The Best 4 Days in Maui Itinerary for Your First Time on the Island
This 4 days in Maui itinerary includes the Hawaiian island’s best beaches, rainforest road trips, and volcanic views.
From rainforest waterfalls to volcanic peaks to golden sand beaches, Maui’s breathtaking scenery will make you want to visit the island time and time again.
I put together this 4 day Maui itinerary to help you maximize a short visit to Hawaii’s Valley Isle. It’s an action-packed plan, but you can easily cut activities that don’t speak to you in favor of more beach time (I’ve included my favorite spots).
If you plan in advance, you can see a lot in 4 days in Maui. The guide below takes you from historic towns in West Maui and pristine beaches on the southern coast to scenic drives that wrap around rainforests and dramatic cliffs on the remote eastern tip of the island.
I’ve arranged the day-to-day schedule in a way that makes sense to maximize your time, but you may need to mix and match or rearrange days in a way that fits your arrival and departure schedule best. And if you have more than 4 days in Maui, there are plenty of options below to fill at least a week on the island.
Keep reading for the ultimate 4 days on Maui itinerary for your first visit and scroll all the way to the end for planning tips and ideas for where to stay and what to pack.
Editor’s note: Due to the 2023 Maui fires, some activities in this post may not be available right now. As Maui recovers, it’s important to visit responsibly and support local businesses. Please check with the Hawaii Tourism Authority for up-to-date information.
4 Days in Maui Itinerary and Map
I’ve packed this 4 day Maui itinerary with my favorite things to do around the island that I think you will love, too. This is a very packed itinerary, full of beaches, snorkeling, rainforests, waterfalls, volcanic peaks, and so much more.
If you’ve come to the island just to relax on the beach, I’ve listed a few of those, too, so that you can mix up the scenery with some beach hopping.
The Maui map below has all the activities pinned so that you can see where everything is. You can click on the square at the top right to open and save a Google Map for your personal use in vacation planning.
Day 1 — Beaches and Sightseeing
Your first of 4 days in Maui is perfect for checking out the beaches. After all, that’s probably a big reason why you came to Hawaii. The west and south coasts are full of beautiful stretches of shoreline with pale sand and dark volcanic rocks. If you’re staying in a Maui resort, you’re probably right next door to some of them.
I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite beaches and sightseeing spots for day 1, but I recommend mixing and matching these with day 2 excursions in a way that makes sense for wherever you are staying.
For example, if you are on the south end, visit those beaches on day 1 and then take a day trip on day 2 to West Maui to go whale watching and see the sunset from Kaanapali Beach. If your hotel is in West Maui, stroll the Kaanapali Beachwalk and book a sunset cruise for day 1, and go on a morning snorkeling trip to Molokini on day 2 with beach time at Wailea or Makena State Park in the afternoon.
Lahaina
Lahaina was once a whaling village and also served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845. In recent years, the old buildings along Front Street were packed with galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Unfortunately, a terrible fire in 2023 destroyed most of the historic town. Rebuilding this area will take a long time, so please be a patient and respectful guest if you visit this part of the island.
Kaanapali Beachwalk
West Maui’s Kaanapali area has oceanfront resorts and a long stretch of sandy shoreline. If you’re staying in this area, you may be able to walk right onto the sand from your hotel. Otherwise, park for free at Hanakaoo Park on the south end, where you’ll find a sandy beach, restrooms, and picnic facilities.
The palm-lined Kaanapali Beachwalk runs for about a mile between the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa on the south end and the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa to the north, connecting several hotels and Whalers Village, a shopping and dining destination. It’s a beautiful stroll with the coast to one side and the vibrant gardens and pools of the resorts to the other.
Most of the resort grounds are pretty open. Only registered guests can use the pool decks, of course, but you can typically wander through the gardens and dine at the restaurants. The Hyatt, for example, has a beautiful little botanical garden with swans outside and a penguin habitat in the lobby area.
