Visit Maui Now: 5 Towns to Add To Your Travel Bucket List

Why You Should Visit Maui Now

With its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and many activities, it’s a great time to visit Maui now. And while areas like Lahaina and West Maui may have been where you’ve always stayed, consider visiting South Maui on your next trip. Or check out the towns in Central Maui or upland in cowboy country!

This Maui blog will share fabulous ideas for your visit. You’ll learn which towns to stay in and discover there’s much more than just relaxing on the beach! Discover which of these Maui towns is perfect for you!

Visiting Maui’s Diverse Landscapes

While sunbathing and snorkeling are fun in Hawaii, there’s more to enjoy! Maui has different landscapes and regions that are worth exploring. Whether you take a day trip along the Road to Hana or ride to Haleakalā, Maui is full of beauty waiting to be explored.

If you want to see the sunrise at the top of a dormant volcano over 10,000 feet high, visit Maui now. The view from the “House of the Sun” is amazing! Many once-in-a-lifetime experiences are waiting for you!

Best Towns to Visit in Maui Now

Whatever brings you to visit Maui now, these five towns below will not disappoint. In addition, there’s so much to explore in or near each town. So whether your sport is surfing, hiking, or biking, we’ve included lots of Maui travel tips to inspire your next adventure!

In addition, think about staying in Kihei, Wailea, or South Maui. All these places are less than a 30-minute drive from where the Lani Kai is docked in Ma’alaea!

1. Kihei

Kihei, once a popular vacation spot for Hawaiian royalty, lies just 8 miles south of Ma’alaea Harbor and your departure point for the much less crowded afternoon snorkel tour to Molokini Crater. It’s also ideal for swimming, paddle boarding, and canoeing, thanks to the protection of the three islands across the bay. Kihei’s beaches are some of South Maui’s calmest and clearest. Unlike the impressive surf waves of the Northshore, these waters invite us to get in, peek around, and see what we might find. This area is perfect for children and families to explore life below the ocean’s surface comfortably.

• Sugar Beach is Maui’s longest sweep of sand – at almost six miles long. Stretches of coral reef house tropical fish that dart in and out of crevices, delighting snorkelers. While the reefs are abundant, rocks are not, making for smooth wading. Clear views of Lanai, Kaho’olawe, and Molokini provide postcard-worthy backdrops while paddle boarding or swimming. Whale watching and romantic sunsets are another call to this beach.

• Hawaii Mermaid Adventures takes ocean exploration to a whole new level. Aspiring Merpeople get fitted with tails and head into the shallow water with a certified lifeguard or mermaid. Learn to swim as an underwater breather among turtle and fish friends. Play the games merchildren grow up playing and let the stories of lore become real. Underwater photography and videos are included in every session. Be inspired by the passion for protecting our oceans, which is the mission of HMA.
• Kihei Canoe Club is a proper outrigger canoe club with several programs for Maui locals. However, visitors are encouraged to join them on Tuesday and Thursday ocean pushes. The session begins with an opening chant to greet the rising sun. Next, paddling instructions are given and are suited to most abilities. Guests then climb into one of the famous bright red and gold canoes and glide out into the bay. While there is no guarantee, rowers will most likely see whales (during their season), turtles, rays, or dolphins. Back on terra firma, the session wraps up with a Mahalo chant for the land, sea, and ancestors.

2. Wailea

Wailea is all about luxury. It’s just 23 minutes south of your own afternoon private charter on the Lani Kai II. This is what vacation dreams are made of! South Maui Hotels like Andaz, The Four Seasons, and Fairmont Kea Lani have cornered the market on spoiling their guests. Famous chefs flock to their restaurants, up-leveling local fare. Resort beaches are groomed daily, and various pool options provide a distinct ambiance based on what their sun dwellers want. There’s no shame in working hard all year to be pampered here for a week or two. This Maui town buzzes with the good life and wants to treat you.

• Maui Luxe Picnic’s website is drool-worthy. Photos of previous events make Instagram itself jealous. Low tables on stylish rugs are filled with gourmet meats, cheeses, fruits, and chocolate. They invite friends and family to relax on the sand or grass of your choice.
  
