An 8-Day Maui Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip!

Whether you’re planning your honeymoon, a family vacation, or a solo retreat, Maui offers an abundance of experiences to suit every traveler’s desires.

This 8-day Maui itinerary will take you on an unforgettable journey through Maui’s breathtaking wonders.

From snorkeling the Molokini Crater to the Maui sunrise at Haleakalā, you will have the chance to see the island’s most enchanting sights and experience the thrill of adventurous outdoor activities.

Let’s dive into this 8-day Maui itinerary which includes the best things to do such as ziplining & hiking, the best places to eat, and much more!

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How to Get Around Maui

In my opinion, the easiest way to get around Maui is by renting a car at Kahului Airport.

Considering the amount of driving involved and early morning wake up calls in this Maui vacation itinerary, it is definitely easiest to have your own car.

We made a reservation ahead of time for a rental car at Kahului Airport and picked it up/dropped it off there.

If you have a Costco membership, the cheapest place to fill up on gas in Maui is at Costco which is conveniently located close to Kahului Airport.

Weather in Maui

During our visit to Maui in the first week of July, we enjoyed great weather with temperatures reaching the mid 80s during the day and dipping to the upper 60s at night.

Thankfully, rain was scarce during our time in Maui, with only a few passing showers here and there, that I do not remember interfering with any of our plans!

Although, we did notice that it is very windy in Maui – especially while you are sitting on the beach.

Sometimes, we found it to be too windy while sitting on the beach and we were constantly being pelted with sand 😂.

Therefore, we did not relax on the beach in Maui as much as I would have hoped but made up for it with other fun adventures around the island.

Where to Stay in Maui

We stayed in an Airbnb in Kihei, and I highly recommend staying in Kihei for your stay.

There are several places to stay in Kihei and an abundance of great spots to eat at!

It also seems to be the most centrally located to get to the other cities in Maui.

Most of this 8-day Maui itinerary is centered around staying in Kihei but also features some things to do & places to eat in Lahaina, Wailea, and Paia. 

Check out my 40 carry-on packing tips to save space in your suitcase!

Airbnb

Here is the Airbnb in Kihei we stayed in for our trip.

Overall, it was a good place to stay in Kihei – right across from the beach, close proximity to restaurants & the best shaved ice spot (Peace Love Shave Ice!!), free parking, & access to a pool on the premises. 

Hotels to Stay at in Maui

Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei

Mana Kai Maui Resort in Kihei

Wailea Beach Resort Marriott, Maui in Wailea

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea – Where the tv show White Lotus was filmed in Maui!

8-Day Maui Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Maui & Relax

You have finally made it to Maui!!!

Grab a Coffee at Maui Coffee Roaster Cafe

Stop by Maui Coffee Roaster Café for some liquid energy after your long flight!

Grocery Shop

If you have a Costco membership, I recommend stocking up on food/snacks you will need for the week at Costco which is near the airport.

Costco is also a great place to get the cheapest gas on the island for your rental car if you have a Costco membership.

Lunch at 808 Plates

If you are looking for a place to eat lunch in Maui near the airport, I recommend stopping at 808 Plates.

We ended up eating in our car, but you could also stop by the beach and eat there.

It is located in the Lowe’s parking lot.

Be sure to check out my blog post where I compile the best places to eat in Maui, featuring coffee shops, lunch & dinner spots, and dessert options.

Check in to Your Accommodations

We took this time to relax after our long flight to Maui and checked in at our Airbnb in Kihei, unpacked our things, and took a stroll along the beach.

Dinner at Nalu’s South Shore Grill

Nalu’s South Shore Grill is a great place to eat in Kihei for dinner.

I recommend the Pacific Mahi Mahi.

Grab Shaved Ice at Peace Love Shave Ice

You can not leave Maui before trying the shaved ice at Peace Love Shave Ice for dessert.

It is the best shaved ice in Maui!

We frequented the 1975 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 location almost every night on our trip and were never disappointed.

Pro tip – you can add a scoop of ice cream to the bottom of your bowl! Macadamia Nut was my favorite.

Go to bed early for your trip to the Haleakalā Sunrise Summit in the morning!

The first morning of your trip tends to be the best time to do the Haleakalā Sunrise Summit due to not yet being adjusted to the time change in Maui.

We came from the Midwest of the United States which is 5 hours ahead of the time in Maui.

Therefore, waking up at 3:00 a.m. in Maui was like waking up at 8:00 a.m. at home – not too bad!

It tends to be easiest to do this at the beginning of your trip when you have not adjusted to the time difference yet. 

Day 2 – Haleakalā Sunrise Summit

3:00 a.m. – Leave for Haleakalā Sunrise Summit

• Once you get to the top of the Haleakalā Sunrise Summit, it is super windy and cold. It was around 30 degrees Fahrenheit when we went in July.
• Make sure to pack warm clothes, multiple layers, gloves & a hat – you will be happy you did!
• We went to the Haleakalā Sunrise Summit in early July and planned to get to the top of the summit a little before 5:00 a.m. to guarantee a good viewing spot for the sunrise as it does get pretty crowded.
• From our Airbnb in Kihei, it took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there.
• I recommend bringing some breakfast food for your journey.
• You do need to book reservations ahead of time which you can do here.

Breakfast and Coffee at Grandma’s Coffee House

Now that you are up bright and early, grab some breakfast and coffee at Grandma’s Coffee House which is a great local coffee shop in Maui.

Beware that they do open at 7:00 a.m. depending on how early you leave Haleakalā National Park.

Relax at the Beach

Due to the early wake up call, we took it easy the rest of the day and relaxed on the beach.

Since we were staying in Kihei right across from the beach, we went to Kamaole Beach Park III.

Lunch at 808 Deli

808 Deli was the best lunch in Kihei we had on our trip!

You can walk on over for a grab & go lunch to enjoy on the beach.

We frequented this shop several times on our trip, and I highly recommend it!

They have a large variety of sandwiches to choose from that come hot & cold as well as some great pasta salad and even homemade pudding – a must try!

Dinner at Maui Brewing Company

Maui Brewing Company was a great place to eat in Maui for dinner!

It served up yummy food and had a great beverage selection.

I highly recommend the Origami Pizza and the garlic fries!

Grab Dessert at Maui Gelato

If you are looking for a sweet treat for dinner, head to Maui Gelato which is a very popular ice cream shop in Maui!

To make your long flight to Maui more bearable, check out these 23 things to do on long flights – some you might not have thought of before!

Day 3 – Kapalua Ziplines

Sleep in! You deserve it after yesterday’s 3:00 a.m. wake up call!

Breakfast at Kihei Caffe

Kihei Caffe is one of the best breakfast places in Kihei!

Get the pork fried rice bowl – it is one of the most popular items on the menu for a good reason!

There is free parking across the street at Kalama Park, and we always were able to find a spot to park.

Head to Lahaina

Since Kapalua ziplines is in Lahaina, we headed that way after breakfast to relax on the beach before our ziplining adventure.

Grab Coffee at Island Vintage Coffee

Need a caffeine fix? Once you get to Lahaina, head to Island Vintage Coffee to get some coffee.

Beware it was very crowded when we visited and we probably waited around 45 minutes for our drinks, but it was WORTH IT!

If you are a lover of sweet coffee drinks, then you must try their Maunakea Iced Coffee – sea salt caramel & a scoop of gelato is in the iced coffee…need I say more 😍?

It is located in an outside mall.

Lunch at The Fish Market Maui

Grab some late lunch at The Fish Market Maui before your ziplining adventure.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Kapalua Ziplines

Due to wildfires, they will be reopening on October 30th, 2023.

Kapalua Ziplines is one of the best places to zipline in Maui!

During this ziplining adventure, you ride through the rainforest on an ATV and also get to walk across a suspension bridge that is 1,600 feet above the ground.

It spans 360 feet while you get to take in breathtaking views of Maui’s coastline. It is the largest and only all dual zipline course in Maui!

Remember to bring closed toe shoes with you – they are mandatory for the zipline.

Make a reservation here.

From mermaid swimming lessons to stand-up paddle boarding, be sure to check out these 25 things to do in Kihei, Maui to add to your itinerary!

