Three Perfect Days: A Trip to Maui

The southern part of Maui is known for being calm and casual. The beaches, shops and restaurants tend to be less crowded, so if your goal is to unwind, this is where you want to be. Here’s what we like to do in the serene south:

Kīhei

Kīhei isn’t as busy as the bigger resort areas but still has all the charm and convenience. Explore one of the many diverse beaches, like Kalama Beach Park—home to a skate park, a volleyball court, a surf spot called “the Cove” and more.

If you’re an animal lover, stop by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary Visitor Center to learn about their habitat and maybe even catch sight of a whale. Or go bird spotting on the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge boardwalk.

Looking for something to do with the kids? Hawaii Mermaid Adventures has mermaid swimming lessons taught by certified lifeguards.

After your adventure, grab a bite to eat in the Kīhei Food Oasis, a collection of 14 different food trucks and stalls in South Maui Gardens. Then, for dessert, you can’t go wrong with shaved ice at Ululani’s. Their house-made purées and syrup are legendary, but don’t forget to add the “snow cap” of sweetened condensed milk.

For an extended stay, we suggest the Maui Coast Hotel which has the features of a luxury resort while still being budget-friendly.

Wailea

Wailea is full of things to do, from Lava Tube slides to the award-winning Ka’na Kitchen waffles at the Andaz Maui resort. But some of the top things to do are right outside the comfort of the luxury beach front resorts.

A local and tourist favorite is Makena Beach State Park, divided into two sides called “Big Beach” and “Little Beach.” It’s one of the largest undeveloped beaches in Maui and one of the most secluded, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy untouched nature.

Right past Makena is La Perouse Bay where (if you come early enough in the morning) you might get to see spinner dolphins.

Wailea is also known for its sports. Play a round at Wailea Golf Club, which includes two of the best courses in Maui and a golf academy for instruction. Not interested in golfing? Head to the Wailea Tennis Club for a game of tennis or pickleball.

Then, try something affordable and delicious at Monkeypod Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant with excellent cocktails. Or grab dinner and a show at the irish pub Mulligans on the Blue, Maui’s only Irish-owned restaurant and music venue. There’s nothing like ending the night with good food and good music.

Know before you go

• Getting around: You will need a car to get around the island comfortably. Car rentals are available at the airport or from local agencies.
• Being a mindful visitor: Maui is starting a new chapter after last year’s tourism pause. However, many of the locals are still recovering physically, emotionally and financially from the wildfires. Being respectful and empathetic is key while visiting—which includes, but isn’t limited to, avoiding fire-affected areas and being patient with longer than usual wait times in some places.
• Showing support: If you’re interested in supporting recovery on the island, here are a few organizations that we recommend working with or donating to:
  • The Maui Strong Fund, run by the Hawai’i Community Foundation
  • Maui Recovery Fund
  • The Maui Food Bank
  • The Kākoʻo Maui Fund by The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement