If Maui has been on your bucket list, let me just say—it absolutely lives up to the hype. Our family trip to Maui ended up being the perfect mix of adventure, good food, ocean time, and those quiet moments where you just sit and realize how beautiful the island really is.
We explored beaches, drove the famous Road to Hana, snorkeled whenever we could, and discovered some of the best food and hidden gems along the way.
If you’re planning a Maui vacation, here’s everything we did, where we stayed, where we ate, and tips that made the trip even better.
Where We Stayed in Maui
One of the best choices we made for this trip was booking a beachfront Airbnb in Lahaina.
Waking up every morning to the sound of the ocean was honestly magical. We could walk straight onto the beach, enjoy our coffee outside, and end almost every night with sunset beach walks.
Another huge benefit was having a full kitchen. Maui can get expensive quickly if you eat out for every meal, so being able to cook breakfast or simple dinners helped us save money.
Tip for planning a Maui trip
Look for accommodations with:
• Beach access
• A kitchen
• Free parking
• Washer and dryer
Those little things make a big difference when traveling with kids.
Renting a Car in Maui (Our Turo Experience)
Maui is not the type of place where you want to rely on rideshares. There’s simply too much to explore across the island.
Instead of a traditional rental company, we rented a Jeep on Turo, and it worked out perfectly.
The Jeep made it easy to explore beaches, take scenic drives, and handle the winding roads on the Road to Hana.
Tip: Rent a Jeep or SUV in Maui
The roads can be narrow, windy, and sometimes rough in certain areas, so having something comfortable and capable is helpful.
Plus… driving around Maui with the windows down and ocean views everywhere is half the experience.
The Road to Hana (Must Do Maui Experience)
The Road to Hana is easily one of the most famous drives in Hawaii, and it’s absolutely worth doing.
The drive is filled with waterfalls, jungle scenery, ocean cliffs, and random roadside stops that make the whole experience feel like an adventure.
One of our favorite parts was simply stopping whenever we saw something interesting.
Our favorite Road to Hana stops
Banana Bread Stands
We stopped anytime we saw banana bread signs along the road, and every single one was amazing.
Fresh banana bread is practically a Maui tradition.
Fresh Coconut Stands
We grabbed fresh coconut water from a roadside stand and it was honestly one of the most refreshing things after a long day exploring.
Tips for driving the Road to Hana
Start early in the morning
Bring snacks and water
Download an offline map
Stop often and take your time
The journey really is the best part.
Snorkeling in Maui
Snorkeling ended up being one of our favorite things we did during the entire trip.
Instead of renting snorkel gear each time, we rented snorkel gear for the entire week. That way we could snorkel whenever we found a great beach.
The kids absolutely loved it and it made spontaneous beach stops even better.
Tip: Rent snorkel gear for your whole trip
This is one of the best Maui travel tips I can give. It’s cheaper than renting multiple times and gives you way more flexibility.
Watching Sea Turtles at Ho’okipa Beach
One of the coolest and completely free experiences we had in Maui was visiting Ho’okipa Beach.
Sea turtles regularly come up on the sand there, and it was incredible watching them resting along the beach.
The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Important tip
Always keep a safe distance from the turtles and respect wildlife guidelines.
Seeing them in their natural environment was such a special experience.
Best Food Spots We Tried in Maui
Food is a huge part of traveling for us, and Maui did not disappoint.
Here are some of our favorite places we tried.
Slappy Cakes (Breakfast)
This was one of the most fun breakfasts we had. You make your own pancakes right at the table, which the kids absolutely loved.
Duke’s Maui (Lunch)
Duke’s is a classic Maui spot and for good reason. The oceanfront views are incredible and the food was delicious.
Kapa Bar & Grill (Dinner)
This ended up being one of our favorite dinners on the island. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and the food was amazing.
Hawaiian Shave Ice (You Have to Try It)
If you go to Hawaii, Hawaiian shave ice is mandatory.
It’s not the same as snow cones on the mainland. The ice is softer, the flavors are better, and it’s just part of the experience.
We grabbed shave ice during one of our exploring days and it was the perfect treat after being in the sun.
Unexpected Favorite: Hawaiian 7-Eleven
This one surprised us.
Hawaiian 7-Eleven stores are completely different from mainland ones. They have local snacks, musubi, and tons of quick food options.
It became one of our favorite road trip snack stops.
Walking a Jungle Trail in Maui
We also explored one of the lush forest trails on the island and it truly felt like stepping into a jungle.
Huge trees, thick greenery, and that quiet peaceful feeling you only get in nature.
It was such a nice break from the beach and gave us a different perspective of Maui’s landscape.
Booking a Family Photographer in Maui
One of the best decisions we made during the trip was booking a sunset family photo session on the beach.
The lighting in Maui at sunset is unreal, and having professional photos from the trip is something we will treasure forever.
Tip for booking a Maui photographer
Book early because photographers fill up quickly. Sunset sessions are the most popular. We booked with Shayla at Shayla Tiare Photo and had an amazing experience.
The Simple Moments That Made the Trip
While we did a lot of exploring, some of the best moments were the simplest ones.
Sunset beach walks almost every night
Scenic drives along the coast
Finding random roadside food stands
Watching the kids discover cats all over the island
Those little moments ended up being the memories we talk about the most.
Maui Travel Tips (Things We Learned)
Here are a few Maui tips that made our trip easier.
Book accommodations early
Maui fills up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons.
Plan some things but not everything
Some of the best experiences were spontaneous stops.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Hawaii requires reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.
Start adventures early
Parking fills up fast at beaches and popular spots.
Give yourself time to slow down
Maui isn’t a place to rush.
We can’t wait to visit Maui again.
Maui is one of those places that truly stays with you. The scenery, the ocean, the food, and the slower pace of life make it feel different from most vacations.
Whether you’re snorkeling with your kids, driving the Road to Hana, watching sea turtles on the beach, or simply walking along the sand at sunset, Maui has a way of making every moment feel special.
And if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably leave already planning your next trip back.
Xoxo
Christian
Memories With The Mulkeys 