Which Maui Tour is Right For You?
Marvelous Maui! This island has miles of coastline, two majestic mountains and vibrant forests with miles of hiking trails. Each section of Maui is unique - which is why we've created this guide to help you choose the best Maui tour for your visit.
| Classic Road to Hana | Loop Road to Hana | Reverse Road to Hana | Sunrise at Haleakala | Sunset at Haleakala | West Maui Coastline Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary |
*Most Popular Tour* On our Classic Road to Hana Tour we'll recommend our favorite stops along the magnificent Hana Highway! |
Similar to our Classic Tour, this journey visit all the major stops along the Road to Hana AND visits the rarely explored backroad to Hana. | Start your journey on the backroad to Hana visiting some of the best stops on this majestic journey first! You'll still see all the major sites, just in a completely different way. | Watching the sunrise atop Haleakala is truly a site to behold, we'll guide you up the mountain with stories and music just in time for sunrise. Then, check out stops on your way back! | Mornings not your thing? No worries! That's we we created our Sunset and Stargazing at Haleakala Tour. You'll make all the stops on the way up the mountain then stay for sunset. | West Maui is home to beautiful beaches, resort towns, and a massive mountain range. We'll guide you through this corner of the island stopping at hikes, scenic spots and beaches! |
| Number of Stops | 32 | 37 | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 |
| Approx. Time to Complete | 10-12 hours, full day | 10-12 hours, full day | 10-12 hours, full day | 3-4 hours, half day | 3-4 hours, half day | 6-8 hours, full day |
| Tour Starting Point(s) | Kahului | Kahului | Kula | Kahului | Kahului | Kahului, Kaanapali and Kapalua |
| Tour End Point(s) | Paia | Paia | Kahului | Pukalani | Pukalani | Where you began |
| Direction | Clockwise | Clockwise | Counterclockwise | Clockwise | Clockwise | Clockwise |
Planning on taking our Road to Hana Tour? We also have a Road to Hana Comparison for you to check out! This will tell you the major similiarties and differences between our three Road to Hana tours.
Now that you know the basics, we’ve looked at each tour to determine which would be the best for your trip, based on your interests. Check out our recommendations below!
If you like...
Beaches
West Maui Coastline Tour
Did you know Maui has 120 miles of coastline, 30 of which are beautiful beaches. While you can find beautiful beaches all across the island, if you’re looking to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe, we recommend our West Maui Coastline Tour. Along the way, you’ll visit four beaches including, Kaanapali Beach, Slaughterhouse Beach, DT Fleming Beach and Honolua Bay.
Food
Road to Hana - any of the three tours
If you’re a foodie looking for some good eats in Maui, we have to recommend any of our three Road to Hana Tours. Here’s why - in Paia Town, you’ll find one of Maui’s most popular and well-renowned restaurants, Mama’s Fish House. From there, along your journey you can stop for some local banana bread (it’s a thing on the Road to Hana). And, once you reach Hana Town, there are some local restaurants where you can grab some grub!
History and Culture
Classic Road to Hana
If you love history and culture, our top pick for you would have to be our Classic Road to Hana Tour. The Road to Hana is no simple feat. It takes about 10-12 hours to complete along the winding Hana Highway. We at Shaka Guide have structured the classic tour very strategically so that you visit all the stops on the way to Hana Town (a slightly beyond), and on the way back you’ll listen to stories about Hawaii’s history and legends.
Second Place: Haleakala, Sunrise or Sunset
We couldn’t talk about history and culture without mentioning the Haleakala tours (both sunrise and sunset). Haleakala National Park is a sacred spot in Hawaii. It’s here where the demigod Maui was believed to lasso the sun to make the days longer. This is just one of the many tales you’ll hear on our Haleakala tours!
Hiking
Road to Hana - any of the three tours
If you love to hike, we’re going to recommend the Road to Hana tours. Although there aren’t a tremendous number of hikes in this tour, the three that are included are worth the visit. These are, Waikamoi Ridge Trail, Wailua Iki Falls, Pipiwai Trail. The first is a family-friendly loop trail through a forest, the second takes you to a waterfall and swimming hole where you can jump in for a dip, and the final hike takes you through a bamboo forest where you can spot two waterfalls!
Second Place: Haleakala, Sunrise or Sunset
If you’re looking to hike with breathtaking views unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, Haleakala National Park is the spot. These tours have a total of four hikes - Hosmer Grover, Halemau'u Crater Hike, Pa Ka'oao Trail, and Sliding Sands Trail. The park's mars-like terrain will provide a unique ambiance as you stop at scenic overlooks.
Scenery
All!
Each Maui tour has beautiful scenery, it truly depends on your interests. If you like waterfalls and lush jungles, we recommend the Road to Hana tours. If you’re looking for something completely unique, check out the Haleakala tours. Finally, if you want coastal views, the West Maui Coastline Tour is the one for you!
Snorkeling
West Maui Coastline Tour
If you’re looking to snorkel, the only real option is our West Maui Coastline Tour. Here, the main snorkel spot is Honolua Bay. There’s a rocky shoreline but once you’re in the water you’ll have the chance to see a variety of marine life. Just be mindful - don’t snorkel in the winter months as the water can get rough and there are no lifeguards on duty. Always use your best judgement.
If you’re staying in...Lahaina or Kaanapali
West Maui Coastline Tour
If you’re staying in the resort areas of Lahaina, Kapalua or Kaanapali and are looking for something located just outside your hotel you can try our West Maui Coastline Tour. In fact, there are starting points in both Kapalua and Kaanapali. From there, you’ll travel around the West Maui mountains returning where you began.
Hana
There aren’t many hotel options in East Maui, but if you happen to be staying in Hana Town we recommend our Classic Road to Hana Tour. In fact, this is a great way to do it! You can make all the stops on the way to Hana, stay overnight, then make your way back to Paia the next day. The best part - you can revisit your favorite stops or any that you may have missed!
Paia or Kahului
If you’re staying close to the airport in Paia or Kahului, you’re in the perfect spot to start our Road to Hana Tour! In fact, the tour starting point is in Kahului right near the airport. The Road to Hana takes about 10-12 hours to complete (with stops). The advantage of starting it right in Kahului or Paia is that you get about an extra hour and half of sleep compared to starting it in West Maui - the drive from this area takes almost two hours and you should still arrive to the start of tour by 9 a.m. to see everything in time.
However, if you’re pressed for time we recommend either the sunrise or sunset Haleakala Tours. These take about 4-6 hours to complete and you’re about an hour from the park.
FAQ
1. Can I do multiple tours in one day?
No. We don't recommend combining any of our Maui tours into one day. All of the tours are too spread out from one another there is simply not enough time. Break them up into seperate days to get the best experience.
2. What should I pack?
Great question. You’ve probably seen that our tours have a bit of everything - hiking, beaches, attractions. That can make packing tricky. Check out our packing list here, and remember, you choose what you want to do along the tour route!
3. Where do the tours go?
Check out our itineraries below:
- Classic Road to Hana
- Loop Road to Hana
- Reverse Road to Hana
- Sunrise at Haleakala
- Sunset and Stargazing at Haleakala
- West Maui Coastline Tour
4. I have questions about the app.
No problem! Check out our app FAQ’s here. And, if you still have questions don’t hesitate to email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
