3 Day Maui Itinerary: What to Do in Maui, Hawaii

I didn’t know what to expect when I first came to Maui, but I ended up loving it. There is a beautiful variety of landscapes — from dry fields to wet rain forests. And don’t get me started on the gorgeous beaches and the sea turtles.

Maui is an incredible Hawaiian island that both sea turtles and people love. Here’s my 3 day Maui itinerary featuring the highlights of the island with three full days on the island.

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About Maui

Maui is the both the second largest Hawaii island and the second most visited Hawaii island. It’s nicknamed the Valley Island. On Maui, you can easily get away from the crowds of Oahu while still experiencing the beauty and adventure that Maui has to offer.

3 Day Maui Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Haleakalā National Park
Day 2: Drive the Road to Hana
Day 3: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, and Historic Towns

Day 1 of 3 Day Maui Itinerary: Haleakalā National Park

On day 1 of your 3-day Maui itinerary, get ready for a drive to the top of Haleakalā.

Haleakala is an incredible national park with two districts and a lot to do.

I’ve written a full breakdown of Haleakala and the 12 best things to do in Haleakala National Park.

Here, I want to highlight two awesome places you must stop at on the way to the summit of Haleakala. I’m sure they’ll make you fall in love with Maui.

A road winding along Haleakala with clouds on the side — Haleakalā National Park

The author looking out at the view at the summit of Haleakala — At the summit of Haleakalā National Park

Stop 1: Maui Tea Farm

If you love tea, then you’ll be excited to see the signs for Maui Tea Farm on the way to/from Haleakalā.

You can reserve a tour of the tea farm or simply wander the shop and gardens. There’s a walkway covered in wisteria that is just magical (when blooming in spring).

You can try samples of tea inside the shop and even buy a few packs to take home.

A sign for Maui Tea Farm in front of the small shop

three adults under a wisteria covered walkway — Maui Tea Farm

Stop 2: Kula Lodge

On your way up or down the summit, be sure to stop at Kula Lodge for a meal. There are huge windows in the restaurant offering amazing views.

Don’t skip dessert: They serve Maui Pie for dessert, so try to get a slice before they sell out for the day.

Explore the gardens: After your meal, head out into the gardens and walk around a bit. You’ll find a beautiful array of tropical plants and flowers with incredible views of Maui below.

Browse the gift shop: Near the parking lot, on the other side of the property, you’ll find the gift shop with a great selection of souvenirs.

A woman walking along a sidewalk through a tropical garden

The author's mom staring out at the view from Kula Lodge — Kula Lodge

Day 2 of 3 Day Maui Itinerary: Drive the Road to Hana

On day 2 of your 3-day Maui itinerary, prepare to drive the Road to Hana.

First of all, know that the journey to Hana is better than the destination — there’s not much to see in Hana. It’s a small charming town, don’t get me wrong, but the road to Hana is famous because of the road.

You’re going to make over 600 turns and cross over 45 bridges! You’ll drive past beautiful trees and numerous waterfalls.

It’s a rainforest, so expect rain! We got poured on a couple of times during our drive, and it was amazing.

Due to time constraints, you won’t be able to stop at everything on the Hana Highway in one day. Pick and choose what’s most important to you and make those your priorities.

I’ve written a long, comprehensive post about the 15 best stops on the Road to Hana. So take a look at that for help in planning your road trip to Hana.

List of Must-Stop Places on the Road to Hana

Ho’okipa Beach Park
Road to Hana Cafe
Twin Falls
Ke’anae Arboretum or Garden of Eden Arboretum
Ke’anae Lookout and Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Halfway to Hana Rest Stop
Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park
Lunch at Hana Harvest Cafe in Nahiku
Hana Gold Chocolate Shop
Hana Lava Tube
Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Hana!
Hamoa Beach and/or Koki Beach Park
Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park
Seven Sacred Pools and ‘Ohe’o Gulch in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park

Two small waterfalls which are called Twin Falls — Twin Falls

A side-of-the-road fruit stand shop in front of trees — Side-of-the-road fruit stand stop

A bunch of blue bananas hanging from the roof with rainforest foliage in the background — Bananas at Hana Harvest Cafe

A woman walking down the stairs into the Hana Lava Tube — Entrance to the Hana Lava Tube

Day 3 of 3 Day Maui Itinerary: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, and Historic Towns

Visit Baldwin Beach or Ho’okipa Beach to Find Sea Turtles in Maui

On day 3 of this 3-day Maui itinerary, you have to look for sea turtles. Sea turtles seem to love Maui, and we had the best luck finding them on this island.

