Oh Maui, how do I even start to describe you? This was our first trip to Hawaii and it completely lived up to all of our expectations... and beyond. What a wonderful place! I would recommend this island as an ideal destination for both adventurers and those looking for some simple, quiet relaxation. If you get the opportunity to spend 7 days in Maui, the following post will show you how to make the most of it. Our vacation was packed full of activities and adventures and I'd love to share them with you!

Quick Tips for Visiting Maui, Hawaii

Attend a Hawaiian Luau

Watch the sunrise atop Haleakala volcano

Hike on real life lava fields

Spend some quality beach time

Try some Poke

Drink craft beer from Maui Brewing Company

Polo Beach, in front of Fairmont Kea Lani, a fantastic place to spend your 7 days in Maui.

Getting to Maui, Hawaii

Indulge me a for a minute. I’m going to try to explain how amazing arriving in Maui by air is.

After a thirteen hour total flight time from Eastern Canada, I was ready to arrive at my destination. When the pilot turned on the fasten seatbelt sign and announced we were preparing for landing, I flung open my window and was instantly in awe.

If you are not familiar with the layout of Maui, there is a volcano on either side and flatland in between. We flew through the middle of this. It was amazing to see from the air. I highly recommend paying attention on your arrival!

We were greeted with leis and fruit juice and were immediately made to feel welcome.

Maui sunset from a Wailea balcony at the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Best places to stay in Maui

You essentially have two options for popular resort areas; Ka’anapali and Wailea.

Ka’anapali

Ka’anapali is the more affordable of the two areas to stay on the island, located on the west side. It also has the major advantage of Ka’anapali Beach, a long stretch of beautiful white sand beach like something you’ve seen in the movies. Lahaina town is nearby and is an excellent place to spend time in the evenings, or to take in a luau (more on that later!). However, the downside is that Ka’anapali Beach can be very crowded.

The Westin Maui and Sheraton Maui are very popular properties on Ka’anapali Beach.

Wailea

Wailea is the upscale resort area located on the south side of the island. Beaches here are beautiful as well and much more private as each resort tends to be built around its own secluded beach. The resorts are connected by a walking / running path that goes for miles. Wailea has its own shopping centre, with popular restaurants and nightlife. The downside is the price, which is much steeper reflecting the caliber of the hotels.

We stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani, which I would argue could easily be considered the best place to stay in Maui for couples. However, many other hotels in the Wailea area would also compete for that title; including the Grand Wailea and Andaz Maui.

The Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea from the walking path.

Hibiscus flowers are commonly found around Maui.

More flowers found along the walking path out front of the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Things to do with one week in Maui

I am a known, thorough pre-planner. I had researched every activity mentioned on social media, travel websites, you name it. I can tell you one thing for certain, Maui has no shortage of things to see and do.

Although island hopping is a popular choice for Hawaiian vacations, I am glad we chose to stay in Maui for the duration of our trip.

Day 1 - Explore your hotel

We were staying in Wailea/Kihei area, the south side of the island, known for its beautiful beaches. So, naturally, we decided to start our vacation with a day spent relaxing on Polo Beach, the gorgeous, semi-private beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani.

The area by the beach at the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Day 2 - Sunrise at Haleakala Crater

Here's the best piece of advice I can give you. Don't miss the sunrise over Haleakala! It's a must do! And if you are coming from the mainland US or Canada, book this on one of the first days of your vacation.

You can drive the entire way to the top of the crater, but you have to get up early to make it in time. If you do this when you are still jet lagged, it's much easier!

Sunrise was scheduled for 5:47am. We left our hotel in Wailea at 3:30am. The drive took us a solid 1.5 hours and consisted of switchbacks and sharp turns in the dark, but we felt safe. This activity is very popular and requires advanced booking now, so book your spot online well before your trip. There is a very small fee charged by the Park service.

We were certain we had left with enough time to be some of the first guests on the top of the crater, but we were not. There were tour buses already unloading and the viewing platform was packed full of people.

This leads me to my second piece of advice: To the right of the viewing platform is a trail... take it!

It is a short walk to another viewing area that is higher up, a better vantage point, and much less crowded. We were so glad we found this spot!

I am not a morning person, not in any sense of the term, but the view you get from the top of the crater, above the clouds, is so surreal it is worth being up long before the sun. You feel like you are standing in a postcard. I felt so grateful to witness it. One more word of advice… dress warmly! It’s very cold at that altitude.

Sunrise at the peak of Haleakala, a dormant Hawaiian volcano with sandy trails stretching down along its interior.

Once the sun is up, there are many other activities available in the park. You can bike down the mountain with a tour group (I'll be honest, this seemed dangerous given the blind corners and traffic although I did not experience it myself) or go hiking in the crater by following the signs for Sliding Sands Trail.

Or if you are like us and want to save up your energy, you can head back to your hotel for breakfast and a nap! Be sure to stop at Kalahaku Lookout and Leleiwi Lookout on the way back down the volcano, the views of the island and old lava flows are amazing.

