Coastal Vote: a Beach-Lover’s Guide to Maui, Hawaii
Set off on surf safaris, spoil yourself at a spa, then feast on local seafood and shaved-ice desserts on this sand-blessed island.
The biggest decision you’ll have to make on Maui is which beach to visit and why. The second-largest Hawaiian island has a cool 30mi (48km) of beaches – some great for swimming, others for surfing and a few that don’t require any activity at all. Plus, there are volcanoes, sprawling national parks such as Haleakalā, waterfalls and stretches of lush tropical forest, not to mention the sacred Iao Valley. And that’s just on land. Offshore, there’s whale-watching, surfing, kayaking and more. With average year-round temperatures of 68F-88F (20C-31C), Maui is the place for sun, whatever the season.
1. Maui Yoga Path
Yoga Studio
You’ve just arrived for your long-awaited winter getaway and are perhaps exhausted after the flight. Time for a gentle reboot before your holiday begins. Maui Yoga Path hosts gentle beach yoga, during which participants are encouraged to quiet the mind and connect with nature as they work on stretching, strengthening and relaxing. The studio is at the oceanside Mana Kai Maui Resort.
2. Hotel Wailea
Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel
The adults-only Hotel Wailea sits on 15 acres (6ha) of tropical gardens, waterfalls and winding pathways, with 180-degree views of the ocean. Food also focuses on the sea, with a menu of mahi-mahi, kona kanpachi and manila clams and scallops, served with the specialty vanilla jasmine rice. There’s a valet service at Wailea Beach – setting you up with loungers, parasols, water and towels – and water-sports gear for rent. The private surf instructor at the hotel can take you on a coastal safari, or you can explore via an outrigger canoe.
4. Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel
Hotel
5. Maui Ocean Center
Aquarium
The expansive aquarium and oceanography center in Maalaea is the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the western hemisphere. Observe reef fish, sharks, stingrays, turtles and other marine life, in addition to learning from the 60 exhibits dedicated to underwater animals, including seahorses and octopuses, as well as conservation.
6. Hāna-Maui Resort
Resort
7. Down the Hatch
Restaurant, Seafood
Delicious seafood and innovative drinks attract repeat visitors to Down the Hatch, founded in 2015 by three childhood friends from Georgia. Menus include macadamia-nut-crusted mahi-mahi, spicy lava lava shrimp, ahi samurai, whole lobster, fish tacos and the ever-popular lobster-and-crab grilled cheese. Two popular cocktails are the lilikoi basil martini (vodka with lilikoi puree and fresh basil) and the Aztec Warrior (mezcal, house-made jalapeño honey and lemon) – now you know how the bar got its name.
8. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
Cafe, Ice Cream
You’ve come to the island for heat, but we’re still going to insist you embrace shave ice while in Maui. Hawaiians take shave ice seriously. The dessert is made by shaving a block of ice and adding flavored syrups and other sweet ingredients. Ululani’s makes a seemingly endless list of flavors – vegan and unsweetened versions, too – including bubble gum, sour apple, root beer, cotton candy and piña colada (don’t mind if we do). There are seven locations throughout Maui, including one in Lahaina.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.