Maui

In 2009, Maui was named the “best island in the world” for the 15th time by Conde Nast Traveler. Once you visit, you’ll know why. Maui is filled with beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, excellent food and friendly people. This island is less populated than Oahu, but still has a wide variety of activities available.

Where to stay
Once you arrive, you’ll need to rent a car so you’re sure to see everything Maui has to offer. You’ll find that Maui has a variety of hotels, from sprawling luxury resorts to small bed and breakfasts. Depending on how much you want to spend on lodging, you can find something to suit your needs on the island. Do some online research or find a travel guide to search for the best deals at the best location.


Sea Watch
This restaurant has a huge porch and is located in the Western part of the island. Come at sunset to see a view you’ll never forget. The food’s not too bad either—they’ll pick a fish for the day and you can pick which of five ways you’d like it served.

Sansei
If you’re looking for sushi, try Sansei in Kihei. Their menu is extensive and features many award-winning dishes. If you’re dining as a couple, try the tasting menu for two—you’ll get to try seven different dishes for a reasonable price. But don’t be scared off if you don’t like sushi—they also have a wide variety of fresh seafood.

Hula Grill
Located in Kaanapali, this casual restaurant with a huge porch has a fantastic view of the ocean. Hula Grill is popular with tourists and locals and perfect for lunch in the middle of your busy sightseeing and beach-going day.

Milagros Food Company
This restaurant, located in quaint Paia, is the perfect place for breakfast on your way to do the Road to Hana. It’s also a good place to eat if you have some time to kill between your hotel check-out time and your flight home.

Mama’s Fish House
This is a splurge, but it’s possibly the best food on the island. The fish is caught fresh each day—they even print the fisherman’s name on the menu. Their mai tai is also the best on the island, and well worth the price.



What to do
Road to Hana
This famous adventure can be done in one day, but if you set aside two days, you’ll get to fully experience everything there is to see on the road and at the end, and you won’t be driving on the treacherous road in the dark. Bring a tent and camp out at the end of the road or stay at the Hotel Hana-Maui. Once you reach Hana, make sure you take a few hours to hike to see the bamboo forest and Waimoku Falls. On the road, make sure you stop at Oheo Gulch and the black-sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park.

Whale Watching
If you’re traveling to Maui between January and June, you’re bound to see some humpback whales that migrate to the warm Maui waters to mate and birth their calves. You can see the whales from the shore, but it’s much better to see them up close. Either take a whale-watching cruise or a snorkeling expedition to see these majestic creatures, about the length of a school bus, swimming and breaching right by the boats.

Visit Haleakala
You can wake up at 4 a.m. to make the trek to the top of this dormant volcano to see the sunrise, which Mark Twain called, “the most sublime spectacle I ever witnessed,” and said, “the memory of it will remain with me always.” If you’re not much of a morning person, the view of this seven-mile crater is awesome no matter what time of day you visit. Make sure you pack a pretty warm coat—temperatures at the summit range between 30 and 60 degrees.

Relax on the Beach
There are so many beautiful beaches to choose from in Maui, and no matter where you’re staying, you’re guaranteed to be close to one of Maui’s famous and relaxing beaches. One that you must visit is Makena Beach, which is also called Big Beach because it stretches almost a mile long and up to 100 yards wide in some spots.

Golf
Maui is home to several award-winning golf courses to choose from, no matter your skill level. Try the Wailea Golf Club in the resort-filled area of Wailea on the southwestern side of the island.

Iao Needle
Once the site of an ancient battle, this volcanic monolith, covered in dense greenery, rises 1,200 feet above the ground. Paved hiking trails allow an up-close view of the needle, the stream that runs nearby and the lush rainforest that fills the park.

Island Hopping
Though there’s enough to do in Maui alone, if you’re planning a vacation longer than one week, it’s easy to see what the other islands of Hawaii have to offer since they’re just a short plane ride away. Many airlines offer inter-island flights for very little money, some as low as $40.

Maui is guaranteed to be a vacation you’ll never forget. After just one trip, you’ll find out why Maui is nicknamed “the Magic Isle.”