Maui

Known throughout Polynesia as 'The Valley Isle' because a fertile central isthmus bridges two massive shield volcanoes, the ancient eroded spires of the West Maui Mountains (Mauna Kahalawai) and the 3,055-metre dormant colossus of Haleakala ('House of the Sun') in the east, Maui packs more contrasting microclimates into 1,883 square kilometres than almost any island on Earth.

Within a single hour's drive, you can ascend from the palm-fringed, golden-sand crescents of South Maui (Wailea, Kihei & Makena) and West Maui (Ka'anapali's Black Rock & Kapalua Bay) through the misty eucalyptus and lavender farms of Upcountry Maui to the rust-red lunar cinder cones of Haleakala National Park above a sea of clouds. Along the lush northeastern coast winds the legendary Road to Hana (Hana Highway), crossing 59 one-lane bridges past waterfalls to the jet-black lava pebbles of Wai'anapanapa State Park and the 120-metre waterfall of the Pipiwai Bamboo Forest. Offshore, catamarans sail to the submerged volcanic crescent of Molokini Crater and watch 10,000 migrating Humpback Whales (December to April), while green sea turtles bask on the North Shore sands of Ho'okipa Beach near Pa'ia and emerald clouds cling to 'Iao Valley. Start with our before-you-go briefing and top things to do in Maui.

Nearly all visitors fly directly into Kahului Airport (OGG), located in the sunny central valley just 25 minutes north of Kihei and Wailea and 45 minutes east of Ka'anapali. At OGG, a free electric tram takes you in two minutes from baggage claim directly into the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (CONRAC) facility. While the public Maui Bus connects central towns, hiring a standard saloon or SUV is essential for driving the Road to Hana, Haleakala Crater Road and Upcountry. See getting to Maui and car hire and Road to Hana driving rules.

Ninety-five percent of visitors base themselves on the dry, leeward western and southern coasts where the volcanoes block rain clouds: choose South Maui (Kihei for high-value oceanfront condos, food trucks and casual beach parks; or neighbouring Wailea for five-star luxury resorts along the 2.4-kilometre Wailea Beach Path) if you want the sunniest weather and shortest drive to Haleakala and the Road to Hana; or choose West Maui (Ka'anapali Beach, Napili Bay and Kapalua) for dramatic sunset views across the channel to Lana'i and Moloka'i and cliff-diving ceremonies at Black Rock. Compare all areas in where to stay in Maui.

Drive the 620 curves of the Road to Hana to Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach and the Pipiwai Bamboo Trail, watch sunrise or sunset above the clouds at 3,055-metre Haleakala Summit, snorkel with green sea turtles along Wailea, Ulua Beach and Makena Landing, watch the sunset cliff dive at Ka'anapali's Black Rock and walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail, take a morning boat to Molokini Crater, spot breaching Humpback Whales in winter, visit the 365-metre green spire of 'Iao Valley, watch 50 sea turtles haul out at Ho'okipa Beach near Pa'ia, explore Upcountry Makawao and Kula, attend a traditional Hawaiian luau, and take the ferry to Lana'i. Full list in things to do in Maui.

Maui's culinary scene ranges from roadside seafood trucks to farm-to-table Upcountry bistros: fresh-cut ruby-red Ahi Tuna Poke bowls at Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors, Foodland and South Maui Fish Company, finely shaved snow-like Hawaiian Shave Ice topped with coconut cream and li hing mui at Ululani's, hot cinnamon-sugar Malasadas and banana bread on the Road to Hana, macadamia-nut-crusted mahi-mahi at landmark Mama's Fish House, towering Hula Pie at Duke's and Hula Grill, and Kula strawberry salads in Upcountry. Read more in our Maui poke, shave ice and food truck guide.

Guided by the Hawaiian principle of Malama Maui ('To care for, protect and preserve Maui'), visitors are welcomed to experience authentic hula kahiko, outrigger canoe paddling and historic Wailuku and Upcountry paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage with deep respect for local communities and sacred sites.