A lay of the land

➳ Grab breakfast at Java Cafe

My friend heather and I went to Java Cafe and had a lovely late breakfast here on our first morning on the island. I went with the peanut butter gluten-free toast topped with bananas and drizzled with organic honey.

On the menu you’ll find: coffee, organic smoothies, and cold pressed juices. Alternative milk options include soy and almond milk. For bites, they have sandwiches, toast, wraps, waffles, and bagels with gluten free bread and vegan options. You’ll also find an assortment of fresh-baked croissants and pastries.

Order at the counter, then pick out your spot.

The outdoor seating area is mostly covered by a pergola (that lanai life, am I right?). A wooden railing, bamboo shades, planters full of lush plants, and garden beds of palms did the trick of secluding the dining space away from the traffic of the parking lot.

Java Cafe

Lots of seating (indoor and outdoor) with good lattes and health-conscious dining options (avocado toast, anyone?)

Kihei Caffe

“Diner done Hawaiian style!”

➳ Beach it up

Keawakapu Beach

Ahh, Keawakapu. What more is there to say other than it is the perfect Maui beach? Wide sand beach separated from houses, hotels, parking lots, and the street with green foliaged mounds under tall palms.

There are rocky outcroppings in front of the Mana Kai Maui Resort and Hale Hui Kai, so just be mindful when coming in from a swim.

There is a small parking lot — Keawakapu Beach Public Parking. I managed to squeeze my Wrangler into a space that may or may not have been an official spot 🙂

All the wedding guests met up here with the groom & groom for an afternoon soak and swim.

While Jerry held court with the cooler under the breezy palms near the Mana Kai Maui Resort (and layers and layers of SPF and towels), Jake and I spent a lovely three hours wading in the gentle surf, occasionally deigning to shed our scales to go ashore to mingle with our friends.

After a day of travel (and for me, a month of cabin fever due to plummeting January temperatures in Michigan and a mandatory COVID quarantine), to be outside, in the sunshine, bodies swaying in the gentle, balmy waters of the Great Blue, I’m not exaggerating when I say it was like being born again.

Hour by hour, under the sun and salty surf, I felt myself becoming a real human again. Buoyed in the oceans warm embrace, my soul returned to inhabit my body—limbs and torso moving so seemingly effortlessly once again after weeks of fatigue-induced immobility.

It’s no lie to say we both entered a meditative state during our swim. Under the Pacific sun, we talked for hours and hours about nothing at all.

It wasn’t until we came ashore and Jerry yelled, “Y’all have been in there for three goddamn hours! It’s time to go!” did I even realize how pruned by fingers were.

➳ Dinner at Lava Rock

After a retreat back to the room to shower and get ready, we all met back up at Lava Rock Bar & Grill for dinner. They were able to accommodate our large party (14+), but I would call ahead to make sure.

Heather and I showed up late and slightly buzzed, making quite the entrance. It was also this night that we earned the title as “the fun ones” — a moniker that surpassed both of us, but we wore that crown with much panache.

➳ Explore Po’olenalena Beach

Best for: beach day, swimming, snorkeling, getting married

Parking: big, dedicated free parking lot

Facilities: port-a-potty (north parking lot) and shower (south entry)

Topography: sandy, gentle slope, with rocky outcroppings perfect for snorkeling

Nearly half a mile of pristine sandy beach lined with trees, that never seems to be too crowded. Excellent swimming (and some great snorkeling opportunities await here). Don’t forget to take a climb over the lava rocks on the north side to access the northernmost portion of the beach.

I went early that day to get a lay of the land and get some drone shots before the wedding ceremony. But you should definitely go for a morning walk, swim, and lounge!

➳ Snorkel Makena Landing

Best for: snorkeling, kayaking, families with small children, roadside picnic spot with views

Parking: dedicated free parking lot

Facilities: bathrooms, showers, kayak rentals

Topography: very small sand beach area with gentle slope, rocky cliff sides perfect for snorkeling and spotting hono (sea turtles)

This was the first place I snorkeled on the island, and it was the perfect spot to get my feet wet (literally and figuratively) because you don’t have to venture far from shore or the beach, and the gentle slope into the water makes it a breeze getting in and out. Once I got in and got my flips and goggles on, I spent about thirty minutes exploring the northern rocky ridge before I headed back in.

