This year instead of exchanging Christmas gifts we decided to book a trip and go on a little vacation together. Since moving to California we’ve heard countless people rave about Hawaii and decided to check it out for ourselves and celebrate Valentine’s Day and my birthday in Maui.

One of our favorite things about Maui was just how different every beach was! While we stayed in Wailea, which was really central to everything, my favorite parts of the trip were when we went off the beaten path a bit and away from the other tourists. A few of our favorites that I’d definitely recommend to anyone planning a trip to Maui:

What To Do:

• Drive the Road to Hana: Leave early in the morning if you’re planning to do the drive in one day and pack some snacks & water for while you’re on the road. Figure out ahead of time which stops you’d like to make and plan to head back before sunset (the road is crazy and dark!). Be sure to stop and grab banana bread at one of the roadside stands, it’s the best ever.

• Rent Snorkels: Snorkeling was my absolute favorite part of our trip – I spent the majority of time in the water and it was just so cool to snorkel among the reefs. Our best snorkeling was at Ka’anapali and Maluaka Beaach, where we saw tons of fish and turtles in the coral.
• Big Beach: This was the quietest beach we went to and had the most laid back vibe – the waves were a bit bigger here than other parts of the island with soft sand and no coral, which made it great for swimming. During our trip we were also able to see whales swimming from the beach, which was amazing!
• Hamoa Beach: Another must along the Road to Hana – Hamoa beach is the best beach on Maui with the most clear, blue water. Great beach for swimming and bodyboarding with sizable waves and sunshine.
  
  
• Wai’anapanapa State Park: My favorite stop along the Road to Hana – this black rock beach is nestled among lush greenery. The bright blue water is stunning and there’s some great hiking along the beach.

Where To Eat & Drink:

• Wow Wow Lemonade: I miiiiight have insisted we come here every day after discovering this spot – their lemonades are THE BEST and served in the cutest mason jars. We also stopped by for breakfast and their acai bowls were great!
• Maui Coffee Roasters: Our first stop after landing at OGG ;) Maui Coffee Roasters has great coffee and a really laid back atmosphere – it’s very close to the airport so it’s a great place to hang out before your flight.
• Eskimo Candy: Amazing poke! We stopped here for lunch on our last day and had a poke bowl and their fish & chips – the fish was all very fresh and the 4 types of poke were all awesome.
• Ulalani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice: SO SO SO GOOD. There are a gazillion shave ice places in Maui but the hype is real about Ulalani’s – their syrups are made from fresh fruit juices and the ice is shaved really fine so it’s powdery and not slushy at all. Be sure to get ice cream at the bottom!
• Mala Ocean Tavern: We had brunch here on Valentine’s Day and loved sitting right on the water (we were able to see tons of turtles!). Great food and service – if you make a reservation be sure to note that you’d like a seat by the water.
• Maui Brewing Company: If you’re a beer lover you have to stop by Maui Brewing Company to try a flight of beer and hang out in their tap room – the Mana Wheat is so good! The brewery does not serve food but there are usually food trucks parked outside for you to order from!
• Paia Bay Coffee: Another must stop on the Road to Hana – Paia is a really cool surfer town and Paia Bay Coffee is a perfect place to grab coffee and breakfast while you’re on the road.
• Mama’s Fish House: Mama’s was the most recommended spot on Maui when I asked for tips on where to eat during our trip. Book a reservation far in advance and plan to be there before sunset so you can enjoy the gorgeous views. Warning: Mama’s is definitely overpriced but worth it for a special night out.
• Da Kitchen Cafe: The fried spam musubi was so good! Da Kitchen Cafe is a great place for lunch – the portions are HUGE though, so be sure to split.

Have you ever been to Maui? Has anyone been to any of the other islands of Hawaii?