You made it! You conquered the Road to Hana. Now that you’re in Paia, may we suggest you unwind with a dinner at one of this seaside town’s quaint restaurants. Check out the tour highlights in the app if you need some restaurant recommendations. From here, you can head back to your hotel in West Maui (Kaanapali or Lahaina) which will take about 45 minutes.

The consistent strong winds and good waves here, make Ho’okipa a world-famous beach for windsurfing and kite surfing. You can stop here briefly to check out the surfers! There is a great view from the parking lot above that overlooks the beach.

To access Jaws, you’ll need a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a muddy dirt road. During the months between December and March, when the wind and ocean conditions are just right, Jaws can produce waves as high as 70 feet! There are many big wave competitions held here every year, that attract the best surfers from around the world. However, most of the time this beach has little to no waves. So unless it’s winter and you are sure that Jaws is “breaking,” we suggest you skip this beach and keep driving.

The first of many waterfalls on our excursion today is Twin Falls. Unbeknownst to most, there are actually three different falls in the area - Twin Falls, the most easily accessible, rope swing, and caves. Each requires a hike, and most people just quickly stop at Twin Falls for a picture or a quick dip in the swimming hole. It’s a beautiful falls, but there are so many to see. We recommend taking a quick peek at the first falls as there are more waterfalls and better hiking opportunities down the road.

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This family-friendly trail is a short, three-quarter-mile loop that takes you through a forest of giant eucalyptus and mahogany trees. Stop here if you need to stretch your legs and want to get in a quick walk - remember, you’ll be in the car for hours today!

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The Garden of Eden is a family-friendly spot with a variety of exotic plants from tropical rainforests throughout the world. While you’re there, you’ll see stunning coastal views and catch a glimpse of the Keopuka rock, which was featured in the opening scene of Jurassic Park.

Note: there is an admission fee to enter the Arboretum

HOURS: Open Daily 8am - 4pm

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This well-maintained park is a great place to stretch your legs and use the restroom. However, if we’re being honest, this isn’t always the cleanest rest stop. If you can, wait until you get to the Ke’anae Peninsula. If you do hop out of the car, snap some photos of the peninsula which we will be visiting in a bit.

The park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Check their website for updates.

Pullover to view beautiful sheer cliffs and crashing surf at Nua’ailua Bay!

The Ke'anae Peninsula is a short detour off of Hana Highway, but it’s well worth the time for its stunning views of the ocean ripping through jagged lava rock. There are also some public restrooms near the peninsula.

Ke'anae arboretum is really a lovely botanical garden that is also free and a great place to stretch your legs a bit. A short walkway leads through a myriad of trees and plants from around the world - including giant bamboo trees, African tulip trees, taro plants, banana, papaya and breadfruit trees. Each is marked with a nameplate showing the country of origin and plant name. This is, for sure, the best place to go if want to see the rainbow eucalyptus trees up close and take some pictures. It really looks like the color has been painted on the trees.

Plan on spending around 30 minutes strolling through the gardens here. If everyone is tired and wanting to get back, then this is something you could pass up. You decide.

It is kind of tricky to find the arboretum. The front entrance is not very obvious, and comes quickly around a turn. Look for a small park sign and a green gate. You will need to park down the street and walk in. After you enter the gate, there is a nice 20 min stroll along a paved road before you come to the actual arboretum. Take as long as you want and then turn around the way you came to exit the arboretum. Admission if free.

This freshwater pond is a perfect stop to pull over, park, and take a dip below a small waterfall. Ching’s Pond is one of the most accessible swimming holes you’ll visit today, so it tends to get crowded. It’s also a favorite among locals who don’t always appreciate tourists visiting their favorite spots. Have a feel, and if you’re comfortable, go for a swim. If not, continue the drive, there are more swimming holes later in the tour.

Now, just around the bend of Ching’s Pond is an amazing overlook of the Ke’anae Peninsula that we drove down. You will see a large shoulder on the left that you can pull in for a great birds-eye view of the peninsula. Notice the many taro patches that dot the landscape.

Looking to grab a snack for the road? Stop at Halfway to Hana Food Stand. This snack shop also has tasty banana bread in addition to shave ice, lunch items like burgers and sandwiches and small bites like fruits and chips.

Fun Fact: Halfway to Hana is actually just before the official halfway point.

Pro-tip! If you are traveling with kids, got a late start, or crunched for time, this place is a good place to turn around for a “mini” Road to Hana tour. You’ll hear lots of great stories on the return trip.

Waikani Falls is actually a series of three waterfalls, also known by its nickname -- the Three Bears Falls. Don’t worry, there are no bears in Hawaii. The falls likely got this nickname because the three falls have varying heights: short, medium and tall, just like the family of bears in the children’s story Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

Note: Do not stop at the falls! There is no parking.

This is a nice little wayside park, and a welcome sight for weary travelers. Here you’ll find restrooms, a nice little waterfall and picnic tables. If you brought a picnic lunch, this is an ideal place to stop. But since the park does get crowded with tour buses, if you prefer to avoid the crowd, there are a few other options and picnic locations down the road:

• Nahiku landing (no restrooms - 10 minutes further)

• Wai'anapanapa park with restrooms and showers (20 minutes further)

• Hana town with restaurants and restrooms (25 minutes further)

As we continue along Hana Highway, we’ll stop by a lava cave hidden on the side of the road. This cave was formed when hot lava from an eruption cooled and hardened on the exterior, while it continued flowing in the inner core.

