The first of many waterfalls on our excursion today is Twin Falls. Unbeknownst to most, there are actually three different falls in the area - Twin Falls, the most easily accessible, rope swing, and caves. Each requires a hike, and most people just quickly stop at Twin Falls for a picture or a quick dip in the swimming hole. It’s a beautiful falls, but there are so many to see. We recommend taking a quick peek at the first falls as there are more waterfalls and better hiking opportunities down the road.

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This family-friendly trail is a short three quarter mile loop that takes you through a forest of giant eucalyptus and mahogany trees. Consider making a quick stop here if you’d like, especially if you have kids that are looking to stretch their legs.

Ke'anae arboretum is really a lovely botanical garden that is also free and a great place to stretch your legs a bit. A short walkway leads through a myriad of trees and plants from around the world - including giant bamboo trees, African tulip trees, taro plants, banana, papaya and breadfruit trees. Each is marked with a nameplate showing the country of origin and plant name. This is, for sure, the best place to go if want to see the rainbow eucalyptus trees up close and take some pictures. It really looks like the color has been painted on the trees.

Plan on spending around 30 minutes strolling through the gardens here. If everyone is tired and wanting to get back, then this is something you could pass up. You decide.

It is kind of tricky to find the arboretum. The front entrance is not very obvious, and comes quickly around a turn. Look for a small park sign and a green gate. You will need to park down the street and walk in. After you enter the gate, there is a nice 20 min stroll along a paved road before you come to the actual arboretum. Take as long as you want and then turn around the way you came to exit the arboretum. Admission if free.

Waikani falls is actually a series of 3 waterfalls, also known by its nickname - the three bears falls.

In case you are wondering, there are actually no bears in Hawaii. The falls likely got this nickname because the 3 falls have different heights, short, medium and tall, just like the family of bears in the children’s story - goldilocks and the 3 bears.

Unfortunately, there is no parking next to the waterfall, but my recommendation is that you drive past the falls, find a place to park by the side of the road, then walk back for a good view and some pictures. However, the road is pretty narrow here, so be careful and watch for cars.

As you continue driving towards Kipahulu (Haleakala National Park), look out for Wailua Falls along the road. Up to this point you have already seen a ton of waterfalls. But this one is the largest of them all, at 80 feet tall. The best view is from the right of the bridge. There's no need to stop, just be mindful of other drivers on the road as you keep an eye out.

This is by far one of the most popular stops on the Road to Hana. ‘Ohe’o Gulch, also known as Pools of ‘Ohe’o and Seven Sacred Pools, are a series of cascading waterfalls that lead to pristine pools. Take in the natural beauty and reminisce on all you’ve seen and learned on your tour today.

Note: There’s a $30 entrance fee per car to enter Haleakala National Park. Please Note: Seven Sacred Pools can get crowded, if you’re looking for another stop that’s less busy, skip this spot and head to Venus Pools (check below for more details). We recommend you do one of the two, especially if it’s getting late.

Once you get to Haleakala National Park, there’s a 3.5 mile rain forest trail that offers beautiful views of two waterfalls and a bamboo forest. The hike is rated moderate and takes about 2 hours to complete, if you’re short on time, or looking for a family-friendly option, hike to the first lookout point where you can see Waimoku Falls. From there, turn around and continue to Seven Sacred Pools.

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Note: There’s a $30 entrance fee per car to enter Haleakala National Park.

As we continue along Hana Highway, we’ll stop by a lava cave hidden on the side of the road. This cave was formed when hot lava from an eruption cooled and hardened on the exterior, while it continued flowing in the inner core.

After the lava drained out the hardened exterior shell remained, forming a cave. Duck and watch your head as you enter the cave, the entrance is small and there are some jagged rocks, but it quickly opens up to where you can easily stand up.

On your way back, you’ll have the option to stop at Venus Pools. This is a wonderful alternative to Seven Sacred Pools, because it is usually uncrowded. If it’s starting to get dark, we suggest you skip this spot and continue back towards Paia.

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Please Note: Parking AND entrance fees are now required to visit Waianapanapa. You MUST make an advance reservation to visit the park. NO same day reservations will be accepted. * Book your reservation on www.gowaianapanapa.com. 

