Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
This short and to the point article gets to the heart of what's Over and Underrated on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Maui is certainly one of the most popular islands for visitors and the saying, "Maui no ka oi" or "Maui is the best," is a legitimate saying for the many thousands of people that visit the island annually. But what's hot and what's not on Maui? Let's take a look.
Overrated
Hana Highway - Don't get us wrong about this one, we love the Hana Highway (as do many other visitors), but it's probably one of the most overrated drives in the islands. It's scenic yes, but it's not all that different from many coastal drives on the mainland - so if you've done a bit of traveling, it may not be as "majestic" as what you've heard. Plus the curves, one lane bridges, and constant distractions with cars in front of (or behind) you make the drive less than stellar for the person driving the car. Most people also assume the destination, Hana town, is the reason they're making this drive; well, it's not. The drive is popular for the journey itself, not the destination. All that said, we still really do love the Hana Highway (we wrote the book on it afterall), but it might be worth your time to read our Is the Road to Hana worth it article.
Underrated
The `Ohe`o Gulch - If you've ever tried to park here after 10 am, then you're probably thinking, "Underrated? Seriously?" Well, yes... the spot doesn't get nearly the attention it truly deserves - at least not by its proper name. The Gulch is often referred to as the "7 Sacred Pools" - which is odd because for starters there are more than seven of them. But this portion of Haleakala National Park offers a slew of activities from hiking to swimming (when the water conditions are right). The Pipiwai Trail, which starts at the Gulch, is arguably the best hike on the island, taking you two miles inland through a really cool bamboo forest and ultimately to the beautiful 400' Waimoku Falls at the end. I suppose it's somewhat ironic that you have to drive the Hana Highway to actually reach this point, but when you make that drive along the Highway, remember that the Gulch is one of the top attractions along the drive. Don't cut yourself short on time visiting this location. Another article that may prove interesting for visitors is our, Can I drive to the Oheo Gulch and back in a single day.
Overrated
Haleakala Sunrise - Getting up at 3 am on any day of the week is never fun, but doing it on your trip to Maui, and then spending an hour or two in freezing cold (literally) temperatures makes this an overrated activity in our opinion. Granted we've shivered like many other hundreds of people each week to watch this event a few times, but never have we felt it was truly worth the effort. On the other hand, our underrated activity below is well worth your time.
Underrated
Keoneheehee Sliding Sands Trail - This hike may well be the best-kept secret on the island of Maui. It's not for the faint of heart though, as the elevation can make this hike a lot harder than it might otherwise seem. But being able to walk (or take a horseback tour) into Haleakala Crater is one of the most amazing experiences to be found on Maui. Only when inside the crater can you truly appreciate just how big this volcano really is.
Overrated
Ka`anapali Beach - Ka`anapali Beach is beautiful yes, but often too crowded. Since nearly all of the seaside resorts in this area back up to Ka'anapali Beach, it makes finding a secluded spot hard to find.
Underrated
Hamoa Beach - Located beyond Hana and owned by Hotel Hana, this gorgeous beach is a wonderful location to catch some sun or do some boogie boarding. It has one of the prettiest backdrops on the island, and it's no wonder it has been rated a top beach in the United States time and time again by various magazines.
FREE 2025 DOWNLOADS
Maui Intro Visitor Guide
+ Our Summary Guidesheet!
Includes the top must-see & do attractions, best times to visit, a monthly weather & visitor summary, and our tips on how to save when booking your car rental, tours, and activities. Plus, grab our free Maui Summary Guidesheets.
Overrated
Helele'ike'oha aka Blue Angel Falls and everything else down Ula`ino Road - Let's just say this spot has been 'revealed' and then some. Now, it's a place that's known for how much it dislikes visitors. It's an overrated waterfall, to begin with, and the added controversy of getting to the falls makes this a spot you can most certainly skip. We feel the same about most other sights along Ula`ino Road for that matter.
Underrated
Garden of Eden - Located on the Hana Highway at Mile Marker 10, this is one spot that most visitors breeze right past without ever thinking twice about it as they make their way along the highway. Big mistake! The views in the garden are superb and the grounds are beautiful. Definitely add this to your "Must See" list while on Maui.
Overrated
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Trail - The path down to this very secluded beach in Hana town is, quite frankly, a pain to walk down. The added disappointment of the beach being frequented by nudists makes it even less desirable in our opinion. If that wasn't enough to stop you, getting ticketed by the Hana police for parking incorrectly at the "trailhead" should be. We think you're supposed to park with your vehicle facing the way you came... but if you find out otherwise, please let us know.
Underrated
Waihee Ridge Trail - This very secluded trail in northwest Maui is one of our favorites on the island. It has a bit of elevation gain as you hike up the trail, but the views are phenomenal. The trail reminds us of Kauai, and offers some really neat views both mauka (inland) and makai (towards the ocean). If the clouds cooperate, it's one of the best hikes on the island of Maui aesthetically speaking.
