Where to Go on Maui? 5 Sights to Explore in a Rental Car

Considering Maui for your upcoming vacation? Great choice! The island is full of beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes that you can explore with a rental car. Yes, personal transport is the only convenient way to get around there, plus Maui car rental under 25 will allow even young drivers to enjoy the road trip.

 As one of the largest islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, Maui is home to a large number of iconic landmarks. Check out some of the most interesting places you shouldn’t miss on your road trip…

Haleakala volcano 

The Hawaiian Islands are huge volcanoes, most of which are hidden in the ocean depths. The Haleakala volcano rises 3,000 meters above the water surface, and its crater diameter is more than 11 km.

You can climb to the top by a rental car, then walk a little to the observation deck to enjoy breathtaking panorama. Frozen rivers of lava, small secondary volcanoes, and sparkling blotches of obsidian create an impression of unreality.

Another gem of this place is the Haleakala silversword. This amazing flower grows only in highland regions, lives up to 90 years, reaches 2 meters in height, blooms only once in a lifetime, after which it dies. The plant is currently on the verge of extinction.

The top of the crater with the surrounding area and the Kipahulu coast is the national park. We strongly advise you to climb Haleakala at dawn: the sunrise over the volcano and the ocean is just a fantastic sight that you won’t see anywhere else.

The Road to Hana 

Hana Highway is a scenic road that leads to the town of Hana. It’s very winding, surrounded by wild jungle, with many bridges, waterfalls, and bamboo groves. An inconspicuous path through the bamboo thickets runs to the top of the 400-meters-high Waimoku Falls. Also you’ll see the Seven Sacred Pools along the way. This is a complex of waterfalls with beautiful baths.

The magnificent Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Gardens with a wide variety of tropical flora is also worth your attention. More than 500 species of plants growing there look like a real paradise on earth. By the way, Jurassic Park was filmed right there, in the midst of the blooming nature.

Either way, traveling the Hana Highway in your rental car is a must-have experience on your Maui vacation.

Molokini crater 

Molokini is an underwater, now inactive volcano just 3 km from Maui. A small crescent-shaped part of it protrudes from the water. This place is great for diving and snorkeling, and the crater itself has the status of a national reserve.

Underwater visibility reaches 45 meters, which makes Molokini one of best snorkeling spots on the planet. Unfortunately, there may be too many tourists.

Experienced people say that there’s an alternative place to explore the underwater world on Maui. Take a rental car and go to Honolua Bay in the north of the island. Here you will see sea turtles, angel fish, parrot fish, surgeon fish, barracuda, octopus and many more bizarre and rare inhabitants of the deep sea.

It’s best to go snorkeling in the morning to avoid the crowds. Bring good shoes with you, as it’s almost impossible to walk barefoot because of the coral.

Iao Valley 

This National Natural Monument in the United States is renowned for its natural beauty. The peaks of the Western Ridge are covered with dense tropical forests. A feature of this area is the highest level of precipitation on Earth, due to which water streams rush down from the peaks.

The Iao Valley is a cultural heritage site that is the burial place of Hawaii’s indigenous leaders. A popular tourist attraction is the Kepaniwai Gardens – a park ensemble, parts of which are decorated in different styles – Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Korean, Filipino, Portuguese and American missionary.

Wailea Resort

Wailea is a popular resort on the south coast of Maui. It’s ideal for families, as well as for people who prefer comfort, peace and quiet. The resort is located 35 minutes drive from Kahului Airport and 43 km from Lahaina, which makes car rental the best way to get there.

The amazing Wailea Resort covers 1,500 acres of land providing stunning ocean views. There are 5 beautiful sandy beaches there, among which the most popular are Wailea Beach and Polo Beach. Here you can rent a boat or yacht, take a boat trip, and go scuba diving. The fans of active rest will enjoy magnificent golf courses, tennis courts, and a spa center. Luxurious villas, condominiums and luxury hotels are a perfect place to stay.

Upscale local restaurants will delight visitors with excellent Hawaiian cuisine, while malls and shops will satisfy avid shoppers.