Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 9-day plan, rearranged for 3 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A park on the coast with a black sand beach, sea caves and a shady path along the cliffs. The sea is rough here, so enjoy it from the shore. Check ahead, because the park may need a reservation.
Go when Midday, with plenty of time to walk.
Local tip The black sand is made of small stones that heat in the sun, so bring sandals. Do not swim where the waves are rough, and check ahead for any entry rules.
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.
A famous beach for windsurfers and surfers, with a lookout above it. Green sea turtles, called honu, often rest on the sand. Keep a good distance and never touch them, and keep children away from the water when the waves are big.
Go when Late afternoon, when the sun slants and the turtles come in.
Local tip Green sea turtles rest on the sand here. Keep a good distance, never touch them and stay out of their way. Waves are often big, so watch from above.
Paia has many small places to eat with fresh fish, salads and burgers. A relaxed end to the day before the drive south.
Local tip Eat a little early, since the road south is long after dark.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A deep green valley in the West Maui Mountains, with a tall needle of rock rising out of the trees. Short, paved paths lead to viewpoints, and the clouds roll in by midday, so go early.
Go when Early morning, before the clouds close in.
Local tip The paths are short and paved, so children can manage them. The stream can rise quickly in the rain, so stay out of the water.
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.
A simple grilled fish sandwich with lettuce and tomato. A relaxed lunch near the beach in Kaanapali.
Local tip Choose a place with a view of the water, and book ahead for a big group.
A table on the west shore with the sun going down over the water. Go early with children, and let the evening end gently.
Local tip Arrive before the rush to get a table for the group, and ask for a seat with a view.
It covers 3 days in Maui, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
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.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 10.1 to 33.3 miles between its stops, and 72.0 miles in all across 3 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
5 days on Hawaii's Big IslandAbout 100 miles awayAn easy add-on
4 days in HonoluluAbout 100 miles awayOther guides with a page about Maui. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageMaui, the free travel guideCondé Nast TravelerMaui travel guideTime OutThings to do in MauiThe InfatuationRestaurant guide to MauiPhoto: Ekrem Canli, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Boydsk2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: AdrianWikiEditor, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