  Romantic lighting and bougie cushions add extra warmth to an anniversary or a proposal. Set-up and clean-up are part of the package. Add-ons are only limited by what the customer can imagine. They can include photography, drone footage, musicians, aerialists, and even fire and hula dancers.
• Wailea Golf Club offers three stunning courses with unparalleled views at every hole. The club’s Golf Academy is a great option if you want to skip 18 holes. It offers PGA Professional Staff for all skill levels, including beginners. Event planners are on hand to create custom tournaments, contests, and merchandise for corporate or group events. WGC has earned every one of their 170+ honors – “Friendliness to Women” being one of the top.
• The Shops at Wailea rival Rodeo Drive. The clean outdoor mall is shaded by well-trimmed Palms spaced evenly throughout. Luxury brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton are everywhere. However, unlike Beverly Hills, you can find them for about 10% less. That’s because designer houses consider Hawaii a separate pricing zone. Souvenir shops and art galleries are also worth perusing. These take-homes will never find their way into a junk drawer.

3. Hana

Hana is Maui’s very own au-naturel to-do list. It is a region of adventurous and sometimes harrowing paths to payoffs. It’s about moving and exploring. You earn that swim after the hike and enjoy deep breaths at the top of the sea cliffs. Rich in waterfalls and volcanic beaches, Hana is rugged and wild, calling us not to come and tame but to come and taste that ancient enthusiasm.

• Wai’anapanapa State Park’s black sand beach simmers in bold contrast to the sparkling sea. Enjoy the view of a natural sea arch, maybe even timing a perfect picture with the sun peeking through the rocky gap. Relax in the small, quiet inlet and let your eyes wander to the Big Island in the distance. Wear water shoes as the black sand tends to be hotter and sharper than its creamier counterpart.
  
  Take a hike on the main trail that leads from the beach into a jungle filled with bright green Naupaka plants and dark lava rocks. The path feels manicured and untouched simultaneously, imparting the sense that this is sacred ground. Continue the track as it returns towards the sea and its two freshwater caves open for investigation. Tide pools, sea stacks, and natural blowholes are all amazing sights along the trail. They provide great rewards for anyone exploring Hana’s natural wonders.
  Reservations are required for parking and entrance.

• Hana Lava Tube, aka Ka’Eleku Cavern, owes its spelunking charm to a molten flow that dried up almost one thousand years ago, leaving behind empty tube-like caves. Today, it’s a year-round field trip for visitors of all ages. About a quarter of a mile long, this self-guided tour takes you deep into the island. You’ll see amazing sights like “The Chocolate Corridor” and the “Wall of Stalactites.” Flashlights are provided but wear shoes with good grip and a raincoat as the ceiling drips. The Red Ti Botanical Garden Maze outside is a serene challenge before leaving.

• Upper Waikani Falls is easy to find along the Hana Highway at Mile Marker 19. Also known as “The Three Bears,” a trio of tropical mountain streams plunges into a pristine swimming hole below. This scene is that perfect vacation backdrop that will soon become a favorite screensaver. However, like most of Maui’s southeast region, getting there requires nerve and will.
  Parking can be tricky and might take a few tries. The path from the road to the pool begins at the bridge. It has a steep drop and can be slippery, so watch your step. Use extreme caution while navigating this section, which soon becomes safer. Find a boulder and glide into the bubbling water to set your towel on. Stand under the rush of recent rainfall and know that all the insecurity was worth it.

   

  The Road to Hana is a 64-mile scenic journey of incomparable vistas. With 620 curves and 59 bridges, it will take your breath away. Rent a jeep from South Maui and tackle this must-see yourself, or let someone else drive for you with a guided van tour.

4. Makawao

Makawao feels sleepy, like a surf town on a Sunday morning, but there are no beaches here. This is Upland cowboy country. It is hard working but purposefully slow so that the work is properly done. Nothing is rushed on these roads because to be rushed would be unsustained. Artists flock to this realm of unhurried progression, and their galleries line the town’s old western main street. Perhaps this idea of time and sustenance explains the number of restaurants in such a small area. It feels like the town understands we need to eat after exploring Haleakala. A big meal is perfect after a day of witnessing humpback whales with Maui Snorkeling. The short 30-minute drive from West Maui is worth it.

