island. They have a great happy hour menu (that can make a full meal) and a selection of discounted drinks. Great Mai Tais!
17 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Humble Market Kitchin
3700 Wailea Alanui DrHands down the best place for happy hour on the island. They have a great happy hour menu (that can make a full meal) and a selection of discounted drinks. Great Mai Tais!
Tuesday's from 8:00 am - 11:00 am, the Wailea Village Farmer's Market is a great place to sample locally grown food and buy gifts to take home. Be sure to check out the village shops as well.
Wailea Village
Tuesday's from 8:00 am - 11:00 am, the Wailea Village Farmer's Market is a great place to sample locally grown food and buy gifts to take home. Be sure to check out the village shops as well.
Matteo's is an Italian restaurant within walking distance to the condo. Good food, excellent wines and cocktails. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and can provide you with recommendations to ensure an outstanding meal. Reservations are recommended.
40 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Matteo's Osteria
161 Wailea Ike PlMatteo's is an Italian restaurant within walking distance to the condo. Good food, excellent wines and cocktails. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and can provide you with recommendations to ensure an outstanding meal. Reservations are recommended.
Our choice for best pizza on the island. Kid friendly and good for large groups. No reservations accepted, but worth the wait.
104 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Flatbread Company
89 Hana HwyOur choice for best pizza on the island. Kid friendly and good for large groups. No reservations accepted, but worth the wait.
Nalu's is a great indoor/outdoor space, great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings you may catch live music performances. They have great loco moco's, including a vegan version.
151 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Nalu's South Shore Grill
1280 S Kihei RdNalu's is a great indoor/outdoor space, great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings you may catch live music performances. They have great loco moco's, including a vegan version.
Sightseeing
The beauty of nature dominates your senses in Hawaii and there are many ways to experience it on Maui. Many of these selections have sustainable practices that allow us to both celebrate and preserve Hawaii's natural landscape and wildlife.
Maui Wine is a working vineyard where you can enjoy a wine tasting (pineapple wine!) and take a tour to learn how they make their wine, the history of the land and how they are redirecting the use of the land. A gift shop offers a chance to pick up some unique gifts.
52 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
MauiWine
14815 Piilani HwyMaui Wine is a working vineyard where you can enjoy a wine tasting (pineapple wine!) and take a tour to learn how they make their wine, the history of the land and how they are redirecting the use of the land. A gift shop offers a chance to pick up some unique gifts.
This is a National Natural Landmark with a lush tropical environment and is an important historic site for Hawaiian history and culture. The weather can be cooler here so dress in light layers.
30 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Iao Valley
This is a National Natural Landmark with a lush tropical environment and is an important historic site for Hawaiian history and culture. The weather can be cooler here so dress in light layers.
Makena Landing is one of our favorite snorkel spots, you can be sure to spot turtles either in the water or resting on shore in a secluded cove (aka Turtle Town). It is has powdery soft sand if you just want to enjoy a light swim. Take some beach chairs and sit on a grassy area overlooking the water. Parking, restroom and shower facilities are also available.
24 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Makena Landing
5083 Makena RoadMakena Landing is one of our favorite snorkel spots, you can be sure to spot turtles either in the water or resting on shore in a secluded cove (aka Turtle Town). It is has powdery soft sand if you just want to enjoy a light swim. Take some beach chairs and sit on a grassy area overlooking the water. Parking, restroom and shower facilities are also available.
There is so much to do and see here. This once working pineapple plantation celebrates Maui's agricultural history. Enjoy a meal at Cafe O'Lei and see historic artifacts of plantation life repurposed throughout the grounds. A collection of small purveyors (coffee, ice cream, arts and crafts) are also there. You can ride on a zip line or take a tour of the grounds overlooking the Iao Valley. Don't forget to stop at the Kula Farm stand to pick up some local produce to cook back at the condo!
81 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Plantación Tropical de Maui
1670 Honoapiilani HwyThere is so much to do and see here. This once working pineapple plantation celebrates Maui's agricultural history. Enjoy a meal at Cafe O'Lei and see historic artifacts of plantation life repurposed throughout the grounds. A collection of small purveyors (coffee, ice cream, arts and crafts) are also there. You can ride on a zip line or take a tour of the grounds overlooking the Iao Valley. Don't forget to stop at the Kula Farm stand to pick up some local produce to cook back at the condo!
The Maui Ocean Center has a number of exhibits that allow you to learn more about the sea life that you will see if you snorkel or scuba dive during your trip, in addition to other marine life you may not be so eager to bump into in the ocean. We recommend getting the behind the scenes tour to learn more about what the Center does to help restore and preserve the ocean habitats that sustain sea life. You also get to help feed the marine animals during the tour.
176 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Maui Ocean Center
192 Maalaea RdThe Maui Ocean Center has a number of exhibits that allow you to learn more about the sea life that you will see if you snorkel or scuba dive during your trip, in addition to other marine life you may not be so eager to bump into in the ocean. We recommend getting the behind the scenes tour to learn more about what the Center does to help restore and preserve the ocean habitats that sustain sea life. You also get to help feed the marine animals during the tour.
