Dreaming of your vacation or maybe even your honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii? Well, you’re in luck because this 5 days in Maui itinerary is going to cover all the must-do attractions, beautiful beaches, travel tips, where to stay, and more broken down into easy-to-follow days with an accompanying map.
Some top attractions you can expect to explore include the Road to Hana, the famous sunrise at Mt. Haleakala, black sand beaches, and so much more! This guide has been updated since the tragic fires.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Getting Around Maui, Hawaii
- Day 1 Maui Itinerary – Beach, Shops, and Luau
- Day 2 – Driving the Road to Hana
- Day 3 – Iao Valley State Park and Snorkel Molokini Crater
- Day 4 – Haleakala Sunrise & Explorational Around Haleakala National Park
- Day 5 – Beaches, Resort, Relax
- Food to Try in Maui
- When to Visit Maui
- Where to Stay In Maui, Hawaii
- Getting to Maui, Hawaii
- Other Things to Know when traveling in Maui, Hawaii
- Maui FAQ
- Maui in 5 Days Itinerary Wrap-up
Getting Around Maui, Hawaii
The best way to explore Maui is by renting a car. The island has so much to offer, you won’t want to miss a thing or have to rely on tour companies to bring you around. We rented a car and found the island very easy to navigate. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with traffic laws and parking. We did get a parking ticket for a silly mistake. You can check out car rentals here.
This itinerary is designed for those driving the island, although you can still use it as a reference for things to do without a car. Uber is available, and you can supplement with tours. Feel free to switch around days and even activities to fit your travel needs, although I curated it with activities that are near each other!
Fun Fact: Maui, also known as the Valley Isle, is the second-largest of the Hawaiian islands.
This Map includes all the attractions listed below. Save this map to your maps by hitting the star or on mobile, it will open up in your Google Maps app. Click the “view map larger” to see it in more detail.
Day 1 Maui Itinerary – Beach, Shops, and Luau
During our honeymoon in Maui, we stayed in the city of Lahaina and loved it. Lahaina itself is really large, so you can easily avoid areas that were affected by the fires, and I still recommend staying in the West Maui area!
This itinerary originally included tons of fun things to do in Lahaina, but downtown Front Street is not ready for tourists yet. So, I have altered this itinerary a little bit to accommodate that.
Black Rock at Kaanapali Beach, Kaanapali
To start the day from your long flight, let’s head to the beach. One of our favorite beaches in all of Maui has to be Black Rock Beach. This beach is located right outside the Sheraton in West Maui and has been voted one of the best beaches in Maui.
What makes it amazing is that the snorkeling is incredible due to the giant lava rock. In fact, this was the first place we got to swim with green sea turtles (for free)! Kaanapali Beach is public, so everyone is welcome. You can even see some mountains in the distance.
We were lucky to spend our honeymoon at the Sheraton at Black Rock, therefore we had access to this beach every day. If you happen to stay at the Sheraton, too, there are showers, giant pools, and a place to rent snorkel gear.
If you are not staying at the Sheraton at Black Rock, you can find public parking here: 3445 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Slaughterhouse Beach
I also want to include Slaughterhouse Beach, which is not too far away. Despite the name, this is a great beach for snorkeling and a hidden gem. During low tide, you can walk pretty far out, making it great for families as well.
We saw a ton of Green Sea Turtles here, so once again, please be respectful of their space! If you drive just 15 minutes more, you can also see the Nakalele Blowhole, which includes a short hike (a little over a mile) to see water shoot out of the rocks when waves crash.
Whalers Village, Lahaina
In the afternoon, check out Whalers Village, a really nice outdoor shopping mall. Shop til you drop, or enjoy tons of dining options with access to the beach! You can see all the Whaler Village stores here. During whale watching season (in the winter), you can sometimes see whales off in the distance.
Attend a Maui Luau
In the evening, I highly recommend attending a Luau. A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that includes entertainment, and everyone will tell you Maui is the best place to do it.
Enjoy local Hawaiian food, which usually includes poke, roasted pig, fruits, and poi, along with hula. So, whether you attend a Luau on your first day in Maui or your last day, just make sure to experience one.
We did our Luau at the Sheraton Resort, however, I wish I had done a luau in town or run by a local company instead of the hotel. It wasn’t bad at all; I just felt like we maybe could have had a more “authentic” experience.
Day 2 – Driving the Road to Hana
Driving the Road to Hana is a must with 5 days in Maui! Located in East Maui, it is an all-day experience, but well worth being on your Maui bucket list. The road consists of tons of waterfalls, lush jungles, a black sand beach, red sand beach, and lava tunnels & caves.
There are 3 ways to drive the Road to Hana. The loop, in Reverse, or driving the classic.
- The loop consists of driving to the town of Hana and back.
- The classic route drives through Hana to the backside of Mt. Haleakala and around South Maui. This route is “against” most rental car terms and conditions, as the roads are not paved or maintained.
- The last is to do the road in reverse, which would be similar to the classic.
No matter which route you choose, I would highly recommend using the Shaka Guide App if you plan to self-drive! It is like having your own personal tour guide. It was recommended to us by a couple we met in Kauai, and we are so happy we had this app! See the Shaka Guide here!
