20 Incredible Stops on the Road to Hana Maui

Outfit Details:
White Polka Dot Dress | Hat
Camera Details:
Canon EOS 6D | Canon EF 24-70mm

The Road to Hana is a must-have experience while in Maui.

There are so many things to do, see, and experience that it will be hard, if not impossible, to do them all in one day.

We have driven the Road to Hana countless times, but we’ve never been able to do everything on this list in one day. 

And actually, we’ve never even done everything on this list! 

While we’ve done just about all of them (some multiple times), we just haven’t been able to get to a few of them. That’s not to say we haven’t tried! 

For example, the last time we went Wai’anapanapa State Park was by reservation only, so we had to skip it. 

But that just means we have something new to experience the next time we visit Maui! 

So I recommend picking your top 10-15 must-have experiences and focusing on those. 

Because you definitely want to take your time and enjoy your Road to Hana trip.

The last thing you want to do is rush from one place to the next just so you can check them off your list. 

And a couple of quick notes about the list. 

The first two items are technically not on the Road to Hana but are some of our favorites to start the day’s drive. And the last two are technically past Hana.

But chances are if you are planning a trip on the Road to Hana you will want to include them on your list! So let’s get to it!

Click here to see an Instagram Reel of our latest trip on the Road to Hana.

Looking for more Road to Hana tips?
Check out these 10 Things You Must Know Before a Trip on the Road to Hana.

Before the Road Hana

Two of my favorite places to stop as you drive towards the Road to Hana are:

1. Paia Bay Coffee Bar
2. Ho’okipa Lookout

For years I had been wanting to stop in Paia before heading out on the Road to Hana, but we were always in a hurry to get started, as there is so much to see and do, so we always skipped it.

This time we made a point to stop, partly because I needed to use the restroom (I was about 14 weeks pregnant) and also because we wanted to try a homemade croissant from the Paia Bay Coffee Bar.

It was so good!

One of our favorite quick stops is the Ho’okipa Lookout to see the surfers riding the big waves.

Depending on the time of day you stop here you may even find locals selling fresh coconuts!

Road to Hana

3. Mile Marker 2: Twin Falls

If you are already ready to stretch your legs, see a waterfall, or go for a swim, your first stop on the Road to Hana will probably be the Twin Falls!

4. Mile Marker 7: Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

These trees are gorgeous!

You can pull over and look at them, but there isn’t a great place to stop and just enjoy these trees.

However, if you really want to get some good pictures of rainbow eucalyptus trees, be sure to keep reading to see where we found some big beautiful ones!

5. Mile Marker 10.5: Garden of Eden

A few years ago, we decided to stop in at the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden because we had heard some great things about this place!

While it does cost to get in, if you are a big fan of Jurassic Park you will want to make a stop here to see where they filmed the opening sequence.

6. Mile Marker 13.5: Honomanu Bay

Honomanu Bay is kind of off the beaten path, but we’ve driven down to it in a van and a car.

So if you are confident in your driving and rental vehicle, you will enjoy this little stop.

But there aren’t any signs to get to it, which makes it a bit hard to find, however, that also means there are fewer people there!

7. Mile Marker 16.7: Ke’anae Arboretum

If you really wanted to get a good look and a pretty picture of the rainbow eucalyptus trees you will definitely want to stop here!

Plus, it’s free!

8. Mile marker 16.8: Ke’anae Peninsula

We always stop at the Ke’anae Peninsula. There is a beautiful old church that was built in 1856, and often big waves crashing onto the shore.

You can also pick up some fresh-baked banana bread here too!

9. Mile Marker 18.5: Wailua Valley State Wayside

This one is closer to MM 19 than it is to MM 18.

It’s just a quick stop, but with beautiful views!

10. Mile marker 19 (and 20): Upper Waikani Falls

Upper Waikani Falls is also known as Three Bears Waterfalls.

If you are looking for a fun stop with a refreshing dip in a waterfall, this one is beautiful!

11. Mile Marker 22.5: Pu’a Ka’a Wayside State Park

Needing a rest stop?

This place has restrooms and a waterfall!

12. Mile Marker 24: Hanawi Falls

Yep! You read that right, more waterfalls!

When my parent’s went on the Road to Hana they stopped at just about every waterfall they could!

So if you are on a mission to experience all of the waterfalls on the Road to Hana here’s another one to add to your growing list.

13. Mile Marker 31: Hana Lava Tube

We haven’t stopped here yet, and it does have a fee, but it’s on our list for a future visit!

14. Miler Marker 32: Wai’anapanapa State Park

This state park is known for its beautiful black sand beach. Plus, there is a blowhole!

Sadly we didn’t realize they had started only allowing people to enter by reservation only.

So be sure to make a reservation ahead of time to visit this state park!

Hana

16. Red Sand Beach

If you love colorful beaches, then you will love the Red Sand Beach!

There aren’t exactly signs to get to this beach, but you will see other tourists coming and going. So just be sure to kindly ask one who is coming back to make sure you are headed in the right direction.

Also, it is a bit of a treacherous hike to get there, but the water and view are beautiful, especially from the top!

Updated: I’ve had trolls attacking my Reel saying that it’s trespassing to hike to this beach. So I want to make it clear that we never saw any trespassing signs. We definitely would not have followed the trail if we had seen one. We were reading the signs (and looking for signs to make sure we were still on the right trail), as we saw signs that said the trail was dangerous, so we took precautions to walk slowly and carefully, but nothing about trespassing. I have read about this trail many times in the past and have never seen anything about trespassing. It also doesn’t say anything on the All Trails website about trespassing or it being illegal (which it does say about other trails we’ve seen on their App – and we have avoided those!!). It’s also (at the time of updating this) currently listed as #1 of 30 things to do in Hana on Tripadvisor. So if you are hoping to go on this trail I recommend asking your resort/hotel and double-checking by looking for any new signs that may have appeared since we traveled to Maui.

17. Mile Marker 45: Wailua Falls

This one is known as one of the most photographed waterfalls!

You don’t even have to get out of your car to see it!

18. Mile Marker 51: Hamoa Beach

Hamoa Beach is ranked as one of America’s best beaches/

So if you are looking for a place to relax and soak in the sun, be sure to check out this beautiful beach!

Past Hana

This can get confusing because you will notice the miles start to count back down now.

19. Mile Marker 45: Wailua Falls

This 80-ft waterfall is beautiful and you can see it right from your car!

But you will probably want to pull over because it’s so pretty.

20. Mile Marker 42: Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail & the Pools of Ohe’o (7 Sacred Pools)

You can park at the same place for both of these experiences!

Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail is a bit of a longer hike, so you will want to decide before starting out on it if you have the time and energy to make it there and back.

Although you can’t swim in these pools, the Pools of Ohe’o is a much shorter walk!

Back side of Hana 

I highly recommend that you consider driving around the east side of Maui around the backside of Haleakala.

Not only are there gorgeous views, but there are WAY fewer people who drive on this side of the island.

And it’s always one of our favorite parts of the trip!

I hope these tips help you as you plan your trip on the Road to Hana!

Are you planning a trip to Maui, or just want to start dreaming? Be sure to check out more of my posts and tips about planning a trip to Maui here!

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What are your favorite stops on the Road to Hana?
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With love, Giusti

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
Psalm 71:5 NIV