• Vida by Sip Me Maui offers decadent organic brews like rose gold latte, topped with foam and dried petals. Cold-pressed juices are a fan favorite for a lighter pick-me-up. Bakery items are all made locally and include several gluten-free and vegan options. Take your banana bread and cappuccino out to the courtyard for fresh morning air or upstairs to the sunny lounge on a rainy day.
• Freshies Maui serves heartier breakfast fare and lunches for the cowboy soul. “Chuck Wagon Favorites” include organic eggs, red potatoes, rice, beans, and greens. Add Spam or bacon for protein. For lunch, enjoy a Maui Cattle Company burger topped with smoked gouda. Pair it with a local craft brew to taste what Makawao is famous for. The Fresh Fish Plate is seared in a lemon, garlic, and caper butter. It’s topped with Parmesan and tomatoes. This dish truly reminds your taste buds of what island life is all about. For a less dense meal, try the Sesame Salad made with homemade creamy dressing and a hibiscus iced tea.
• Serpico’s Restaurant boasts an impressive menu of Jersey-style pizzas, pasta, and subs. Open for both lunch and dinner, this casual eatery has something for everyone. Twelve different salads on the menu include Blackened Mahi and Calamari Caesar. Kalua pork on a pie blends Asbury Park and Maui Upcountry nicely. Traditional Lasagna and Penne ala Vodka is a perfect way to end a fun-filled day.

5. Paia

Paia is Maui’s Mecca that beckons meditation and contemplation. A spiritual current flows beneath its streets and sand. Visitors feel it instantly and respond by finding a bench or patch of beach to sit and observe. The mind flows with the current and drifts into thoughts about existence and our place in the world. Paia is for pilgrims searching for peace and harmony, for finding it here, and for leaving changed.

• The Great Paia Lha Bab Peace Stupa stands 27 feet tall at the entrance to the Maui Dharma Center. Nestled in an unassuming parking lot, it is open to visitors of all beliefs. Colorful Tibetan prayer flags line the path to the sacred building. A large prayer wheel chimes as guests spin it slowly, sending millions of prayers into the Universe.
• Ho’okipa Beach Park is best approached first from the upper viewing outcrop. Windswept grasses soften the cliff along the paved walkway. The roar of the waves below clearly shows that these waters are not for new surfers. It gives a strong respect for the boarders who have come to prove themselves and conquer the challenge. They are mesmerizing as they vanish beneath the frothy white tunnels. Hopefully, they will come back up smoothly a few seconds later. Sometimes, they are violently spit out in the middle. This vantage point affords stunning videos.
  
  The beach below is a prime spot for Hawaiian green sea turtles as they bob into shore. A protected knee-high fence allows visitors to get close enough to watch them warm up on the sand without disturbing them. While it may be tempting to interact with them in the shallows, please don’t. They’re here for the meditative vibes, too. For a closer look at these endangered turtles, check out Turtle Town. Daily tours leave just 14 miles from Ma’alaea Harbor.

• The Sacred Garden of Maliko is a 10-minute drive from Paia. Its 10,000-square-foot nursery and two labyrinths are a peaceful afternoon respite. Find a wooden chair among the ornamental plants, water gardens, and succulents. Add your thoughts or drawings to one of the community journals lying around. Or create a fairy garden with the materials provided – including miniature furniture. Sidle up to the art table among the leaves and petals to paint a paper bag masterpiece for a future customer to take home.
• The Mother Shrine honors our feminine forms, i.e., Mary, Pele, etc. It’s a beautiful space to contemplate your mother and send her love. A Full Moon walk in the outer labyrinth is a great chance to connect with the night sky and our hidden selves.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Maui Now

If you need a break from the daily grind, check out the lush and beautiful island of Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Maui is famous for its natural beauty. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers, hikers, or anyone wanting to relax on beautiful beaches.

Visiting Maui now also helps you support the people of Maui, many of whom depend on tourism dollars to thrive. And as we continue to respect our commitment to mālama, the Hawaiian word for ‘to care for or protect’, consider shopping locally, eating at locally-run restaurants, and sharing the spirit of Aloha.

Traveling to Maui should be at the top of your travel bucket list again, and we hope this blog gave you lots of ideas to help you plan your next Hawaiian vacation!

Click here to read more of our Maui travel blogs, and we hope to see you on the island soon. Mahalo for reading, and Visit Maui Now! Which of the Maui Towns will you visit? 🌴