Some of the best stops along the Road to Hana are:
- Twin Falls
- The Bamboo Forest
- Upper Waikani Falls (3 Bears Falls)
- Waiʻanapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
- The Seven Sacred Pools at Haleakala National Park
Here is my whole guide on driving the Road to Hana highway, which will cover all the details you need to know, including the best stops, waterfalls, etc!
You might also be interested in my Road to Hana Packing List, which will also help in general for packing in Maui.
Day 3 – Iao Valley State Park and Snorkel Molokini Crater
Day 3 in your Maui itinerary depends on how much you like to do in a day. So, you can consider seeing both Iao Valley State Park and snorkeling Molokini crater or just one of these activities.
Snorkel Molokini Crater
If you love snorkeling or seeing sea turtles, this one is for you. Molokini Crater is probably one of the most popular snorkel spots on Maui, and for good reason.
This volcanic caldera is located a few miles off Maui’s shore, so you will need to take a tour to get there. Depending on the tour you take will determine if you have time for other activities for the rest of the day.
Usually, tours will take you to Molokini and Turtle Town. The crater is home to approximately 250 different fish species and 38 different hard coral species.
Iao Valley State Park, Maui
Located on the west side of Maui (about 40 minutes from Lahania) is Iao Valley State Park. The state park covers about 4,000 acres, although the amount of the park you will explore is quite small.
Enjoy the lush landscape down the paved 0.6-mile walk provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (Iao Needle), which stands 1,200 feet high! Besides the sheer beauty of Iao Valley, these lands also hold significant historical meaning.
In 1790, King Kamehameha I battled with Maui’s army with the goal of uniting the islands. This was known as the Battle of Kepaniwai. Kamehameha’s win changed the course of Hawaiian history.
- Hours: Daily 7 AM – 6 PM
- Address: 54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793
- Entrance fee (non-residents): $5 USD
- Parking fee (non-residents): $10 USD
- Iao Valley Gov’t website to check for closures.
Day 4 – Haleakala Sunrise & Explorational Around Haleakala National Park
Alright, are you ready for one of the best sunrise experiences of your life? I can confidently say the Haleakala sunrise I witnessed was by far the most spectacular I have ever seen! I’ve woken up for lots of sunrises, I must add.
Don’t skip out on this one! I promise waking up super early to drive in the dark is worth it!
Fun Fact: Did you know Haleakala stands for the house of the sun?
And get this, we almost didn’t go because we had to wake up so early….like 3 AM early.
One of the most important things you need to know about seeing the Haleakala sunrise is that you need a reservation, and it is important to get it ahead of time.
Another thing you need to know about seeing this sunrise is, even though you’re on a tropical island, it is beyond freezing at this National Park summit. This is because you have just driven to an elevation of over 10,000 ft. Temperatures can hit below freezing (which was the case during our visit).
So all the important things YOU SHOULD know for visiting Haleakala Sunrise are noted here!
Maui Travel Tip: If sunrise is not your thing, you can also do a sunset with reservations. Additionally, make sure to bring snacks with you because there are not many places to get food.
After the Sunrise at Mt. Haleakala National Park
If you didn’t already know, Mt. Haleakala is a part of the USA National Parks, so you can cross this one off your bucket list!
Additionally, if you have already driven the Road to Hana, you will notice that Mt. Haleakala is the turning point if you decide to drive the loop.
Haleakala National Park covers over 30,000 acres of public land. The park includes a dormant volcano crater, tons of hiking trails, waterfalls, and even ocean views.
Did you know that there are more endangered species here than in any other park in the National Park Service? This includes the blooming ahinahina (silversword) and nene (Hawaiian goose), the state bird.
You can camp here, with separate campgrounds and cabins available.
Another very popular thing to do after seeing the sunrise at Mt. Haleakala is to do a biking tour down and around the mountain or to go ziplining!
Ali’I Lavender Farm
After exploring the summit of Mt. Haleakala, head over to the Ali’I Lavender Farm.
*Please note that the farm is now only open for tours Friday- Sunday, so you will have to plan your sunrise accordingly if the lavender field is on your list.
Lavender is not native to Maui, however, the cool dry temperatures make the perfect environment for this 13.5-acre farm.
This farm includes approximately 55,000 lavender plants with over 40 different varieties.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm Address: 1100 Waipoli Rd, Kula, HI 96790
After the Lavender Fields, you may want to take some time and relax by the resort or beach since we’ve had a pretty jam-packed Maui Itinerary!
In the afternoon, if you’re not too wiped out, I suggest considering a Maui sunset cruise to end the day.
Day 5 – Beaches, Resort, Relax
As you can tell, there is a lot to do in Maui, and you thought this was going to be a relaxing vacation! Therefore, on day 5, you can either do some of the above activities that you didn’t have time for, or… some new adventures!
Some additional beaches to consider visiting include:
- Kapalua Bay Beach – a great beach for snorkeling.
- Wailea Beach – Beach near high-end luxury resorts.
- Slaughterhouse Beach – a local gem (please be respectful).
