There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of these links, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you (which I really appreciate, thank you!) The full disclosure policy can be found here.

7-day Maui Itinerary

So you’re planning a Maui vacation, yay! First, thanks for stopping by to check out my 7 day Maui Itinerary. If you want to figure out how to spend 7 days in Maui, you’re in the right place.

If you’re planning to visit other islands, you might want to check out some of my other itineraries:

Remember that this 7 day Maui Itinerary is a guide, and you can add or replace anything you would like. If you have less time in Maui, then this 4-day Maui itinerary might be better for you.

Make sure to read to the bottom for more Maui travel tips and things to do in Maui.

Do I need a rental car in Maui?

No matter which island you’ll be visiting, I recommend having a rental car; I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

Maui is a small island but spread out and you’ll need a car to explore it all. Hawaii is not the kind of destination where you spend all of your time at the resort.

You’ll find the best prices, great service, and free cancellation at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. You won’t pay until you arrive, so reserve early to get the best deal.

Where to stay in Maui

Before we get to the 7 day Maui itinerary, let’s talk about where to stay.

The first thing that I’m often asked about all of the islands is if visitors need to stay in different parts of the island during their stay.

I always say no, even on the Big Island. Maui is much smaller than the Big Island, and the two main “resort” areas aren’t that far apart.

Most Maui visitors will stay in either the Kihei/Wailea area (South Maui) or the Lahaina/Kaanapali area (West Maui.) There is one resort in the Hana area, but the majority on the island’s western side. You can check out my post about the best resorts on Maui here.

If you’re planning a honeymoon, make sure to check out the best honeymoon hotels in Maui and my Hawaii honeymoon packing list.

Maui Itinerary

If you’re visiting in the winter and want to see whales, I highly recommend staying in West Maui! Check out the The Ultimate Guide to Maui Whale Watching to learn more.

Although this Maui itinerary doesn’t include restaurants, I do have a post with The 40 best places to eat in Maui.

Day 0

You’ll likely arrive on Maui sometime in the afternoon. However, depending on where you live, you’re going to feel like it’s evening/night.

I highly encourage you to check into your resort but try to stay awake to help your body adjust.

Enjoy a happy hour beverage or simply sit and watch the beautiful Hawaii sunsets.

Day 1

If you plan to either bike down Haleakala or take a sunrise tour, I recommend doing it on day 1. You have to wake up very early for these tours, so why not do it on the day that jet lag is the worst? You’ll be up early anyway!

I do have a blog post about how to survive the flight to Hawaii with tips for fighting jet lag if you’re interested.

Even if you have no interest in Haleakala or plan to visit on a different day, you’ll still be up early. Why not try one of Maui’s amazing sunrise hikes? I recommend La Perouse or the Waihee Ridge Trail. For more hikes in Maui, check out the best hikes in Maui

There is also a short hike (about one mile) to view Nakalele Blowhole. You used to be able to see Sweetheart Rock as well, but sadly it’s gone now. 🙁

Day 2

On day two of your 7 day Maui itinerary, let’s head out to Molokini Crater. Molokini Crater is my favorite thing to do on Maui and my #1 recommendation for all of my clients. If you love snorkeling, you’re going to love Molokini Crater.

Even if you don’t love snorkeling, you’ll probably still enjoy it! Most tours are very accommodating, even for guests who are not comfortable in the water. You can read my full Molokini Crater review for more information.

snorkeling Molokini Crater

A Molokini Crater tour will take up about half of your day and will include breakfast and lunch. I recommend spending the rest of the day relaxing on the beach or walking around, checking out the shops, etc.

If you want to eat at the best restaurant in Maui, you have to check out Mama’s Fish House in Paia. This is the most popular restaurant on Maui, so make sure to get reservations in advance.

Day 3

One thing that I recommend for everyone visiting Hawaii is a helicopter tour! You can read my Hawaii helicopter review here.

My second favorite helicopter tour is on Maui, the West Maui, and Molokai tour with Blue Hawaiian. While you do not land on Molokai, you can view the beautiful sea cliffs – the highest in the world – from the air!

After your helicopter tour, head over to Lahaina for some shopping, lunch, or anything else you’d like.

