The Road to Hana: Tips for This Amazing Maui Experience

Make sure to click the underlined links for more information or to book an activity or tour.
 
If you had to choose only one “Must Do” thing to do in Maui, it should definitely be The Road to Hana. If you are a confident driver, we recommend renting a car and driving yourself. That way you won’t miss any of the cool spots where the larger tours can’t stop.

There’s so much to see along the road to Hana that we suggest you plan ahead. Some places are easy to miss and there’s so much to do and see, you’ll definitely have to make some tough choices. To make things easier, we recommend using an itinerary or audio guide to keep you on track. Shaka Guide is an audio tour app with an excellent Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour.

Before starting out, be sure to first read about the waterfalls and other places you want to visit. Many of the trails to waterfalls have steep descents or climbs, muddy trails, and slippery rocks and could be hard for young children or elderly people to navigate.

Keep in mind, The Road to Hana is about the drive, not getting to Hana! It will take a minimum of 4-6 hours or longer if you want to chill at a waterfall or hang out at a scenic beach. The more stops you make, the longer your day will be, so plan accordingly.

Helpful tip: Mana Foods in Paia opens at 8 a.m. and is among the most economical (and healthy) places to stock up on drinks, snacks, and prepared foods before you start the Road to Hana drive. Despite the signs you will see that say, “Last food stop before Hana!” there are several cool places to grab snacks (especially banana bread and fresh smoothies) and lunch but they may not always be open.

If you are planning on hiking or going swimming, make sure you’re prepared by bringing the following:

• Drinking water & snacks
• Ginger lozenges if you get car sick (they sell them everywhere)
• Mineral sunblock
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Clothing & shoes that you can get dirty
• Shoes with good traction and extra socks
• Water shoes if you have some (the waterfall pools have slippery rocks)
• Change of clothing
• Windbreaker or light waterproof jacket (it rains in some spots)
• Mosquito repellant

Best Road to Hana Tours 

Don’t feel like making the drive yourself? Don’t worry. There are some great Road to Hana tours you can take. The best part of the tours is that a tour guide not only provides a wealth of knowledge about each area, but they also tend to keep the drive fun and entertaining.

If you don’t want to spend all day in a car, but you want to see all the highlights of Hana, you will love this combination luxury van and helicopter tour. Perfect for small groups of up to 6 people. You can see all the sights on the Road to Hana from the ground and air. It’s the ultimate Maui adventure and possibly one of the best Road to Hana tours there is. Make reservations here.

If you’re looking for a leisurely, easy-going tour with some scenic stops, we recommend the Road to Hana Group Tour. You’ll make stops to take in the stunning views, eat lunch, and go swimming. Keep in mind that because this is a large tour bus, you won’t be able to access as many places, and the pace is much slower than if you drove on your own. Make reservations here.

Halfway to Hana + Waterfall and Garden of Eden Tour
Embark on an unforgettable journey to one of Maui's most iconic and scenic destinations - the famed Hana Highway - combined with a visit to the lush Garden of Eden. With the cultural history of Keanae Peninsula and an incredible waterfall to swim in. This tour ensures exclusivity with a private entrance to the Garden of Eden. Make reservations here.

Another option is taking a Small Group Luxury Van, which is much more comfortable and allows for more stops. It’s a perfect compromise for those who don’t want to drive all day, but still want to fully experience the Road to Hana. Make reservations here.
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No matter what option you choose, the Road to Hana is an absolute must when you come to Maui!