- Snorkel a little further north at Honolua Bay.
- Nakalele Point & Blowhole is not a beach per se, but it is a blowhole to visit during high tide.
- Baldwin Beach in Paia.
- Hike the popular Waihee Ridge Trail.
Whale watching is another very popular thing to do in Maui. You can see humpback whales migrate from November-May! Check out whale watching tours/cruises here.
Other fun things you might want to try while in Maui, Hawaii, are taking surf lessons, going on a pineapple plantation tour, scuba diving, or taking a helicopter ride over the island.
My last recommendation would be to take a trip back to the surfer town of Paia, located on the north shore of Maui. This is the town that usually starts off the road to Hana, however, most don’t give it enough exploration. There are cute local shops, The Paia fish market, restaurants, and nice beaches! We relaxed on the beach on our last night.
Or even make a reservation at one of the most famous places in Maui, Mama’s Fish House!
One thing we did, but I didn’t care too much for it was visiting the Maui Tropical Plantation. It was ok, but I would have rather done something else like a boat tour.
Food to Try in Maui
Now that we have your days planned, I have to leave you with some food recommendations. While a lot of the restaurants I recommend are closed, there are definitely some foods you should try while on the island.
Some favorite foods to make sure to try are Banana Bread, Hula Pie, Shaved Ice, Poke, Roasted pig, Fresh Fish, Fresh Pineapple, and actually, all the fresh fruit!
When to Visit Maui
The best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. These are the shoulder seasons in Maui, so you will be able to enjoy fewer people.
During the winter and summer months, Maui hits its peak tourist season with larger crowds and higher rates.
Average temperatures in Maui are usually in the 70’s all year round.
We visited Maui in September and had great weather the entire time!
Where to Stay In Maui, Hawaii
As you have already guessed, we stayed at the Sheraton Maui Resort at Black Rock for our honeymoon in Maui. The reason I loved staying at the Sheraton was specifically for the location.
Because you are at Black Rock, at Kaanapali, you don’t feel like you are sharing the beach with other resorts. The resort itself is really nice and we overall had a great stay.
Other hotels we considered for our honeymoon in Maui that also had great reviews were: Westin Maui Resort & Spa | Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa
One thing you will notice is that all the hotels have a fee for your car. In my opinion, it is super annoying, but all the resorts have it.
Getting to Maui, Hawaii
The most common way to get to Maui is by flying. Maui has three airports, but the most popular is Kahului Airport (OGG). If you happen to be landing from a cruise, I doubt you will have this much time to explore.
Additionally, if you are planning on visiting Maui, you may also want to consider Island hopping! This is exactly what we did for our Hawaiian honeymoon.
We started our honeymoon with 3 days in Kauai, and island-hopped to Maui next!
Other Things to Know when traveling in Maui, Hawaii
When visiting Maui, there is a pretty good chance of seeing wildlife. Whether it be sea turtles, seals, wild boars, etc, please remember to respect these wild animals and stay at a very safe distance.
Another way to help protect wildlife is by using reef-safe sunscreen like Juice beauty or Blue Lizard.
Please also respect Hawaiian property and land. Follow the rules. If the sign says flash floods, no crossing/ no swimming, this is for your safety!
My last Maui travel tip to keep in mind is budget. Maui is an expensive island. The hotels (as I mentioned above) usually have car and resort fees daily that add up. Additionally, food and activities are also pricy.
However, Maui can definitely still be enjoyed on a budget with beaches, the Road to Hana, and Mt. Haleakala being free or having a low-cost associated.
Maui FAQ
5 days in Maui gave us a great combination of both relaxation and exploring.
Yes, Maui is open to tourists, with mainly just downtown Lahaina still closed off.
Yes, although renting a car will be the best way to get around the Island.
April through May and September through November is best for weather and fewer crowds. Mid-December – March is high season and the most popular time people visit.
Maui in 5 Days Itinerary Wrap-up
This wraps up the best things to do with 5 days in your Maui itinerary! Whether you’re on your honeymoon, looking for adventure, or relaxing, you will find tons of amazing things to do in Maui. It has been considered one of the best Islands in all of Hawaii!
Have any questions about this 5 days in Maui Hawaii itinerary or did I miss something? Please let me know in the comments below!
Thanks so much for this guide. We used most of this itinerary on our recent trip to Maui. So happy we got to see Molokini crater and Iao valley. We had to get up at 4:30am to make it work. It was a full day, but a fun day.
I am so happy to hear it Jenn! I always prefer including as much as I think you can possibly do in a day in case you are looking for action-packed. It is easy to take things away, but not always as easy to add them! Maui is an incredible island!
Sounds like the perfect way to spend five days on Maui. I would love to go snorkeling in Molokini crater and eat at Mama’s Fish House, but there are so many great things to experience. Thanks for recommending the reef safe sunscreen too.
Can’t wait to visit Hawaii. Hopefully I’ll go soon .
This is a great 5 day itinerary. I love that you added where to eat and where to stay.
Nice ideas. I wish to travel to Hawaii when travel bans will be lifted 🙂
Hawaii looks awesome. I’ve still never made it there but love these tips and hope I can make it there soon!