After the lava drained out the hardened exterior shell remained, forming a cave. Duck and watch your head as you enter the cave, the entrance is small and there are some jagged rocks, but it quickly opens up to where you can easily stand up.

You don’t need to stop, but just before the turn to Nahiku Road, look out for a waterfall on the side of the road. Most people drive by and don’t even notice it’s there! You’ll see it under the bridge. As you look for the waterfall, please be mindful of the other drivers on the road. Also, if you’re traveling in the summer months and don’t see the falls, it could be because they’ve dried up.

You made it to Hana -- that was fast! Don’t worry, there’s still loads to see. We recommend you grab a bite to eat here in Hana, there are loads of options to choose from.

Note: Visitors should not go to the Red Sand beach. Many years of overuse have caused erosion resulting in a dangerous hike along steep cliffs to and from the beach.

Before the larger Nahiku marketplace, you'll first come upon a little vegan ice cream shop that makes small batch ice cream with coconut milk instead of dairy milk. It's a little different, and plenty ono! Perfect for those lactose intolerant or anyone else that loves local style gelato.

HOURS: Open Daily 10:30AM-5:30PM

If you’re hungry, this is a great place to stop to grab a bite. At the Nahiku Marketplace, you’ll find a variety of cafes and restaurants, serving up island-style fish tacos, beer battered fish and chips, shrimp, some tasty Thai food, and even a few pastry options. The next food stop is in Hana Town, which is just two stops away, but if you visit both it will probably take about an hour to an hour and a half.

The marketplace may be temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

More than just a garden, Kahanu Gardens is also a cultural site and National Historic Landmark. Here, the focus is on plants of value to Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. You’ll learn about the connection between the ancient Hawaiians and the land. The garden is also home to a thatched canoe house and one of the largest heiau (or temple) in all of Polynesia.

Note: There is an admission fee to enter the garden, and it closes at 3pm.

Please Note: Parking AND entrance fees are now required to visit Waianapanapa. You MUST make an advance reservation to visit the park. NO same day reservations will be accepted. * Book your reservation on www.gowaianapanapa.com. 

Visit one of Maui’s only black sand beaches. Created when hot lava shattered on contact with the ocean, this beach is unlike any others on the Road to Hana.

While you’re there, look out for the freshwater cave that leads to the ocean, a blowhole that shoots water into the air, a sea arch formed from erosion, and a hiking trail along the coast. 

This is a great spot to spend some time, stretch your legs, lay in the sun, and even have a picnic.

Entrance is $5 per person AND $10 per vehicle to park. 

This general store has been owned and operated by the same family since 1910. It has everything from snacks to souvenirs. It’s a great place to stop to pick up food and drinks for the road. You can also skip it for now and visit on the way back.

Pro Tip! The only gas station in Hana is next door. Fuel up here if you need to.

You made it to Hana! Now, take a few minutes to lay down and relax at Koki Beach. One interesting feature of this spot is the large hill beside it. Hawaiians have a name for this spot - it’s called Ka Iwi o Pele, which means the bones of Pele. Actually, this hill is a cinder cone that erupted lava just before Mount Haleakala went dormant.

This is a perfect family beach because of the protected cove and the large sandy area. If the waves aren’t too strong, there is some pretty decent snorkeling on the far left side of the cove. Park next to the road and access the beach by a set of stairs.

This is by far one of the most popular stops on the Road to Hana. ‘Ohe’o Gulch, also known as Pools of ‘Ohe’o and Seven Sacred Pools, are a series of cascading waterfalls that lead to pristine swimming holes. This is the perfect place to unwind with a dip after a long day of driving. Take in the natural beauty and reminisce on all you’ve seen and learned on your tour today.

Note: There’s a $30 entrance fee per car to enter Haleakala National Park. Please Note: Seven Sacred Pools can get crowded, if you’re looking for another swimming hole that’s less busy, skip this spot and head to Venus Pools (check below for more details). We recommend you do one of the two, especially if it’s getting late.

On your way back, you’ll have the option to stop at Venus Pools. This is a wonderful alternative to Seven Sacred Pools, because it is usually uncrowded and you can also do some rock jumping. Sometimes the waterfall is dry, but you can still swim in the pool below. If you’ve had your fill of swimming at Oheo Gulch, or it’s starting to get dark, we suggest you skip this spot and continue back towards Paia.

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As you continue driving towards Kipahulu (Haleakala National Park), look out for Wailua Falls along the road. Up to this point you have already seen a ton of waterfalls. But this one is the largest of them all, at 80 feet tall. The best view is from the right of the bridge. There's no need to stop, just be mindful of other drivers on the road as you keep an eye out.

Once you get to Haleakala National Park, there’s a 3.5 mile rain forest trail that offers beautiful views of two waterfalls and a bamboo forest. The hike is rated moderate and takes about 2 hours to complete, if you’re short on time, or looking for a family-friendly option, hike to the first lookout point where you can see Waimoku Falls. From there, turn around and continue to Seven Sacred Pools.

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Note: There’s a $30 entrance fee per car to enter Haleakala National Park.

Kipahulu is the end of our tour and within a National Park. The restrooms here are pretty basic but generally clean. Make sure you use the restroom before starting the long drive back to Kahului. The water fountains here don’t always work so your next best option is to buy bottled water from the Visitor center gift shop here.