Maui Trip Planning & Itineraries

Day 1: Maui magic

Start the day bright and early with a sunrise visit to the world's largest dormant volcano, Mt Haleakala, for an unforgettable vision of earthly delight. Then sit back and relax on a scenic drive around the island, the perfect way to discover Maui's beauty. Explore the lush tropical landscape of the eastern Hana coast, or focus on Haleakala National Park and the Iao Valley. For something different, take a trip into the past aboard the sugar-train Kahaina Kaanapali Railroad, or take an exhilarating helicopter flight over Haleakala or the neighboring island of Molokai. Sunset means two things on Maui: a gloriously backlit dinner cruise or a traditional luau at a luxury resort - or why not do both with our dinner cruise and luau two-night combo!

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Day 2: Outdoor Maui

Swimming, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking - Maui is outdoors central, with perfect-visibility snorkeling year-round. You can learn to surf like an expert, go snorkeling and turtle-spotting in Molokini Crater, or combine snorkeling and kayaking on Maui's West Shore. Take the wildest eco snorkel tour in Hawaii aboard a traditional outrigger canoe, or go whale-watching from Lahaina, with whale sightings guaranteed! Away from the water, how about biking down the volcanic slopes of Haleakala for an unforgettable island experience? Discover Maui's lush interior of streams and waterfalls on a half-day hike, or immerse yourself on a moderately difficult full-day hike.

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Day 3: Inter-island trips

Take a flying visit from Maui to neighboring highlights like Oahu and the Big Island, or ride the ferries between Maui and Lanai and Molokai. No trip to Hawaii is complete without a visit to Oahu, taking in the poignant World War II sites of Pearl Harbor, majestic Waikiki Beach and downtown Honolulu. Or see another side to Oahu on the Polynesian cultural tour, visiting the world-famous Polynesian Cultural Center and the island's South Pacific villages. You don't have to travel far if you want an inter-island jaunt from Maui - just hop on the Molokai ferry to Hawaii's least developed island, or take a cocktail-hour sunset sailing cruise from Maui to neighboring Lanai and Molokai.

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Hotel Hana Maui

Relax in Honua Spa at Maui's ultimate escape. This most pampering resort in remote Hana is all about unwinding. If old-fashioned Hawaiian hospitality, subdued elegance, yoga and tranquillity appeal, rest assured this is as good as it gets.

Maui Prince Resort

The Prince Resort looks like a private fortress from the outside, but the interior incorporates a fine sense of Japanese aesthetics. The five-story hotel surrounds a courtyard with waterfalls, streams and ponds, and every room has an ocean view.

Ritz-Carlton Kaplua

Low-key elegance and luxury attract an exclusive golf crowd at the Ritz-Carlton. On a hillside fronting the greens and the sea, the hotel has a heated multilevel swimming pool shaded by palm trees, a spa and a fitness club. Rooms have oversized marble bathrooms, goose-down pillows...you get the picture.