5 Best Areas to Stay in Maui Hawaii

Maui is a fairly large island (land area of 735 square miles, 48 miles long and 26 miles wide; the second largest Hawaiian island). It can take a while to get from one part of the island to another. To make the most of your time and have an enjoyable experience, it’s best to choose the area to stay based on your interests and planned activities.

Renting a car is the best way to get around the island. Driving on Maui is scenic and fun; most roads are wide, open and no heavy traffic/freeways. If you plan on doing the Road to Hana, avoid getting a large car as the roads get quite narrow and twisty close to Hana.

-West/Northwest Maui (Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Kapalua, Napili, Honolua)

Best for: beaches, snorkeling

This area is well known for beautiful beaches with luxury resorts. Some of the best snorkeling spots to swim with Honu ( Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) are in west Maui. Historic Lahaina Town is a must-visit; enjoy local food, art galleries, boutique shops on Front Street. Don’t forget to go to Foodland and try their delicious poke.

-South Maui (Kihei, Wailea)

Best for: condos, beaches & getting around the island

Wailea has luxury resorts and is less crowded than Ka’anapali (in the west) for the most part.

Kihei is north of Wailea and has many condos for those opt to stay in them and they are less expensive than the ones in the west. Kihei and Wailea both have good beaches for families. Many prefer to stay in this area for easy access to other parts of the island.

-Central Maui (Kahului, Wailuku)

Best for: food trucks, shopping, Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Central Maui is the place to stay if you want convenience. Kahului Airport, Costco (food trucks in the parking across) , Target, shopping malls and lots of food trucks are in this area. Market Street in historic downtown Wailuku offers boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes. Go to weekly Maui Swap Meet to find farm stands with fresh produce, food trucks and vendors selling locally made crafts, jewelry, arts, clothing….

-East Maui (Along Hana Highway; Paia, Haiku) /North Shore

Best for: local life experience, beaches, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls

Paia is a laid-back surfer town with an “old Hawaii” feel. Unofficial starting/ending point of “Road to Hana”, it’s a relaxing place to spend a day browsing at boutique shops, art galleries and dining at the local eateries and cafes. Haiku is a cute little town (about 20 minutes from Paia) where you can experience how the locals really live (stay at a bnb). Don’t miss stopping at Ho’okipa Lookout for the breathtaking view of the shoreline and Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles). Many scenic viewpoints and waterfalls are on Hana Highway.

-Upcountry Maui (Kula, Haleakala)

Best for: being away from it all, mountains, pastures, Haleakala National Park

This is a totally different area of Maui, away from the beaches and tourists. Go to Kula Saturday Farmer’s Market for fresh and organic produce, farm stands with local foods and baked goods, crafts, plants and more. Sunrise/sunset at Haleakala is definitely an experience of a lifetime! Staying at an bnb is the best option in this area.