It’s easy to spend a half day in Kaanapali if you hang out at the beach, walk the path, and eat at the shopping center.
Wailea Beach
Popular for a reason, Wailea Beach on the south shore hosts some of Maui’s ritziest resorts and offers calm waters that lap onto a cove of golden-tinted sand. The Wailea Beach Path here winds past the hotels, so you can check out some of the amenities — the little chapel at the Grand Wailea is picture perfect.
On the sand, you’ll find vendors with water sports equipment and stand-up paddleboards for rent. You may get to see some sea turtles while snorkeling near the rocks on each end of the beach.
Free public parking for the beach is available between the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons resorts. The beach path sidewalk also connects to other nearby public beaches and parking, including Polo Beach to the south and Ulua Beach to the north. If Wailea feels too crowded or the parking is full, these make great alternatives.
Wailea Beach Park has restroom facilities with showers outside and there are lots of places to eat and shop nearby.
Makena State Park
Makena State Park is a beautiful undeveloped area on the south shore, about 4 miles south of Wailea Beach. The soft, white sand here fills a long stretch of shoreline with a dormant cinder cone for a backdrop.
Big Beach in the park is the more popular destination, where you can swim and boogie board when the water is calm. The neighboring Little Beach is smaller and clothing optional.
Since it’s a wildland beach park, Makena doesn’t have amenities like drinking water, flush toilets, and showers (portable toilets are available). You will often find food trucks parked nearby, though, for an easy lunch.
There is an entrance fee per person for non-residents and a parking fee that you can pay at kiosks or online.
Makena Cove
Makena Cove is my favorite “hidden” beach on Maui, though it’s not exactly unknown. Tucked behind stone walls in a residential area just south of the state park, the secret beach is a favorite for photo shoots and elopements.
It’s a beautiful setting with the golden sand enveloped by a black rocky coastline and a view of the Molokini Crater and Kahoolawe island in the distance. The water can be a little rough here at times crashing into the jagged rocks, so it’s not always a great swimming spot, but you can often see sea turtles hanging out close to the beach.
Though it’s not visible from the road it’s pretty easy to find. About half a mile south of the Makena Beach parking lot at the state park, look for a small sign that says “shoreline access.” There are typically cars parked along the street near the entrance.
Day 2 — Snorkeling and Wildlife Watching
If you prefer staying active instead of lounging on the beach, you’ll want to spend at least one of your four days in Maui exploring the sea life around the island. Whether it’s whale watching, dolphin spotting, or swimming with sea turtles, Maui has some incredible wildlife experiences.
While you probably won’t have time for all of the excursions below, I wanted to provide a few different ideas of Maui adventures you can book. Most Maui wildlife watching and snorkeling tours leave from the Lahaina and Maalaea harbors, which are convenient from the west and south coast resorts.
You can easily mix and match some of these half-day excursions with beach time on days one and two of this 4 day Maui itinerary.
Lanai Day Trip
The smallest of the inhabited islands of Hawaii, Lanai is just off the coast of Maui and makes a great day trip destination. While it’s possible to stay overnight at one of the island’s lux resorts, you can also hop over on the Lanai passenger ferry to sightsee. The transit runs between the islands a few times a day, so you can plan a long day on Lanai or just hop over for a few hours.
The small island offers everything from rock gardens and secluded beaches down rugged dirt roads to pristine golf courses on cliffsides.
If you’d rather book an organized tour here, Lanai boat excursions head to the reefs around the island for snorkeling and swimming. This is a great chance to see the island up close while also looking out for monk seals, sea turtles, and bottlenose dolphins.
Snorkeling Excursions
Ever dreamed of swimming alongside vibrant tropical fish and giant sea turtles? Maui snorkeling excursions take you to the best spots to see all the sea life.
One of the top destinations just off the south coast is Molokini, a crescent-shaped extinct volcanic crater. The islet is a Marine Life Conservation District, a protected area for the conservation of sea life.