Check out Baldwin Beach or Ho’okipa Beach, beautiful beaches where we saw some very large sea turtles napping in the sand.

Did you know this sunbathing habit is unique to Hawaiian green sea turtles? Most sea turtles don’t come up on the sand to sunbathe, but the ones in Hawaii do, giving us a rare chance to see them in the wild.

We came twice to Baldwin Beach, in the morning and afternoon, and turtles were there each time. They seem to like the rocks, probably due to the algae and seaweed, so walk towards any rocks near/in the ocean.

Tip: Bring a zoom lens so you can take close-up photos without getting close-up.

What to Do If You See an Endangered Sea Turtle

As exciting as it is to see a sea turtle in the wild, please remember that sea turtles are an endangered species and protected under Hawaiian state and federal laws.

If you spot a sea turtle, keep a safe distance away and do not disturb them.

Close up of a sea turtle on the sand (taken with a zoom lens) — Close-up of sea turtle (with zoom lens) at Baldwin Beach in Maui

Snorkel at Maluaka Beach or Molokini Crater

I’ve heard one of the best beaches for snorkeling in Maui is Maluaka Beach. The waves are calm and mellow, and a lot of tropical fish, coral reef, and sea turtles can be found here.

You can also check out nearby beaches: Makena Beach, Makena Landing Park, or Ulua Beach.

Bring or rent a snorkel set for the day and pick one or two beaches to check out!

Alternatively, you can take a morning boat excursion out to Molokini Crater and other snorkel spots in the ocean. Maui Snorkel Charters is one company that offers such tours from 7 to 11 a.m. at a cost of about $160 a person.

Best Beaches in Maui

For Snorkeling

Maluaka Beach
Makena Beach
Makena Landing Park
Ulua Beach
Molokini Crater

For Spotting Sea Turtles

Baldwin Beach
Ho’okipa Beach

Explore Historic Towns

Head over to Lahaina to walk around this historic town. There are many sites to see, including the old prison (built in the 1800s), the courthouse, the banyan tree, the old Lahaina lighthouse, and more.

If you’re able to time it right, go to Whalers Village around lunch time as they often hold cultural classes — such as hula lessons and lei making — throughout the week.

Note: You’ve probably heard about the horrible, tragic fires that occurred in Maui in August 2023. Businesses in Lahaina are beginning to reopen, but the clean-up process is ongoing. Support the local businesses if you can, but if visiting Lahaina isn’t possible during your trip, you can spend time in another part of Maui. Try Kihei, Wailea, Makawao, Paia, and/or Wailuku.

$10 Hula Show

The Napili Kai Foundation hosts a keiki hula show in the Hale Aloha Pavilion in the Napili Kai Beach Resort every Tuesday night from 5:30-6:30 p.m. If you happen to be in Maui on a Tuesday, I’d recommend attending as where else can you experience a hula show for only $10?

The performers are keiki (children) who are learning the cultural dances of Hawaii and Polynesia, and they will “help you experience the power of the ancient chants, the beauty of the hand movements and the jovial songs of the Hapa Haole era.”

Come support the keiki of Maui and watch this weekly hula show.

Add More Days?

Feel free to add more days to your itinerary if you don’t think you’d be able to fit all of this in comfortably or if you’d like extra time to just relax and enjoy the beauty of Maui.

I wish you safe travels on your last day in Maui, and I hope you enjoyed your time on this beautiful island.

Restaurants to Try in Maui

Map of Activities on the 3 Day Maui Itinerary

I pinned all the activities mentioned in this blog post on the map below, and I’ve even color-coded the activities by day! I hope this helps you visualize why I grouped things together as I did.
Day 1: Purple
Day 2: Blue
Day 3: Green

How to Get to Maui

You’ll be flying into Kahului Airport (OGG), which only flies nonstop to Canada and select U.S. destinations, so most likely you’ll have a connecting flight.