Visit one of Maui’s only black sand beaches. Created when hot lava shattered on contact with the ocean, this beach is unlike any others on the Road to Hana.

While you’re there, look out for the freshwater cave that leads to the ocean, a blowhole that shoots water into the air, a sea arch formed from erosion, and a hiking trail along the coast. 

This is a great spot to spend some time, stretch your legs, lay in the sun, and even have a picnic.

Entrance is $5 per person AND $10 per vehicle to park. 

This is a perfect family beach because of the protected cove and the large sandy area. If the waves aren’t too strong, there is some pretty decent snorkeling on the far left side of the cove. Park next to the road and access the beach by a set of stairs.

Now, just around the bend from ching’s pond is an amazing overlook of the Ke’anae peninsula. You will see a large shoulder on the left that you can pull in for a great bird's-eye view of the peninsula.

Notice the many taro patches that dot the landscape. Again, pull into the parking area up ahead on your left for the overlook. This is a great place for a picture with that special someone if you can manage to take in the view.

Pullover to view beautiful sheer cliffs and crashing surf at Nua’ailua Bay!

Wailua valley state wayside park is not much of a park... more like an overlook. Here, you can get an excellent view of little Wailua Town and a famous church called the “coral miracle church”. When you get to the overlook, you will see the Haleakala Volcano behind you. You may even get lucky and see a waterfall or two cascading down in the distance.

The park is currently closed due to COVID-19. Check their website for updates.

The Ke'anae Peninsula is a short detour off of Hana Highway, but it’s well worth the time for its stunning views of the ocean ripping through jagged lava rock. There are also some public restrooms near the peninsula.

This well-maintained park is a great place to stretch your legs and use the restroom. However, if we’re being honest, this isn’t always the cleanest rest stop. If you can, wait until you get to the Ke’anae Peninsula. If you do hop out of the car, snap some photos of the peninsula which we will be visiting in a bit.

The park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Check their website for updates.

Here is the pullout for Honomanu Bay, where you can park your car and cross the street for a good view of the bay. If there is no room to park, you can also stop by on the way back if there’s still daylight.

You made it to Hana! Now, take a few minutes to lay down and relax at Koki Beach. One interesting feature of this spot is the large hill beside it. Hawaiians have a name for this spot - it’s called Ka Iwi o Pele, which means the bones of Pele. Actually, this hill is a cinder cone that erupted lava just before Mount Haleakala went dormant.

To access Jaws, you’ll need a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a muddy dirt road. During the months between December and March, when the wind and ocean conditions are just right, Jaws can produce waves as high as 70 feet! There are many big wave competitions held here every year, that attract the best surfers from around the world. However, most of the time this beach has little to no waves. So unless it’s winter and you are sure that Jaws is “breaking,” we suggest you skip this beach and keep driving.

The Garden of Eden is a family-friendly spot with a variety of exotic plants from tropical rainforests throughout the world. While you’re there, you’ll see stunning coastal views and catch a glimpse of the Keopuka rock, which was featured in the opening scene of Jurassic Park.

Note: there is an admission fee to enter the Arboretum

HOURS: Open Daily 8am - 4pm

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More than just a garden, Kahanu Gardens is also a cultural site and National Historic Landmark. Here, the focus is on plants of value to Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. You’ll learn about the connection between the ancient Hawaiians and the land. The garden is also home to a thatched canoe house and one of the largest heiau (or temple) in all of Polynesia.

Note: There is an admission fee to enter the garden, and it closes at 3pm.

This general store has been owned and operated by the same family since 1910. It has everything from snacks to souvenirs. It’s a great place to stop to pick up food and drinks for the road. You can also skip it for now and visit on the way back.

Pro Tip! The only gas station in Hana is next door. Fuel up here if you need to.

This little snack shop is on the way to the Keanae Peninsula. It is definitely one of the best places to buy banana bread on the Road to Hana. Of course - because it's so good - be prepared to spend a little extra, it's worth it. They also have some great shave ice, and an array of standard local food items and drinks if you are hungry and looking for more than a snack. Just depends what you are feeling like. HOURS: Daily 8:30AM-2:30PM

Looking to grab a snack for the road? Stop at Halfway to Hana Food Stand. This snack shop also has tasty banana bread in addition to shave ice, lunch items like burgers and sandwiches and small bites like fruits and chips.