I didn’t stay long, but the trees lining the grassy cliffside would make a perfect spot for a picnic lunch (or practicing your drone maneuvers).

➳ Shop in Wailea

After Makena Landing, I headed to some stores for a snack and to see if I could find any more gluten-free breadstuffs.

Wailea is a very beautiful resort area, and I actually really enjoyed just driving around this area.

Island Gourmet Kitchen

Deli counter with lots of made to order and grab and go options

Tutu’s Pantry in Rainbow Mall

Local made Hawaiian foods & goods

➳ Sunset wedding ceremony at Po’olenalena Beach

Po’olenalena Beach is a popular wedding spot.
My friends got married in a beautiful sunset ceremony on the north side of the beach.

One that I, unfortunately, didn’t hear a word of because I was getting epic drone shots.

➳ Reception and dinner at The Triangle

We started out at Haui’s Life’s a Beach for dinner (the groom serenaded us with Garth Brooks karaoke) and then several of us made our way over to Vibe Bar Maui for tiki drinks!

➳ Beach Day

➳ Classic Whalewatch tour with PacWhale Eco Adventures

Hop aboard with PacWhale Eco Adventures and sail Maalaea Bay and the ‘Au’au Channel with certified Marine Naturalists at the helm!

The deets:

◦ Cost: $75 per adult / $45 per child (with 20% online booking discount)

◦ Morning tours: 9am + 11am / Afternoon tours: 2pm & 4:30pm  

◦ Duration: 2 hours long 

◦ We booked our tour online the day before 

◦ We departed from Lahaina Harbor, but they’re currently only operating out of Ma’alaea Harbor now

◦ Water is offered free on board. Snacks and drinks (including alcohol) is available for purchase

◦ All vessels are cashless—credit, debit, and digital payments accepted

◦ ADA compliant boarding and restroom access available. Please call (808) 201-4014 to ensure you are booked on the correct vessel for this accommodation

◦ Wear sunscreen and flat shoes!  

◦ Cameras and binoculars available for rental

PacWhale Eco Adventures have an impressive 97% sighting success rate. Whale sights are guaranteed or you get to go again free (within the next year).

Dive into the world of whale watching and don’t forget your dramamine!

➳ Lunch at a food truck park

Kīhei Food Truck Park

You’ve got quite a selection to choose from here: southern bbq, Caribbean, burgers, Thai, sushi, poke bowls, and of course, Hawaiian/Asian fusion and shrimp. They’ve also got the vegans covered at Earth Aloha Eats!

Would go just to check out the bao buns at Suns Out Buns Out!

And don’t forget to caffeinate at Kraken Coffee.

Take a seat in the shade at a picnic table under one of the wooden gazebos and enjoy!

South Maui Gardens Food Truck Park

A tropical oasis that’s a mix of brick and mortar restaurants and food trucks.

Check out: Howzit Eh! (serving Hawaiian and Canadian)
If you go, please report back, I must know!

➳ Snorkeling tour

Turtle Town Snorkel with Photo and Video

As much as I love snorkeling and exploring on my own, I also love taking a tour with local guides who know their stuff. Going with guides allows me to expand my horizons further than I would feel comfortable doing on my own.

I also chose this tour because it’s a much smaller group compared to commercial tours (there were six of us in our group) and because you get photos and videos taken of you while you’re living your best mermaid life!

WHAT YOU GET:

1. HD pictures and raw video clips of our trip to take home, edit, & add to media accounts!

2. A personalized link for easy sharing & same day photo delivery

3. A beautiful shore snorkel through Maui’s Turtle Town

We met our guide, Shelby, at Olowalu Beach at 10:30 in the morning. Snorkeling is best in the morning when the water is clearest and calmest, so most snorkel tours will be in the morning.

