Paia & the North Shore

A look around

What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.

1/5

Where it sits

The circle is Paia & the North Shore and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.

How far is everything?

From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.

• Iao Valley & the Needle56 min taxi18.6 km
• Haleakala sunrise & summit73 min taxi24.5 km
• Wailea Beach & the resort coast76 min taxi25.2 km
• Makena 'Big Beach'93 min taxi31.0 km
• Whale watching98 min taxi32.6 km
• Snorkelling at Molokini Crater99 min taxi33.0 km
• A Hawaiian luau101 min taxi33.5 km
• Kaanapali & Kapalua (beach)102 min taxi34.0 km
• Kaanapali Beach & Black Rock102 min taxi34.0 km

On your doorstep

What you’re living next to if you stay here.

• 1.The Road to Hana — One of the world's great drives — the Road to Hana, a spectacular 100km ribbon of narrow road that hugs Maui's lush windward coast, winding through rainforest across 600 curves and 50 one-lane bridges past a jaw-dropping parade of waterfalls, bamboo forests, black-sand beaches, sea cliffs and roadside fruit stands. It's the journey, not the destination: pull over for the waterfalls and swimming holes, the Garden of Eden, the Waianapanapa black-sand beach and the pools beyond Hana. Start at dawn, take it slow, and let someone else drive on the way back. An unforgettable, bucket-list day. Simply magical.
• 7.Hookipa: windsurfing & turtles — The north shore's Hookipa Beach is a Maui must-see on two counts — by day it's one of the world's premier windsurfing and surfing spots, where you can watch experts launch off big waves and rig colourful sails in the trade winds from the clifftop lookout; and in the late afternoon, dozens of giant green sea turtles (honu) haul out to rest on the sand, roped off and watched over by volunteers. Stop at the overlook for the wave action, then walk down to see the turtles basking at sunset. A brilliant, free, only-in-Maui highlight. Amazing to watch. Keep a respectful distance from the honu.
• 9.Waianapanapa black-sand beach — A show-stopper near the end of the Road to Hana — Waianapanapa State Park, home to a striking jet-black volcanic-sand beach set against emerald jungle, deep-blue sea, lava sea caves, a natural blow-hole and a dramatic coastal trail past sea arches. The contrast of black sand, green cliffs and turquoise water is spectacular and utterly Hawaiian; swim (carefully — the surf can be strong), explore the caves and walk the shoreline path. It now requires an advance reservation for out-of-state visitors, so book your slot. A stunning, essential Hana-road stop. Simply gorgeous. Reserve entry ahead.
• 11.Poke & a Hawaiian plate lunch — Maui's food is a delicious highlight, and two things are essential — poke, the Hawaiian dish of fresh raw ahi tuna cubes tossed with shoyu, sesame, seaweed and onion, sold by the pound at fish markets and grocery counters and eaten right there or on the beach; and the local 'plate lunch' (two scoops rice, mac salad and a protein like kalua pork, teriyaki or loco moco). Add a shave ice for dessert and a Maui Gold pineapple, and you've eaten the island. Paia and Kihei are full of great spots. Fresh, cheap and utterly local. Delicious and unmissable. Grab a poke bowl for a beach picnic.
• 15.Paia town & the North Shore — The soul of Maui's north shore — Paia, a colourful, bohemian former plantation town of brightly painted wooden storefronts now packed with surf shops, art galleries, boutiques, health-food cafés and some of the island's best casual restaurants (the fish tacos and smoothies are legendary). It's the hippie-surfer heart of Maui, a great spot to browse, eat and people-watch, and the last real town before the Road to Hana, so fuel up here. Wander the two main streets, grab a bite and soak up the laid-back, free-spirited vibe. A fun, characterful highlight. Cool and delicious. Perfect for a Hana-road breakfast stop.