🌴 My Maui Favorites
A simple guide to the places I love and recommend to my clients.
I put this together for my friends, family, and clients visiting Maui who want a mix of relaxing, beautiful, and easy-to-plan experiences.
This isn’t everything on the island—just the places I personally love and recommend again and again.
Quick Guide
🏝 Where to Stay · 🌊 Easy Access Beaches · 🍴 Places to Eat · 🚗 Easy Things to Do · 👨👩👧 Traveling with Kids
🏝 Where to Stay
If you’re deciding where to stay, this makes the biggest difference in your trip.
- Wailea → more upscale, quieter, beautiful beaches
- Kihei → more affordable, central, great food options
- Kaanapali / West Maui → more resort-style, walkable
🌊 Favorite Easy-Access Beaches
Wailea Beach
Calm, beautiful, and one of the easiest beaches to spend a full day at. The water is usually gentle, making it great for swimming, and it’s one of my favorite spots for sunset. Easy access, parking, and nearby amenities make it a really effortless beach day.
Makena (Big Beach)
Wide, open, and a little more untouched. This beach feels more expansive and less crowded, with a dramatic shoreline and beautiful views. There is a parking fee, but it’s absolutely worth it for how peaceful and scenic it is.
Kaanapali Beach (Black Rock + Airport Beach)
This is one of the largest and most versatile beach areas on Maui. Black Rock acts as a natural divider, and you’ll find a mix of everything—great snorkeling, calmer areas, and sections with a bit more wave action. It’s a great option if you want variety all in one place.
🍴 Food Spots I Always Recommend
- Espresso Mafia (Makawao): My go-to for coffee when I’m Upcountry.
- Sugar Beach Bake Shop (Kihei): A local favorite—best baked goods.
- Paia Fish Market (Paia, Kihei, Lahaina): Casual, fresh seafood and always a crowd favorite.
- Mama’s Fish House (Paia): Incredible fish and a beautiful setting—definitely a splurge, but worth it.
- Casanova’s (Makawao): Cozy Italian spot with homemade pastas and sauces.
- Kula Bistro (Kula): One of our favorites—huge menu and everything is good.
- Pukalani Superette (Pukalani): Super casual, affordable, and surprisingly delicious bentos (plus great pies).
- Colleen’s (Haiku): Laid-back spot with really good fish and chips.
- Tin Roof (Kahului): Quick, local-style plate lunches—perfect for something easy.
- Cafe O’Lei (Kihei): Great all-around option—the lunch fish special is especially good.
- The Mill House (Wailuku): Beautiful setting on a plantation with views of the valley—great for a slower meal.
- Nalu’s (Kihei): Casual and consistent—good for pretty much anything.
- Three’s (Kihei): Fun atmosphere with a mix of flavors—good for groups.
- Kohola Brewery (Wailea): Small plates + drinks, great for sharing and a relaxed evening.
- Ululani’s Shave Ice (Kihei, Kahului): Get the haupia cream and ice cream—it’s the best way to order it.
- Guri Guri (Kahului): A local favorite—simple, unique ice cream.
- Artisan Ice Cream (Paia): Amazing home-made creamy ice cream.
- Soulberry Ice Cream (Makawao): New Zealand style fruit ice cream which is a favorite for our young family.
If you’re planning out your days, I shared a few of my favorite things to do below as well.
🚗 Easy Things to Do
Honestly, this is the best part of Maui. Pick a beach, take your time, and don’t over-plan.
South and West Maui have some of the best calm-water snorkeling, especially earlier in the day. I only recommend going out in the open ocean if you’re a confident swimmer or with a group. As a mom and former lifeguard, I always suggest using a traditional snorkel and mask—full face masks can be dangerous if water gets trapped. Boat tours are a great way to see reefs and turtles with experienced guides—Trilogy, Pacific Whale Foundation, and Ultimate Whale Watch are all great options. Molokini is one of the most popular and reliable spots.
One of the most iconic experiences on the island. It’s a full-day commitment with waterfalls, scenic views, and lots of stops—so it’s best to start early. If you don’t want to do the full drive (especially with younger kids), Twin Falls is an easy and beautiful alternative.
