MAUI TRAVEL GUIDE
- tayship6
- Dec 17, 2022
- 5 min read
My now husband and I took our first trip away to Maui. We had both been a few times and were excited to go together. As one of the most desired vacation locations in the United States, Maui has so much to offer; from mountains, to beautiful beaches, a week never feels long enough.
The one thing that I realized very quickly about Maui is that you need to be prepared to spend money. It is not the cheapest location to visit, but I will say that the memories are worth every penny spent.
WHERE TO STAY
Kaanapali is one of the main tourist destinations. With shopping, beaches, and plenty of resorts, there is no shortage of places to stay. We stayed at the beautiful Kaanapali Beach Club. (The big pink hotel on the beach). It is mainly a time share property, which is how we went, but they also have nightly rates. If you are looking for a more affordable option there are condos you can rent in Kapalua.
The Kaanapali Beach resort has a very central location right next to a food truck lot for fun inexpensive meals. They also have a bar and restaurant on property, and the rooms are equipped with full kitchens so you can cook for yourselves as well. The pool is beautiful with plenty of seats, and they even have rentals for snorkel gear and other beach supplies for your adventure days out. .The rooms will either have views of the island or of the beach. We were upgraded and were so taken by the view it was hard to look away from the window.
THINGS TO DO
Somehow we were able to fit so many different activities into a week, but some of our favorites are the ones we would do again in a heartbeat.
Pacific Whale Foundation Snorkel Excursion
https://www.pacificwhale.org/
If you are looking for an activitiy that also gives back, look no further. My parents used to take me on these excursions as a kid, and after our most recent trip, I am still obsessed. The Pacific Whale Foundation hosts a variety of excursions, which according to their website. "The best part is that all profits support Pacific Whale Foundation’s research, education and conservation programs to save whales, dolphins and our oceans."
We went for the Lana'i Snorkel and Dolphin Watch and it exceeded our expectation. We took a delightful boat ride to the snorkel spot where we got more than enough time in the water. On the way they pointed out the pod of dolphins that we were traveling alongside. They provide snorkel gear, including optical masks for glasses wearers. They include a continental breakfast, a grilled lunch, and drinks on the way back! The whole time you are also receiving education on the different types of fish you see, and the islands themselves. Overall it was the perfect way to spend half a day and we would do it again in a heartbeat.
JULIA"S BANANA BREAD
https://juliasbananabread.com/
This is one you will need a rental car for, it is also just as much about the journey as it is the destination. If you love banana bread this is the trip for you. Julia's banana bread is a small kiosk in a town 45 min away from Kaanapali. The drive is absolutely gorgeous, and not for the faint of heart. The last 15-20 minutes is a one lane road on a steep drop. While it is beautiful it definitely gets your heart going! I also suggest leaving early in the morning because once they sell out they are done. We left around 10am and they were out by the time we got there. Luckily, before you hit the one lane road there is a stand selling it on the side of the road. We went back there and I was able to get the Banana Bread of my dreams. Along with Banana Bread they sell a variety of other homemade snacks that will make you dream of going back.
Air Maui Helicopter Tours
https://www.airmaui.com/
This is one of the most amazing tours we did, it was also the most expensive so while we may not do it again, once was well worth it. We did the West Maui and Molokai special and it was breathtaking. They also have Oceanfront Landing packages and Doors off options for thrill seekers. Our tour was 45 minutes and our pilot played amazing music, and was able to share history of the Islands as we went. I felt safe the whole time, and the shots you get from the helicopter are better than pictures can ever capture. This tour is a bit of a drive from Kaanapali, but if you take the day on that part of the island you could also sneak in a few hikes, or more exploring near the airport.
Four Winds Maui Snorkel
This one was by far the biggest surprise of the trip. For less than $100 a person we got a 3.5 hour snorkel, BBQ lunch, and drinks at one of the most amazing places on the Island. The boat crew was so nice and knowledgeable, and they also provide the gear, and a photographer for an extra cost. We got to see one of the most beautiful snorkel spots, and take a gorgeous boat ride. The boat was big enough to fit a great size group, the water was very clear, and overall this may have been one of our favorite days of the trip. If you are staying in Kaanapali this will give you a chance to see a less traveled side of the Island for a price you could only dream about.
Places to Eat
Restaurants on the Island are amazing. If you are willing to spend a little extra the view is well worth it.
Some of our favorites are:
Seahouse Restaurant in Kapalua: The food is amazing the Food is even Better
Hula Grill Kaanapali
Eat with your feet in the sand. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait an hour or more.
Royal Ocean Terrace
This is where my boyfriend proposed so I am a bit biased, but the view is amazing the mud pie is a must order!
Overall, Maui is an Island for everyone! If you want to relax you can, if you want to eat, you can, if you want to adventure, you definitely can! I would not go without renting a car (I will be posting a guide to finding cheap rentals later), but once you arrive and have transportation you are able to sit back and relax. Maui is a destination for everyone and every time I leave I am ready to go back immediately.
Comments