A full week in Maui is the way to do it right. Here’s the ultimate 7-day itinerary — covering every major experience on the island, plus a day trip to Lanai and time to actually breathe.
Why a Full Week in Maui is Worth It
Seven days is what Maui is made for. With a week, you can do Road to Hana, Haleakala sunrise, Molokini snorkeling, and the best beaches — and still have time to day trip to Lanai, catch a helicopter tour, spot humpback whales in season, and not feel like you’re racing through a checklist. This is the itinerary for people who want to leave Maui feeling restored, not exhausted.
Before You Arrive: Book These Now
- Haleakala Sunrise Permit — Book immediately at recreation.gov. Sells out weeks or months in advance.
- Rental Car — Maui has a serious car shortage. Book the moment your flights are confirmed.
- Molokini Snorkel Tour — Morning spots go fast in peak season.
- Lanai Ferry — Book in advance especially for weekend travel.
- Waianapanapa State Park — Reservations required at gostateparks.hawaii.gov.
- Helicopter Tour — If this is on your list, book early for the best time slots.
➡️ Compare and book your Maui rental car →
7-Day Maui Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive + West Maui | Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina sunset |
| Day 2 | Haleakala Sunrise | Volcano sunrise, Upcountry Maui |
| Day 3 | Road to Hana | Waterfalls, black sand beach, Hana town |
| Day 4 | Rest + West Maui Beaches | Napili Bay, Kapalua Bay, Honolua Bay |
| Day 5 | South Maui | Wailea, Turtle Town, Big Beach |
| Day 6 | Lanai Day Trip or Helicopter Tour | Ferry to Lanai or aerial island tour |
| Day 7 | Molokini + Whale Watch + Depart | Snorkel, whales (seasonal), fly home |
Day 1: Arrive and Explore West Maui
Morning: Fly In, Pick Up Your Car
Flights from Oahu land at Kahului Airport (OGG) in about 35 minutes. Pick up your rental car and drive west to Kaanapali — roughly 45 minutes. Check in, change into your swimsuit, and head to the beach.
➡️ See current flights from Oahu to Maui →
Afternoon: Kaanapali Beach
Three miles of white sand, warm clear water, and great snorkeling at Black Rock (Pu’u Keka’a) on the north end. This is your welcome to Maui moment. Take it slow.
Where to stay: For a 7-day trip, many visitors split their stay — 3–4 nights in West Maui (Kaanapali) and 2–3 nights in South Maui (Kihei or Wailea). Or pick one area and stay put — both work fine.
➡️ Browse Maui hotels and resorts →
➡️ Search Maui vacation rentals →
Evening: Sunset and Dinner in Lahaina
Walk or drive into Lahaina for dinner and the sunset. The town is rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires — eat local and support the community. The harbor at golden hour is one of Maui’s best free experiences.
Day 2: Haleakala Sunrise + Upcountry Maui
Pre-Dawn: Leave Hotel by 3:00–3:30 AM
Haleakala is 10,000 feet above sea level and about 1.5–2 hours from Kaanapali. You need a sunrise reservation from recreation.gov — book this before anything else.
Bring warm layers. Temperatures at the summit are often in the 30s–40s°F. This surprises a lot of Hawaii visitors. A jacket, hat, and gloves are genuinely necessary.
Sunrise: Haleakala Summit
Watching the sunrise from above the clouds at 10,000 feet is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The sky shifts through purples, pinks, and golds before the sun breaks the horizon. The silence and scale are humbling. This is the top bucket-list item in Maui for good reason.
Want to skip the permit hassle? Guided bike tours have special park access for sunrise — no permit required — and the downhill bike ride adds a thrilling extra experience.
➡️ Book a guided Haleakala sunrise bike tour →
Morning: Haleakala Crater Hike
Don’t rush away after sunrise. The crater trail (Halemau’u Trail) offers a surreal hike through the volcanic landscape. Even a short walk in rewards you with otherworldly scenery.
Afternoon: Upcountry Maui
On the way down from the summit, explore Upcountry Maui. Stop in Makawao for lunch — it’s a charming cowboy town with excellent cafes and galleries. Visit the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm or Surfing Goat Dairy if you’re interested in local farms.
Upcountry is a completely different side of Maui — cooler, greener, and more local than the resort areas. It’s one of the island’s best-kept secrets.
