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SherryStay
Maui travel guide

SherryStay Destination Guide

Maui

The Valley Isle — Road to Hana waterfalls, Haleakalā sunrises, whales off the lanai.

USA

About Maui

If you are looking for an island where nature is not just scenery but a way of life, Maui in Hawaii is your destination — a place where the colours are sharper, the air is charged with positive energy, and time slows to the easy pace of "island time," an island that blends exclusive luxury with a tropical wildness hard to find anywhere else. Instead of a mass-tour bus, a private Road to Hana is a full day of driving winding roads between rushing waterfalls, tropical rainforest and black-sand beaches, at your own pace and with stops at lookouts only locals know. You begin the morning at the island's highest point, inside the crater of the dormant Haleakala volcano, watching the sun rise over a thick layer of cloud in total silence — an experience that redefines the word "calm." Here luxury meets the sea: beachfront resorts in Wailea and Kapalua, where rooms open straight onto infinity pools that blur into the blue horizon of the Pacific. The table is local too: dinners before breathtaking sunsets, the ingredients fish landed that same morning and tropical fruit from farms across the island. Maui is not just a beach holiday but an invitation to reconnect — with yourself, with nature, with pure beauty — a place where every day looks like a postcard coming to life, and your hardest decision is whether to head into the jungle for adventure or simply relax on the beach.

Sherry's Take

Pick a coast: Wailea (south) is sunny, manicured and calm; Kaanapali/Lahaina (west) has the resort strip + sunset views of neighbor islands. Book the Haleakalā sunrise permit ($1, recreation.gov) exactly 60 days out — they vanish in minutes.

Best For

HoneymoonBeachNatureRoad tripsWhale watching
Go in
AprilMaySeptemberOctoberNovember
Avoid if possible
DecemberJanuary

Where to Stay

Wailea

Manicured luxury resorts, calm beaches, golf

Kaanapali

Classic resort beach strip, Black Rock snorkeling, sunsets

Kihei

Condo country — same south sun as Wailea at half the price

Paia / North Shore

Surf town, windsurfing capital, gateway to Hana

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1Resort fees + parking add $60–90/night at the big resorts — read the fine print before comparing rates.
  • 2Costco (by the airport) on landing day: snorkel sets, beach gear and groceries at half resort-shop prices.
  • 3Food trucks (Kihei, Paia) do $12–16 plate lunch vs $35+ resort lunches.

Getting Around

  • 1A rental car is essential on Maui — book it before flights; airport lots sell out in high season.
  • 2Road to Hana: leave by 7 am, download offline maps (no signal), and DON'T rush it — it's the day, not the destination.
  • 3Haleakalā sunrise is 2°C at the summit — bring every layer you packed.

Most Common Mistake

Driving the Road to Hana and back the same afternoon "to save a night" — 620 curves each way; either overnight in Hana or accept turning around at Wai'anapanapa.

Ideal Stay

57 nights

Combine with
  • Lanai (45 min ferry)
  • Molokai (90 min ferry)
  • Big Island (40 min flight)
  • Oahu (35 min flight)

Maui at a glance

  • Maui is in USA.
  • The nearest airport to Maui is Kahului Airport (OGG).
  • Getting in from the airport takes 15 min to Kihei; 45–60 min to Kaanapali/Wailea.
  • The best way in is Rental car (essential); shuttles and taxis for resort-only stays.
  • A day in Maui costs roughly $130–200 per person on a budget, $300–500 mid-range and $800+ at the luxury end.
  • Sherry suggests 5–7 nights in Maui.
  • September is usually the cheapest month to visit Maui, December is the busiest, and May offers the best value.

Common questions

Do I need a car on Maui?
Yes — a rental car is essential. Sights are spread out and public transport is very limited, especially for the Road to Hana and Haleakala.
Which area should I stay in?
Wailea and Kihei (south) for sunny beaches and resorts; Kaanapali/Lahaina (west) for classic resort beaches; Paia/Hana (east) for nature and a slower pace.
When is the best time to visit Maui?
April–May and September–October offer good weather and fewer crowds. Winter (December–March) is peak and best for whale watching.
Is Maui good for families?
Very — calm swimmable beaches, snorkelling, the aquarium and luaus make it a top family destination.
How many days do I need on Maui?
5–7 nights lets you enjoy beaches, the Road to Hana and Haleakala without rushing.

Where to stay in Maui

From the magazine