Maui
Sunshine, Shave Ice & Saying "One More Beach"
Maui quickly became one of those trips I'll be talking about for years. We spent five days chasing waterfalls, snorkeling with turtles, watching sunsets from volcanoes, eating our weight in poke and shave ice, and squeezing every last minute out of island life.
Finally Making It to Hawaii
Hawaii had been sitting at the top of my bucket list for years. Honestly, for someone who has lived in San Diego for almost a decade, it felt a little crazy that I hadn't made it there yet. At the beginning of the year, I decided I was finally going to make it happen - whether it was with my husband, my sister, friends, or even solo. Luckily, it didn't take much convincing to get Zak on board. We landed on Maui for a five-day getaway, and despite checking the forecast approximately 47 times before the trip and seeing nothing but rain and flood warnings, we decided to go anyway. Thankfully, Maui had other plans!
The Road to Hāna
After settling into our hotel and kicking off the trip with dinner at Nobu on our first night, we spent the next day exploring the famous Road to Hāna. We spent hours winding along the coastline, stopping at waterfalls, scenic overlooks, black sand beaches, and every roadside stand that looked remotely promising. It was one of those days where the journey really is the destination. By the time we made it back, we grabbed poke for dinner, watched the sunset from the hotel, and called it an early night after a full day of adventuring.
Beach Days & Volcano Sunsets
One of my favorite things about Maui was how easy it was to balance adventure with doing absolutely nothing. We spent one day parked by the hotel pool and beach, grabbed poke for lunch (which quickly became a daily occurrence), and then drove up to Haleakalā for sunset. Watching the sun disappear above the clouds felt like something out of a movie. The next day we headed to West Maui, snorkeled with sea turtles, beach hopped our way along the coastline, and finished the day with dinner at the Four Seasons.
One Last Maui Adventure
For our final full day, we took a helicopter tour over the island and got to see parts of Maui that would have been impossible to experience otherwise. We spent the rest of the day slowing things down at the hotel spa and soaking up every last bit of vacation mode before heading home. Between the beaches, waterfalls, volcano views, poke bowls, and enough shave ice to keep the local economy thriving, Maui completely lived up to the hype.
Final Thoughts
Maui was everything I hoped it would be and more. It had the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, incredible food, and some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. From waterfalls and volcano sunsets to beach days and poke bowls, every day felt different while still somehow feeling completely relaxing. It took me years to finally book the trip, but now I understand why so many people return again and again.
Here’s What to Know Before You Go
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
April–May: One of the best times! Warm weather, fewer crowds than winter, lower hotel rates, and lush green landscapes from seasonal rain.
September–November: Another great shoulder season with warm ocean temperatures, smaller crowds, and some of the best travel deals of the year.
December–March: Peak season for whale watching. Beautiful weather but more visitors and higher prices.
Getting Around: Rent a car - you'll want the flexibility to explore the Road to Hāna, Haleakalā, and other parts of Maui.
Weather: Maui's weather can change quickly depending on where you are on the island! Don't panic if the forecast shows rain. We had rain predicted every day and ended up with beautiful weather for most of our trip.
Reservations: Popular restaurants and activities book up quickly! Reserve Haleakalā sunrise permits (if applicable), luaus, helicopter tours, and popular dinner spots well in advance.
Download the Shaka Guide: If you're planning to drive the Road to Hāna, download the Shaka Guide app before your trip. It acts like a tour guide in your car, pointing out stops, history, and hidden gems along the route.
Accommodations
We stayed at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and loved it!
Located in Wailea on Maui's south shore, the resort has direct beach access, multiple pools, waterslides, restaurants, and a recently renovated spa.
The property is large, so it feels like there's always something to do without ever leaving the resort.
We stayed in a ground-floor lagoon room, which made it easy to walk directly out to the pools and beach each morning.
It’s a mix of luxury, relaxation, and easy access to explore the island!
Fun & Unique Experiences
Road to Hāna - Maui's most famous road trip, filled with waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic overlooks, and roadside food stops. One of the highlights of our trip.
Haleakalā Sunset -watching the sunset above the clouds from the summit of Haleakalā felt like being on another planet. A must-do while visiting Maui.
Helicopter Tour - the best way to see Maui's dramatic coastline, waterfalls, and remote areas that aren't accessible by car.
Snorkeling at Makena Landing - one of the best places on the island to spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.
West Maui Beach Hopping - spend a day exploring Kapalua Bay, Kaanapali Beach, and other beautiful stretches of Maui's west coast.
Whale Watching (December–April) - Maui is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales during migration season.
Traditional Hawaiian Luau - enjoy Hawaiian food, music, hula dancing, and cultural storytelling.
Surf Lessons - Maui is a great place for beginners to learn how to surf.
Restaurants & Food Picks
Some of our favorite meals weren't fancy dinners - they were poke bowls eaten on the beach, shave ice after a long day exploring, and grabbing whatever local spot looked good along the way!
Breakfast & Brunch
Paia Corner Cafe - A great stop before the Road to Hāna for breakfast burritos, coffee, and açaí bowls.
Island Vintage Coffee - Coffee, breakfast, and light bites with island views.
The Cinnamon Roll Place - A Maui staple known for oversized cinnamon rolls and sweet breakfast treats.
Lunch & Casual Eats
Foodland Poke - A Maui must. Fresh poke, affordable prices, and perfect for a beach picnic.
South Maui Fish Company - Some of the freshest seafood on the island, served from a local food truck.
Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors - Another local favorite for grab-and-go poke.
Monkeypod Kitchen - Casual island dining with great food, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
Dinner
Nobu Maui - Upscale Japanese dining located at the Grand Wailea and a great choice for a special night out.
Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante - Oceanfront Italian dining at the Four Seasons with beautiful sunset views.
Marlow - Wood-fired pizzas and local ingredients in a relaxed Upcountry setting.
The Plantation House - Elevated island cuisine with panoramic views overlooking Kapalua.
Sweet Treats & Snacks
Coconut Glen's - Homemade coconut ice cream and one of the best Road to Hāna stops.
Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice - A Maui classic. Whether it's after the beach or on a road trip, it's practically required.
