My friends and I traveled to Maui early January 2020. I'll be sharing our exact gameplan for how we made the most of our 7 day trip. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of future posts!
What to do 7 days in Maui: Day 1
Our first day in Maui was preceded by a number of hours on the plane! We flew Alaska Air thanks to a buy-one-get one deal and the flight was a 5 and a half hour non-stop flight from San Francisco's airport, SFO, to Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui.
Watch the video above for a full recap of our first day in Maui.
Getting to Maui: What is the best airport to fly into in Maui?
The main airport, and the likeliest choice is Kahului Airport (OGG). It's the biggest and receives non-stop flights from continental US. International visitors will likely make a layover on the Big Island or Oahu before coming into OGG. It has a wide choice of car rentals and easy access to major resorts.
There are two smaller commuter airports as well: Kapalua Airport (JHM) in West Maui and Hana Airport (HNM) in East Maui. They have less flights, but if you're flying in from another island, plan to stay close by, don't mind smaller planes, and want to avoid the crowd, this may be a good option for you.
Agricultural Inspection
It's important to protect the island's ecology, so The U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces strict rules regarding exportation of plants and animals. During your flight, every person will receive a declaration form to announce any plants and animals you may be carrying in our belongings.
Your luggage will also be screened upon departure to make sure there are no uninspectied fruits and plants. You can take fruits home but please go through the proper inspection procedure! You can also have these items mailed to you and the items will be inspected through that channel.
What to Pack to Hawaii
Maui is warm year round, with an average temperature 75–85 F, so pack your summer clothes! You'll also want to pack a jacket or sweater for the evenings / strong AC. If you plan to visit the Haleakala National Park, bring warmer clothes for higher elevations and strong winds.
Most people dress casually, so bring casual dress clothes or resort wear. There are plenty of shops where you can purchase a classic aloha shirt and flip flops.
Here's everything I packed for my 1 week Maui trip:
Where to Stay in Maui
There are so many options all over the island, including resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rentals.
We opted to spend a few days in a couple different spots around Maui. For night 1 & 2 we booked an Airbnb in Kihei, a short 20 min drive from the OGG airport.
Getting Around Maui / Transportation
While there are shuttles and taxis that can take you to where you're staying, if you plan on visiting various parts of the island (which you should definitely do), a rental car is highly recommended.
Most visitors will take the road to Hana, which is a scenic drive with beautiful beaches, hikes and sights along the way. Many will drive to Hana from the north along the coast, then turn around for a day trip. If you want to continue south around the island the roads are narrow and winding, we noticed may people with Jeep rentals - probably a smart choice for navigating the bumpy roads!
What we ate in Kihei Day 1
Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Cafe
2665 Wai Wai Pl, Kihei, HI 96753
2395 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 875-8258
Call ahead to make a reservation. $45 Omakase 14 piece dinner.
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Karin is the co-founder of Arden Cove and co-creator of the Anti-Theft Waterproof Crossbodies - bags created for women who want all the practicality and safety features without compromising in style. Shop ArdenCove.com.
Was great to read about the fun! The road all the way around isn’t bad at all – just take a day to enjoy the sights and the difference in climate being on the leeward side. Also go around the northern loop as well and take a day for that. So many places. Oh, yes – stop at Costco for frozen peas to attract the fish – keep that camera handy and don’t swim early or dusk.
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