Day 4 – Hiking at Waihe’e Ridge Trail

6:00 a.m. – Leave for Waihe’e Ridge Trail

• It is free to park there and best to get there before 7:00 a.m. to guarantee a spot in the parking lot – especially during the summer. 
• The trail was muddy in some spots when we hiked in July so I recommend wearing some good shoes. We wore tennis shoes and were fine but definitely got muddy.
• I recommend bringing some water & electrolytes to have throughout your hike to make sure you are keeping fueled.
• It is roughly a 4 mile trail and took around 2 1/2 hours with many scenic stops along the way! 
• This was such a great hike in Maui with beautiful views – I highly recommend it!
• Tip – There is a steep incline at the beginning of the hike – see middle photo below.

Breakfast at Wailuku Coffee Company

After your hike at Waihe’e Ridge Trail, refuel at Wailuku Coffee Company.

They have various coffee drinks, bagels, sandwiches, and salads to choose from.

I recommend the Carmilla latte!

Relax at Kamaole Beach Park III

Relax at the beach after your long hike!

Kamaole Beach Park III was one of our favorite beaches in Kihei due to its large size making it easy to find a spot to set up your beach chairs.

Lunch at Paia Fish Market

Paia Fish Market serves up great fresh fish tacos making it a great choice for a quick lunch in Kihei!

Dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman is one of the top restaurants in Maui!

They are well known for having some of the best Mai tais in Maui. So, if that is your thing, make sure to try one while you are there!

I highly recommend making a reservation as this is a popular restaurant to eat at in Maui – therefore, it gets really busy!

If you’re headed to Maui with your significant other, check out my guide on 27 things to do in Maui for couples!

Day 5 – Twin Falls in Maui

6:00 a.m. – Leave for Twin Falls

• It is best to get to Twin Falls before 7:00 a.m. as the parking lot fills up quickly, especially during the summer months. It is a stop on the popular Road to Hana in Maui! There are 55 parking spots according to their website.
• We sadly were not able to swim in the Twin waterfalls as the water conditions were too rough that day. On a good day though, you are allowed to swim in the waterfalls so make sure to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
• They did disclose to us before we parked that we were not allowed to swim that day. Parking is around $10.
• They have a farm stand that offers juices, smoothies, banana bread, and more!

Breakfast at Paia Bay Coffee

Paia Bay Coffee was one of our favorite breakfast places in Maui!

We loved the vibe of this outdoor breakfast/coffee spot. It is definitely worth a visit!

Pro tip – the banana bread in Maui is superior!

Walk Around & Explore the Hipster Town of Paia

• Make sure to stop by the Aloha Surf Hostel to visit the iconic colorful surfboards – a great photo spot in Maui!
• Browse the beach shops full of surf & swimwear

Lunch at The Flatbread Company

Head over to The Flatbread Company for some great pizza in Paia!

Relax at Paia Bay Beach

Time to relax at the beach!

Paia Bay Beach is a nice-sized beach in Paia that is great for bodyboarding if you are into that.

It is easily accessible by sidewalk from the town of Paia.

Dinner at Aloha Thai Fusion Food Truck

The Aloha Thai Fusion food truck in Kihei had to be the best food truck in Maui we went to on our trip!

If you are a lover of Thai food, you must go here! The pad Thai is a must try!

You can find directions to the food truck on Google Maps – it is the 77 Alanui Kealii Dr. Kihei, HI 96753 address.

We would bring the food across the street and eat at the several benches or picnic tables on the beach.

The Maui food truck scene is legit. They have some amazing food trucks allowing you to have a cheaper dinner without any loss in the quality of food!

Check out my budget-friendly guide on cheap things to do in Maui, Hawaii!

Day 6 – Snorkeling at Molokini Crater

7:00 a.m. – Check in for Seafire Charters Morning Molokini Crater/Turtle Town Snorkel

Snorkeling in Maui was definitely one of our favorites things to do in Maui at a very reasonable price!

We had two great and knowledgeable tour guides that made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe before snorkeling.

They made sure to point out cool things while snorkeling – like a baby octopus!

The first stop was at Molokini Crater which was my favorite – so many cool, colorful fish, and we saw a large eel.

They provided us with some snacks and drinks as well as rash guards to keep our skin protected from the skin as it is important to not wear sunscreen while snorkeling due to the sunscreen being harmful to the coral reef.

Our second spot on the trip was a prime spot for seeing sea turtles in Maui.

You can book your excursion here.

Coffee at Kraken Coffee Food Truck

Kraken Coffee Food Truck is a great place to get coffee in Maui!

Try out their Haleakalatte – a caramel latte & a fan favorite!

