East Maui Coast in a Day
A Wayfinders Guide to the Road to Hana, the Oheo Gulch, and Pi'ilani Highway
Our current Maui itinerary explores the incredible sights, attractions, and beaches of East Maui, including the world-famous Road to Hana. Because this region prominently features the Hana Highway (a.k.a ‘Road to Hana’), we often refer to it as the ‘Hana Highway’ region of Maui.
The famous Road to Hana
The Hana Highway (northeast and parts of southeast Maui) region spans from Pa’ia town to the community of Hana (Haa-na) on the northeastern tip of the island. Travelers and critics alike revere this region for its exceptional windsurfing, lush rural scenery, and the famous Road To Hana (Hana Hwy - 360).
Much of the little Hana Highway winds along the island’s beautiful northern coastline. Hana eventually merges into Pi’ilani Highway. This same road eventually loops around the backside of the Haleakala volcano into the Upcountry region of Maui.
The Power of Flexibility
Our guide incorporates a One-Day East Maui and a Two-Day East Maui Itinerary (if time permits).
We recommend the latter for most visitors to Maui. Nonetheless, if you’re on a tight schedule and only have one day use the one-day itinerary. Regardless, both options will serve you well. Both guides will cover the main attractions of Hana Drive.
East Maui Map for One-Day Trips
We’ve provided all Maui directions via Google Maps when possible, as Google Maps works on all platforms and across all devices. You should be able to pop the directions into your phone or tablet and go.
To help you visualize each day’s itinerary, we’ve also provided an East Maui ('Road to Hana') overview map to help you get your bearings.
East Maui Coast Itinerary Stops
One-Day Itinerary for East Maui...
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Stop # 1.) Twin Falls Trail
Mile Marker 2 on Highway 360 (Hana Hwy)
When it comes to driving the Hana Highway on Maui, it’s the journey, not the destination. Few words can describe the beauty of this drive. Cliffs cloaked in lush valleys dot this road. Since the curvy Hana road hugs the coast, see the fantastic ocean that stretches to the Alaskan coastline. Take this highway through ‘paradise’ where sandy black, red, and white beaches pepper the coast. Many beautiful trails and gardens sprawl across this road of ‘paradise.’ Additionally, expect to encounter several overflowing waterfalls.
Quick pro tip: Start early; early (5:30 am - 7:00 am a great time to start)! Check out our article When to Start the Road to Hana to learn more about starting this journey early. If you start later in the morning, expect a less pleasant experience due to congestion on the highway.
Twin Falls
Launch your one-day East Maui itinerary with a quick visit to Twin Falls. Twin Falls sits near the beginning of the Road to Hana along Highway 360.
Just beyond mile 2, a bridge crosses the Ho’olawa Nui stream, where you’ll find Twin Falls. Some folks call it Hoolawa Falls. Twin Falls is an excellent stop to view several minor falls. We recommend skipping or limiting your visit to this site. Instead of finding a grand waterfall, many visitors found it lackluster especially compared to the other waterfalls in East Maui. Instead, we recommend stopping here if you have time on your return. We suggest you continue driving for the best waterfalls on Maui.
Stop # 2.) Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail Loop
Mile Marker 9 on Highway 360 (Hana Hwy)
After your quick visit to Twin Falls, let’s continue down the Hana Highway to Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail. This stop offers a short hike through the Maui rainforest. The hike entails a loop trail and a longer trail that leads to an available picnic pavilion.
Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail
It is mauka (toward the mountain) to the Waikamoi Ridge Forest Trail and Overlooks. This trail begins near the mile 9 mark, about a half-mile past the mile marking. Keep your eyes open for the parking lot as you approach the path. Many overlook the parking lot because it’s around a bend in the road.
The Waikamoi Trail is a beautiful, short nature walk through trees, bamboo, and ferns with a scenic overlook at various points along the way. The trail has two sections: a short loop that takes about half an hour and ends where it starts (at the picnic area). The second option is a one-way extension from the loop trail. Both trails begin at the picnic shelter located near the parking area.
The Waikamoi Trail is 0.8 miles if you do the loop trail alone and about a mile and a half if you do the extension. Depending on which routes you hike, you can spend about 30 minutes to an hour here.
Stop # 3.) Garden of Eden
Mile Marker 10.5 on Highway 360 (Hana Hwy)
After you finish trekking through the jungle at Waikamoi Forest Ridge, we'll continue to our next stop - a commercial stop, but one we highly recommend for all visitors. You will find stunning views within the garden, but you'll also find the only (legally accessible) overlooks for two popular waterfalls on the Highway: Upper and Lower Puohokamoa Falls.
