Hawaii’s second-largest island, Maui, was created by two volcanos that created an isthmus. Since then, it has skyrocketed in popularity to become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.
So your bags are packed, the flight is booked, and house sitter organized. Here are just a few things you need to know (and I may have learned the hard way) before venturing to Maui.
All Beaches Are Public in Maui
Sorry, beach drinkers! All beaches in Maui are public property, even in front of hotels. The upside is that you can visit any beach in Maui that you’d like, so feel free to resort-hop and explore around the island!
You’ll Need Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Over 55 gallons of sunscreen is added to Maui waters every day. This can cause major damage to the beautiful coral reefs and alter the ecosystem. Of course, sunscreen is necessary if you’re planning on being beachside all day, so make sure you pick up a sunscreen that is zinc oxide or titanium oxide-based. If your sunscreen contains oxybenzone, avobenzone, or aerosol, skip it. If you’re standing in line at Target right now and not sure if your sunscreen will be reef safe, check out this list of Hawaii-approved sunscreens.
You Can’t Do The Whole Island in One Day
It may seem that the small island of Maui should be easy to circumnavigate, however, it can take three hours to get from the west side of the island to the right, and even more time if there’s traffic.
There are hundreds of incredible things to do across Maui, so trying to cram as much as possible into one day isn’t a great game plan anyway.
You’ll Need to Rent A Car
Do as I say, not as I do! During my adventures in Maui, most of my activities were scheduled on the west side of the island with a few exceptions (the lilac farm, road to Hana, and helicopter tours are closer to the east side). I figured renting a car would be a waste of money – we were only venturing over a few times and it’s a small island, right? Not so!
If you use a taxi or car share service, you will probably end up racking up more in fees than you would renting a car. Even jetting around the west side from Lahaina to Ka’anapali can get pricey – so skip the Uber and rent a car.
Not sure where to stay in Maui? Read all about my favorite hotel and the authentic Hawaiian experience you’ll get on your stay!
