How long is the Maui Coast and Crater: A Loop of the Valley Isle route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Kahului, Maui, Hawaii to Kahului, Maui, Hawaii in Maui, Hawaii, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is April to May, September to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Beach, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Maui Coast and Crater: A Loop of the Valley Isle

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The route · 7 stops

6 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Kahului and Central Maui

1 night

Maui's airport town and gateway, on the central plain between the island's two volcanoes. Collect the rental car, then drive inland to ʻĪao Valley State Monument, where the green ʻĪao Needle rises from rainforest, and old Wailuku for lunch. One night settles you in before the loop begins.Maui's airport town and gateway, on the central plain between the island's two volcanoes. Collect the rental car, then drive inland to ʻĪao Valley State Monument, where the green ʻĪao Needle rises from rainforest, and old Wailuku for lunch. One night settles you in before the loop begins.

Recommendations

25m · 30 km drive to Kāʻanapali and West Maui

Kāʻanapali and West Maui

2 nights

The sunny resort coast of West Maui, with a long golden beach, reef snorkelling at Black Rock, and an easy boardwalk of shops and restaurants. Spend two nights here: snorkel or whale-watch by boat, drive north to Kapalua and Honolua Bay, and catch the sunset cliff dive at Puʻu Kekaʻa.The sunny resort coast of West Maui, with a long golden beach, reef snorkelling at Black Rock, and an easy boardwalk of shops and restaurants. Spend two nights here: snorkel or whale-watch by boat, drive north to Kapalua and Honolua Bay, and catch the sunset cliff dive at Puʻu Kekaʻa.

Recommendations

40m · 48 km drive to Wailea and South Maui

Wailea and South Maui

2 nights

Maui's dry, sunny south, where calm beaches line up from Kīhei through Wailea to Mākena. Base two nights for the best swimming and snorkelling on the island, plus an early boat to Molokini Crater. Wailea has upscale dining and a coastal path; Kīhei is more relaxed and better value for food and condos.Maui's dry, sunny south, where calm beaches line up from Kīhei through Wailea to Mākena. Base two nights for the best swimming and snorkelling on the island, plus an early boat to Molokini Crater. Wailea has upscale dining and a coastal path; Kīhei is more relaxed and better value for food and condos.

Recommendations

18m · 21 km drive to Kula and Haleakalā Summit

Kula and Haleakalā Summit

1 night

Cool upcountry farm country on Haleakalā's western slopes, and the base for the volcano. Drive before dawn to the 10,023-foot summit for sunrise above the clouds, then walk the crater overlooks. Back down in Kula and Makawao, visit lavender and protea farms, a small winery and old paniolo town shops.Cool upcountry farm country on Haleakalā's western slopes, and the base for the volcano. Drive before dawn to the 10,023-foot summit for sunrise above the clouds, then walk the crater overlooks. Back down in Kula and Makawao, visit lavender and protea farms, a small winery and old paniolo town shops.

Recommendations

16m · 19 km drive to Pāʻia and the North Shore

Pāʻia and the North Shore

1 night

A former sugar town turned bohemian surf hub, and the last real services before Hāna. Browse the boutiques and beach cafés, watch windsurfers and big-wave surfers at Hoʻokipa Beach Park, and look for honu (green turtles) resting on the sand. A relaxed one-night stop to fuel up for the drive east.A former sugar town turned bohemian surf hub, and the last real services before Hāna. Browse the boutiques and beach cafés, watch windsurfers and big-wave surfers at Hoʻokipa Beach Park, and look for honu (green turtles) resting on the sand. A relaxed one-night stop to fuel up for the drive east.

Recommendations

47m · 56 km drive to Hāna and Kīpahulu

Hāna and Kīpahulu

2 nights

The reward at the end of the famous Hāna Highway, reached past waterfalls, one-lane bridges and rainforest. Take two nights so the drive stays unhurried: the black sand and sea caves of Waiʻānapanapa, sleepy Hāna town and Hāna Bay, then south to Kīpahulu for the Pipiwai Trail through bamboo to Waimoku Falls.The reward at the end of the famous Hāna Highway, reached past waterfalls, one-lane bridges and rainforest. Take two nights so the drive stays unhurried: the black sand and sea caves of Waiʻānapanapa, sleepy Hāna town and Hāna Bay, then south to Kīpahulu for the Pipiwai Trail through bamboo to Waimoku Falls.

Recommendations

On the way

Kahului and Central Maui
57m · 68 km
Return along the Hāna Highway to close the loop at Kahului. Allow a half day for the winding drive back, with time to hand back the rental and fly out, or add a final central Maui beach at Kanahā before the airport.Return along the Hāna Highway to close the loop at Kahului. Allow a half day for the winding drive back, with time to hand back the rental and fly out, or add a final central Maui beach at Kanahā before the airport.
Recommendations

Maui Coast and Crater: A Loop of the Valley Isle