This makes for a vibrant and abundant variety of marine animals. On a snorkeling tour, you may see anything from colorful fish of all shapes and sizes to manta rays, octopuses, and eels.
Molokini snorkeling boat tours are typically half-day outings that include perks like breakfast and barbecue lunches. Plus, you’ll have access to snorkel gear and, on some tours, underwater scooters and snuba, a snorkeling and scuba hybrid that lets you go deeper under the surface than traditional snorkeling.
Wildlife Watching Tours
If you’re hoping to spot sea life on your 4 days in Maui, schedule a dolphin or whale spotting excursion. Maui whale and dolphin watching trips leave from the Maalaea harbor, so they’re easily accessible if you’re staying in a resort on the west coast.
To see whales, you’ll need to visit between December and April when humpbacks migrate through the area. Guided boat tours will take you to spots where you can watch them breaching the surface from a safe distance and may also include experiences like snorkeling and kayaking. Outside of whale season, you’ll still get the chance to see the bottlenose, spinner, and spotted dolphins that swim off the island.
You can book wildlife boat rides for just a couple of hours or half a day. The longer tours usually include lunch and snorkeling.
Maui Helicopter Tours
A Maui helicopter tour is a great way to see a lot of the island on a short visit. I like scheduling an aerial tour close to the beginning of a trip to preview the different areas I will be exploring. It can also be fun at the end, though, as a final goodbye from the sky.
I was nervous the first time I did a helicopter tour in Hawaii, but the ride was very smooth and you really can’t beat the views from above. You get to admire parts of the islands that you may not otherwise see, like remote rainforests and volcanic coastlines.
Sunset Cruise
Maui’s sunsets are spectacular, and the best views are from the west side of the island, where the vast majority of the resorts are located. For an extra special twilight experience, you can book a sunset cruise. Outings may include drinks and appetizers or a full gourmet meal.
Day 3 — Road to Hana Road Trip
The Road to Hana is a stunning coastal drive on the remote east end of the island, with winding pavement leading through a landscape of dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and gushing waterfalls. The town of Hana at the tip of the island is the destination, but it’s the scenic drive along the way that makes the journey.
Planning out some of your stops in advance is wise since it’s not easy to turn around on the narrow and often congested road. But, leave time in your schedule to stop at the banana bread, fresh fruit, and barbecue stands you discover along the way.
I’ve rounded up some of the popular highlights below and you can download audio guides to narrate your trip and point out other stops. There are also guided tours in this zone if you don’t want to drive yourself.
Pa’ia
The small town of Pa’ia on the north shore of Maui is the starting point for the Road to Hana. You can fill up the gas tank here, grab breakfast, and pick up picnics for later in the day.
This is actually a cool place to stay for a couple of nights if you aren’t into the Maui resort scene. The colorful town has a couple of small hotels and hostels.
Road to Hana Waterfalls
Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls — the Road to Hana is full of them! While it’s easy to see several as you drive by, it’s unfortunately tricky to park near many. You’ll always know a pretty waterfall is coming up when you notice traffic slowing and see cars parking along the side of the narrow road (which is impossible and dangerous in many zones).
Plan to park at Twin Falls early in the drive about 12 miles from Paia. You can’t see these waterfalls from the road, but there is actually parking and a short hike to a series of pools and falls. Pua’a Ka’a is a small one but located at a state wayside with parking and restrooms. Others you’ll see along the way (but may have trouble parking by) include Waikani Falls, Hanawi Falls, and Makapipi Falls. If waterfalls are high on your bucket list, I recommend starting the drive super early for the best chance at a parking spot. You can also sometimes get lucky later in the day if you’re driving back on the same route.
Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden is one of the few developed stops along the Road to Hana, with an entrance fee, ample parking, and amenities. The botanical garden covers 26 acres and has marked trails with views of waterfalls and the coast. Along the paths, you see bamboo, banana, and mango trees, and vibrant tropical flowers.
My favorite view was at the Waterfall Overlook, where you can peer down to see a waterfall dropping into a pool surrounded by green with the Road to Hana passing in front of it.