Evening: Early Night
You’ve been up since 2:30 AM. Eat dinner early and get to bed. Tomorrow is another big day.
Day 3: Road to Hana — The Full Day
The Road to Hana is the quintessential Maui experience. A 52-mile scenic drive along the northeastern coast with 600+ curves, nearly 60 one-lane bridges, dozens of waterfalls, bamboo forests, black sand beaches, and views that stop you cold.
Leave by 7:00 AM.
Must-Stop Highlights (in order)
Paia Town — Fill up on gas and grab breakfast. Last affordable fuel before Hana.
Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2) — Easy 10-minute waterfall walk. Great start to the day.
Garden of Eden Arboretum — Lush botanical garden with ocean views. Small entry fee but worth it.
Wailua Falls (Mile Marker 45) — One of the most beautiful roadside waterfalls on the drive. No hiking needed.
Ke’anae Peninsula — Dramatic lava coastline with crashing surf. A true highlight.
Waianapanapa State Park — The famous black sand beach. Reservations required — book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov before your trip.
Hana Town — Arrive for lunch. Tiny, remote, peaceful. This is what the drive is all about.
Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) — Continue past Hana into Kipahulu for this series of tiered waterfall pools inside Haleakala National Park. Your park pass covers entry.
Tips
- Download offline maps before leaving — cell service is unreliable
- The Gypsy Guide Road to Hana app is excellent
- Return via the same road or complete the full southern loop (adds 1–2 hours on mostly unpaved road — check your rental agreement first)
Prefer a guided experience?
➡️ Book a guided Road to Hana tour →
Day 4: Rest Day + West Maui’s Hidden Beaches
After two intense days, Day 4 is intentionally slower. Explore more of West Maui’s beaches — some of which are better than Kaanapali and far less crowded.
Morning: Napili Bay
A small, protected cove just north of Kaanapali with calm, clear water and excellent snorkeling. Sea turtles are regularly spotted here. One of the most beautiful small beaches on the island.
Midday: Kapalua Bay
Just around the headland from Napili, Kapalua Bay is consistently ranked one of the best swimming beaches in Hawaii. Protected, calm, beautiful. Bring snorkel gear.
Afternoon: Honolua Bay (Seasonal)
In summer, Honolua Bay is world-class snorkeling — vibrant coral, abundant fish, and great visibility. In winter, it becomes a world-famous surf break (watch from shore). The entry is rocky (no sandy beach), but the underwater world makes it worth it.
Evening: Sunset Cocktails at a West Maui Resort
Most Kaanapali resorts have oceanfront bars open to non-guests. The Hula Grill has nightly live music and hula. Worth stopping for a drink and the views even if you’re not staying there.
Day 5: South Maui — Wailea, Turtle Town, Big Beach
Move to South Maui for the day (or check in if you’re splitting your stay).
Morning: Wailea Beach
Wailea is Maui’s luxury coast — consistently sunny, beautiful, and lined with high-end resorts. Wailea Beach is open to everyone and one of the best swimming beaches on the island.
Mid-Morning: Turtle Town Snorkel
The reefs off South Maui (around Maluaka Beach and Ulua Beach) are nicknamed Turtle Town — Hawaiian green sea turtles feed here regularly. Snorkel on your own or join a guided tour from Kihei Boat Ramp.
➡️ Book a Turtle Town snorkel tour →
Afternoon: Big Beach (Oneloa Beach)
A few minutes south of Wailea, Big Beach is one of the largest and most stunning stretches of white sand in all of Hawaii. The shore break can be powerful — good for bodysurfing if you’re experienced, but swim with caution.
Evening: Dinner in Kihei or Wailea
Kihei has Maui’s best casual dining scene — excellent food at reasonable prices. Wailea is upscale with some of the island’s finest restaurants. Both are worth exploring.
Day 6: Day Trip to Lanai (or Helicopter Tour)
Day 6 is your “extra” day — choose your own adventure.
Option A: Day Trip to Lanai (Recommended)
Lanai is Maui’s quiet neighbor — a small, sparsely populated island that most visitors never make it to, which is exactly the point. The ferry from Lahaina Harbor takes about 45 minutes each way.
Highlights on Lanai:
- Hulopoe Bay Beach — One of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches in Hawaii. Often nearly empty.
- Pu’upehe (Sweetheart Rock) — Dramatic sea stack rising from the ocean with a heartbreaking Hawaiian legend attached.