Where to Stay in Maui

I’d recommend finding a hotel or condo in Kihei, Maui, as it’s a very central location, in the middle of the island, close to everything. It was very easy to do day trips to Hana and Haleakala while also being close to the beaches and the towns.

Where we stayed: We stayed in a condo on Sugar Beach (in Sugar Beach Resort) near Kihei Town and loved it. We were walking distance from an ABC Store and a farmers market as well as steps from the beach (plus there’s a pool).

Most of the condos in Sugar Beach Resort are short-term rentals. Some are ocean front, some are on the ground floor, most have one bedroom, some have two. Look through all the options and take your pick!

Recommended Hotels in Kihei, Maui:

What to Know Before Traveling to Maui

There are four main islands where people live and visit in Hawaii — the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. I’ve heard the wonders of Hawaii all my life but never understood it until I visited for myself.

Every island is unique and beautiful in its own right. No matter which one you visit, you will leave inspired and in awe. Here are some things to know before you go in order to be a respectful traveler.

Is Hawaii Suffering from Overtourism?

Yes, quite simply. There’s been numerous articles recently about how Hawaii is suffering from overtourism due to a post-pandemic travel boom, affecting its residents.

Some ways to help are to postpone your travel plans to Hawaii, visit one of the less-visited islands (such as the Big Island or Kauai), and/or visit during the low season (avoiding the summer and any school breaks).

You can also help by supporting local Hawaiian businesses (not corporations) and taking part in cultural classes or activities while in Hawaii.

How Do I Respect Hawaii as a Visitor?

Hawaii is a beautiful place — and the Hawaiian government and citizens do an amazing job at preserving the beauty. Did you know billboards are banned in the state of Hawaii in order to maintain natural beauty? As a visitor, please help contribute to these preservation efforts.

Before traveling to any Hawaiian island, become familiar with how to be a respectful and responsible traveler to the islands and pledge to travel pono.
Learn about the Hawaiian history and culture.
Protect the oceans by not littering, reducing plastic use, and wearing reef-safe sunscreen (Hawaii is the first U.S. state to ban coral-harming chemicals in sunscreen).
If hiking, don’t go off the trail and follow all signs and rules in place.
And most importantly, be kind! Have your best attitude when interacting with other people on the island, both locals and travelers alike. It’s actually a law in Hawaii — the law of aloha “is the coordination of mind and heart” and each person must “think and emote good feelings to others.” So while in Hawaii, do as the locals do, and live aloha.

What’s the Weather Like in Hawaii?

Pack your summer clothes as Hawaii’s temperatures are around 80 degrees year-round. The only exceptions are in the higher elevation areas of Volcano, HI on the Big Island and Haleakala in Maui where it does get chilly. Otherwise, there isn’t a need for a jacket. Rain comes in and out but usually doesn’t last long. Still, try to check your weather app before arrival for more specific information.

Will I Need to Rent a Car?

Yes, definitely. Book a rental car as far in advance as possible as Maui is fairly small and many rental car companies had to consolidate during the pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions about a 3-Day Maui Itinerary

Is 3 days enough time in Maui?

Yes, three days is enough time to explore the highlights of Maui, especially if you leave an additional day for travel.

How many days should I be in Maui?

As many as you can spare! Maui is such a beautiful island, you could spend weeks in Maui, hiking, snorkeling, walking on the beaches, and not grow tired of it.

What is the least busy month in Maui?

Statistically speaking, according to Hawaii.gov, the least busy months in Maui are January, February, and September. The most visited month is, of course, July.

What to pack for Hawaii?

Here are some of my favorite things I brought with me to Hawaii:

Reef-safe sunscreen
Snorkel set
Waterproof phone pouch (to take photos underwater)
EPA-registered insect repellent. There are mosquitoes in Hawaii, and while it’s rare for one of them to be carrying a virus, it’s best to spray yourself with insect repellent regularly to prevent those pesky bites. Be sure to use an EPA-registered insect repellent that has one of 5 active ingredients recommended by the CDC. The EPA has a search tool to help you locate a registered, effective insect repellent. My recommendation for a natural option is to use the EPA-registered Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray, which uses oil of lemon eucalyptus as its active ingredient.

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!