With its beautiful beaches, historical attractions and unique culture, Lahaina is one of the best places to explore on the island of Maui.
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Lahaina has over a thousand years of rich history, and was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845. From beaches to restaurants, Lahaina was one of the top attractions for our island. Lahaina's Front Street has been ranked one of the Top Ten Greatest Streets by the American Planning Association.
In a nutshell: Quaint and compact, Lahaina is one of the best places to stay in Maui if you don't want to rent a car. There are lots of fun things to do in Lahaina. It's easy to explore on foot, and everything you need is at your doorstep. It's also where you can save a little money on your lodgings in Maui.
Day or night, exploring LAHAINA on foot is a unique experience, one where you'll fi nd historic sites and modern hangouts dotting the landscape of this famous port city.
For great, dry weather and lush greens, head to West Maui, around Lahaina and Ka'anapali. Check out our Maui Weather article for more information about Maui's weather. Stick to the western and southern coastlines if you want to stay close to other visitors, vacation activities, and social happenings.
Maui's leeward side inarguably presents the best beaches on the island—if by “best” you mean golden sand, perfectly-swimmable waters, outstanding snorkeling opportunities, lulling waves gentle enough for first-time surfers, and sunshine in spades.
The beach was quieter and swimming and snorkelling were still good. We stayed at the Maui Eldorado so spent a few days at this beach. Without even snorkelling, saw turtles swim by every day as well as a monk seal. The water was warm and clear and the sand soft; beach was clean.
Oprah Winfrey, a part-time Maui resident for over 15 years, owns extensive properties on the island. Her 1,000-acre portfolio includes a farmhouse in Kula, southeast of Lahaina. While wildfires threaten the area, she also possesses acreage near Mount Haleakala and Hana, which are relatively far from the fires' reach.
For a more authentic feel, skip the mega-resorts of West and South Maui and head to the North Shore, East Maui, or Upcountry, where you're more likely to interact with locals than with tourists. Upcountry is the least touristy area.
One of the main reasons to fall in love with Maui is undoubtedly its gorgeous beaches. Volumes have been written about Maui beaches and their diversity. From white to black and red sand, from snorkeling to windsurfing and swimming, Maui has over 30 miles of unbelievably beautiful beaches.
There's plenty of gorgeous water to be found at Maui's beach parks, but the clearest is in Honolua Bay, especially during the summer. Honolua is Hawaiian for “two harbors,” and the bay was originally used to receive ships and unload supplies.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach located on Maui is known to have rough water and is reported to be one of a handful of red sand beaches around the world. Makena Beach in Maui has the nickname of “breakneck beach” because the surf breaks right on the shore, making it very dangerous to swim in.
Ka'anapali Beach stretches over 6.3 miles of West Maui coastline, just north of the Historic Town of Lahaina. The Ka'anapali Beach area is a popular resort area on Maui, with a variety of hotels and vacation condominiums, and a paved walking path that stretches from each far end.
Pineapple Hill and Plantation Estates are the most exclusive locations for those who want the privilege of expansive land. The Plantation Estates surround the famous Plantation Golf Course and offer spectacular views of the course, the ocean, and the islands of Molokai and Lana.
There are 18 neighborhoods in Maui. Wailea has a median listing home price of $3.3M, making it the most expensive neighborhood. Paukukalo is the most affordable neighborhood, with a median listing home price of $650K.