Ultimate 5 Day Maui Itinerary For First Timers
Planning an upcoming vacation to Maui? If so, you’ve landed on the right article.
Maui is Hawaii’s second largest island after the Big Island, and after visiting the Big Island over 3 times, I finally decided to go to Maui. I spent 5 days in Maui camping and exploring all over the island, and was charmed by all of its natural beauty.
It has miles of beautiful beaches, scenic drives, hiking trails, excellent snorkeling opportunities, and the sweetest golden pineapple I’ve tried.
Here is a sample 5 day itinerary to help you plan a memorable adventure in Maui.
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5 Day Maui Itinerary
Day 1: South Maui, Haleakala Summit At Sunset
South Maui
Start your first full day in Maui enjoying the beautiful beaches in South Maui. This area is home to Maui’s upscale resorts, and some of the most stunning beaches along the coast.
I visited Wailea and Keawakapu Beach, which both had long stretches of golden sand, and crystal clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
I saw several people kayaking in this area, and I was definitely jealous because they looked like they were having lots of fun.
If you want to go kayaking with views of small islands like Lanai in the distance, this is the place to go. There’s a variety of watersport rental shops, where you can rent out everything from kayaks to stand up paddleboards, boogieboards, or snorkel gear for the day.
After spending time out at the beach, stop for food in the nearby town of Kihei. Kihei has a diverse food truck scene, where you can get everything from poke to thai food, and shaved ice. The food trucks are all lined up by each other, and only a short drive from the beaches.
Upcountry Maui
The next best thing to do on your first day in Maui is check out the charming Upcountry region, nestled on the slopes of Haleakala volcano. This area encompasses a few small towns in rural Maui, including the cowboy town of Makawoa, and farm town Kula.
In Makawoa, you can stroll the downtown shops, and try a famous donut on a stick at Komoda bakery. In Kula, you can stop by the Ocean Vodka distillery to try a tasting, or enjoy a sunset dinner with live music overlooking the countryside.
Another potential detour to make on the way to Haleakala summit is Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. This is a small lavender farm with a gift shop, and a cafe that makes everything from lavender coffee to scones. Entrance to the gardens is $5/person, and it has a beautiful expansive view of the valley.
Haleakala Summit At Sunset
After exploring Upcountry, head up to the Haleakala summit to watch the most amazing sunset above the clouds. Haleakala is a dormant volcano that makes up over 70% of Maui, and its summit is at an elevation of 10,023 feet.
At the summit, there’s a visitor center, parking lots, restrooms, and an astronomical observatory. Many people visit during sunrise, but the view at sunset is equally as beautiful! If you plan on visiting during sunrise, keep in mind you’ll need to make a reservation beforehand at recreation.gov.
Entrance to the park is $30/vehicle, and it’s valid for 3 days. The pass also grants you access to the Seven Sacred Pools/Pipiwai Trail on the Road to Hana, so hold onto your receipt!
Day 2: Road To Hana
The Road to Hana is a breathtaking 64.4 mile stretch of coastline that connects Kahului (near the airport) to the small town of Hana. This drive is incredibly scenic, with waterfalls, coastal views, and dozens of interesting stops.
It’s around a 2 hour drive from start to end (4 hours roundtrip), and it’s best to dedicate an entire day to see the top attractions. In a day, you can visit the waterfalls, beaches, enjoy banana bread, and make time for a hike or two.
If you want to see more of the attractions, I recommend spending a night in Hana. Here are some of the must-see stops on the road to Hana. For a full list + guide, check out our article on the best Road to Hana attractions!
Waterfalls
As you drive on the road to Hana, you’ll pass by many waterfalls tucked in the rainforest off the side of the road.
Some waterfalls you can swim in are the Twin Falls, Upper Waikani Falls, and Wailua Falls. I recommend pinning these to your offline maps, as it can be easy to drive right past them!
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Another must-stop on the road to Hana is Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread. This is a small family-owned bakery that makes freshly baked banana bread, and it’s so good that it was approved by Gordon Ramsay in his Uncharted travel show!
The next best place to get banana bread along the drive is Hana Farms, which is right next to Wainapapa’s Black Sand Beach.
Wainapapa Black Sand Beach
Wainapapa State Park is home to a gorgeous black sand beach, hiking trails, and campgrounds. The black sand beach is fringed by green jungle cliffs, and one of the most beautiful sights to see on the road to Hana.
To visit the beach, you need to make a reservation online beforehand, as you can’t buy tickets in person.
Seven Sacred Pools & Pipiwai Trail
The last popular stop to make on the road to Hana is the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. Here you can hike to the Seven Sacred Pools, or hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls.
The Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch) is a stunning waterfall and series of pools nestled in the rainforest that’s accessible by a short coastal trail.
The Pipiwai trail is a longer, 4 mile roundtrip trail through a bamboo forest to the hidden Waimoku waterfall. These are both excellent hikes to do before heading back on the road to Hana.
Entrance is $30/vehicle (3 day pass), or covered if you’ve already purchased a pass to visit the Haleakala summit. Just remember to keep your receipt so that you can visit both within 3 days!
Here are a few other popular stops on the road to Hana:
- Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees: Roadside grove of colorful eucalyptus trees
- Garden of Eden Arbotereum: Botanical garden with wild peacocks and coastal views
- Koki Beach Park: Surfing beach with picnic areas and a popular huli huli chicken stand
- Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach: Secluded red sand beach accessible by a short hike
- Coconut Glen’s: Vegan-friendly coconut ice cream truck
Day 3: West Maui Mountains, Pineapples, & Turtles
Waihee Ridge Trail
Kick off your next morning in vacation by hiking Maui’s most scenic hike, the Waihee Ridge Trail. This is a 4.2 mile roundtrip hike up a mountain, where you’ll have a spectacular view of the coastline and surrounding mountains.
