By air
Kahului (OGG), ~5 km
North America · United States
Maui, United States
Volcanoes, road trips and turtle beaches
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to May and September to October — sunny, fewer crowds
Don't miss
Haleakalā
The Road to Hana
Molokini Crater
Kaanapali Beach
Things to do
Sunrise at Haleakalā
The Road to Hana
Snorkelling Molokini
Whale watching in winter
Where to eat
What to pack
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen (required by law), layers for Haleakalā
A quieter corner
The Nakalele Blowhole on the north coast
Questions travellers ask
When is Maui less crowded?
April to May and September to October — sunny, with fewer crowds. Come in winter for whale watching.
What do I need to pack for Maui?
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen (it's required by law) and layers for Haleakalā.
What are the must-dos on Maui?
Sunrise at Haleakalā, the Road to Hana, snorkelling at Molokini Crater and time on Kaanapali Beach. On the north coast, find the Nakalele Blowhole.
What should I eat on Maui?
Poke, plate lunches and shave ice.
About Maui
- Island
- Mountains
Where it is
Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific, part of Hawaii, a state of the United States. It is formed by two volcanic masses joined by a low isthmus, and rises to just over 3,000 m at the summit of Haleakalā.
History
Polynesian voyagers settled the Hawaiian Islands many centuries ago, and Maui was ruled by its own chiefs until Kamehameha I invaded in 1790 and later brought it into his kingdom. Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the early 19th century and later a busy whaling port, and sugar and pineapple plantations drew workers from Asia and Europe.
People
Maui's people include Native Hawaiians and the descendants of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese plantation workers, and English, Hawaiian and Hawaiian Pidgin are all heard. Hula, lei-making, taro farming and outrigger canoe paddling keep Hawaiian traditions alive.
Known for
- Sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā
- The Road to Hana
- Snorkelling at Molokini Crater
- Humpback whales in winter
- Beaches at Kaanapali and Wailea
Did you know?
Haleakalā means house of the sun in Hawaiian, and legend tells that the demigod Maui captured the sun from its summit and forced it to slow its journey across the sky.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.