Hawaii

Hawaii: One week Maui itinerary

Cameron McCool
Hawaii Insider
The Road to Hana (Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority)
The Road to Hana (Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority)
If you're lucky enough to have a week on the island of Maui, start with Sun and Fun on the Kihei-Wailea Coast.

DAY ONE — Sun and Fun on the Kihei-Wailea Coast

Pick up your rental car at the airport (you'll need one to see much of the island) and head straight to Big Beach — the biggest and best strip of sand on Maui. If you're feeling adventurous, check out neighboring Little Beach — Maui's world-famous clothing optional beach — while you're here.

Spend the rest of your day exploring the Kihei-Wailea coast (aka "South Maui") where most of the island's best beaches and snorkeling spots are found. If you're lucky, spinner dolphins will be frolicking near snorkel sites Dumps and 'Ahihi Cove.

Most of Maui's nightlife is situated in Wailea and Kihei. Treat yourself to a meal at Sansei and follow the crowds to nearby bars and dance the night away.

DAY TWO — Sunrise at Haleakala Crater and Upcountry Maui

Start your day above the clouds on Maui's Haleakala Crater. Striking hues of blue and purple soon give way to a brilliant sunrise, making for a mystical morning.

Stop for a relaxed breakfast in Paia, where hippies, surfers and tourists congregate to lap up the town's laid-back vibe. Cruise around Upcountry Maui for the rest of the day and soak in the clean, country air and quaint atmosphere of Makawao and Kula.

DAY THREE — Road to Hana

The Road to Hana takes you past limitless rainforest, waterfalls, hikes, and roadside vantage points, making it one of the most popular drives on the island. Start around 7:30am or after 11am to miss the mid-morning traffic jam.

Most tourists turn around and drive back in the same day. Clever tourists spend the night in Hana and allow time to enjoy the towering Waimoku Falls which lie at the end of the Pipiwai Trail.

DAY FOUR — Lahaina

Lahaina must be seen to be believed: once a thriving whaler's port in the early 1800s, the town has since switched gears to service the needs of the tourist industry. Lahaina's bustling Front Street, home to many restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops and — wait for it — magic shows, is where the action is. Quieter types will prefer nearby Napili Bay for its quieter stretch of sand and low-key dining.

DAY FIVE — Visit The Friendly Isle

Compared to busy Maui, Moloka'i — aka "The Friendly Isle" — is utterly surreal. There are no traffic lights, few stop signs, and only two tiny supermarkets servicing the 8,000 or so residents who live on the island. Locals are quick to smile at friends and strangers alike, and everyone will go out of their way to help you get around. In Moloka'i, aloha is everywhere.

The Moloka'i Ferry departs from Lahaina and offers one-day return trips which include car rental in your ticket price.

DAY SIX — Drive the North-West Maui Coast

Due to its collection of hairpin turns and a brief one-lane stretch of patchy bitumen, the road from Kaanapala to Kahului via Maui's north-west coast is one of the less-frequented drives on the island.

If you can handle the drive (and make no mistake — it isn't for the faint hearted) you'll get to enjoy a bunch of Maui's wondrous sights without having to deal with crowds.

Grab a coffee at The Coffee Store as you set off, ensure you have plenty of time to swim at Slaughterhouse Beach, and take your snorkel gear for Honolua Bay. If the tide is up, the Nakalele Blowhole will be spouting seawater sky high and if conditions are calm the Olivine Pools make for a great midday swim. If you get hungry, roadside stalls in quaint villages along the way will sell coconut candy. Sweet tooths will love it!

The drive can easily be accomplished in 4-5 hours, but there are so many lookouts and sights to see that you could make a whole day of it. The drive ends in Kahului — the perfect place to return your rental car and fly home.

Have you tried any of the places on this itinerary? Got any ideas we haven't thought of? Have your say using the comments form below.

See for yourself! Get great deals on hotels and super-cheap flights to Hawaii now on Expedia.com.au

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