Where to Go Chasing Maui’s Top Waterfalls, Beaches, and Resorts

If you enjoy a road trip, set out on the Road to Hana, a 65-mile coastal highway on the east side of Maui. It’s a gorgeous winding route and wise to devote a full day to allow for plenty of stops. Highlights include the town of Hana, Wailua Falls, black-sand beaches, and Haleakalā National Park, where you can hike to ‘Ohe‘o Gulch for waterfalls, a bamboo forest, and natural pools that are closed for swimming but still wonderful to see.

Rise and shine for the ride up to Haleakalā Crater, a 10,023-foot-tall volcanic crater where you can witness one of the world’s best sunrise views. The sand dunes beyond 'Īao Valley State Park are another natural wonder well worth the detour. Indeed, there’s no shortage of A-plus beaches, including surfer-approved Honolua Bay; Makena Beach, popular with the body boarding crowd; and the black-rock beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park. Snorkelers seek out Molokini, a crescent-shaped volcanic crater that’s partially submerged in the sea. Epic rock formations, colorful coral, and tropical marine life add to the special setting.

For a taste of traditional culture, reserve your spot at a lūʻau, marked by the rhythmic beat of the pahu (the Hawaiian drums), chanting, mesmerizing hula, and heaping plates of food. Speaking of food, you can’t leave Maui without indulging in its dining scene. Three top tables are Merriman's Maui, an elegant fine-dining spot in Kapalua; Lineage, a newer favorite featuring a pan-Asian menu in Wailea; and Mama’s Fish House, a 50-year institution for seafood and ocean views on Maui’s North Shore.

Join the locals for a casual meal at Hali'imaile General Store in Upcountry or at Isana, a sushi joint north of Wailea where kalbi ribs and garlic shrimp noodles also on the menu (make an advance booking for Isana on Resy). Truly, eating in Maui is so stellar that you can stop at a gas station, pick up a couple of spam musubis, and still expect a satisfying meal. And if you love tropical fruit, book a tour of Maui Gold to learn about pineapple farming—and sample the goods.

Worry-free in Wailea

To live out your set-jetting fantasies, only one resort will do: The 15-acre, 383-room Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Orbiting a central courtyard with a serene water feature, the palm-fringe, oceanfront estate offers decadent amenities and generously sized accommodations. Guest rooms start at 600 square feet plus a breezy lanai, and you can pick between ocean, garden, or mountain views. Each room and suite displays contemporary Hawaiian art, which provides a welcome sense of place.

Pretty gardens flourish across the resort, with one dedicated entirely to plumeria. There are three pickleball courts and one for tennis; three pools (with saltwater, with kid-friendly features, and for adults only); and programming run by the Kids For All Seasons day camp. The beach is set up for activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding, and the concierge team can organize excursions, notably, a catamaran sailing led by a Hawaiian navigator, who will teach you how Polynesians once navigated using only the stars, swells, and other natural guidance.

Right next door, surrounded by 40-acres of tropical gardens, the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort offers another quintessential luxury stay. Everything is bigger and grander here, starting with 844 guestrooms, the smallest of which is a generous 640-square-foot abode looking out to either the resort’s gardens or the Pacific. The range of amenities is similarly expansive, especially the 50,000 square-foot Kilolani Spa, which houses 40 treatment rooms and Hawai’i’s only hammam. Families can enjoy a supervised children’s club, a waterpark, and a dedicated family pool.

Pro tip: Don’t leave before taking advantage of the complimentary beginner’s diving lesson.

Keep it casual in Kāʻanapali

One of Maui’s other resort destinations is Kāʻanapali in the northwest. A lively enclave orbits around the stunning three-mile long white-sand beach and its crystal-clear water. No wonder Hawaiian royalty used to vacation here.

At The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, you get: easy access to the beach, family-friendly amenities, and plenty of wellness opportunities. Fitness-minded travelers should especially enjoy the Westin Workout program, which features a calendar of group classes, from yoga to spinning. Want something less heart-pumping? There are six outdoor pools on property, and Kāʻanapali Beach’s sugary sands are just a stroll away.

The 40-acre oceanfront Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is a destination in its own right. With nearly 800 rooms and suites split across two towers plus a handful of dining venues, it’s hard to find reasons to venture off property. Families will enjoy the mini waterpark which has a 150-foot waterslide. And at night, a variety of entertainment programs are scheduled throughout the week, from Aloha Market to Nashville Nights, a live-music event held from April to September.