Fun Fact: Halfway to Hana is actually just before the official halfway point.

Pro-tip! If you are traveling with kids, got a late start, or crunched for time, this place is a good place to turn around for a “mini” Road to Hana tour. You’ll hear lots of great stories on the return trip.

Maui Ocean Center is one of the most popular attractions on the island. You may be thinking: 'but I have the real ocean all around me?' Trust us, it’s worth it. You can get up close and personal with tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and even sharks. In fact, this spot was named one of the top 15 aquariums in the nation by TripAdvisor. While you’re there, you’ll see ocean creatures not found anywhere else in the world. The best part? You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the relationship between Hawaiian culture and pacific marine life. Depending on your schedule, you may wish to visit another day when you can spend more time at the center. There is an entrance fee for Maui Ocean Center.

Advance reservations are required, tickets are available on their website.

Just past Haleakala in a remote graveyard is the final resting place of Charles Lindbergh. If you’re not familiar with this famous figure, Lindberg was an aviator known for making a nonstop flight from New York to Paris. In 1972, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and after receiving various treatments in New York to no avail, he decided to spend the remainder of his life on Maui. Behind the church is a small park, feel free to walk around and enjoy the serenity here. 

Get one more beach in before you end your day! There’s a short walk to the shore, and when you get there you’ll notice it’s different from the other beaches on this tour. The beach is filled with rocks! Although you won’t feel sand between your toes, stop and listen as the waves crash onto these rocks. You’ll hear a loud rumbling if the conditions are right.  

The audio narration will tell you when to look for an amazing overlook of nuu bay. You will recognize it because of a couple worn trail to the left that takes you to an awesome vantage point of the nu’u bay and mountain range. Check them out by pulling over when prompted.

My friends, as the road hugs the coast ahead, you are going to see some very amazing views. Imagine for a moment with me, the red, hot lava flowing down haleakala, eventually meeting the pacific ocean cooling down. Initially the whole mountain was black cooled lava. Overtime life settled in, lichens, grass and trees began to grow. Ah, the power of life! And if you are here at the right time, the view of sunset from here is out of this world. I will tell you where to pull over up ahead for a great view and photo op.

We’re not done with waterfalls just yet! This will be the ninth and final waterfall of your adventure today. Visiting Alelele Falls requires a short hike that crosses a stream, but other than that, it’s pretty accessible. The falls are roughly 50-feet tall and there’s a pool for you to swim in. If you’re looking to get back before dark, skip this spot and keep driving. Haleakala National Park charges a fee to enter. Fees are $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. If you are entering on foot or bike the fee is $15 per person. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. As of June 2020 (COVID 19 response) The summit area is now open for sunrise viewing and must be reserved on Recreation.gov. Reservations allow access to the Summit District of the park from 3:00am to 7:00am. Please visit here for more information.

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The consistent strong winds and good waves here, make Ho’okipa a world-famous beach for windsurfing and kite surfing. You can stop here briefly to check out the surfers! There is a great view from the parking lot above that overlooks the beach.

Your tour will end in Paia Town, close to where we began. At this point, it’s probably late in the evening, and you’re looking for some grub. We recommend you have dinner in Paia, especially if you have to make the 45 minute drive back to West Maui. Check out the tour highlight for our recommendations!

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Hana. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. But don’t worry, the tour isn’t over - some of the best stops are yet to come! We recommend you grab a bite to eat here in Hana, there are loads of options to choose from. This is the last stop for food until you get back to Paia Town.

Note: Visitors should not go to the Red Sand beach. Many years of overuse have caused erosion resulting in a dangerous hike along steep cliffs to and from the beach.

As you drive along this country road you’ll soon spot a rock formation in the ocean. This sea arch was created by an ancient dried lava flow that has carved out a hole by the ocean’s unrelenting waves. 

You don’t need to stop, but just before the turn to Nahiku Road, look out for a waterfall on the side of the road. Most people drive by and don’t even notice it’s there! You’ll see it under the bridge. As you look for the waterfall, please be mindful of the other drivers on the road. Also, if you’re traveling in the summer months and don’t see the falls, it could be because they’ve dried up.