A view of the popular “Sliding Sands Trail”, inside Haleakala volcano.

A viewpoint near the peak of the volcano where the ancient lava flows can be viewed.

Day 3 - Big Beach and Maui Brewing Company

We spent the morning on one of Maui's most gorgeous beaches, Makena Beach or "Big Beach" as it is often called. The surf here is unreal, and you have a perfect view of Molokini Crater (more on that later).

This beach belongs to another state park and therefore is well-kept. There are lifeguard stations on both ends. It's also a favourite spot for food trucks, so you don't have to go far to find a snack!

I absolutely loved wandering to the end of this beach. The rocks turn to jet black colour and many pools fill with fish and clear water. The largest waves were at the far end as well and many islanders were attempting to surf and wakeboard.

We stayed here until a heavy afternoon rain shower came and then we promptly packed up and ran giggling through the rain back to our Jeep. What a perfect morning.

Taking a walk along the shore of Makena Beach, also known as Maui’s “Big Beach”.

Later that afternoon, we booked a tour of Maui Brewing Company in Kihei. We were given the full tour of the facility, fun facts and samples of their most popular brews. I personally loved the Bikini Blonde! They also have a restaurant, patio and live entertainment. It's a great way to spend the remainder of a day.

Maui Brewing Company in the afternoon sun.

Day 4 - Day trip to Lahaina for a classic Luau

*Update - We are saddened to see the devastation caused by the fires in Lahaina, as this was truly a favourite spot of ours on the island of Maui. I will happily share this off-shore view. I encourage visitors to support the community in any way possible.

A breakwater in downtown Lahaina, where tourists and locals are continuously splashed as they walk by.

I’m pleased to say the Old Lahaina Luau is still in operation. It's a popular, off-resort luau and they do a fantastic job. Seats book up quickly, and the best seats go on a first-come, first-serve basis, so book this early!

Enjoying the “Old Lahaina Luau”, one of Maui’s most popular and traditional Luaus.

We were seated at a shared table on the ground with pillows for seats and were right in front of the stage (I booked two months in advance). You are given a lei and a Mai-Tai at the entrance. Drinks are included in your admission.

There was a pig roast, a buffet (where I got to experience Maui’s infamous poke), activities and a hula show that starts at sunset. I highly recommend this!

Day 5 - Snorkel Molokini Crater

Molokini Crater is another volcano just offshore of South Maui and is easily the most popular place for snorkelling in the area. The catamaran tour of Molokini is definitely one of the best Maui day trips. The volcano is only partially submerged and creates a crescent shape in the water. Catamarans and other tour boats flock to the inside of the crater from early morning until early afternoon when winds tend to pick up and the water gets choppy.

We were taken to a section where the reef went from just 10 feet beneath you to a sudden drop-off of 250 feet. I have snorkelled many times but never in a landscape like this! There were many species of fish and reef sharks which were harmless. It was such a unique experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

A view of Molokini Crater from a catamaran on a snorkel trip.

The catamaran we were on also took us to "Turtle Town", an area along the coast of Wailea/Makena that is known for its high number of resident turtles. We saw 7-8 turtles here. They are a protected species and the general rule is "try to keep 10 feet from the turtle at all times". This is a challenge as they are very curious!

Swimming with turtles was definitely a bucket list item for me, so I was ecstatic! We chose not to film this so we could truly enjoy it, so sorry for the lack of photos!

Day 6 - Hike La Perouse Bay’s lava fields

We took the advice of several locals and ditched our original plans for a morning hike at La Perouse Bay. I would not miss this spot. The water was deep turquoise and the landscape was amazing.

We were told this is the area where the last lava flows came down from Haleakala approximately 200 years ago, and the lava fields there are unreal. The contrast of the black rocks and blue ocean is unlike anything I've ever seen.

The beach in La Perouse Bay, where the newest lava fields are black.

Tour companies offer horse riding excursions through this area. I couldn't resist sneaking a photo of this stunning guy while his owner left him tied up to enjoy the beach just below.

A horse waits for its rider to return along the trail at La Perouse Bay.

You can hike along the water's edge through a shaded path for some time and then out to the point through the lava fields. On this particular day, it got very hot as noon approached. The walk through the lava fields is completely exposed to the sun, so I'd recommend starting this hike early in the morning if hot weather is expected.

The lava fields as viewed from the base of the volcano in La Perouse Bay.

Day 7 - Road to Hana

Continue to my next post on Road to Hana! This is an experience of a lifetime.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in reading about another great beach vacation, check out my post on Portugal’s Algarve Coast!

Thank you for reading! I hope this post inspires you to spend 7 days in Maui, and save island hopping for after you’ve truly enjoyed this beautiful island.

Warmest Aloha,

Hill XO

Here’s a map of Maui! I’ve marked the top two resort areas, airport and Haleakala volcano to help you get your bearings.

Map of Maui, marked with most popular resort areas for finding accommodations, the airport and Haleakala volcano, one of Hawaii’s top attractions.

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The Perfect Hawaiian Itinerary: 7 Days in Maui