Explore the best of Maui: Beaches, Bites, and Beyond
Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is a tropical paradise with its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, is the perfect destination for a chic, single traveler seeking adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a foodie, a beach bum, or a fashionista, this island paradise has something to offer everyone.
Must-See Locations:
- Road to Hana: This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of waterfalls, rainforests, and the Pacific Ocean. Stop at popular spots like Waimoku Falls, Black Sand Beach, and Twin Falls.
- Kapalua Beach: This secluded picturesque family-friendly beach is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. Located on Maui’s West side, Kapalua is home to some of the most renowned names in the hotel hospitality industry: Montage, Ritz Carleton, and a slew of luxury villas.
- Kaanapali Beach: This popular beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Enjoy beachfront dining and shopping at nearby resorts, such as Whalers Village in Lahaina for great food and shopping.
- The Shops at Wailea: This historic whaling town offers charming shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Visit the Banyan Tree, one of the largest banyan trees in the world.
- Iao Valley State Park: Hike to the base of Iao Needle, a towering rock formation surrounded by lush greenery. Learn about the history of the Hawaiian people at the visitor center.
- Maui Ocean Center/The Aquarium of Hawaii: Be in awe of all the wonders of the Hawaiian ocean at the Maui Ocean Center. Experience magnificent views of the underworld up close and personal. This is a must-see for kids and adults.
The Star of Restaurants
Maui’s culinary scene is a fusion of Hawaiian, Asian, and European influences. Personally, the most memorable spot on the island will always be the fresh fare at world-renowned Mama’s Fish House, a 3-star Michelin service restaurant. Mama’s Fish House is situated on a picturesque, secluded beach with epic ocean views on Maui’s North Shores; it is simply beachfront bliss. Everything about the restaurant is seductive elegance from the waitresses, the building, the Polynesian decor, the beautiful flowers down to the unique, scrumptious palate of food flowing out of the kitchen. Our family choose Mama’s Fish House to celebrate my son’s 40th birthday while in Maui. For appetizers, we had the superbly moist and flavorful Macadamia Nut Crab Cakes along with Ahi Poisson Cru with Tahitian lime, coconut milk, and island crips. The Grand Banks Scallops with coconut, lemongrass, and moringa were divine. The Seared Peppercorn Ahi with pearl mushrooms, Luan chimichurri with blue whipped sweet potatoes, were delicious and melted in one’s mouth. Lastly, the star of my dish, Antarctic Toothfish was caught at 6,000 feet depth under frozen glaciers and pan sautéed with caramelized Maui onions, Hawaiian chili, and avocado. Antarctic Toothfish tastes similar to Chilean Sea Bass; it just melts in the mouth. Mama put every other restaurant in Maui on the Shame List because she stands in a class alone.
Accommodations
We stayed at our 2-bedroom Westin Nanea Ocean Villa, located on 16 acres of prime beachfront on beautiful Kaanapali North Beach. The villas are spacious (1260 sq. ft.) with two large bedrooms, a luxury vessel tub, a living room, a huge kitchen, a balcony, and tons of storage space, including a pantry. Experience the ultimate luxury accommodations at this oceanfront resort offering spacious villas, daily events, and world-class amenities.
Tips for Your First Visit:
- Pack for the weather: Maui’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and rain gear.
- Rent a car: Flexibility to explore Maui at your own pace.
- Try local cuisine: Don’t miss the opportunity to savor fresh seafood, tropical fruits, shaved ice, and other Hawaiian specialties. Do not miss the food trucks near the airport. By no means, do you miss Hula Cookies for the best cookies on the island along with wonderful flavors of velvet ice cream, especially the Ube flavor.
- Respect the culture: Learn about Hawaiian customs and traditions, and be mindful of local customs. Learn basic Hawaiian words such as Aloha (hello, goodbye), Mahalo (thank you), and Kokua (help) and string them together to say: Mahalo for your kokua. Hawaii is all about Ohana (sense of community).
- Favorite Grocery: My personal favorite grocery store in Maui was Foodland. I never made it to Whole Foods because Foodland had the freshest veggies, fruits, poke, fish and everything else needed for our stay.
- Book activities in advance: Popular activities like whale watching and helicopter tours can fill up quickly, so book in advance.
Maui’s beauty and charm will leave you wanting to return again and again. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, this tropical paradise has something to offer everyone.
Until next time…A Hui Hou Hawaii!!!
