Five Days in Maui: Beaches, Haleakala & the Road to Hana

Day 1: Settle into South or West Maui

Pick up the car, stock the condo kitchen at a local market, and spend the afternoon on your home beach. Watch the sunset from the sand with poke and something cold — you've arrived.

Day 2: Haleakala and Upcountry

Sunrise from the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakala is the island's signature experience — reserve ahead, dress for genuine cold, and linger as the crater fills with light. Descend through Upcountry: lavender farms, goat dairies, and the cowboy town of Makawao.

Day 3: The Road to Hana

• Leave by 7 a.m. — the road is 600-plus curves of one-lane bridges
• Stop for waterfalls and banana bread, not every pullout
• Swim at Wai'anapanapa's black-sand beach (reservation required)
• Continue past Hana to the Pools of Ohe'o if conditions allow
• Return the back side only if your rental agreement permits and the road is open

Day 4: Ocean day

Morning snorkel trip to Molokini crater, when the water is calmest and clearest. Afternoon at Big Beach in Makena or Kapalua Bay, depending on your coast. In whale season (December–April), add a whale-watch cruise — or just watch breaches from shore.

Day 5: Slow morning, luau evening

One last beach morning, a plate-lunch farewell, and an evening luau for the full send-off. Book the luau before you arrive — the good ones sell out weeks ahead.

Know before you go

• Reserve Haleakala sunrise and Wai'anapanapa in advance
• Use reef-safe sunscreen — it's Hawaii law
• Check current guidance around Lahaina's recovery and support local businesses