Garden of Eden Botanical Arboretum
On the mauka (mountain) side of the Hana Highway, half-mile past mile marker 10, you’ll find The Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Usually, we don’t cover private gardens or businesses. Nonetheless, this garden is the exception. We consider it as one of our favorite stops on the Hana Highway. Notably, the director filmed the opening scene of “Jurassic Park” in this garden. You can find the Keopuka “Jurassic Park” Rock from the gorgeous Lookout inside the garden.
The owners purchased this 25-acre site in 1991. Eventually, they added exotic plants and trees from the South Pacific region and tropical rain forests worldwide. They envision restoring the area’s natural ecosystem with Hawaii’s native and indigenous species.
Today, the garden holds over 500 botanically labeled plants, including the most extensive plants in Hawaii. Polynesians have used it for their ceremonies and rituals for so long in history. The garden holds culturally viable plants.
Other highlights of this garden include:
- A panoramic view of the Upper & Lower Puohokamoa Falls.
- Domesticated animals ( peafowl, chickens, ducks, geese, and even horses) reside here.
Overall, expect to spend about an hour or two in the garden.
Admission Fees: $20 (16 Years +) | $10 (Ages 5 -16) | Children 5 Years and Under are Free (rates are subject to change)
Stop # 4.) Wai'anapanapa State Park
Mile Marker 32 on Highway 360 (Hana Hwy)
After you finish enjoying your visit to the Garden of Eden, continue along the Hana Highway for over 20 miles of scenic driving. To save time on the one-day trip, skip as many stops as possible until reaching Wai’anapana State Park near mile marker 32. Despite the strong temptation to stop at various stops, follow our advice -built from almost 20 years making this drive- and avoid these stops for the best sights ahead.
Wai'anapanapa State Park & Black Sand Beach
Wai’anapanapa (Why-Ah-naa-paa-naa-paa) features sculpted lava rocks, a black sand beach, wind twisted foliage, a sea arch, lava caves, tubes, and a blowhole in the lava rocks near the shoreline.
Hike the fascinating area surrounding the park. You can find a few wet caves and lava tubes with fresh water.
Reservations Notice Update: As of March 1, 2021, Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park requires reservations (up to two weeks in advance) for all non-resident visitors and commercial vehicles to enter the park. No same-day reservations will be accepted. The parking fee for out-of-state visitors will be $10.
Stop # 5.) Beyond Hana - Hamoa Beach
Mile Marker 51 on Highway 31 (Pi'ilani Hwy)
Mile markers will begin counting down after you pass through Hana town. Eventually, the road transitions from the Hana Highway (Hwy 360) to the Pi’ilani Highway (Hwy 31). The first stop along the Pi’ilani Highway, beyond Hana town, is the incredible Hamoa Beach.
Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach is located about 2.5 miles outside of Hana town traveling south. The access road is located just south of a large cinder cone.
There is a small white sign pointing the way to the beaches along this section of the road. There are several beaches in the area, Hamoa being the safest and most beautiful.
Turn down the access road and follow it around until you reach the beaches about 1.5 miles down the road. There's a bus pull-off on the makai (seaward) side of the road; the beach is below the overlook.
Stop # 6.) Wailua Falls
Mile Marker 45 on Highway 31 (Pi'ilani Hwy)
After enjoying the pristine views at Hamoa Beach, we have another treat in store for you at our next stop, Wailua Falls. This scenic waterfall is located just off the highway near the 45-mile marker.
Wailua Falls
Just beyond mile marker 45 on the Hana Highway, after it turns into Highway 31, you’ll reach one of the gorgeous falls in all of Hawaii, Wailua Falls.
Wailua Falls gracefully cascades 80 feet through a lush terrain into the surrounding vegetation. A short path takes you to the base of the falls. Take caution because some find the course tricky.
The water flow varies but is usually pretty at any rate throughout the year. Expect to spend 20-40 minutes at this stop.
Stop # 7.) Ohe'o Gulch at Kipahulu
Mile Marker 42 on Highway 31 (Pi'ilani Hwy)
Our final stop on our one-day itinerary is the Oheo Gulch at Kipahulu inside the southeastern end of Haleakala National Park. The entrance fee is $30 as of this writing.
