How to Relax on Maui

If you are visiting Maui for the first time and you are planning your trip, you have probably already done a bit of research online. You will, therefore, have likely already noticed that most people recommend leaving yourself at least one week per island in order to explore everything that the area has to offer. However, not everyone has all of this time available to them, and so a week per island simply is not possible. This is especially the case if you are on a quick side trip from another island or you are staying overnight on a multi-island cruise. Perhaps you have found an amazing deal from the West Coast and so you’re only going to be going away for the weekend before you need to get back to work? No matter what applies, if you are only going to be in Maui for a couple of days, you need to make sure that you make the most of the area while still having a relaxing and rejuvenating time. So, with that being said, read on to discover our advice on how to relax in Maui in just 48 hours. 

The key to a stress-free and enjoyable time is to always make sure you plan in advance. By doing this, you won’t need to waste time while you are in Maui, contemplating what you are going to do. If you already have a rough plan, this will make everything flow a lot easier. Of course, this does not mean you have to plan every single hour that you are going to be spending on the island. You need to give yourself room to breathe and to enjoy your trip at your own pace. Nevertheless, by having a good idea of what you are going to do, you can ensure you do not miss anything important during your short stay. So, how is the best way to split up the few days that you are going to be spending in this beautiful part of the world?

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0021.JPG

What to do on your arrival day

Upon arriving in Maui, you don’t want to give yourself too much to do. This is your perfect opportunity to enjoy some island time. Of course, first and foremost, you will want to make sure you pick up a rental car, as you are going to need this for your adventures around the island. You are not going to need a four-wheel drive for our suggestions. Therefore, if the option is available, it is definitely a good idea to upgrade to a convertible if you have not reserved one already. By driving with the top down, you will be able to explore Maui’s amazing scenery in a much better way. As you are going to be doing a lot of fun things over the next two days, it is a good idea to have a low-key evening. Enjoy one of the local restaurants in the area and get an early night. A lot of people get excited and they try to do everything on their first day. They end up making themselves too tired to enjoy the days ahead and experience everything that Maui has to offer. Your first day should be viewed as an opportunity to ease into island life and really take in your beautiful surroundings. 

What about day two?

Day Two is a good day for you to take the Road to Hana, which is the most famous route on the island. Along the way, you are going to get to explore everything from waterfalls to jungle area in the north. A lot of visitors will do this round-trip drive in one day. Therefore, it is important to try and start as easily as possible. Make sure you do not hit the roads any later than 8 am. This is going to enable you to beat all of the traffic and the buses. While it can be very tempting to stop at every single waterfall, resist the temptation. There are going to be some amazing waterfalls on the way, so you do not need to stop at everyone. Upper Waikani Falls is a notable stopping point. This is where three waterfalls plunge right next to the road. Aside from this, you will want to stop at Waianapanapa State Park, where there is the black sand beach. Then you will cruise into Hana, which is a small town. Continue your drive to Oheo Gulch in Haleakala National Park. No matter what route you take back, Kahaina is a good place to end your evening. This is a historic port, with lots of restaurants and shops.

How to Relax on Maui

What to do on your final day

You will need to get up early again on your final day, as one of the best things to do is to watch the sunrise from Haleakala, which is a volcano. You will need to drive there and then you are going to need about an hour-and-a-half to reach the top, so you really will need to set your alarm super early if this is an activity you are interested in. Aside from this, you can hop on the heavenly Kula Highway, which offers the most incredible views of the island and all of the other islands nearby too. Before you make your way back to the port or airport, if you have time, try out Maui Wine, which is where you can taste their special sparkling pineapple wine, as well as some unique vintages. 

Download your FREE Printable Packing Checklist!

All in all, there is no denying that planning any sort of trip with only 48 hours to spare can be difficult. However, if you follow the advice above, you can ensure you have a relaxing yet exciting trip to Maui.