The garden has picnic spots, restrooms, an art gallery, and a food vendor near the entrance.
Keanae Point
Though it’s off the main road, Keanae Point is a must-stop. The little peninsula has a bay on either side and is a great spot to watch the surf crash into the rocky coastline. Also look out for the small, historic church with palm trees soaring overhead and the banana bread stand where you can grab fresh fruit and other snacks.
Waianapanapa State Park
About 3 miles before you reach Hana, there is a turn off Hana Highway to Waianapanapa State Park. This is a beautiful spot to see a black sand beach, sea arch, and rocky coastline contrasted with bright green foliage.
On a short visit, you can just walk down to the beach or to the overlook above it. With more time, there’s a 3-mile round-trip hike along the rugged lava coastline.
The park has a campground and cabins, so this can be a fun spot to spend a couple of nights in a really remote part of the island. To enter the park, you need to book a reservation up to 30 days in advance. There is a per-person entry fee and a parking fee that you’ll pay when you make the reservation.
Hana Town
Hana is roughly 45 miles from Paia, but with stops and traffic, it can take half a day or more to get there. The little town has food trucks to grab lunch and a couple of beach parks where you can take your picnic. Hana Bay Beach Park is right by the town, but I like Koki Beach Park, a quiet and rugged cove a couple of miles south.
Wailua Falls
Once you pass Hana, there are a couple more places to continue your road trip. Plan to pull over at Wailua Falls, where an 80-foot waterfall drops into a natural pool that you can swim in. The waterfall is about 7 miles past Hana and there are designated parking spots on one side of the road.
Haleakala National Park Kipahula District
About 3 miles past Wailua, you’ll arrive at the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park, known for its waterfalls and pools. One of the biggest attractions here is the Seven Sacred Pools of Oheo, which at one point you could swim in. On a short visit, you can just walk some of the paths near the coast and the half-mile Kuloa Point Trail to see the pools.
If you have enough time, the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls is a must. The 4-mile, round-trip hike climbs 800 feet up to the towering Waimoku, which has a 400-foot drop. Along the way, you’ll also see Makahiku Falls and walk through a bamboo forest.
There is an entry fee to visit this section of Haleakala National Park, but it’s valid for three days, so you can pay once for the Kipahulu and Summit districts. If you have an annual national parks pass, that can also be used for admission. Kipahulu has a small visitor center and gift shop as well as a campground.
Piilani Highway
Most travelers turn around at Hana or the Seven Pools and head back to Pa’ia, but there is a way to make a loop out of the Road to Hana. Often referred to as the “back Road to Hana,” the southeast coast offers a less congested alternative for a change of landscape. It is, however, a bit of a harrowing drive in some sections.
After passing Haleakala National Park’s Kipahula District, the road narrows to a bumpy, one-way path, with some parts hugging sheer cliffs with blind curves. When you make it past that part, though, the path opens onto a well-paved stretch of the Piilani Highway.
This road offers stunning scenery on the backside of the Haleakala volcano. On one side, there are miles of lava fields, while the other offers elevated vistas of ocean cliffs and rock formations.
The Piilani Highway eventually leads to the Upcountry Maui along the slopes of Haleakala. This is a great spot to end the day and stay at a small hotel in Kula so that you’ll be closer to the national park for the next day’s sunrise activities.
Important disclosure: Driving the Road to Hana past Hana is a risk you take responsibility for. I am not advising you to do it or saying it is completely safe. Many tour guides advise against it due to the risk of the steep cliffs and blind corners. Some rental car companies are also said to have language in their contracts against driving in this area and your insurance may not cover you if something goes wrong. If you do decide to go this way, use caution and remember that cars may come from the other direction.
Several small van tours do now take this route, so you may be able to book a Road to Hana excursion that includes the Piilani Highway.
Day 4 — Haleakala National Park and Upcountry Maui
The last of your 4 days on Maui will start super early with the bucket list Haleakala summit sunrise. Wake up a few hours before the crack of dawn to see the night sky and morning day break from the highest point on the island.
