Maui is our family’s favorite travel destination! We have been several times as a family and twice as a couple. It’s the only trip we’ve been on that we come back not feeling like we need a vacation from our vacation! We feel rested, rejuvenated and ready to tackle life again!
When we go, we like to stay in Kapalua. It’s a quiet town, close to shopping, restaurants, and many must see places. It’s not as busy as some other tourist spots.
I recently shared some of our favorite places in Maui on my Instagram account. The feedback was so positive and I received so many requests to write a blog post about it so you can refer back to it if you would like!
So today I am sharing our Maui travel guide. These are all of our favorite places and destinations when we visit Maui as family. We have five children and have taken our kids since our youngest was three. I know your family will fall in love with this beautiful island!
Our favorites are broken down into categories for your convenience! There are many more amazing places on Maui, these are just our absolute favorites to do as a family! Enjoy and book your trip!
Favorite Things to Do
Places to Stay
These are the places we have stayed. There are tons of other locations and places to stay, these are just our family’s favorites.
Napili Kai Beach Resort {located in Kapalua}
This resort is great for kids! The views are incredible and their rates are pretty affordable. It is situated on one of our favorite beaches, Napili Kai. The waves are perfect for kids to boogie board. You can snorkel right in the bay too.
The hotel has boogie boards and snorkel gear for guests to use. They also have beach chairs and umbrellas. There is a putting green and 3 pools. Their on site restaurant is really nice for breakfast.
Montage Kapalua {also located in Kapalua}
This place is unreal! It’s a splurge, but if you can make it happen, do it! You won’t be sorry! If you can’t stay here, at least come stroll around the property and stay for breakfast or dinner in their restaurant, Cane and Canoe. The breakfast is amazing! We love their avocado toast, cinnamon rolls, smoothy bowls called acai bowls, and their fresh complimentary muffins.
The pools are spectacular! When we stayed there this Spring with our kids and we only went to the beach 3 times because they are so fabulous! The pools over look the ocean and are like swimming in a bathtub. Their poolside menu is delicious. Especially their chicken nachos, smoothies and macadamia nut cookie sandwich!
Enjoying the view off the Montage deck.
Each guest is welcomed with a lei or a necklace.
The Acai Bowl
Avocado Toast
Macadamia Nut Cookie Sandwich
Sunset at the Montage
Places to Eat with Kids
Leoda’s {They have the best pies and yummy home style dishes. I love the spicy tuna salad and the chocolate macadamia nut pie and the banana cream pie}
Hula Grill – Kaanoapali
Plantation House – Kapalua
The Gazebo – For Breakfast – Lahaina
Cool Cats {Such a fun place to eat with kids! The best burgers and shakes!} – this was in Lahaina, they are rebuilding
Sale Pepe {Delicious pizza!!!} – this was in Lahaina, they are rebuilding
Monkey Pod – Wailea
Places to Eat without Kids
Mama’s Fish House {My favorite restaurant on the island! Book far in advance!}
Mama’s is nestled in a cove with a beautiful beach! You can see turtles and windsurfers from the shore! Their lava flow is the kid’s favorite!
Merriman’s – Kapalua {Amazing sunset views and the best food! Book in advance too!}
Kane and Canoe {The best view with the best food!} – Kapalua
Spago – Wailea (We actually met Wolfgang here on our anniversary!)
Beaches
Napili Kai – in Kapalua
Kapalua Bay Beach – in Kapalua
The kid’s love to boogie board and snorkel here!
Big Beach – in Wailea
This photo says it all! Big Beach is heaven!
Hikes
Twin Falls – Bring a few towels, wear water shoes or flip flops, wear sunscreen and bug spray. Just a short 1-2 mile hike to a beautiful water fall. You can swim under the waterfall!
The Trail from The Montage Kapalua to The Ritz – this is a gorgeous, simple hike! We love walking with the kids in the morning and also in the evening. It takes you along the ocean, past a few remote beaches. The kids love it!
You hike through these gorgeous Hawaiian plants, right along the ocean!
Then come upon this gorgeous, quiet beach!
The cliffs with stunning rock formations won’t disappoint either!
Things to Do
Snorkel with the turtles in Kapalua Bay
Boogie Board at Napili Kai
Eat! (see our favorite restaurants above)
Swim in the pools at The Montage
Shop at Whaler’s Village and the shops in Wailea
Drive the island
We stumbled upon this incredible lava beach south of Wailea just driving around, it’s called Ahihi-Kina’u state reserve!
Ohai Loop Trail – North or Kapalua. It’s a beautiful loop trail with spectacular views. You can take the loop either direction.
Honolua Bay – Outside of Kapalua – easy walk to the bay through the most gorgeous, lush trees. There is a little food truck on the side of the road with delicious Banana Coconut muffins and lemonade.
Whale watch – we love Captain Steve’s tour
Lay at the beach (see our favorite beaches above)
Hike (see our favorite above)
Helicopter Tour of the Island and Cliffs
Zip Line
Watch the surfers at Jaws – Kapalua
Look for Turtles in Ho’okipa
Watch the sunsets
Watch the sunrise on top of Haleakala – we haven’t done this! We always sleep in, but we have heard it is amazing!
***If you are planning a trip, you must get this book, Maui Revealed! It is filled with secret places, good directions, restaurant suggestions and pretty much anything you need to know about this beautiful island!
Favorite Things to Pack
Over the years, we have learned that there are some things you don’t want to forget when going to Maui! These are all of the things we pack as a family to make our trip more enjoyable!
Dresses
I love to wear dresses in Maui! They are so comfortable, plus they make you feel like a true Hawaiian girl! Here are some of my favorites.
Dresses
I hope you get to visit Maui soon! Please let me know when you go and what you loved about it! It’s one of our favorite places in the world! I hope this guide helps you create a trip you will remember forever!
Wow – such a stunning post that captures the beautiful essence of Maui! My family and I have been to the Hawaiian Islands several times, and Maui is our favorite, too. Such a fantastic destination for all ages to enjoy. Your photography is amazing.. You have thought of everything, and makes me want to plan another trip! Thank you for your daily inspiration, Randi!
Oh thank you so much Sue! It’s such a beautiful place! Just writing the post made me miss it so much! I love that you love it there too! xo
This is such an amazing blog post, Randi! I only wish it wouldn’t take up so much color ink and pages if I printed it out to keep!😜 We went to Maui three years ago and I am hoping to go back once more. We are empty nesters but your suggestions for kids are great! I highly recommend getting up early to go to Haleakala. We rode bikes down the mountain after watching the sunrise and it was great…well worth having the van pick us up at 2 a.m. (May have been 3??). It’s great to have new ideas as we left Maui feeling like we hadn’t even scratched the surface! Thank you for putting this on your blog!
Oh wow Nancy! That sounds amazing! It is on our list of things to do once our littlest is a little older. Thanks for your sweet comment! xo
I am going on the Hawaiian cruise in September, I cannot wait! Can you tell me where did you get the coral midi dress that you are wearing in the first picture where you are holding up some stars to your eyes, looks like you are standing on a balcony. That dress looks so comfortable!
Hi Jessica! How exciting that you get to go! You will love it! My dress is a few years old and is no longer available. I am so sorry! I tried to find some similar ones for you. I hope that helps! xo