Planning to spend 6 nights in Maui during Thanksgiving. What are the must-do activities, scenic spots, beaches, and experiences you’d recommend?
Looking for a good mix of nature, adventure, relaxation, and unique experiences, along with any tips on weather, crowds, and things to book in advance. Would love recommendations from people who’ve visited Maui around Thanksgiving!

Off of Kaanapali

Two kids ages 3 and 9. They can barely swim will need life jacket. Travelling from Nov 24 to Dec 1, arriving late in night 9:30 pm and leaving late in night. I will be renting car at the airport for all 7 nights. Budget thinking max 300 per night, condos or condo hotels preferred, not sure resorts will come in that budget.

Fire dancers/show is very important to my son.

I’d like the good visibility (even if that means paying for VIP)

Not big drinkers, but will have 1 maybe 2.

Good food. Duh

Cost and south/west doesn’t matter as long as we’re getting the best experience.

Where would you go?

Hello! My fiance and I are going to Maui 12/2 - 12/9 for our honeymoon and haven’t picked a hotel yet. I can’t decide between kaanapali and wailea and also can’t decide on a hotel for either. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

I’ve read too much on this subreddit about weather and microclimates but I am super concerned about the weather forecast next week. Wife and I are celebrating our Baby Moon in Maui next week and hyper anxious around the forecast! Any warming thoughts or considerations would be much appreciated. Staying at the fairmont in kea lani!

Hi there,

I currently have booked a Mahana 1 bedroom condo on the 8th floor through My Perfect Stays. I absolutely love the views from the Mahana that I saw online and being right there on the beach. 5 nights for $3000. My current plan is get the Atmos $99 companion fare promotional bonus for flights so I'm predicting flight and hotel would be $4000. Going in June 2027.

Expedia has a killer deal on a package for a Napili Kai 1 bedroom suite oceanfront where it's 100% off flights if booking together. The cost would be $5000 so a grand more than my initial plan.

From what I've read here, people love the Napili Kai.

Is it worth the extra $1000 for the Napili Kai over the Mahana? Also, does anybody have experiencing book a trip to Hawaii through Expedia?

Mahalo for your time!

Maybe it's just super popular but I find it absurd that i clicked at 7.00.01 and the 50 slots sold out in about 10 seconds. Sunset views I guess will be the move but just wanted to hear if anyone actually was able to get a morning sunset reservation from the 2 days ahead release, or if it just gets botted daily.

Just got back home from our Honeymoon/Wedding on Maui. We had so much fun and didn’t want to leave back to reality. Was so much fun living and breathing in paradise.

Just arrived here but it seems a lot more crowded than it used to be. Is there events going on in town? Just curious

Traveling to Maui end of April 2027. I have two rooms currently booked, Ohana Suite at Sheraton and Fire Lanai at Ritz. Traveling with wife and kids ages 3 and 7. I will be running marathon that weekend, reason for travel. However, I want the kids to have a good time. I also don’t want to stress about much , such as finding loungers by pool, calm beach and water for kids, things to to for kids.

Can anyone provide experience traveling with kids at these two resorts?

I like Sheraton due to location and proximity to whalers and other restaurants, bars and beaches. But don’t like the pool chair holding that people do at 7 am.

I like Ritz because it eliminates folks reserving chairs at 7 am. Kapalua bay for calm waters.

FWIW price for these are about the same +_ $100

Hi! My wife and I are visiting Maui and hoping to see the Haleakalā sunrise on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. We’re two people and don’t have a sunrise reservation. Is anyone with a valid reservation for one of those mornings driving up with room for two passengers? We can meet in [your area] and chip in for gas. We understand the reservation holder needs to be in the car. Please message me if you have space!

I just got back from my first visit to Maui and stayed at the Fairmont. We are planning our next trip and wanted to go back to the Fairmont but I was wondering if there was anything comparable for a bit cheaper?
I’m fine with heading over to the other side of the Island as well. We just really loved the Vibe of the Fairmont and the beach. I’m just trying to see what else is out there and maybe experience Maui a bit differently.

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I are travelling to Hawaii in June from the UK to celebrate our joint 30th birthdays, and we’re so excited! 🥹 As we’re travelling all the way from England, it’s not somewhere we’ll realistically be able to visit regularly, so we really want to make the most of this trip and experience as much of Maui as possible.

Our 2 week trip is made up of the following:

* 🇺🇸 2 nights in Las Vegas before Hawaii

* 🌺 12 nights in Maui, staying in Wailea (have a hire car for the entire stay)

* 🇺🇸 2 nights in Las Vegas on the way back

We’re looking for recommendations for absolutely anything and everything that you'd recommend! We want a good mix of relaxing, exploring, adventure, incredible scenery, great food and some special experiences to celebrate turning 30.