Shelby is a young transplant from Texas (if I recall correctly) and was an incredible guide (and also a surf instructor)! We learned so much from her about rip currents and the ocean, and she made everyone in our group feel incredibly safe and welcome. Plus, she’s also really cool and super ripped (I’m not even kidding, I wish I had her muscles!)

After loading up with all the necessary gear at their base camp (aka the the trunk of their car), we made our way to the shore.

All equipment (flips, mask, and snorkel) is provided, as well as life jackets and floatation boards for those who would like them. Life jackets are not mandatory, though. We didn’t wear them.

Before entering the water, we got a brief snorkel and ocean safety run down and then we were on our way!

One person in our group was not a confident swimmer and did most of the tour with the flotation device under her (but was still able to get the full snorkel experience, just with the added support). So while you do need to be able to swim to partake in this tour, if you’re not the best swimmer, don’t let this stop you. Message Adam and Rachael directly if you have concerns.

I also have to say, Ashley (my ever present travel buddy) was not fully on board with this snorkel idea before we went (because, you know, the ocean and creatures), but ended up surprising herself and having a fantastic time! I’m really proud of her for getting out there!

I will say, visibility here is excellent (essentially crystal clear—you can see through to the bottom at all times and around you, so nothing is going to sneak up on you).

The most uncomfortable thing, to me, while snorkeling, is when the mask and snorkel sometimes leak water into your eyes and mouth. Causing you to have to stop, upright yourself out of the water, and readjust your gear.

But if you’re uncomfortable or afraid at any time, just let Shelby or whoever your guide is know. They are there to support you. Everyone in our group was super chill and helpful as well. Always, always, always do what feels best and right for you.

Entering the water, we all got our flips and goggles on (it’s much easier to put them on in the water than out, but if you want to waddle like a penguin into the water, you do you) and followed Shelby out into the reef.

The swim out is slow and leisurely (ain’t no body in a rush here). She told us to look out for turtles, reef sharks, and, if we were lucky we might even spot an octopus! (We didn’t, but I really tried!)

I’ve always found that because I’m so immersed in the underwater world, time has a way of slowing down when you’re snorkeling. All you can hear is the water and your own breathing in the snorkeling tube (which admittedly can feel claustrophobic at times, but what I get out of the experience has always been so much greater than any discomfort). The ocean around and beneath you just feels really close, for lack of better words. You honestly forget an entire world exists above the surface.

So before I knew it, we had swam a mile out from shore. Though, to be honest, it didn’t really feel like it because you are swimming within the reef, so the water isn’t that deep (you can see the bottom). However, I will say, I never ever would have, in my wildest dreams, swam out that far on my own. But being that far out from shore felt like our group was in our own little bubble of paradise.

Also know, the shore was always in sight.

When a beautiful green sea turtle decided to come hang out with us for a bit, it felt really intimate because it was just the seven of us and the turtle. It was a really incredible experience!

We were out for about an hour total before we turned back to head to shore. While we were out there we saw a bunch of fish and several sea turtles.

Once we all made it back and dragged ourselves back onto shore, we walked down the beach back to their base camp and unloaded all our gear. Shelby sent us all our photos and videos via text (she used an iPhone).

We did tip her about $20.

When we went in 2022, we met at Olowalu Beach. The parking lot here is a sand pit, so be warned. Our Jeep Wrangler got stuck and someone had to tow us out (thank you, by the way, kind stranger, we owe you one!)

But please be advised that as of 2024, this tour leaves from Makena Landing.

Turtle Town Snorkel deets:

◦ 10:30am – noon
◦ $129 pp
◦ All equipment provided, including life jackets + floaties for those who want them!
◦ Guides are very safety oriented and are all CPR and AED certified, Free dive certified, and have clocked thousands of hours in the water

Other snorkeling tour options

➳ Luau

Maui Revealed

This is my go-to resource for Maui and I cannot recommend this book enough!

Andrew is the real deal. He (and now his team) live and breathe Hawaii in a way that seriously makes me jealous, spending two years on the ground researching, exploring, and doing all the things before publishing their blue guidebooks.

All written with a dash of humor and a smattering of sarcasm, it’s the perfect companion for your Maui trip planning.

The Maui Collection