- Lanai City — A tiny, charming town that feels completely apart from the resort Hawaii most visitors experience. Have lunch here.
- Manele Bay snorkeling — The waters around Lanai are exceptional for snorkeling.
➡️ Book the Lanai Ferry from Maui →
Option B: Maui Helicopter Tour
Seeing Maui from the air is extraordinary — the Road to Hana’s waterfalls, the Haleakala crater, the remote valleys of West Maui’s mountains, and the coastline all look completely different from above. Most tours run about 60–75 minutes and cover the whole island.
Helicopter tours start around $250–$350 per person and are a genuine splurge — but for a special occasion or bucket-list trip, they’re hard to beat.
➡️ Book a Maui helicopter tour →
Day 7: Molokini Snorkel + Whale Watching + Departure
Early Morning: Molokini Crater Snorkel Tour
End your Maui trip with one of its best experiences. Molokini is a partially submerged volcanic crater with extraordinary clarity — visibility up to 150 feet — and abundant marine life including tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasionally reef sharks.
Tours leave from Maalaea Harbor or Kihei around 7:00–8:00 AM and return by noon, leaving plenty of time for your afternoon flight.
➡️ Book your Molokini snorkel tour →
December through April: Add Whale Watching
Humpback whales migrate to Maui’s warm waters in massive numbers during winter and spring. Many snorkel tour operators run a Molokini + whale watch combo — snorkeling first, then whale watching on the return trip. If you’re visiting in season, this combo is the single best morning you can have in Maui.
➡️ Book a Molokini + whale watch combo tour →
Afternoon: Final Beach Stop and Departure
Grab a last shave ice, stop at one more beach if time allows, and return your rental car with enough buffer for the airport. Fly back to Oahu with a full week of memories.
Where to Stay for a 7-Day Trip
Option 1: Split your stay
3–4 nights in Kaanapali (West Maui) + 2–3 nights in Kihei or Wailea (South Maui). This puts you closest to the relevant areas each day and lets you experience both sides of the island.
Option 2: Stay in one place
Kihei is the most central location on Maui — reasonable drive to West Maui, Road to Hana, Haleakala, and walking distance to South Maui beaches. A good single base if you don’t want to move hotels.
➡️ Browse and compare Maui hotels →
➡️ Search Maui vacation rentals →
7-Day Maui Budget Estimate
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights from Oahu (round trip) | $80–$200 |
| Rental Car (7 days) | $350–$700 |
| Hotel (7 nights, mid-range) | $1,050–$2,100 |
| Molokini + Whale Watch Tour | $100–$160 per person |
| Haleakala Bike Tour (optional) | $120–$180 per person |
| Road to Hana (self-drive) | $20–$40 |
| Lanai Ferry | $30–$50 per person |
| Helicopter Tour (optional) | $250–$350 per person |
| Turtle Town Tour | $60–$100 per person |
| Food & drinks | $350–$700 |
| Total (per person, double occupancy) | $1,200–$2,500+ |
➡️ See our full Maui cost guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days too long for Maui?
Not at all — in fact, many visitors say a week goes by faster than expected. With Road to Hana, Haleakala, Molokini, multiple beach areas, and a Lanai day trip, there’s genuinely enough to fill every day without feeling rushed.
Should I rent a car for all 7 days in Maui?
Yes. You’ll use it every single day. Even if you’re staying at a beach resort, having a car is essential for reaching Haleakala, Road to Hana, and the beaches outside your immediate area.
What’s the best base for a 7-day Maui trip?
Splitting between West Maui (Kaanapali) and South Maui (Kihei/Wailea) is ideal. If you prefer one location, Kihei is the most central. If you want the classic beach resort experience, Kaanapali is the best single base.
Is the Lanai day trip worth it?
For most visitors, yes — especially if you want to experience a quieter, less touristy side of Hawaii. Hulopoe Bay alone is worth the ferry ride. If beaches and snorkeling aren’t your priority, a helicopter tour might be a better use of Day 6.
When is the best time to visit Maui?
April–May and September–October offer the best combination of good weather, smaller crowds, and lower prices. December–March brings humpback whales and festive energy but also higher prices and more visitors. Summer is great for families but crowded.
Shorter on Time?
👉 See the 3-Day Maui Itinerary → — The essential highlights in a long weekend
👉 See the 5-Day Maui Itinerary → — The sweet spot for most visitors