Then, lace up your hiking shoes for some crater trails, explore the Upcountry region, or head back down to the beach for a nap in the sun and say farewell to the ocean.
I recommend this excursion for your last day on the island so that you can change hotels and stay a final night in the Upcountry. Doing this will shave off a good hour of driving in the dark before sunrise, depending on where you’re staying. Plus, you’ll be less than 30 minutes from the airport if you stay in Kula, so it’s perfect if you’re flying out on this same day.
Sunrise at the Haleakala Summit
Watching the sunrise from the top of Haleakala is a Maui bucket list check that is absolutely worth the early morning (or night) wake-up call. The 10,023-foot-high summit is the first spot on the island where you can see the golden light crest the horizon, and it’s truly breathtaking to watch the whole show.
Daybreak time varies by when you visit, of course, but falls somewhere between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m., so you’ll need to wake up very early for this activity. It takes about two hours to drive to the summit from most of the resort areas on the island, or an hour if you stay in the Upcountry.
I recommend arriving at least an hour before sunrise though to see the stars while the sky is still dark. Watching stars shooting across the night sky is honestly just as impressive as the sunrise. Plus, arriving early will get you a better viewing spot as it can get a bit crowded at the summit.
You have to make a reservation through the National Park Service for the sunrise because it’s extremely popular. You’ll also need to pay the park entry fee (entry fees are good for three days, so you can pay once for the Summit and Kipahulu districts if you save your receipt).
It is very cold at the summit at night and can even drop below freezing, so come prepared with blankets or jackets. Temps at the top are usually at least 20 degrees colder than sea level, even during the day.
Haleakala Summit District
If you have some extra time to spend in Haleakala National Park, the Summit District has over 30 miles of high-elevation hiking trails, ranging from short scenery walks to overnight backpacking trips.
The Haleakala Visitor Center is a great place to start. It’s just below the summit and has exhibits and an overlook into a crater. From here, you can hop on the short Pa Ka‘oao trail (0.4 miles round trip) to see ancient rock structures or to the first overlook on the Keonehe‘ehe‘e trail (0.5 miles round trip) to hike part way down into a crater.
For a longer adventure, the full Keonehe‘ehe‘e trail is 11 miles each way and crosses the crater floor, by a volcanic pit, and ends at the Halemau'u trailhead. There is no shuttle transportation in the park, so if you hike the full thing, you have to hitchhike or walk a very long way back. The National Park Service recommends parking at the Halemau'u trailhead and hitching a ride up to the visitor center and hiking the trail back down to your car.
For a shorter option on the same route, start at the Halemau'u trail and hike 2.2 miles round trip to a crater viewpoint and a landbridge.
Upcountry Maui
Upcountry Maui, the hilly region at the base of Haleakala, is full of gorgeous properties (including some celebrity estates) and picturesque small towns. The day you visit the Haleakala summit is a great time to explore this area, since you’ll already be close by. While you could certainly skip it for more beach time, the Upcountry is a great way to experience a bit of Maui beyond the beach. Some of the top things to do here include shopping and dining in the artsy cowboy town of Makawao and visiting the botanical garden and lavender farm in Kula.
Kahului or South Maui Beaches
If you’re leaving the island this evening, you may round up your 4 days on Maui at one of the Central Maui beaches close to Kahului. Kanaha Beach Park is a hotspot for water sports and windsurfing.
With more time, you can head down to the South Coast and hang out at Wailea Beach or head back to relax at your resort before departing the next day.
4 Days in Maui Travel Guide
This trip planning guide will help you figure out the details for your 4 days on Maui. We’ve included info on flights and car rentals, where to stay, what to pack, and more.
Where to Stay in Maui
South Maui and West Maui are the most popular areas to stay on the island, with lots of hotels, resorts, and condos.
West Maui options include Kaanapali for condos and waterfront hotels full of amenities and Kapalua for lux romantic resorts.
