Maui Beyond the Resort: Exploring the Island by Car
Updated: Sep 15
If you’re anything like us, when you visit somewhere new, the hotel is basically where you shower, sleep, and throw your suitcase before heading right back out.
That was definitely the case when I visited Maui.
Now, if this is your first trip to the island, where you stay does matter, but I would argue that location matters even more than how fancy the hotel is.
My advice?
If you’re traveling on a budget, find somewhere comfortable, clean, and conveniently located.
If budget is NOT an issue?
Go off, queen. Book the oceanfront resort. This is a judgment-free zone.
But for us, Maui was never going to be a “sit at the resort for seven days” kind of trip.
Maui is one of those places that somehow still feels unreal even while you’re standing in it. Volcanic landscapes, golden beaches, turquoise water, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, every part of the island feels completely different from the last.
So here is my gift to you:
7 things I think you absolutely need to experience in Maui.
And spoiler alert…
Maui is not exactly a budget destination.
Flights, accommodations, a rental car, food, and excursions can put a weeklong trip well into the several-thousand-dollar range, especially depending on where you’re traveling from and what activities you book.
But I promise you, there are experiences here that I still remember years later.
First Things First: Rent a Car
My first recommendation when visiting Maui?
Rent a car.
My second recommendation?
Build travel time AND rest time into your itinerary.
Because my friend…
you are going to be tired as hell.
Maui looks small on a map, but between winding roads, mountain drives, scenic stops, hikes, and the fact that you’re going to want to pull over every five minutes because something is beautiful, days can get long quickly.
And there is SO much nature to experience.
We stayed more toward the northeastern/eastern side of the island because a lot of what we wanted to explore took us in that direction. But where you stay should really depend on your itinerary.
If most of your trip is beaches and resorts, South or West Maui may make more sense. If Haleakalā, Upcountry, and the Road to Hāna are priorities, positioning yourself closer to those areas can save some driving.
Either way: do not underestimate Maui driving time.
Now let’s get into the fun stuff.
1. Spend a Day at Mākena Beach, AKA Big Beach
Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may want your first day to be easy.
For us, getting to Maui was roughly a 12-hour travel day.
So after all that?
Please put me on a beach.
Mākena Beach, commonly called Big Beach, is exactly what the nickname suggests. BIG.
Long stretches of golden sand, beautiful blue water, and that classic dramatic Maui coastline.
It was the perfect place to slow down and realize:
Okay. We’re actually in Hawaii.
One thing to know: Big Beach can have a strong shore break, so always pay attention to current conditions and lifeguard warnings. The state specifically warns that the shore break here can become dangerous.
And Then There’s Little Beach…
On the other side of the rocky headland is Little Beach, which historically became known for clothing-optional sunbathing.
If that’s your thing?
More power to you.
When we visited, let’s just say the demographic was…
seasoned.
I don’t remember seeing anyone under approximately 75 years old. (LOL)
You don’t accidentally wander onto it, though. Big Beach and Little Beach are separated by a large rocky area, so if that is NOT your cup of tea, don’t worry.
And if you read our Cancún blog, I am happy to report that I successfully navigated the rocks on this trip without busting my ass.
Growth.
2. Snorkel Molokini Crater
This was easily one of my favorite experiences in Maui.
Molokini is that famous crescent-shaped volcanic islet you’ve probably seen in photos.
And tiny fact-check because I remembered this slightly differently: it isn’t a national park.
Molokini and its surrounding waters are protected as a Marine Life Conservation District, and the actual islet is also a protected seabird sanctuary. Visitors cannot set foot on the island itself without special authorization.
But honestly?
You’re not going for what’s ABOVE the water.
You’re going for what’s underneath it.
This remains one of the best snorkeling experiences I have ever had.
The water was unbelievably clear, and there was marine life everywhere.
Fish.
Coral.
Turtles.
And depending on conditions and sheer luck, you never know what else you may see.
Every snorkeling trip is different, so I wouldn’t book expecting a checklist of specific animals. But that’s part of what makes it exciting.
We visited in December, when the water felt a little chilly at first.
But once I put my face in the water?
I forgot all about it.
There is an entirely different world down there.
But this isn’t one of our conspiracy blogs, so I’ll leave that conversation for another day.
Our catamaran excursion lasted most of the day and included meals, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, and drinks after the snorkeling portion.
When choosing your tour, I recommend reading the itinerary carefully and checking how much actual snorkeling time you get at Molokini.
You don’t want an eight-hour excursion where you spend 20 minutes at the place you actually came to see.
3. Go Humpback Whale Watching
If you visit during whale season, DO THIS.
We traveled in December, which is when humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in larger numbers.
Each winter, humpbacks migrate to Hawaiʻi to breed, give birth, and nurse their calves. Whale-watching season generally runs from December through May, with peak viewing usually between January and early April.
And yes…
baby whales are calves.
I had to fact-check myself because apparently I wanted to call them cubs. But this is why I am not a veterinarian or Marine biologist. I work in Marketing.
We did both a catamaran experience and later a kayak tour.
On the boat, they used an underwater hydrophone so we could actually hear the whales singing.
That was one of those moments where everyone just became quiet.
You know something is special when a whole boat full of tourists suddenly shuts up. (Low-key thankgoodness).
We also saw mothers with calves, which made the entire experience even more incredible.
One VERY important thing:
Federal law in Hawaiʻi prohibits approaching humpback whales within 100 yards, whether you’re on a boat, kayak, paddleboard, swimming, or using another means of approach.
If a whale decides to come closer to you, that’s one thing.