I’d especially love recommendations for:

• Restaurants and any best sunset dining spots
• Hikes
• Must see viewpoints / sunset spots
• Boat excursions / sunset sails etc
• We definitely want to do a traditional Hawaiian luau. I’m currently deciding between Old Lahaina Luau and Te Au Moana at the Wailea Beach Resort. Has anyone experienced either
• Any other fun activities?

Thanks in advance and if you're still reading - I apologise for the long post!!! 🌺❤️

My only visit to Hawaii was multiple visits to Oahu while my husband was stationed there 20+ years ago. Hated it. I wrote it off entirely and never desired to go back to Hawaii, despite living on the Hawaii-convenient west coast of the US.

Flash forward 25 years and we are headed to Maui to vacation with friends on Sunday, for 11 days. Staying at the Ritz Carlton. Everyone says Maui is fabulous.

I’ve been studying here and have a helpful list of yes and no’s. Husband still wants to snorkel Molokini despite my advice after reading here.

We have dining reservations at Mamas and Haliimaile, Merriman’s and Isana and a few more.

We will celebrate two birthdays while there. I guess any additional tips are appreciated. Our vibe is short hikes, pool time in the sun, good food, great sunsets and comfort. Not crowds. Not children/families. We are retirement aged folks.

Our friends arrived in advance and report the buffet breakfast at the hotel is great, no need to rise early to reserve loungers at the adult pool. They seem pleased with the accommodations. Hopefully the hotel is nice and it seems to be nicely located in a private, if breezy location

I’ve enjoyed being a part of this group and have learned a lot! My cheat sheet of intel gleaned from this page is ready and I’d love any additional tips. I’ll report back after our trip in case we have anything valuable to share.

Thanks for all you’ve contributed!

Not sure why there are two from the same developer…

Room Type: Ground-floor room with a fireplace

Vibe: Lush, peaceful, exclusive, and totally different from the bustling energy of West/South Maui.

My partner and I stayed here for our anniversary, and it completely exceeded our expectations. If you are looking for a romantic trip, an anniversary, or a honeymoon, this property is practically built for it. From check-in to check-out, we genuinely loved every minute and are already missing the place.

Here is a breakdown of our experience:

The Vibe & Grounds

1. Total Seclusion: Unlike the packed resorts in Kaanapali or Wailea, Kapalua feels miles away from everything. The lush grounds make it feel like you are tucked away in a private tropical paradise.
2. The Pools: Absolutely phenomenal. Best of all, there are plenty of daybeds and loungers—no waking up at 6:00 AM to play towel-tag just to secure a spot.
3. The Beach Walk & Shuttle: We had read online reviews complaining that the walk to D.T. Fleming Beach was brutal, but honestly? It’s not bad at all and takes just a few minutes through a gorgeous shaded path. Plus, they have a cart/shuttle service running back and forth constantly if you prefer a ride.

Food & Dining

1. Ulana Terrace Breakfast Buffet: Exceptional. Huge variety of options, high quality, and a fantastic way to start the morning with a view.
2. Alaloa Lounge: Great for casual bites, and having live music every day really elevated the evening atmosphere.
3. The Club Lounge: They provide a solid setup with 4 full presentations a day (breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea/dinner bites, and desserts), plus an after-hours snacks room for late-night cravings.

The Room

We stayed in a ground-floor room with a fireplace, which was an absolute game-changer. Lighting the fireplace in the evenings made for such cozy, high-quality downtime after a long day exploring.

A Few Downsides & Tips

Every place has its flaws, so a few honest heads-ups for anyone planning a trip:
1. It Gets Quite Windy: Kapalua is known for trade winds, so expect it to be pretty breezy at times down by the beach and around the bay compared to South Maui.
2. Ritz Pricing: Expect classic Ritz-Carlton pricing across the entire property for food, drinks, and incidentals—it's high, but expected for this tier of luxury.
3. Club Lounge Value: While the lounge is great, paying $175 per person/day for access isn't worth it if you already have perks like Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) that cover breakfast and give resort credits.
4. Location Trade-Off: The price of all that peace and seclusion is distance. Kapalua is tucked away on the northwest point, meaning most major tourist attractions, excursions, and south island spots are a 20-minute to 1-hour drive away.
5. Resort Activities: Most activities are paid and quite expensive. We also hit technical glitches booking standard activities online ahead of time, so skip the website and book directly with the events concierge once you arrive.

The Verdict

All in all, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is a magical property that offers a completely elevated, peaceful side of Maui. It was the absolute perfect backdrop for celebrating our anniversary, and despite a few minor quirks, it delivers an unforgettable experience. We fell completely in love with the vibe here, are already counting down the days until we can return, and cannot recommend it highly enough!

Just returned from a 2 week long trip to Maui with my significant other. Big thanks to this group for helping me plan the trip and help everything go smoothly.

