Maui Hawaii — dramatic green sea cliffs and turquoise Pacific waters of the Valley Isle from above

Hawaii

Maui

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Good

The Valley Isle — the most complete Hawaii experience: whale watching, Road to Hana, Haleakalā crater, and the best resorts in the state.

Maui is consistently ranked the world's best island and earns the designation through variety: Wailea's luxury resort strip on the sheltered south coast, Ka'anapali's historic whaling town and beaches to the west, the 64-mile Road to Hana winding through waterfalls and jungle to the east, and the dormant volcano of Haleakalā rising to 3,055 metres above it all. From November through May, Maui's Auau Channel hosts the world's highest concentration of humpback whales — over 10,000 North Pacific humpbacks migrate here annually and can often be spotted from shore. Kahului Airport receives more direct mainland US flights than any other outer island, making Maui the default first Hawaii visit.

Scores

5/10

Walkability

5/10

Transit

2/10

Price

4/10

Local feel

5/10

Nightlife

8/10

Family-friendly

9/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • ↑Humpback whale watching (November–May) is the finest of any Hawaiian island — the Maui Nui basin is the primary calving and breeding ground, and Pacific Whale Foundation eco-tours run year-round with certified naturalists; surface activity including breaches and tail slaps is extraordinary from January through March
  • ↑Road to Hana is one of the US's great drives: 64 miles of two-lane road with 59 bridges, 617 curves, and waterfalls including Waimoku Falls (122m), a seven-pool swimming area at 'Ohe'o Gulch, and black sand beaches at Pa'iloa; allow a full day and start before 8am
  • ↑Haleakalā National Park offers two distinct experiences — summit sunrise above the clouds at 3,055m (book the vehicle reservation 60 days ahead; it sells out) and the bike descent of 38km from crater to coast through altitude zones from alpine to ocean

What you sacrifice

  • ↓Maui is the most expensive Hawaiian island: resort accommodation in Wailea and Ka'anapali is priced at level with Maldives and Bali's top properties, and restaurants at the resort strip are premium across the board
  • ↓A car is essential for Maui — there is no meaningful public transport, the Road to Hana requires your own vehicle, and the distance between the resorts, Haleakalā, and Hana means daily driving; Kahului car hire desks have long queues in peak season

Best for

first-time Hawaii visitorscouples and honeymoonerswhale watching enthusiastsluxury resort travellersroad trip loversfamilies with teenagers

Avoid if

budget travellers (most expensive island)those who cannot drive or hire a carurban-focused travellers who prefer city culture to nature

Other Hawaii neighbourhoods

Oʻahu

Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the world's most famous surf — Hawaii's most urban and accessible island.

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Kauaʻi

The Garden Isle — the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and the most untouched landscape in Hawaii.

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Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)

The youngest and largest island — active volcanoes, lava meeting the ocean, black sand beaches, and Mauna Kea stargazing.

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