How many days in Maui? 5 days, Haleakala sunrise and the Road to Hana
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Maui is two volcanoes joined by a flat isthmus, and nearly every famous sight is a drive from your hotel: the 3,055-metre summit of Haleakala for sunrise, the 600 curves of the Road to Hana through rainforest, and the reef off Molokini crater. Give it five days, with a beach afternoon between each long day so you are not in the car the whole time. Several sights now need advance reservations, and the town of Lahaina is still rebuilding after the August 2023 wildfire; plan both before you land.
Short answer
Three days covers one snorkel morning, Haleakala and the Road to Hana. Five lets you add Iao Valley and Upcountry, rest on the beaches of Wailea and Makena, and give the Hana drive a full, unhurried day.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Molokini snorkel and the south shore
Morning. Take a morning boat from Maalaea harbour to Molokini, a crescent-shaped crater offshore with visibility often beyond 30 metres (about US$120-200 with breakfast and gear). Many trips add a stop at Turtle Town to swim with green sea turtles.
Afternoon. Spend the afternoon at Wailea Beach or walk the 2.5 km paved Wailea Beach Path past the resorts. Rest after an early start; jet lag from the mainland helps.
Evening. Drive 10 minutes south to Makena and watch sunset over Kahoolawe and Molokini from Big Beach (Makena State Park; non-residents pay a small parking fee), then eat in Kihei, where poke bowls cost US$18-25.
Keep at least 3 metres from turtles and much more from monk seals; touching them is illegal in Hawaii. Use mineral sunscreen: Hawaii bans some chemical sunscreens to protect the reef.
Day 2: Haleakala sunrise and Upcountry
Morning. Reserve a Haleakala sunrise slot on recreation.gov (US$1 plus the park entrance of about US$30 per car; released 60 days ahead and 2 days before). The 60 km drive from Kihei climbs to over 3,000 metres in about 2 hours; leave around 3:00. Hike part of the Sliding Sands trail into the crater after sunrise.
Afternoon. Descend through Upcountry: Kula for lavender farms and protea gardens, the old paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao, and the Surfing Goat Dairy for cheese tasting.
Evening. Have dinner in Paia, a surf town on the north shore, and see the turtles hauled out on Hookipa Beach at dusk.
The summit is often 0-5°C before dawn, with wind. Bring a winter jacket and hat; the views are better once you are warm.
Day 3: The Road to Hana
Morning. Leave Paia by 7:00 for the Road to Hana, about 85 km of Highway 360 with dozens of one-lane bridges. Stop at Twin Falls (small parking fee), the Garden of Eden arboretum (about US$20) and the Keanae Peninsula, where waves crash on black lava.
Afternoon. Reach Waianapanapa State Park for the black-sand beach and sea caves; entry and parking must be booked online in advance. Then drive into Hana, a small ranching town, and on to the Pools of Oheo in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park (the same park ticket covers both).
Evening. Drive back the way you came, or stay a night in Hana to do the road at a calmer pace.
Pull over to let locals pass, never stop on bridges, and respect 'Kapu' (keep out) signs. Many rental contracts forbid driving the rough southern loop past Kipahulu.
Day 4: Iao Valley, Wailuku and the west shore
Morning. Reserve Iao Valley State Monument (about US$5 per person plus US$10 parking), where a short paved path leads to the Iao Needle, a 365-metre green pinnacle. Then walk the old town of Wailuku for local diners and the Bailey House Museum.
Afternoon. Drive the coast road to the west side, stopping at Papawai Point for humpback whales from December to April. At Kaanapali Beach, snorkel at Black Rock at the north end.
Evening. Watch sunset over Lanai and Molokai from Kaanapali. Eat at a Kaanapali or Napili restaurant; support Lahaina businesses that have reopened.
Lahaina's historic Front Street was destroyed in the 2023 fire. Parts of the area remain restricted; follow official signs and do not take photos of private ruins.
Day 5: Kapalua, Honolua Bay and a luau
Morning. Snorkel at Honolua Bay, a marine conservation area north of Kapalua, best in summer when the water is calm; in winter it is a big-wave surf spot. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail (about 3 km) over lava headlands.
Afternoon. Swim at Napili Bay or Kapalua Bay, both sheltered crescents, or take a surf lesson in the gentler waves off Kihei.
