7 Days in Maui with Kids: Your guide to the ultimate week in paradise
Please be aware that not everywhere on this list is accessible due to the tragic wildfires. Please check before you travel.
You are going to spend a week in paradise on the Hawaiian islands! Are you ready?! Maui is an island of spectacular views, diverse climates, beautiful waterfalls, epic hikes, fascinating history, and it is of course surrounded by an abundant underwater world. Get ready for the vacation of a lifetime! There is no one best time to visit Maui. It has something to offer year round!
Now, before you get into complete planning mode I want you to remember that your experience is often dictated by your expectations and how that intersects with reality. If you EXPECT perfection you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
There are always things that don’t go as planned. There are so many things beyond our control, that it is futile to try to plan for perfection.
Amazingly, when you let go of your expectations and just enjoy the experience, it will seem perfect to you. This is one of the best things about relaxing and being flexible!
If you experience flight delays, lost luggage, a rainy day, or uncooperative ocean conditions be flexible and ready to adjust your plans. This is part of the experience in Maui. Embrace Aloha spirit!
The good news is that most days on Maui are sunny. Sometimes it’s windier, sometimes it’s cloudier. Sometimes the ocean waves are too big to swim or snorkel, sometimes the sun is too hot for hiking in a particular spot….but on Maui it is always a good day to be outside somewhere on the island.
If you begin with the mindset that there is no such thing as PERFECT, and the purpose of the trip is to experience the natural beauty of this incredible pacific island, then there is no possibility of disappointment. Anything that happens will be part of the journey and will create memories.
7 Day Maui Itinerary:
Arrival Day: Pick up your rental car, head to the food trucks or the grocery stores if that is better suited to your family, check into your condo/hotel and if you have time take a dip at the condo/hotel pool. It's your first day so just soak it in and enjoy!
Day 1: BEACH & Snorkel (refer to my best places to snorkel list to pick the one of the beautiful beaches that fits best for your location and family. I suggest staying closer to your hotel today). Since you may have some jet lag, I always plan a low key first day....however if you are up early it could be a great day to head up to Haleakala National Park! Consider switching Day 1 & 2 depending on your family's energy. Before heading to the beach have a look at the Ocean Safety video provided by the county of Maui. If in doubt, don’t go out!
Ocean Safety in Maui Hawaii
Day 2: Haleakala National Park (Full day trip). This majestic dormant volcano is a must do! The Haleakala crater is like being on mars. It is about 1.5 hours to drive to the summit, but it is a very scenic drive. Make sure the driver is not afraid of heights! You can stop in upcountry Maui on the way back. Kula Bistro is a great place for dinner!
Hiking above the clouds on Haleakala Volcano, Maui
Day 3: Boat Snorkeling tour from Ma’alaea Harbour (closer to Kihei/Wailea) or Lahaina Harbour (closer to west maui Kaanapali/Lahaina). Take a tour to snorkel molokini crater or turtle town. If you are visiting in the winter months while the humpback whales are in town (Dec-April) make sure the tour includes some whale watching!
Day 4: Road to Hana- Ho’okipa Lookout, Twin falls, Garden of Eden, Optional: Black Sand beach (at waianapanapa state park, reservations are required), Hana Lava Tubes. It's a good idea to get an early start on the hana highway. It is a narrow road with 620 curves/switchbacks so it is a long drive even though the distance is not that far. You need to settle in to the island mindset for this drive and just enjoy the journey. It's a great way to experience east Maui. Just make sure you pull over to let locals pass and you take it slow! (Full day 8+ hours).
OPTIONAL- Stay Overnight at the Hana-Maui Resort and hike the Pipiwai trail to Waimoku falls and visit the 7 sacred pools. There are so many options for the road to Hana, just make sure you pick your first stop and your last stop and I've included the best stops for you (in my opinion of course)!.
Enjoy every minute on this scenic road!
Day 5: Surf Lesson & Beach time (refer to my beaches to snorkel list and best swimming beaches to pick the one that fits best for your location and family). MAKE SURE TO TRY SHAVE ICE
Day 6: Hike! Nakelele Blow Hole, Ohai Trail, Waihee Ridge, Iao Valley state park, or La Perouse Bay (refer to my 15 best Maui hikes to pick the one that appeals to you and your family based on location, length, and difficulty level), Consider a Luau!
Day 7: Beach DAY & Maui Ocean Centre (This usually takes us a couple of hours 1.5-3 hrs)
Maui ocean centre is only a short drive from south Maui, and about equidistant to Kanaapali and west Maui. It has easy access, big parking lot, and is a fantastic place for the kids to see the Hawaiian marine life and tropical fish. The staff are so helpful, and the whole family can learn about the underwater world. It’s so fun to be able to identify something that you saw while snorkeling! There is a touch tank where the kids can touch a sea cucumber and star fish. There are Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, Sharks, Moray Eels, Coral reef, and an EPIC 3D Humpback Whale movie that should not be missed. We saw it over 15x and we never got tired of it! Of course there is also a gift shoppe, a snack shack to get coffee or dole whip, and a small play park. The Seaside Restaurant is located in the Maui Ocean Centre and overlooks the harbor, for a great family lunch spot.
Maui Ocean Centre on a very windy day!
Departure Day: A great option for your last day is to do your favorite things again! Enjoy the sandy beaches, make one last use of the snorkel gear you rented, appreciate the beauty of the valley isle, do an easy local walk like the Kapalua coastal trail or the wailea beach walk. Depending on when your flight is your can also visit Maui Tropical Plantation in central maui for fine dining, plantation tours, and a kid-friendly zipline adventure. This is a great spot!
Make sure to give yourself lots of time at the airport, and arrive at least 3 hours ahead of your scheduled flight. Security lines and agriculture screening can take more than an hour. Be mentally prepared to start your travel journey the moment you drop off the rental car. Get into your zen mindset and be prepared to hurry up and wait! It’s ok though, you just spent a week in paradise! WORTH IT! Read more about the airport here.
Some things to consider with this itinerary!
Where on the island do you want to stay?
You don’t want to spend more time than necessary driving on your vacation, so choose beaches based on your location so you can reduce your car time. To really see the island of Maui and have the best possible 7 day itinerary you definitely need a car!
Everyone has a different idea about what is white knuckle driving, so if you are used to narrow roads or mountain roads, Maui driving will be a breeze. If you are used to big wide suburban roads and inter-states, well you may find some parts of the island a bit scary to drive at first (I did, but I got used to it and realized it was not scary at all pretty soon!). My map gives you an idea of where things are located on the island. If you are driving along Hwy 30, it is easy peezy. Hwy 620 and Hwy 340 are the roads that require more attention. Honestly all of Maui is really drivable and the roads are well maintained, it’s just a matter of your comfort level.
Happy planning!
Jen
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