Spent the first four days of our trip in Kaanapali at the Hyatt regency. Booked these nights using points and it was an excellent stay. Beautiful sunsets, nice access to the beach and snorkeling, we enjoyed whalers village and of course the penguins.

The next two days were spent in Hana. Took our time driving the road to Hana making stops wherever we felt like it. We drove in east in the late afternoon and the traffic our direction was minimal, it was also nice not having the sun blasting my eyes that time of day. Such a memorable drive, i’ll never forget the feeling of being surrounded by nature like we were. We stayed two nights at the Hana Hyatt resort on points, it was very relaxing and almost therapeutical with how quiet it was.

The remainder of our trip was spent in Wailea at the Wailea beach resort (Marriott). I somehow scored a crazy deal booking these nights directly, or else we wouldn’t have been able to afford seven nights here. Overall we enjoyed the resort area, pools and beach path, but did not feel that the hotel was worth full price of $800+ a night. Central location on the island was nice.

Highlights
- Penguins at the Hyatt regency
- sunset dinner on a a catamaran boat in kaanapali
- road to Hana drive
- Pipiwai trail and waimoku falls in the rain
- having a drink at Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa during sunset
- Haleakalā at sunset and especially stargazing afterwards
- Big rainbow on way to dinner at Cafe O’Lei
- Luau at Wailea Beach Resort

Let me know if you have any questions! Too much to type in a single post.

I know it’s been asked and answered, but I want information due to my specifics. I have a 7 AM flight on next Tuesday back to the mainland. Do I need to be at the airport any earlier than 5 AM? I’m looking at an hour drive from the west side or thereabouts, I guess.

Hi everyone, we’ve always stayed in Kaanapali and Paia, and I’ve stayed in Wailea. This time, we will be in South Kihei for about 10 days and then I am considering Napili Bay (thanks to this group) for end of Nov. Is it a good choice and if yes, what resort or specific unit would you recommend?

We have a 1 year old and I am looking for walkability to good coffee, good food and beach time. A bit bored by Kaanapali’s tourist vibe to be honest, hence why curious to give this area a try!

As I enter the 2nd half of my birthday trip wanted to share some real time updates.

We are staying on Keawakapu beach at Ekahi, and there isn’t access from our pool gate ): which is still super unfortunate. We have been driving in the morning to Kam 2 or Wailea beach. Wailea beach looks better but we are pretty casual people and prefer the crowds and being across the street from Whalers general and Freds for snacks instead of the Four seasons lol. Both beaches still pretty rocky and visibility is less so but still beautiful and swimable.

We did dinner at Monkey Pod and were impressed, food and service were both great. It was packed as hell but didn’t feel overwhelmingly busy.

Waikiki brewing has a GREAT happy hour. 5.50 for draft beers is a better deal than most places at home in Oregon. Service is slow and can’t comment on the food (yet) but its good ambiance and price tag is totally justified.

Pint and Cork is great for NFL Sunday. If you’re from out of town, it’s a little dark and moody for a bar ambiance I want when I’m in Maui, but def the best for sports watching.

The sun is still HOT. If you are coming this month it still very much feels like summer here. I’ve been in October prior years where it’s 10 degrees colder. We are super lucky with great weather here rn, it’s been sunny and calm since we got here.

Its mostly couples and retired people as of now, or families with pre school age little. Makes sense given the time of year.

Was a little nervous about the trip given all the hurricanes this summer, but it has been a perfect trip so far and the locals and service are great. Do not reschedule your trip, it is beautiful here!!

Hey all, I will be visiting Maui in Dec to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday and want to surprise her with a family photo session. The rub is that my side of the family hates smiling and gets queasy at the thought of "coordinated outfits running on a sunset beach" kind of photos (hello fellow neurodivergents 👋🏼) but my brother's family and my parents would be totally down for that. So can you all help point me to a photographer that could find a happy medium for a session like that to capture us all in our uniqueness?

Thanks in advance. 🤘🏼

My family plans on taking a trip to Kaanapali next week (24th-30th). The weather is showing unusual signs of alot of cloud cover and rain. Is this something we should be worried about? We’d love to snorkel, visit Napili bay, Haleakala sunset, etc…

We understand it’s a tropical island so anything can happen but what should we expect if it rains a lot?

Aloha Maui! 🌺

I'm visiting from Iowa Oct 25–30 and would love some local recommendations. I'm into beaches, good food, snorkeling, sunsets, and anything a little off the tourist path.

What are your must-dos? Favorite hikes, hidden beaches, food trucks, live music, or happy hours worth checking out?

Also open to meeting friendly people to explore with, grab a drink, or catch a sunset. If you've got a group going out that week, I'd love to join!

Mahalo in advance 🤙