Known as the Valley Isle, Maui is renowned for its lush rainforests, golden sand beaches, crystal-clear Pacific waters, and volcanic mountain landscapes. Whether you are driving the winding coastal hairpin turns of the Road to Hana or watching morning light break over a dormant volcanic crater 10,000 feet above sea level, Maui embodies paradise.
Here is your insider guide to experiencing the top adventures, scenic drives, and coastal beaches across the island of Maui.
Driving the Famous Road to Hana
Stretching 52 miles along Maui’s rugged eastern coastline, the Road to Hana features 617 hairpin turns and 59 narrow one-lane bridges crossing over roaring jungle waterfalls and emerald river gulches. The journey is all about the stops along the way rather than reaching Hana town itself.
- Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2): Accessible hike featuring swimmable freshwater pools and lush tropical foliage.
- Waiʻanapanapa State Park (Mile Marker 32): Home to Maui’s iconic Honokalani Black Sand Beach, sea caves, and natural lava tubes (reservation required in advance).
- Wailua Falls (Mile Marker 45): A cascading 80-foot waterfall visible right from the side of the highway bridge.
Sunrise Above the Clouds at Haleakalā National Park
Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakalā is a massive dormant shield volcano that forms over 75% of the island of Maui. Watching the sunrise from the summit summit building as dawn illuminates the reddish-brown cinder cones above a sea of clouds is a unforgettable experience.
Due to popularity, online summit sunrise reservations are mandatory for vehicles entering between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Dress in heavy winter layers, gloves, and beanies—temperatures at 10,000 feet regularly drop below freezing before sunrise!
Snorkeling Molokini Crater & Turtle Town
Maui offers world-class marine life observation. Board a morning catamaran cruise from Maalaea Harbor to snorkel at Molokini Crater—a crescent-shaped partially submerged volcanic crater harboring visibility up to 150 feet and over 250 species of tropical reef fish.
After Molokini, most boat tours visit Turtle Town off the South Maui coast near Makena, where green sea turtles (Honu) glide gracefully past submarine lava formations.