2-Day Maui Family Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Maui moves at an island pace, so keep the first day short and let everyone settle in.Details

Landing on Maui: Most visitors land at the main airport near Kahului, on the flat middle of the island. The south shore lies across the low land between the two volcanoes, so you will drive there. Pick up the car before you leave the airport area.
Why a car: The beaches near your base are close together, but the west side, Upcountry, Hana and the mountain are spread around the island and the buses do not reach them. Book the car early, and ask for room for beach gear and a cooler.
Where to base: Wailea and Kihei sit on the dry, sunny side with gentle beaches. Choose a place with a kitchen if you can, so a simple breakfast and picnic lunches are easy for a group.
First evening: Walk to the water, watch the sun go down and eat close by. Day 1 is a slow beach day, so there is no need to plan anything else.

Day 1. Wailea, Kihei and Makena

4 stops · 28.6 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningWorth the time
Wailea Beach
A wide, golden beach with gentle water on a calm day. A good place for the whole group to start, with sand for the children and shade nearby.
Go when Morning, when the water is calm and the sand is cool.
Local tip Swim where the water looks calm and a lifeguard is on duty, check the surf before you go in, and never turn your back on the waves.
Photo: Ekrem Canli, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 21 min by car or transit5.4 mi
2
MorningA boat day
Molokini
A small crescent-shaped island, the rim of an old volcano, that sits in the sea off the south shore. Snorkel trips go out by boat in the morning, when the water is calmest. Choose a trip that suits the youngest swimmers, and ask about life jackets.
Go when Morning, when the sea is calmest.
Local tip Choose a boat trip that suits your youngest swimmer, ask about life jackets and seasickness, and take a sun shirt. A boat day is long, so keep the afternoon free.
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
A picnic on the sand
Fruit, sandwiches and cold drinks from a grocery store, eaten in the shade at the edge of the beach. Easy for a whole group and gentle on the budget.
Local tip Bring a cooler and a trash bag, and take everything away with you.
About 33 min by car or transit11.3 mi
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Maui Ocean Center
An aquarium of Hawaiian sea life, with sharks, turtles and a tunnel of fish. It is indoors and shady, which makes it a good choice for the hot hours of the day, and it suits every age.
Go when Early afternoon, when the sun is high and the beach is hot.
Local tip Go through the tunnel of fish slowly, and let the children lead. Check ahead for feeding times and shows that you might not want to miss.
Photo: Richard N Horne, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 34 min by car or transit11.9 mi
4
AfternoonWorth the time
Big Beach at Makena State Park
A big, wide, golden beach backed by dunes and trees. The waves can be strong at the shore here, so it suits watching and wading more than swimming for young children.
Go when Late afternoon, around sunset.
Local tip The shore break here can be strong and sudden. Wade and watch rather than swim, and never turn your back on the waves.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
Fresh poke and rice
Poke is cubed raw fish dressed with soy sauce and sesame, usually served over rice. Shops sell it by the pound and many have a mild version.
Local tip Choose a spot where the fish is kept cold, and ask what is freshest.

If it rains. Maui Ocean Center is covered, so keep it. Move Wailea Beach, Molokini and Big Beach at Makena State Park to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. Haleakala and Lahaina and Kaanapali

2 stops · 57.9 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

Drive from Big Beach at Makena State ParkAbout 50 min by car25.8 mi
Where Day 1 ended.
1
MiddayWorth the time
Kaanapali Beach
A long beach on the west coast with calm water in many months and a paved path along the back. Plenty of space to spread out for a group.
Go when Midday, with shade and water close by.
Local tip The paved path along the back of the beach is handy with a stroller, and it is a long beach, so you can find a quiet spot.
Photo: AdrianWikiEditor, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 58 min by car32.1 mi
2
EveningWorth the time
Haleakala summit
The top of the volcano, above the clouds, with a view down into the crater. Sunrise and sunset are the famous times to go. Reservation and permit rules change, so check ahead. It is cold and high, and the thin air can make people dizzy.
Go when Around sunset, with warm layers.
Local tip Bring coats, hats and gloves for everyone, since it is cold and the wind is strong. Take it slowly at the top, because the air is thin. Check ahead for rules and reservations.
Photo: Navin75, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
An early dinner before the mountain
A hot meal before you head up to the summit, so no one is hungry in the cold. Soup, rice and noodles are good choices.
Local tip Eat before you go up, because there is no food at the top.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The airport is across the island from the south shore, so give the last morning a little slack.Details

Pack the night before: Rinse and dry the beach gear, keep wet swimsuits in a bag of their own, and leave the sunscreen where you can reach it. Check that your sunscreen is allowed where you are flying to.
The drive back: The road to the airport from the south shore can be slow when the morning traffic is heavy. Leave earlier than you think you need to, and fill the tank on the way.
Returning the car: Allow time at the rental return, especially with car seats and bags. Take photos of the car and clear the sand out of the seats first.
A free morning: If the flight is in the evening, a last swim near your base and a slow breakfast is plenty. Ask the front desk to hold your bags.

Questions people ask

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Maui, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 28.6 to 32.1 miles between its stops, and 60.7 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.