Evening. End with a luau: a traditional imu pig and hula show costs about US$180-250 per person. The Old Lahaina Luau is known for its focus on Hawaiian culture.
Book luaus and Molokini boats a few weeks ahead in winter and summer holidays.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Molokini and Wailea, Haleakala with Upcountry, and the Road to Hana. You lose Iao Valley, the west shore and the luau.
Got extra days?
Extra days can go to Lanai by ferry from Lahaina harbour or Maalaea (about 45-60 minutes, depending on current schedules), a helicopter flight over the West Maui mountains and Molokai's sea cliffs, or the dirt-road drive around the Kahekili Highway in the north-west.
Where to stay in Maui
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Kihei condos | Self-catering condos across the road from beaches, central to the airport and Haleakala. | US$220-350 |
| Mid-range | Kaanapali | Long beach, resorts and restaurants, close to Kapalua and the west shore. | US$350-600 |
| Mid-range | Paia / Haiku vacation rentals | Surf-town base for the Road to Hana and Haleakala, quieter evenings. | US$250-450 |
| Comfort | Wailea | The most polished resorts on Maui's sunniest coast. | US$700-1,500 |
Getting around
You need a rental car (about US$70-130 a day, more in winter and holidays), booked well ahead. Kahului airport (OGG) is about 30 minutes from Kihei, 45-60 minutes from Kaanapali and Wailea. The Maui Bus has limited routes and is not practical for sightseeing. Fill the tank before the Road to Hana; there are few petrol stations on the way. Parking at popular beaches fills by 9:00-10:00, and resorts often charge US$30-50 a night.
What to eat in Maui
Maui's local food mixes Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino and Portuguese traditions. Try poke (cubed raw fish with soy and seaweed), a plate lunch with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad (about US$15-20), loco moco (rice, burger, fried egg and gravy), kalua pig, lau lau and saimin noodles. Shave ice with tropical syrups costs about US$7-10. On the Road to Hana, buy banana bread at Aunty Sandy's on the Keanae Peninsula. Dinner at resort restaurants runs US$60-120 per person; tip 18-20%.
Best time to visit
April to May and September to November have fewer visitors and lower prices, with highs of about 28-30°C. December to April is humpback whale season, with bigger waves on north-facing shores. Winter brings more rain to the north and east, including Hana, while the south (Kihei, Wailea) stays sunny year-round. Late December and spring break are the most expensive.
Month-by-month weather for Maui →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$130 | US$230 | US$500 |
| Food & drink | US$60 | US$110 | US$200 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$80 | US$200 |
| Local transport | US$45 | US$60 | US$90 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$255 | about US$480 | about US$990 |
Approximate 2026 prices in US dollars, with a shared rental car. Hawaii adds state and county lodging taxes plus general excise tax, roughly 18-19% in total, and many resorts add a daily resort fee.
Before you go
Common questions
What needs to be booked in advance on Maui?
The Haleakala sunrise permit on recreation.gov, Waianapanapa State Park entry and parking, and Iao Valley State Monument, all online. Book rental cars, Molokini boats and luaus a few weeks ahead, especially in winter. Popular restaurants in Wailea and Paia also fill early. Without a sunrise permit, you can still visit Haleakala after 7:00 or for sunset.
Is it OK to visit Lahaina?
Maui officials and local businesses ask visitors to come back to West Maui and spend money there, which supports recovery. But the burn zone itself is a place of grief for residents; do not drive through to look at ruins or take photos. Stay in reopened hotels in Kaanapali, Napili and Kapalua, and follow official signs on which areas are open.
How long does the Road to Hana take?
The drive from Paia to Hana is about 85 km but takes 2.5-3 hours without stops, and a full day with them. Leave by 7:00, pick four or five stops, and be heading back by about 15:00 to avoid driving the curves after dark. Book Waianapanapa in advance or you will be turned away.
Which side of Maui should I stay on?
The south (Kihei and Wailea) is sunniest and central for Haleakala, Molokini and the airport. The west (Kaanapali, Napili, Kapalua) has long beaches and sunset views but is 45-60 minutes from the airport. For a first trip of five days, one base works; split stays only if you add a night in Hana or Upcountry.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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