At the end of the hike, you’ll be in the clouds at nearly 3,000 feet, and the view is super rewarding!
For this hike, you’ll want to wear comfortable hiking shoes, as it’s a steep uphill hike. I recommend arriving as early as possible in the morning, as it can be difficult to find parking by the trailhead.
There’s a small parking lot by the trailhead, which you’ll have to drive up a narrow one-lane road to reach. If you can’t find parking, you can wait around for a few minutes, or park at the large overhead lots at the bottom of the mountain.
Maui Gold Pineapple Tour
After a long hike, there’s no better way to refuel than on Maui’s sweet golden pineapple. The Maui Gold farm in Hali’imaile is the largest pineapple farm on the island, and they recently reopened their tours to the public. I visited them for a farm tour, and it was the highlight of my trip.
Our guide taught us about the history of pineapple farming in Maui, how they created the world’s sweetest pineapple, and sliced pineapples with a machete so we can enjoy tons of samples!
It’s the most delicious pineapple I’ve tried, and you can purchase an airport-ready boxed pineapple to bring back home from their shop. Reserve a pineapple tour here.
Hookipa Beach Park
If you’re ready to spot some sea turtles on the shore, head to Hookipa Beach Park. This is a wonderful long stretch of sandy beach with restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.
This was my favorite beach I visited while in Maui, and you’ll likely see dozens of green sea turtles basking on the eastern shore. Just remember to respect the signs, and stay within 10 feet of the sea turtles to avoid disturbing them.
From here, you’ll be less than a 10 minute drive from Paia, a charming seaside town lined with cafes, small boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s home to the island’s most famous restaurant, Mama Fish House, and a variety of great places to stop for dinner.
Day 4: Snorkeling/West Maui Coast
Snorkeling
No trip to Maui would be complete without snorkeling. Beyond the beaches, some of the best places to snorkel in Maui are Molokini Crater/Turtle Town, and Honolua Bay.
Molokini Crater is a submerged volcanic crater a few miles offshore, and Turtle Town is another offshore site with an abundance of sea turtles.
If you’re up for an adventure, go on a snorkeling tour to both Molokini Crater and Turtle Town to see colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and potentially dolphins!
Honolua Bay
Other than the offshore sites, Honolua Bay is another incredible place to go snorkeling in West Maui. It’s a crescent shaped bay that’s accessible by a short hike through the forest, and there’s plenty of free street parking.
The coral reefs are close to the shore, and it has crystal clear waters filled with tropical fish. It’s completely free to visit, and I saw many families with young kids snorkeling here.
Nakalele Blowhole
Not far from Honolua Bay, the Nakalele Blowhole is an interesting little attraction to visit. It’s a blowhole that can spout seawater as high as 100 feet, every few minutes. You can view it from the cliffs, or hike a short rocky trail down to it if you’ve brought shoes.
Parking is $15/nonresidents for the hike, and there were stands selling fresh banana bread when I visited.
Tip: To get back to town from the blowhole, I recommend driving through Lahaina on Route 30, rather than Highway 340 (Death Highway).
I made the mistake of driving on Highway 340 to get back to Kahului, and it’s a narrow windy road with steep dropoffs. Driving through Lahaina is much safer, and still very beautiful!
Day 5: West Maui Beaches and Souvenirs
On your last day, I recommend enjoying the beaches and shopping in West Maui. Some of the best beaches are Napili Bay, and Kapalua Bay. These are golden sand beaches with gentle, crystal clear waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
I found free street parking by Kapalua Bay, and hiked the Kapalua Coastal Trail on my last day. This is a 3 mile roundtrip hike with beautiful coastal views, access to beaches, and views of Molokai island in the distance.
Many of the beaches along this trail were completely free of crowds, so it’s a good place to relax on your last day!
For souvenir shopping, head to Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali. This is a nice oceanfront shopping center with small boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants. It’s one of the largest shopping plazas on the island, and a lovely place to stroll around in the evening.
How To Get Around Maui
Renting a car is by far the best way to get around Maui. I rented a car from the family-owned company Makoa Rental Car, and had an excellent experience.
They allow you to pick up your car directly from the Kahului airport (no check-in needed), and drop it off in the same place as you head out. They have some of the best prices on the island, and great customer service so I would recommend them before any of the international brands.
Where To Stay In Maui
The best places to stay in Maui are South Maui (Wailea) or West Maui (Napili/Kaanapali). This is where you’ll find all of the beachfront hotels, and they’re equally beautiful areas. South Maui is around a 30 minute drive from the airport, whereas West Maui is a 45 min-1hr drive.
Besides the beach towns, you can stay in Hana if you plan on driving the road to Hana. This is a gorgeous area tucked away in the jungle, with far fewer crowds than the beach towns. It has a few hotels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds (Waianapanapa state park and Kipahulu).
If you’re traveling on a budget, Camp Olawalu is one of the cheapest places to stay on the island. It’s a campground on the beach (10 minutes from Lahaina), with tentalows, tent and car camp sites, and onsite restrooms and showers.
Maui Itinerary Map
Download the itinerary map so you know all of the best places to go on your upcoming trip!
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