A completely different side of Maui, with cooler weather, rolling landscapes, and small towns. It’s perfect for a slower-paced day. Some favorite stops include the Lavender Farm, Surfing Goat Dairy, Kula Country Farms, and the Ulupalakua Ranch Store.
One of the most unique places on the island, with incredible views above the clouds. It’s beautiful at both sunrise (reservation required) and sunset. Hiking here is amazing, but can be intense.
If you want to mix in something different, there are plenty of fun options beyond the beach. Horseback riding at Mendez Ranch, visiting ʻĪao Valley, exploring Maui Tropical Plantation, zip lining, and surf or stand-up paddle lessons are all great ways to experience the island. You can also try parasailing or outrigger canoe paddling with Maui Pacific Shores. Snorkel trips—especially to Molokini—are one of the best ways to see clear water and marine life.
Maui has some incredible hiking options, from easy coastal walks to more challenging ridge trails with amazing views. A few favorites: Kapalua Coastal Trail, ʻĪao Valley State Monument loop, Waihou Spring Trail, Waihee Ridge Trail, and the Hoapili Trail.
If you get a rainy day, it’s usually a good excuse to slow down or change locations—weather can vary a lot across the island. The Maui Ocean Center is a great option, especially for families. You can also do a resort day, book a spa treatment, or explore different resort lobbies. Browsing local shops in Kahului, Paia, or Makawao is another easy option. If you have kids, there are indoor activities like trampoline parks, rock climbing, Top Shot, or libraries. And if you're up for it, sometimes the best move is just to drive—it’s often sunny somewhere else.
👨👩👧 Traveling with Kids
A few things I've learned as a Maui mom and family photographer that can make your trip a little easier.
- 🚗 Rent a car—you'll want the flexibility. Cruisin' Maui Rent-A-Car is our favorite local company.
- 🌴 Don't overpack your itinerary. Some of the best Maui memories come from slow beach mornings and spontaneous adventures.
- ⏰ Expect a day or two for little ones to adjust to the time difference.
- 🌬️ Plan beach time and outdoor activities earlier in the day—trade winds often pick up in the afternoon.
- 📅 Book popular activities in advance, but always check the cancellation policy in case your plans change.
👶 Need a date night or a little extra help? I recommend Professional Nannies Hawaii, a trusted local nanny service run by an amazing local mama. Whether you're planning a date night, attending a wedding, or just need a few hours to recharge, it's a wonderful resource for families visiting Maui.
✈️ Flying with Kids
- 🍎 Pack more snacks than you think you'll need.
- 🎨 Bring a few simple activities like reusable sticker books, drawing pads, or small toys.
- 🧸 I like to pack a set number of toys so it's easy to keep track of everything.
- 💤 If your child sleeps in a sleep sack, keep it in your carry-on so bedtime feels familiar.
- 🛫 If you have a layover, give your kids time to run around and burn off some energy before the next flight.
- ☀️ Once you arrive, spend time outside and jump into the local time zone as soon as you can.
🧡 Planning Your Maui Photo Session
One of the first questions families ask me is, "Where should we take our photos?" (Closely followed by, "What should we wear?" 😊)
The truth is, your location has one of the biggest impacts on the overall look and feel of your images.
Every beach on Maui has its own personality. Some have calm turquoise water and soft white sand, while others feature dramatic lava rock, swaying palms, golden fields, or breathtaking cliffs. Even the same sunset can look completely different depending on where we are.
When you book with me, I'll help you choose the perfect location based on:
- The style you love
- The best lighting for your session
- Crowd levels
- The ages of your children
- Your resort or vacation plans to minimize driving
- Weather and seasonal conditions when needed
I don't believe in sending every family to the same beach. Instead, I recommend locations that fit your family, your vision, and the experience you want.
To keep these locations special and uncrowded for my clients, I only share my complete location guide after booking.
If you're thinking about scheduling photos during your Maui vacation, I'd love to help you plan a session that's relaxed, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
🤍 Final Note
If you’re planning a trip and have questions, I’m always happy to help.
And if you’re thinking about capturing your time here, I’d love to be part of it.