One of the glorious Hawaiian Islands, Maui is known as ‘The Valley Isle’ for its dramatic mountain interior. With the West Maui Mountains to one side and Haleakala National Park to the east, whether you choose to base yourself on the beautiful beaches of the west coast or in one of the ultra-stylish resorts in the south, you’ll be sandwiched between towering shadowy peaks, with atmospheric clouds drifting like smoke off a volcano, and sparkling Pacific Ocean lapping against golden sand. 

Maui’s different resort areas offer something for everyone, and a great option is to split your holiday between a couple to get the ‘best of both worlds’. Ka’anapali’s award-winning beaches are not just for strolling or sunbathing; you can snorkel right offshore to encounter colourful coral, families of turtles and the whole cast of Finding Nemo! A gorgeous palm-fringed beach path links the hotels of Ka’anapali with Whalers Village, where you can enjoy dinner at an oceanfront restaurant while toe-tapping to the rhythms of a local musician. Clifftop Kapalua is perfect for golfers with extensive courses, as well as glamorous farm-to-table restaurants and a range of condo-style accommodations, ideal for longer stays. 

Meanwhile in the south, Wailea is the home of high-end luxury (and Oprah, for that matter!). Here you’ll find manicured gardens of fragrant plumeria trees, hibiscus and bougainvillea alongside designer boutiques and opulent spas. Alternatively, intrepid travellers may head east along the epic bends of the Hana Highway, spending a night or two back to nature surrounded by verdant rainforest and cascading waterfalls.

It would be remiss not to mention the devastating wildfires that struck the historic town of Lahaina on 8th August 2023, and a key reason behind my visit was to see for myself how the destination is recovering from such a tragedy. While these fires destroyed much of Lahaina itself, which remains closed to the public, I cannot emphasise enough that Lahaina is a small town and the rest of Maui is open! If you are staying in a hotel on the northwest coast, you will drive past Lahaina’s poignant highway memorial to those lost in the fire, which will rightfully give you pause for reflection. However once in Ka’anapali, Napili or Kapalua, you’ll be blown away by the most genuinely warm greeting, whether staying in the most refined hotel or the simplest self-catering resort. It’s very much business as usual; every person I spoke to was thrilled to hear I was visiting, offered a wealth of local recommendations and asked me to spread the word that tourists are welcome! 

While it will be many years before Lahaina is rebuilt, there’s certainly no shortage of attractions in West Maui. Pay a visit to scenic lavender farms and sunflower fields, see artisan chocolate being made at Maui Ku’ia Estate, shop for hand-made crafts in the arty surf town of Pa’ia, or perhaps conquer a hiking trail in the West Maui Mountains for panoramic views over the Hawaiian archipelago. And that’s without even considering the multitude of readily available watersports, beach activities and local tours to other parts of the island!

Having been lucky enough to visit the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the last year, I can wholeheartedly say that Ka’anapali Beach is up there with best, boasting some of the softest sand and most stunning, scarlet sunsets I’ve seen - yet this world-class beach is remarkably quiet as people wonder whether it’s appropriate to visit. Other areas of Maui, like Pa’ia, Hana and Wailea, were completely unaffected by fires yet are still feeling the knock-on effect of visitor numbers being fewer than usual. In this sense, there is no better time to visit as you’ll enjoy quieter resorts (with lower prices) and tranquil beaches, whilst providing a much-needed boost to Maui’s economy by supporting local businesses.

Aside from current circumstances, what really sets Maui apart as a destination, along with its neighbouring islands, is the incomparable Hawaiian spirit and expression of Aloha (peace, compassion, and responsibility to future generations). The Hawaiian Islands go above and beyond to protect their heritage and sharing art and tradition with visitors is a hallmark of Hawaiian hospitality, so most hotels offer a range of authentic cultural activities to enrich your stay. Why not try your hand at lei making with local tropical flowers, traditional weaving, storytelling, hula dancing, ukulele lessons, or join a vibrant Lu’au celebration (a Hawaiian feast with lively music and a showcase of native cuisine). These truly unique experiences, more than any poolside Mai Tai, are what will make you forget the jetlag and remember your time on Maui for years to come.

Regardless of where you choose to base yourself on Maui, I highly recommend booking a day tour down the iconic Hana Highway, also referred to as the Road to Hana. Whilst confident drivers can absolutely choose to drive themselves (especially if wanting to stay in Hana overnight), it should be noted that this road has approximately 620 curves, earning itself the alternative nickname of ‘The Divorce Road’ from the stress this can cause to unprepared tourists! Opting to traverse the Road to Hana as a tour means you can sit back and enjoy the view, safe in the hands of an experienced driver while listening to the fascinating commentary of an expert local guide. 

And what a view it is. This winding road snakes through lush, green foliage – very much akin to Jurassic Park, although this was primarily filmed on neighbouring Kau’ai. Emerald green is punctuated by orange splashes of huge African tulips (aptly known as Flames of the Forest) and ruby blooms of poinsettia. The flowers of mountain apple trees glow a luminous fuchsia, while all pale in comparison to the spectacular rainbow eucalyptus trees, where peeling bark forms multi-coloured stripes along the trunk. The Road to Hana is famed for its myriad waterfalls and your guide will know the best to swim in, as well as all the best angles to capture the region’s striking black sand beaches and lava tubes. Tours are a full day undertaking at approximately 13 hours there and back, but worth every minute, and transfers are available from either west or south coast resorts.

If you visit Maui between mid-December and April, you’ll likely spot humpback whales frolicking and spouting right off the coast! More than 10,000 whales migrate from Alaska to Maui every year (essentially on holiday to the warmer waters!) and calves come to the surface to breathe every 3-5 minutes, so it really is quite common to see them this time of year. For the very best chance of sightings, time your trip between mid-January and March when the waters of Maui house the world’s densest whale population.

For more inspiration take a look at our Maui Holidays pages.