Maui is the ultimate beach-focused getaway, where sun-soaked days and gentle ocean waves create the perfect backdrop for relaxation and adventure. With 275 days of sunshine year-round, visitors can indulge in everything from swimming with sea turtles to lounging on pristine shores. For food lovers, the island offers a vibrant culinary scene, making it a true paradise for beach bums and foodies alike. Whether you’re exploring hidden coves or savoring fresh local cuisine, Maui promises an unforgettable experience.

We flew Eagle-Vail to Denver to San Francisco before finally landing in Maui. After a memorable season on the slopes here in Colorado, we were more than ready to embrace the warm sands and turquoise waters that Maui had to offer. Our seamless travel experience allowed us to trade our skis for bodyboards, setting the stage for a well-deserved escape to paradise.

 

Due to recent devastating wildfires, access to historic Lahaina, nearby hiking trails and parks remains limited. Consequently, we chose to stay in Kihei. The community is still deeply impacted by the wildfires, which have also significantly reduced tourism on Maui. During our stay, we encountered locals who expressed gratitude for our visit, as they are facing economic challenges.
 
While Hawaii is stunning year-round, we were fortunate to visit during May, one of the best times of the year. The island was adorned with abundant plumerias and hibiscus blooms, transforming it into a lush tropical paradise. Transitioning from a winter wonderland to this heavenly environment was truly a sight to behold.
 
 Day 0: Arrival in Maui
 After collecting our bags and picking up our rental car from Sixt, we made a beeline for some real food. We were pleasantly surprised by the delicious and reasonably priced meal. Oscar and I both enjoyed chicken pad thai, accompanied by refreshing lychee. After a long day of travel and arriving on a late flight, it was time to head to our vacation rental. We called it a night, excited for our first sunrise in Maui.
 
Day 1: Kicking Off Our Vacation in Kihei

We made a stop at ABC for sunscreen and ube tapioca before exploring the town and visiting the Kihei craft fair and flea market. We were very amused by the groups of chickens running around with their baby chicks. The occasional rooster crow never got old during this trip. Taking a break from the heat, we stopped for mai tai’s at Life’s a Beach. We decided for this no-plans trip, we would take the detours, and this was a good one. On our way back to our vacation rental, we explored the Kamaole Beach Park trail. Taking in a beautiful sunset before heading to Coconuts for dinner. Having heard about their fish tacos so much, we had to try them for ourselves. We walked home happy and full! They didn’t disappoint and were very generous with the servings.
  
Day 2: Taking in the Wailea Farmer’s Market and Honeymoon Beach

While still on mountain time we made the most of our morning by grabbing cinnamon rolls from Maui’s renowned cinnamon roll shop. Afterwards, we noticed the Wailea farmer’s market, where artisans showcased their talents, from jewelry designers to tiki carvers, woven Hawaiian palm hats, and traditional Hawaiian shirts. We walked around looking at different shops before deciding it was time to get out of the heat, time to hit the beach! We spent the rest of our day at Honeymoon Beach, at Mākena State Park, which is a local surf spot, surrounded by volcanic coves with tide pools to explore. Arriving early with a cooler, we soaked in the sun, ocean breeze and watched surfers tackle their waves.
 
Day 3: A Day for Botanical Gardens and Beach Time

Up early again, we found ourselves at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. A five-acre botanical garden located in the heart of Kahului, Maui. Unlike typical botanical gardens, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens specialize in showcasing native Hawaiian flora and Polynesian-introduced species. Many of these plants are endangered due to habitat loss, highlighting Hawaii's reputation as the "endangered species capital of the world". While it is not your typical botanical garden, it is still worth a visit, or as a short detour before your next beach stop!

 

Chang’s Beach and South Po’olenalena quickly became our favorite spots. These local surf havens offer a welcoming atmosphere that’s hard to leave, even after spending the entire day there. It’s an ideal place to hone your body surfing skills and relax.

 After our beach day, we were excited for our reservation at the Wailea Golf Club, Gather on Maui. Nestled amidst stunning island vistas, Gather offers open-air seating with spectacular views. Their mai tai was an instant favorite. We shared their fresh catch, halibut with pancit noodles and kung pao calamari. Everything was incredible! We jokingly asked for a bowl of the honey lilikoi foam, which was part of our mai tai. They brought it for us with our decadent hali’imaile pineapple upside down cake. It didn’t go to waste!
 
Day 4: Swimming with Turtles and Riding the Waves

Each day we found ourselves returning to Chang’s Beach and South Po’olenalena. These interconnected beaches are within close proximity to scuba spots with gentler surf. One particular day stood out as my favorite, dedicated entirely to enjoying the beach. We spent hours swimming alongside turtles, equipped with a cooler filled with water, sake, soju, and locally made poke. We practiced riding waves, on our body boards, and received helpful tips from friendly locals. During breaks, we watched families fish for dinner. Maui left a lasting impression, the profound respect shown for Hawaii and its wildlife was truly heartwarming.

When we finally pulled ourselves away from the beach, we found ourselves at the Kihei 4th Friday community party! We stumbled upon this by chance while going out for dinner. 4th Friday is a massive party with live music, food trucks, 40+ vendors and everyone is invited. There was something there for everyone. Local bands and musicians performed with a backdrop of classic collector cars. It was a feast for the eyes and stomach. After walking around and picking up a few souvenirs, we stopped at the 50s style diner, Peggy Sue’s. With classic malt shakes and a jukebox, it was like I was transported back to New Jersey.
 
Day 5: Fresh and Fabulous Food

Since we had dinner at the Kihei 4th Friday community party, we went to Nalu’s for breakfast. The only problem is that everyone loves Nalu’s so you need to be there early and expect a slight wait. However, the food is worth it! I was blown away by how fresh our fruit salad was. Oscar ordered chicken and waffles while I had a ramen omelet that was phenomenal. Every meal or snack we tried in Hawaii was better than the next. I was never disappointed on this trip with what we found.

While incredibly full, we opted to walk around Kalama Village. A store caught my eye, Ocean Obsession. While we enjoyed looking through many of the shops in this “village”, it is incredibly touristy. Buyers beware! You will see the same items in different shops for higher or lower prices. Not wanting to pass up the chance, we shared a shaved ice and headed home to cook dinner and pack. Not without first snagging some Hawaiian BBQ sauce to bring home.

 

Final Thoughts
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read about our Maui itinerary. We had so much fun on this trip and after such a long winter, it was an absolute pleasure to take some time to unwind on a beach. I know this style of trip isn’t for everyone and we missed some locations but that’s what future plane tickets are for. This is a truly special place and I want to thank everyone who recommended these wonderful spots to us because we truly had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Specifically, my good friend Kirsten, she looked out for us; until next time… mahalo!