The Pacific Whale Foundation offers eco-friendly whale watching tours. You not only get to see whales, but their guides will also share their efforts to ensure whales continue to thrive. This is the most educational whale tours we've taken.
77 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Fundación Pacific Whale
300 Maalaea RdThe Pacific Whale Foundation offers eco-friendly whale watching tours. You not only get to see whales, but their guides will also share their efforts to ensure whales continue to thrive. This is the most educational whale tours we've taken.
Maui Kayak Adventures offers kayaking and snorkeling tours. We took a kayaking tour and it was one of the best tours we have done on the island. The guide gets you as close to nature as possible and provide guidance on how to interact responsibly with the marine environment. We kayaked out to an area where we snorkeled, but they also offer a whale watching kayaking tour.
Maui Kayak Adventures LLC
61 Halekuai StMaui Kayak Adventures offers kayaking and snorkeling tours. We took a kayaking tour and it was one of the best tours we have done on the island. The guide gets you as close to nature as possible and provide guidance on how to interact responsibly with the marine environment. We kayaked out to an area where we snorkeled, but they also offer a whale watching kayaking tour.
A 6.6 mile loop trail nestled in the Makawao Forest Reserve. It is my favorite hike on the island. You don't have to do the whole loop to have a great hike. Temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler here than in Wailea, so its a nice respite from the warmer beach weather and the scenery is beautful. This is considered a moderately challenging trail.
Kahakapao Loop Trail
A 6.6 mile loop trail nestled in the Makawao Forest Reserve. It is my favorite hike on the island. You don't have to do the whole loop to have a great hike. Temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler here than in Wailea, so its a nice respite from the warmer beach weather and the scenery is beautful. This is considered a moderately challenging trail.
A 5 minute drive from the condo gets you to this soft sand beach. Free parking available in the paved parking lot under the canopy of trees to keep your car cool while you swim. There is easy access to a shower to clean up as you leave. Good snorkel spot, also great for leisure swim.
80 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Keawakapu Beach
Kilohana DriveA 5 minute drive from the condo gets you to this soft sand beach. Free parking available in the paved parking lot under the canopy of trees to keep your car cool while you swim. There is easy access to a shower to clean up as you leave. Good snorkel spot, also great for leisure swim.
Historic Towns
Both Lahaina and Paia offer interesting glimpses into Maui's past and have lots to do and see. Both of these towns are smaller in scale and are great to explore on foot. Both make great day trips from Wailea.
Located on Maui's north shore, Paia is an old plantation town where you can get a feel for Maui's sugar mill industry past. Today, there are several art galleries, restaurants and cafe's lining the two main streets. We enjoy going here to find locally made art, jewelry and household items. We also enjoy watching the windsurfer's at Ho'okipa Beach Park, known as the "Windsurfing Capital of the World".
208 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Paia
Located on Maui's north shore, Paia is an old plantation town where you can get a feel for Maui's sugar mill industry past. Today, there are several art galleries, restaurants and cafe's lining the two main streets. We enjoy going here to find locally made art, jewelry and household items. We also enjoy watching the windsurfer's at Ho'okipa Beach Park, known as the "Windsurfing Capital of the World".
If you are up for a half day or day trip to the Northwest coast of Maui, stop at Lahaina Town, a bustling historic town with lots to see and do. Chosen by King Kamehameha II as the royal capital and serving as the capital until Honolulu was was named the new capital in 1845, it subsequently served as a whaling village for sailing ships from all over the world. You can see much of the history as you walk along the streets. There are small historic museums as well as plaques that tell the history of buildings or other important landmarks. There are a variety of food options, art galleries, and historic sites to visit. You can also get a boat to the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai from here.
208 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Lahaina
If you are up for a half day or day trip to the Northwest coast of Maui, stop at Lahaina Town, a bustling historic town with lots to see and do. Chosen by King Kamehameha II as the royal capital and serving as the capital until Honolulu was was named the new capital in 1845, it subsequently served as a whaling village for sailing ships from all over the world. You can see much of the history as you walk along the streets. There are small historic museums as well as plaques that tell the history of buildings or other important landmarks. There are a variety of food options, art galleries, and historic sites to visit. You can also get a boat to the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai from here.
Consejos sobre la ciudad
Formas de ahorrar
Shopping for Gifts
If you have lots of friends and family to buy gifts for but don't have the space in your suitcase to pack them all consider shipping your gifts through the U.S. Postal service or other shipping service. Many of the stores offer shipping and it may be worth paying them since they will have all of the packing materials - tape, wrapping for delicate items, etc. If you prefer to pack and ship yourself, the nearest post office is 1254 S. Kihei Rd., Hihei, HI 96753.
Frases útiles
What to do when someone says, "Aloha"
While the word aloha is used as a greeting as well as a farewell, it is not like saying "hi" or "goodbye". There is a deeper cultural meaning and it is important to respond appropriately to someone that says "Aloha". Here is a breakdown of the word and its meaning:
alo - sharing in the present
oha - joy
ha - breath of life
The most respectful response to aloha is to say "aloha" in return with intention and sincerity, whether addressing an individual or if you are in a larger group as member of the audience or tour group.