Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Maui?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Maui?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Maui, Hawaii? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Maui during their visit. After all, the adventure-filled island will let you swim at the beach, discover the nearby hiking trails, admire the wonderful scenery, and snorkel or scuba dive.

For many visitor's, Maui is a favorite of the Hawaiian Islands. The island is home to the Haleakala National Park, with its dramatic peaks and breathtaking scenery. Another iconic experience is to drive the road to Hana. Maui also has more than 30 miles of stunning beaches and the Iao Valley State Monument. Luaus and other cultural experiences also offer a unique take on the island's history.

Do you have one or two days to visit Maui? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Maui?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the adventure-filled island of Maui, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as Haleakala National Park. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.

How to spend a day in Maui

When visiting Maui, you absolutely can't miss Haleakala National Park as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

Maui is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • 'Alihilani Sunset Sail from Ma'alaea Harbor ($113)
  • Maui Hula Show: Hula and Fire Dancing at South Maui Gardens ($105)
  • Original Sunset Cruise with Open Bar from Ka’anapali Beach ($113)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Maui?

Maui offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to swim at the beach, discover the nearby hiking trails, admire the wonderful scenery, and snorkel or scuba dive. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the island. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Maui, Hawaii Maui, Hawaii

How to spend 2 days in Maui

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Maui will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.

The beautiful beaches await you in Maui, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Clear Kayak & Snorkel Tour (7am-10am) ($125)
  • Private Surf Lesson for Two Near Lahaina ($145)
  • Family and Couple Beach Photos ($99)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Maui, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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