If your Maui bucket list includes attending a luau (and it should), try a luau on the evening of day 3. I have a blog post about the best Maui luau because there so many!

For the shorter version, my favorite Maui luaus are:

The Feast at Lele
The Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui at Wailea

Day 4

I bet you wondered when I was going to mention the Road to Hana. No Maui itinerary would be complete without a drive down the Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana.

Check out the ultimate guide to the Road to Hana to learn more about this popular Maui must-do.

The road to Hana is a journey more than a destination, with so many stops along the way. I recommend planning what you want to do in advance.

It’s impossible to see all the sites in one day, so choose your top picks and go from there. I do recommend purchasing an app or buying a guidebook.

If you prefer a tour, don’t worry about being in a large group. The road is so narrow that it does not accommodate large vehicles.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving, try a small group tour or a tour and helicopter view of the Hana Highway.

Personally, I prefer driving. It’s a pretty crazy drive, but you can do it in a car (no 4-wheel drive needed), and I find it worth it to be able to stop wherever you want and spend as much time there as you’d like.

Road to Hana must-sees:

Ho’okipa Beach Park
Twin Falls
Keanae Peninsula
Wailua Valley State Wayside
Pua’a Ka’a Falls
Hanawi Falls
Nahiku Marketplace
Wai’anapanapa State Park (now requires a reservation)
Hana town
Hamoa Beach
Wailua Falls
‘Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)

While you’re in Maui, don’t forget to check out the black sand beaches. All but one are along the road to Hana. I have a blog post with exactly where to find black sand beaches in Maui for more information.

I also recommend doing the full loop and coming back around the other side. It’s just as crazy as the Road to Hana, but with much less traffic and some amazing views along the way.

I talk more about it in the 7 best things to do on Maui, so check it out to learn more.

Day 5

Island hopping in Hawaii isn’t as simple (or inexpensive) as most people think it will be. However, there is one exception!

A ferry running from Maui to Lanai makes it easy to take a day trip to Lanai. If you love golf, there are two golf courses in Lanai that I’ve heard are incredible.

I’m not a golfer myself, but both the Cavendish Public Golf Course (public) and Manele Golf Course (resort) are highly recommended.

I have a blog post with the 15 best golf courses in Maui for more ideas.

You can also check out the Four Seasons Lanai and get a massage at Hawanawana Spa or dine at Nobu Lanai. You can even spend a night or two on Lanai if you’d like.

More things to do on Lanai:

Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Garden of the Gods
Polihua Beach

Day 6

I realize that not everyone wants the same 7 day Maui Itinerary, so I wanted day 6 to be free. Feel free to choose from any of the following adventures or try something completely different. It’s your vacation!

Ziplining with North Shore Zipline
Surf lessons with Maui surf school.
Another luau.
Snorkel at Black Rock.
More beach hopping.
Kayak and snorkel at Turtle town.
Take a whale-watching tour (seasonal)
Drive the west Maui loop.
Tour a Maui pineapple farm.

You can also choose from this list of 50 things to do in Maui for even more options.

Day 7

You’ll be leaving on day 7, but most flights leave Maui very late in the evening. That means that you’ll have all of day 7 to enjoy the Valley Isle!

I recommend going to Iao Valley State Park. This lush, 4000-acre valley offers a visitor center, many hikes, and views of the Iao Needle.

I have a blog post with the best hikes in Maui, so check it out for some alternative Maui hikes.

You can also visit Heritage Gardens at Kepaniwai Park in Wailuku, which isn’t very far from the Kahului Airport.

Another option on day 7 of your 7 day Maui itinerary is to revisit anything you loved during your trip or check out anything you missed.

You’ll probably find yourself given some advice on things to do in Maui by a friendly local, so use your last few hours to check those out too!

More Maui Travel Tips:

Plan a Maui vacation

Although I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am only taking on a few clients for 2022. You can contact me if you’d like more information. I would recommend starting with my Hawaii travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

The best way to get Hawaii travel tips and the most current travel information is to sign up for my email list. I send out one weekly email with the latest news, travel deals, and more. Sign up below.