11 curated experiences
West Maui
Drive it clockwise, Kapalua towards Wailuku, so you stay on the mountain side rather than the cliff edge. Past Nakalele the road narrows to one lane with blind bends, no guardrails and steep drops: give way to local drivers, be ready to reverse to a pull-out, and skip it if the traveller is a nervous driver, in heavy rain or in a large vehicle. At Nakalele stay well back — rogue waves over the lava shelf have swept people in and killed several. Kahakuloa is a residential village; stop at the roadside banana-bread stands (cash only) but drive slowly.
West Maui
Blowhole on the wild north-west tip of Maui, a short steep walk down from the roadside lot at mile 38.5. Stay well back from the hole — it has taken lives. Part of her west-coast day with the Olivine Pools and Nāpili.
West Maui
The gentle crescent bay north of Kāʻanapali, with lunch at the Sea House on the sand, and Slaughterhouse (Mokulēʻia) Beach next door for an afternoon of white sand. Snorkel Honolua Bay in the morning first.
West Maui
Natural tide pools on the lava shelf near Kahakuloa. Swim only in summer calm; in winter the waves wash over the pools and people have been swept off. Twenty minutes of scrambling down from the lot.
West Maui
The Polynesian dinner show she sells on Maui — oceanfront, seated on mats or at tables, the show done properly. Her quote lists it at $265 per person when it is not in the price.
West Maui
Humpback season is December through April; a rigid-hull zodiac out of Lāhainā or Māʻalaea gets close and fast. Not for the seasick — the catamaran is the gentle version.
Lāhainā
The historic whaling capital of the Pacific and the largest banyan tree in the USA (planted 1873, covers 1.94 acres). The 2023 fire killed 102 residents and permanently changed this town. Visit respectfully and spend money at surviving local businesses.
Lāhainā
Maui waters are legendary for blue marlin, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. The 100-fathom drop-off is 1.5 miles offshore. Most restaurants offer "catch and cook" service to prepare your catch that evening.
Kapalua
Clear-water snorkel beach inside the Honolua-Mokulē'ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, turtles are common; calm and good for snorkeling in summer, but winter (roughly Nov-Mar) brings dangerous surf and rip currents with no posted warning signs, so steer clients elsewhere then. Stairs make it unsuitable for anyone with mobility limits.
Kapalua
3.5-mile public coastal trail connecting three distinct beaches. Passes ancient Hawaiian ruins and coastal lava formations. Whale watching from the trail December–April. Best swimming at Kapalua Bay itself.
Kapalua
The best bay snorkeling on Maui — an almost-enclosed bay with no beach runoff, exceptional water clarity, dense coral, and extraordinary fish diversity. The forest trail through the old plantation gives the feeling of discovering somewhere secret. Go as early as possible: morning glassy conditions give 15–20m visibility; afternoon trade wind chop degrades it significantly. Note that the entire character of this place changes in winter: November through March Honolua becomes one of Maui's premier big-wave surf breaks — snorkeling is impossible and the surfing from the cliff above is spectacular to watch. Check conditions before driving up.