You do not chase the whale.
Let them be majestic in peace.
4. Haleakalā National Park — Sunrise, Sunset & Sliding Sands
Okay.
This one?
Heaven on Earth.
I loved Haleakalā so much that we went TWICE.
TWICE.
Once for sunrise.
Then we went back for sunset and stayed afterward to watch the night sky from more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
The summit reaches 10,023 feet, and it genuinely feels like you are standing above the clouds.
If you want to visit for sunrise, you currently need an advance reservation to enter the summit area between 3:00 and 7:00 a.m. Reservations are released online up to 60 days in advance, with another portion released 48 hours beforehand.
And one personal warning:
If you get motion sickness…
COME PREPARED.
That drive up the mountain has turns on turns on turns.
Take the meds, sis.
Sliding Sands Trail
And if you really want Haleakalā to humble you?
Meet the Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail, better known as Sliding Sands.
This is for the brave.
And preferably people who are in significantly better hiking shape than I apparently thought I was.
The landscape is absolutely unreal.
Red and brown volcanic terrain.
Cinder cones.
Huge open spaces.
Very little around you.
It feels like someone dropped you onto another planet.
Sliding Sands was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done and also one of the most exhausting.
Here’s the trap:
Going DOWN feels amazing.
You’re taking pictures.
You’re admiring the scenery.
You’re thinking:
Wow, look at me. I’m outdoorsy.
Then you have to climb back out.
The National Park Service literally warns hikers to plan for the hike out to take roughly twice as long as the hike in because of the loose volcanic terrain and elevation.
SO IT WASN’T JUST ME.
The full crater route can be around 11 miles and is considered strenuous, with thousands of feet of elevation change.
Bring:
Plenty of water
Snacks
Layers
Sunscreen
Good hiking shoes
And know your limits.
You do NOT have to complete the entire trail to experience it.
5. Experience a Luau
This was another experience I wasn’t completely sure what to expect from.
Because, please don’t judge me…
Before Hawaii, most of what I knew about luaus came from movies, including one that involved a certain little alien from outer space who shall remain unnamed.
But experiencing one in person felt completely different.
We booked a locally operated luau, and what stood out to me wasn’t just the dancing.
It was the combination of food, music, storytelling, community, and culture.
It felt warm.
Celebratory.
Like being invited into a huge gathering where everyone was eating, laughing, listening, and experiencing something together.
And even though Hawaiian and Puerto Rican cultures are completely different, something about that feeling reminded me of growing up in Puerto Rico.
The music.
The food.
People coming together.
That familiar island warmth.
It made me weirdly homesick in the best possible way.
If you book a luau, I’d recommend looking beyond just price and researching the story behind the experience and the people operating it.
6. Splurge on a Helicopter Tour
I know.
I KNOW.
GIRL I KNOW.
You already spent all this money getting to Hawaii and now I’m telling you to get in a helicopter.
Hear me out.
We splurged.
It was my first helicopter ride ever, and at the time we paid somewhere around $350 per person.
That was the price during our trip, not a current quote, so absolutely check today's rates because helicopter tours can vary significantly based on the route, company, and flight length.
Our flight lasted about an hour.
And seeing Maui from above completely changed my perspective of the island.
Waterfalls hidden deep within valleys.
Mountains.
Coastline.
Places you simply cannot reach by car.
Landscapes that looked like they belonged in a movie.
And then the universe decided we hadn’t already gotten enough for our money…
and gave us a giant full-circle rainbow.
I still think about it.
There was something about seeing the island from above that made me understand its scale in a way I hadn't from the ground.
It was expensive.
I would do it again.
7. Visit the Olivine Pools
This one comes with a very important disclaimer.
Please respect the ocean.
The Olivine Pools are natural tide pools carved into Maui’s volcanic coastline.
When we visited years ago, conditions allowed us to get into the pools.
But this area is directly exposed to ocean conditions, and waves around rocky coastlines can become dangerous very quickly.
So do NOT read this blog five years from now, ignore every warning sign, and say:
“Well Elaine did it.”
Elaine is specifically telling you NOT to do that.
Check current conditions.
Read the signs.
Pay attention to local guidance.
And if the ocean looks angry?
Leave her alone.
Maui County’s general ocean-safety guidance says it best: if in doubt, don’t go out.
Even if swimming isn’t safe when you visit, the volcanic coastline itself is still absolutely beautiful and worth appreciating from a safe distance.
Final Thoughts
Maui is one of those destinations where I truly believe you miss part of the experience if you never leave your resort.
Rent the car.
Take the scenic road.
Wake up ridiculously early.
Get tired.
Eat somewhere you've never heard of.
Talk to local people.
Stop at the food truck.
And allow yourself enough time to actually experience the island rather than checking attractions off a list.
Whenever we travel, we try to support locally owned businesses whenever possible
restaurants, guides, food trucks, shops, and legal locally operated accommodations.
Skip McDonald’s for a day.
You have McDonald’s at home.
One thing I also think is important when talking about Hawaii is respecting the fact that people actually live in these destinations.
Tourism supports many livelihoods, but visitors still have a responsibility to respect the land, culture, wildlife, neighborhoods, and natural resources they’re enjoying.
Pick up your trash.
Follow posted rules.
Stay on designated trails.
Don't touch wildlife.
Spend money with local businesses.
And remember that your vacation destination is somebody else’s home.
You can stay at a fancy resort almost anywhere.
What makes Maui unforgettable is everything waiting for you outside of it.
Jesus & Elaine
Aerglo Travel
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