Lunch at Kinaole Grill Food Truck

Kinaole Grill Food Truck was one of our favorites!

Give the garlic shrimp a try – amazing!

Relax at the Kamaole III Beach Park

Dinner at Threes Bar & Grill

Threes Bar & Grill was a great place for dinner in Kihei.

I recommend the Kalua Pork Quesadilla!

Shaved Iced from Peace Love Shave Ice

If you are anything like us, you might want to go to Peace Love Shave Ice again – my favorite shaved ice in Kihei!

If you’re visiting Maui during December through April, consider adding a whale watching tour in Maui to your itinerary!

Day 7 – Enjoy the Tide Pools in Maui at Keawakapu Beach

Breakfast & Coffee from Wow Wow Lemonade Maui

Start your day with breakfast and coffee at Wow Wow Lemonade Maui.

I recommend the Original Acai Bowl and the Mango Pineapple Lemonade.

Swim in the Tide Pools at Keawakapu Beach

Spend your day relaxing at Keawakapu beach and swimming in the tide pools.

On the northern end of the beach (near the Kihei side), there are tide pools for you to snorkel in that are full of wildlife.

You have a good chance of seeing some sea turtles!

Dinner at Maui Grill Food Truck

Grab some delicious fresh fish tacos at Maui Grill Food Truck for dinner .

You are probably sensing a theme in this Maui itinerary – that we really loved the food trucks in Maui!

You must visit some (if not all!) of these food trucks during your time in Maui.

Enjoy the Maui Sunset on the Beach

Enjoy your last night in Maui by taking in the sunset on the beach!

Day 8 – Relax & Depart Maui

Depending on when your flight leaves and when your accommodation’s check out time is, you will probably be heading to the airport in the morning/early afternoon.

So, adjust this day for how much time you have.

Breakfast and Coffee at Akamai Coffee Co

There are multiple Akamai Coffee Co locations throughout Maui, but there is one located in Kahului close to the Kahului Airport!

We went to the one in Wailea.

Lunch at Tin Roof

Tin Roof is a great place for lunch near the Kahului Airport.

We grabbed it to go (since there is no place to sit inside) and ate it on the sidewalk 😂.

It does get pretty crowded here but the line moves fast. I recommend the garlic shrimp!

Relax at Kanaha Beach Park

If you have some more time on your hands before you need to head to the airport, relax at Kanaha Beach Park which is close to the Kahului Airport.

Tips for Traveling to Maui

• To save money, buy lunch food at the grocery store and eat lunch at your accommodations. There is a Costco in Maui if you have a membership!
• Go to food trucks in Maui for lunch/dinner a few nights – cheaper & quicker and just as tasty!
• Pack water shoes and good hiking shoes depending on what hikes and/or waterfalls you want to go to
• Bring cash with you for tips on your excursions, parking, local food stands, etc
• Pack winter clothes if going to the Haleakalā Sunrise Summit

Additional Things to Do in Maui

Attend a Luau in Maui

Drive on the Road to Hana & See its Iconic Sights

Get a Massage in Maui at Maui’s Best Massage & Spa

Go to a Farmer’s Market in Maui

There are multiple farmer’s markets in Maui. Upcountry Farmer’s Market is a popular choice!

Additional Beaches to Go to in Maui

Ho’okipa Beach

This is a popular beach in Maui to see baby sea turtles.

Make sure to check out Ho’okipa Lookout where you can watch surfers.

Baldwin Beach Park

This is one of North Shore’s most popular beaches.

Additional Places to Eat in Maui

• Mama’s Fish House – This is a super popular fancy restaurant in Maui, and it gets booked out 4-6 months in advance per their website. Therefore, make reservations way ahead of time if you are interested in going there.
• Mana Foods – A grocery store that serves lunch items.
• Tobi’s Shave Ice
• Ululanis Hawaiian Shaved Ice
• Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread – It is located off the Road to Hana and offers some of the best banana bread in Maui!

In conclusion, this 8-day Maui itinerary promises an unforgettable journey through the island’s captivating wonders.

From the breathtaking Haleakalā sunrise summit to the thrilling ziplining adventure at Kapalua Ziplines, this Maui itinerary offers a perfect mix of adventurous outdoor activities as well as some of the best places to eat that you cannot miss!!