Quick Pro Tip: Save your admission stub. An entrance ticket to Haleakala Park is valid for three days. Regardless of where you enter the park, this same ticket will gain you entrance. Hence, the ticket covers access to the summit, too.
The Drive Onward
After this stop, you can either travel to central Maui via the Pi’ilani Highway and Hana Highway; OR travel the adventurous backside of Haleakala into Upcountry Maui via the west road Pi’lani Highway. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the drive either way. We advise leaving the Oheo Gulch two hours before the sunset. View the current or future sunrise/sunset times for Maui here.
It will take roughly two hours to drive from the Oheo Gulch to Kahului along the Pi’ilani Highway with minimal stops. Or the drive can take 2.5 hours (or more) if you return to the Hana Highway.
Just remember, some rental agencies frown on the Highway 31 drive to Upcountry Maui due to a few unpaved portions. The drive is lovely for all vehicles, but ultimately that’s your decision. If you plan to drive the route along the backside of Haleakala, check with the rangers at the Ohe’o Gulch for conditions before you head out. The scenery along the rear of Haleakala is raw and wild, windswept, and relatively barren compared to the lush jungle scape on the other side of the volcano. This eclectic drive serves as quite an experience.
Ohe'o Gulch at Kipahuli inside Haleakala National Park
The Oheo Gulch, at Kipahuli, is near mile 42 on the Hana Highway. Found inside the Haleakala National Park, Oheo Gulch sits 15 minutes past Hana town.
Many names know the Oheo Gulch. Some call it the Kipahulu Area, while others call it the Seven Sacred Pools. You can find dozens of pools and waterfalls that flow through the Oheo Gulch into the nearby ocean. As a striking landscape, we recommend spending several hours here.
If you arrive early (before 1-2 pm in the Summer and no later than noon in the Winter) at Oheo Gulch, hike the Pipiwai Trail. The trail passes through an incredible bamboo forest to 400’ Waimoku Falls. The hike takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 4 hours. It depends on how much time you need to absorb the beautiful nature here. Yet, please set aside enough time to return to your lodging before darkness hits the Hana Highway. Don’t risk driving this curvy road in the dark.
East Maui One-Day Final Suggestions & Thoughts
We’ve attempted to cover all of the major highlights for this region, and we hope you have a great time exploring this portion of Maui. We sincerely hope our trip suggestions will assist you as a reference point. If you only have 2-3 days, use our resourceful outline for making the most of your short time in East Maui.
The Power of a Flexible Itinerary
Remember, each of our Maui Day-By-Day Itineraries is a grab-and-go resource for ‘mapping’ your trip. Because we provide daily itineraries, mix, shuffle, and re-order them according to your taste. Adapt these destination spots to fit your travel goals. If one of our suggested stops or Maui attractions doesn’t sound appealing to you, skip it for the following suggested stop on the list.
Overview of Planning for East Maui
In this section, we cover visiting East Maui for two days. We designed it for visitors who have 5-7 days on the island. An extra day to devote to the Road to Hana & Beyond makes all the difference.
You can find many great attractions along the drive. Splitting the stops between two days instead of one helps visitors better appreciate each visit. It gives visitors the time to enjoy themselves without feeling rushed thoroughly.
How Our Maui Itineraries Work
Remember, each of our Maui Day-By-Day Itineraries is used as a grab-and-go resource for ‘mapping’ your trip. Mixed, shuffled, and re-ordered our itineraries according to your desires for this dream vacation. As fellow travelers, we understand the value of having options. Subsequently, consider our plans as suggestions that you can ultimately adapt to your liking. For instance, if one of our suggested stops or Maui attractions doesn’t sound appealing to you, skip to the following suggested stop on the list.
Mapping Your Maui Trip
We’ve designed our itineraries around many on-island Maui days: one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven-day itineraries. Hence, explore the best sights of East Mau with our well-planned itinerary. We split our itineraries accordingly to make the most of your precious time. Whether you gravitate toward adventurous or leisure options, our guide offers it all. Ultimately, we designated this guide to build your dream Maui trip.
Dining Options
In this East Maui itinerary, we have NOT included dining recommendations. We appreciate everyone’s diverse palate. Hence, we refrain from offering dining guides to avoid overlooking others’ dining preferences. Nonetheless, if you’d like to see local dining options or suggestions, particularly in either Pa’ia town of Hana town, drop us a line and let us know: [email protected].
Quick Pro Tip: We recommend packing a lunch for the Road to Hana. There are several great locations to stop for a scenic picnic.