Best Day Trips from Kihei, Maui
Kihei is one of the best-positioned bases on the island for day trips. The highway connects quickly to the east side (Road to Hana), the summit (Haleakala), the harbor (Maalaea), and the west side (Ka'anapali). With a rental car and a reasonable early start, every major Maui destination is a practical day trip from a Kihei condo.
Road to Hana
Drive time from Kihei: 35 to 40 minutes to Paia (the start); full loop 7 to 10 hours.
The most dramatic day trip on the island. The full Road to Hana follows the northeast coast of Maui through 617 curves and 59 bridges, past waterfalls, bamboo forests, black sand beaches, and thousand-year-old taro patches. Leave by 7 a.m. from Kihei to arrive at Paia before the main tourist convoy starts. The return can be made via the Kaupo Road (circle the island) if road conditions permit -- check conditions before committing. Bring food, water, a rain jacket, and water shoes.
Haleakala Sunrise
Drive time from Kihei: 80 to 90 minutes to the summit. Departure time: 3 to 3:30 a.m. for sunrise.
The summit of Haleakala at 10,023 feet requires a timed-entry reservation booked at recreation.gov (opens 60 days in advance; they sell out). The crater at sunrise is one of the most surreal landscapes in the United States. Bring warm layers -- it is typically below 40°F at the summit at dawn, and it can be much colder with wind. After sunrise, drive back down and spend the afternoon on the beach to decompress.
Molokini Snorkel Tour
Harbor drive from Kihei: 10 to 15 minutes to Maalaea Harbor.
Molokini is a submerged volcanic crater about three miles off the South Maui coast whose crescent rim creates a protected snorkel environment with 100+ foot visibility on calm days. Tour boats depart from Maalaea Harbor between 7 and 8 a.m. The trip is 4 to 5 hours. Book with Pacific Whale Foundation, Trilogy, or Maui Magic -- these operators have good equipment, knowledgeable crew, and solid safety records. Wear reef-safe sunscreen only; chemical sunscreen is legally prohibited in Hawaii. See our snorkeling guide for more context.
Upcountry Maui
Drive time from Kihei: 30 to 45 minutes depending on destination.
Upcountry Maui -- the agricultural belt of Kula, Makawao, and Paia -- is a different Maui from the coast. The elevation drops temperatures, the landscape shifts to cattle ranches and fields of protea, and the town of Makawao has a genuine art and equestrian culture that predates the tourism economy. The Surfing Goat Dairy in Kula offers tours and sells cheese. The Kula Botanical Garden is worth an hour. Makawao's main street has galleries, craft shops, and good coffee. A good half-day or full-day option combined with a Haleakala drive.
Central to everything
Unit 711 in South Kihei puts you 10 minutes from the harbor for Molokini, 90 minutes from Haleakala, and 40 minutes from the start of the Road to Hana. Every major day trip starts from the same door.
Check availabilityMakena and La Perouse Bay
Drive time from Kihei: 12 to 20 minutes.
South of Wailea, the road narrows and the landscape turns volcanic. Makena State Park (Big Beach) is one of the most dramatic beaches on the island -- wide, long, and exposed with powerful shore break. La Perouse Bay, at the end of the paved road, is a snorkeling site in a lava field landscape that looks like another planet. The Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve between the two has world-class snorkeling in calm conditions but requires checking the current access status (periodic closures for reef recovery). Half day minimum.
West Maui: Ka'anapali and Lahaina
Drive time from Kihei: 40 to 55 minutes.
Lahaina is rebuilding after the 2023 fire. The historic waterfront district is accessible and the community welcomes visitors who approach with respect. Ka'anapali Beach is one of the best resort beaches in Hawaii. The west side sunset is spectacular -- the combination of Lana'i and Moloka'i on the horizon and the orange light off the water draws some of the island's best street musicians and fire performers to Front Street in the evenings. A full-day trip, or an afternoon-to-evening trip for sunset.
Paia and the North Shore
Drive time from Kihei: 35 to 40 minutes.
Paia is a small town at the base of the Road to Hana that has its own distinct culture -- part surf, part organic farming, part art. The beaches north of Paia (Ho'okipa, where world-class windsurfing happens daily) are worth seeing even if you are not there to surf. Paia Fish Market is one of the best casual seafood restaurants on the island. The north shore breaks are too powerful for casual swimming but are extraordinary to watch. Good combination with the Road to Hana (stop in Paia first for supplies).
Whale Watch from McGregor Point (In Season)
Drive time from Kihei: 10 to 15 minutes to Maalaea area.
From November through May, the AuAu Channel between Maui and Lana'i is one of the highest-concentration humpback whale habitats in the world. Shore-based whale watching from McGregor Point is free and reliable during peak season. The whale watching guide covers both shore and boat options. The boat tour version (Pacific Whale Foundation, Trilogy) adds naturalist commentary and closer encounters, and runs from Maalaea Harbor -- 10 minutes from Kihei. A half-day morning trip.