Best Things to do in Maui

Madison and I love Maui! We explored Maui on our honeymoon, and we are so excited to be sharing our highlights from our week! We will share everything from our favorite places to explore to the best-shaved ice on Maui.

• Explore Haleakala National Park

This was one of our favorite spots on Maui. But, we suggest going to watch the sunrise. Watching the sunrise from the top of the volcano at over 10,000 feet is nothing short of spectacular. To get access to the national park you have to secure a pass, and at the time of writing this blog, they are available 60 days in advance and cost 1.00. For more information about the reservations visit the national park website. Please note the reservation fee doesn’t include the cost to enter the park. We had an absolute blast watching the sunrise, but be aware at 10,000 feet it can be very cold (below freezing) even if it is warm at the resorts. The sunrise at Haleakala is one of the best things to do in Maui.

• Makena State Park – Big Beach

Big Beach was breathtaking and a beautiful place to relax and watch the waves roll in. Big Beach has one of the larger swells on the island, so unless you are experienced with very large Hawaiian waves be cautious getting in the water. Further down in the park from Big Beach is the remnants of a large lava flow from Haleakala

 

• A Couples Photography Session by Stephanie Betsill

We loved the time we had on Maui, and we are so grateful we hired a professional photographer to help us capture our adventure! We hired Stephanie Betsill Photography, a Hawaiian Native, to help show us a few hidden waterfalls and explore Maui. Stephanie is great and shared a bunch of local tips to navigating Maui and the Road to Hana. If you are going to Maui on your honeymoon or looking for some family photos on your adventure Stephanie is the photographer you want to hire!

• Ho’okipa Beach – Sea Turtles

Ho’okpia Beach is a unique small beach just outside of the small town of Paia. Paia is the last town before you begin the journey to Hana, and it is a great place to explore.  Ho’okpia is home to sea turtles that bask on the sand and it is a nice place to watch the waves roll in. This isn’t a great spot for swimming, but it is a nice stop to see the turtles!

• Mama’s Fish House

Mama’s Fish House is one of the best places to eat on Maui. Located down from Ho’okipa Beach and the town of Paia. It is definitely one of the best places for dinner or lunch in Maui, but be sure to make a reservation well in advance of your trip. We made reservations on Open Table.

• Iao Valley State Park

The Iao Valley is one of the lushest parts of Maui. Maui is home to so many different ecosystems from dry barren land to 12″+ inches of rain a year. The valley is the place to be if you like the tropical flora of Hawaii. Take a walk on the ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop to learn about the plants that Hawaiians brought.

• The Feast of Mokapu – Luau

One of the must-do things, when you visit Hawaii, is a Luau and we highly recommend the Feat of Mokapu from the elaborate storytelling, fire dancers, and delicious meal it was an unforgettable experience. The Feast of Mokapu is at the Andaz Hotel and was a highlight of our trip.

• The Road to Hana

Next, we suggest dedicated a day to explore the Road to Hana. This is a dangerous and very narrow road, so we encourage you to start early and plan on making it to Hana by lunch. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, but we encourage you to try to make it to Hana by lunch so you can make it back to the resort area by sunset. The Road to Hana is home to countless waterfalls, one-lane bridges, and blind curves so take it slow! We suggest once you get to Hana to eat at Hana Farms. If you are wanting to know where to stop along the way we suggest reading specific guide books as there are many hidden gems along the way.

• Our Favorite Maui Bed and Breakfast

We loved our time on Maui and we spent most of our Honeymoon at the North Shore Lookout. From the beautiful views to the secluded location, it was the perfect spot to see the Road to Hana and start the early morning journey to watch the sunrise from Haleakala.

North Shore Lookout is a boutique bed and breakfast situated on nine acres of agricultural land near the town of Makawao. The bed and breakfast has outstanding ocean views of the North Shore coastline and the West Maui mountains. The refreshing and modern suites are the perfect place to relax! The property also has a beautiful pool and hot tub surrounded by lovely landscaping!

• Best Shaved Ice on Maui

Finally, one of my (Hunter) favorite treats is Shaved Ice, so it was important for us to find the best on Maui. Embarrassingly enough, I think we had shaved ice once a day on our honeymoon. The best-shaved ice in Maui is definitely Ululaini’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. They have locations all across the island!

 

If you are planning a destination wedding or elopement to Maui, we would love to be considered for your wedding videography! Learn more about us on our website! 

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