Maui Travel Guide
Volcanic island shaped by two massive shield volcanoes and a central valley, featuring lush rainforests, arid coastlines, historic towns, and deep-rooted Hawaiian cultural traditions.
Featured Regions
Jeff P from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
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Central Maui
Region featuring a mix of historic towns, lush valleys, cultural landmarks, and commercial centers surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
Jeff P from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
East Maui
Lush and remote region defined by rainforest-covered cliffs, cascading waterfalls, winding coastal roads, and deep-rooted Hawaiian traditions.
Jeff P from Berkeley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
West Maui
Coastal region featuring luxury resorts, historic towns, scenic beaches, and dramatic mountain backdrops shaped by volcanic ridges and royal heritage.
Overview
Maui, the “Valley Isle,” is Hawaii’s second-largest island and one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. Visitors come for its beaches, world-class snorkeling and whale watching, the sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā, the waterfalls and rainforest of the Road to Hana, and the surfing and windsurfing of the North Shore. The island is named for the demigod Māui, and it is the largest of Maui County’s four islands, which also include Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and uninhabited Kahoʻolawe.
Maui was formed by two volcanoes, the eroded West Maui Mountains (peaking at Puʻu Kukui) and the younger Haleakalā, which rises more than 10,000 feet, joined by a low isthmus. Haleakalā is dormant and last erupted around 1790. Tourism today centers on West Maui (Lahaina, Kāʻanapali, Kapalua) and South Maui (Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena). Kahului, the commercial hub and main airport and cruise port, and Wailuku, the county seat, form the center of the island. Upcountry towns like Makawao, Pukalani, Kula and Pāʻia offer a cooler, more rural experience.
The August 2023 wildfire devastated historic Lahaina in West Maui, and recovery is ongoing, so check current conditions before visiting the area.
Top attractions include Haleakalā National Park, the Road to Hana, ʻĪao Valley State Park, Lahaina, Kāʻanapali Beach, Molokini Crater, Maui Ocean Center and the beaches of Wailea and Kapalua. Snorkeling is possible at more than 30 beaches, particularly on the south and west shores. Kanaha Beach Park (“Kite Beach”) and Hoʻokipa are famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and Hoʻokipa, Honolua Bay and Peʻahi (“Jaws”) draw surfers.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Maui", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.