Day 1: Arrival in Maui
- 1:00 PM: Arrived in Maui.
- Lunch: Visited a food truck next to the airport for lunch.
- Afternoon: Drove approximately 45 minutes to Lahaina.
- Checked into our hotel.
- Spent the rest of the day relaxing on the beach near the hotel.
- Dinner: Went to downtown Lahaina.
- Explored a large mall.
- Dined at a restaurant in Whalers Village Mall.
- Evening: Returned to the hotel and rested due to jet lag.
Day 2: Haleakalā National Park
- 4:00 AM: Woke up early.
- 5:30 AM: Drove approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Haleakalā National Park for the sunrise summit.
- Tip: Reserve sunrise summit tickets in advance as spots are limited, and entry before 7:00 AM requires a ticket.
- Morning: Experienced the breathtaking sunrise at the summit.
- Brunch: Stopped in Pā‘ia on the way back.
- Enjoyed a cozy brunch with coffee and other delicious options.
- Afternoon: Returned to the hotel.
- Spent most of the day relaxing on the beach.
- Dinner: Went back to the mall and dined there.
Day 3: Whale Watching and Wailea Beach
- 5:30 AM: Woke up early due to jet lag.
- 6:30 AM: Went on a whale-watching tour.
- Tip: Whale watching in Hawaii runs from mid-December to mid-March, with about 15,000 whales migrating during the season.
- The tour lasted for two hours, and we saw many whales. It was an incredible experience and a must-do activity in Hawaii.
- Morning: Returned to the hotel and checked out.
- Afternoon: Drove to Wailea Beach.
- Checked into an Airbnb near Wailea Beach.
- Spent the rest of the day enjoying Wailea Beach.
- Evening: Watched the sunset at the beach.
- Dinner: Went out for dinner and called it a day.
Note: Wailea Beach stood out as one of our favorite spots in Maui. Whale watching season starts mid-December to April in Hawaii and approximately 12000-15000 whales migrate during this season.
Day 4: Beaches and Helicopter Tour
- Morning: Spent the morning at Wailea Beach and explored nearby beaches.
- Afternoon: Took a 45-minute doors-off helicopter ride.
- Explored West Maui and the surrounding islands from above.
- Tip: The doors-off experience is adventurous and offers breathtaking views.
View from Helicopter Tour in Maui
- Evening: Returned to the beach for sunset.
- Spent some time relaxing on the beach.
- Later, went to Kihei for dinner.
Day 5: Road to Hāna
- Morning: Checked out from the Airbnb and started the journey to Hāna.
- Stopped in Pā‘ia for brunch.
- Tip: Used the GyPSy Guide audio tour to identify interesting stops along the way.
- Stopped at Aunty Sandy's Banana bread. It was already crowded when we reached and grabbed 4 banana breads 🐒. And just ahead of it is Keanae Lookout where you can enjoy the ocean view and eat the warm bread 🍞
- Afternoon: Explored key spots in Hāna:
- Venus Pools.
- Bamboo Forest.
- Waimoku Falls in Haleakalā National Park.
- Checked into an Airbnb in Hāna.
Day 6: Black Sand and Red Sand Beaches
- Morning: Visited Wai‘ānapanapa State Park.
- Explored the famous black sand beach.
- Tip: The black sand is formed from volcanic ash. Make sure to reserve entry in advance, as it is a popular destination.
- Afternoon: Went to the red sand beach, which does not require reservations and offers another unique experience.
- Evening: Reached our Airbnb around 3:30 PM.
- Checked in and went to Wailea Beach for one last time to enjoy the sunset.
- Dinner: Ate in Kihei and returned to the Airbnb.
Day 7: Christmas Day and Departure
- Morning: Since most places were closed, we had breakfast at Starbucks.
- Late Morning: Visited the ‘Iao Needle State Monument.
- Afternoon: From the monument, we headed to the airport for our departure.
Additional Notes:
- Snorkeling: Though we did not snorkel, it is a must-do activity in Maui. If lucky, you might even swim with sea turtles.
- Recommendations: Check out the attached Google Map list of cool places and restaurants we visited. Feel free to ask if you have any questions!
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