For something a little different, you can stay in Upcountry Maui for small inns and vacation rentals with a view, Kahului for basic and budget-friendly accommodations near the airport, or Hana town for remote resorts on the east end of the island.
This guide to where to stay in Maui explains the different accommodation types and neighborhoods on the island.
Travel to Maui
Maui’s Kahului Airport is on the north shore of the island and has international, domestic, and inter-island flights. Direct flights to Maui from Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai all take less than an hour so it’s easy to island hop in Hawaii.
Here’s how to plan 3 days in Kauai and 4 days in Oahu.
Getting Around Maui
One question a lot of people have when planning this trip is, will you need a car in Maui? I have always rented a car while visiting Maui, and I recommend it for the 4 day Maui itinerary above.
Most resort areas in Maui are over 30 minutes from the airport (some closer to an hour) and activities like the Road to Hana and the Haleakala Summit sunrise are easier and cheaper to do with a rental car.
That said, it is possible to visit without a car. Most resorts and bigger hotels can arrange shuttles from the airport, and the island has taxis, public buses, and rideshare. It will just take longer to get around than using your own transit. You will also need to book tours for each day trip like the Road to Hana and Haleakala.
Which option is cheaper will depend on how often you plan to leave your resort and how many people you are traveling with. Sometimes it can be cheaper for just one or two people to book tours and use an airport shuttle over renting a car, but the per-person cost of tours for a larger family or group would likely be way more expensive than a rental.
If you do plan to rent a car, reserve it as far in advance as possible for the best price and availability.
Maui Weather and Seasons
Maui is always a great choice no matter the season, but there are some differences between summer and winter.
In the winter season, November through April, daytime temperatures average in the high 70s while nights cool down into the 60s. This is the rainy season for Hawaii, but the island has many microclimates with varying conditions. The rain is usually more impactful at higher elevations and along the windward coast. Ocean conditions during winter are also rougher, especially on the north shore.
Summer, May through October, is a bit warmer and dryer. Afternoon highs can hit the mid-80s, but the temperature will cool down into the 70s overnight. The beaches are usually calmer and better for swimming during this time. Be aware, though, that strong currents can happen at any time, so pay attention to warnings.
Maui’s Upcountry will always be much colder than down by the coast. At the peak of Haleakala, temps often hit freezing and it can even snow.
What to Pack for 4 Days in Maui
Before packing, it’s best to figure out your Maui itinerary so that you’ll know what types to activities to dress for. We have a free Maui packing checklist and Hawaii packing list that will help you get started.
For 4 days in Maui, you will likely need swimwear (bring two bathing suits so that one will always be dry), beach gear, sightseeing outfits, and casual resort wear like sundresses and linen pants. Light layers like a cardigan come in handy on breezy evenings, especially when dining outside.
Planning to hike? Don’t forget activewear and a rain jacket. You’ll also want warm clothes for watching the sunrise at the top of Haleakala, which can be below freezing before dawn. You can always grab blankets and towels to bundle up in as well.
If you forget anything, you can buy necessities at local stores or the Walmart on the island. Most resorts will have pool towels and some condos have lots of extra amenities like beach chairs, sand toys, boogie boards, and snorkels. Check in with your accommodations to see what is provided.
Is 4 Days Enough for Maui?
There are enough gorgeous beaches, adventurous hikes, and scenic road trips on Maui to keep you occupied for a week or more without ever wanting to leave. But if you're island-hopping, I advise spending a minimum of 3 to 4 days on Maui.
With 3 days on Maui, you’ll have time to see some beaches and drive the Road to Hana, but you may have to skip the snorkeling excursion. A 4 day Maui itinerary will give you enough time to snorkel at the Molokini Crater or beach hop around the south and west coasts. If you can spend 5 days in Maui or more, you can add extra excursions like a day trip to Lanai or spend time relaxing on the beach.
Hawaii Travel Planning
Traveling to other islands in Hawaii? Use these guides to help plan your adventures.
