My Perfect Day on Maui (Part 2)

Maui.

One of my favorite islands in the whole world. As the second largest island in the Hawaiian chain, there is so much to see and do that you simply can’t cover it all in one visit (unless your visit ends up being permanent, in which case, please tell me all your secrets). 🙂

We covered some of my favorite locations in West Maui on last week’s post, and today I’m sharing my Perfect Day on Maui in the South, Central, and Upcountry regions. I’ve done a few posts on the Road to Hana, so if you’re looking for my perfect day on the North Shore or Eastern region check out these posts: Road to Hana, Road to Hana Part 2, Road to Hana Sunset.

• Haleakala Sunrise

We’re beginning the day with an early wake-up call (I’m talking 3:00-am-EARLY, folks). Even though you’ll want to hit the snooze button (and maybe me for suggesting we get up so early while on vacation) 😉 experiencing a sunrise atop Haleakala volcano is not to be missed. Dress in layers, and bring a blanket or two as standing 10,000 feet above sea level in the dark is coooooooold, even in paradise.

• Scuba Diving at Molokini Crater

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Of course it wouldn’t be a perfect day without including some sort of water activity. And Scuba Diving at this crescent-shaped underwater volcano has always been on my “Maui bucket list”. During our last two visits to Maui we didn’t make it out to Molokini, however as they say “the third time is the charm,” and this time we’ve booked a scuba diving tour with Pride of Maui. (A full review to come in January). 

• Shops at Wailea

After you’ve freshened up from spending the morning exploring the ocean, why not spend an hour or two shopping. Just.Because.You.Can! Indulge, you’re in Maui… how often does that happen?

• Sunset at Big Beach

We’ve had an incredibly early wake-up call, and a day full of scuba diving and shopping; the perfect way to end the day is at my favorite south shore beach, Big Beach. With ample parking, and plenty of space for everyone, make sure to come early so you can enjoy some beach time before it gets dark. Big Beach is one of Maui’s largest beaches, so even when it’s packed it feels empty. We’ve had some memorable experiences at Big Beach, and the sunsets here are absolutely incredible.

• Honorable Mentions:

There are many restaurants within the South/Central area of Maui that I would like to try, and some that I’d love to go back to, such as:

Da Kitchen: Found in Kahului and tucked away in an unassuming strip-mall, Da Kitchen was full of people when we stopped in for dinner. When I ordered the fish sandwich I received not one, but two, bigger-than-my-hand fillets of Mahi Mahi (a white fish) piled high on top of fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and a toasted bun. It came with a side of potato-macaroni salad–and for the record, you can’t visit Hawaii without trying some of the delicious mac salad. Trust me on this.

Kula Lodge: After an early wake-up call and witnessing one of the most spectacular sunrises you’ll ever see, the Kula Lodge is a perfect place to warm up with some Kona coffee and a Kula Veggie Omelet. This restaurant supports local and organic farmers on Maui and throughout Hawaii whenever possible, and the view from your table is incredible.

Okay… So we’re friends, right? In that case, let’s be honest… I found it difficult to keep this list to a minimum. We covered a lot of area in this post and there are so many great things to do–I kept finding myself wanting to add more suggestions and ideas to the list but with one day there is simply no way that anyone would be able to accomplish it all. My suggestion: dedicate a few days to exploring the region. 🙂 Aloha!

What would you include in your Perfect Day in South Maui?