The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maui with Kids: Where to Stay, What to do + Tips & Tricks
There’s a reason so many families dream about visiting Maui. The beaches, the sunset, the tropical feeling – it honestly feels like you’ve stepped into another country.
And somehow, despite being one of the most bucket-list-worthy destinations in the country, visiting Maui with kids is actually totally doable, and honestly one of the most kid-friendly destinations in the entire U.S.
But planning a family trip to Maui comes with a lot of questions:
- Which part of the island should you stay in?
- Are resorts worth the price?
- What activities are actually worth doing as a family?
- How do you avoid over-scheduling, yet still feel like you experienced all that the island has to offer?
After spending a week exploring some of the best parts of Maui with our kids earlier this year, I’ve put together this guide to share everything I think you should know about visiting Maui with kids.
Whether you’re just starting to dream about your very first Hawaii adventure or trying to figure out if Maui is the right island for your family, this guide will help you plan a trip that feels exciting and manageable with kids.
Why Maui Is One of the Best Hawaiian Islands for Families
What makes Maui so family-friendly is the balance.
You get:
- beautiful, kid-friendly beaches
- easy adventure
- tons of sightseeing
- great food
- family-friendly resorts
- wildlife
…but without feeling quite as busy or overwhelming as some other beach destinations.
It truly has a great balance of adventure, nature and kid-friendly beaches, but without sacrificing the comforts that make traveling with kids convenient and enjoyable for the whole family.
Best Time to Visit Maui with Kids
There’s really no bad time to visit Maui, but some seasons are definitely easier for families.
Spring (April–May)
One of the best times to visit:
- Lower crowds
- Good weather + calm beaches
- Tail end of rainy season
Summer (June–August)
Best for:
- Calm ocean conditions
- Great snorkeling
- Easy for summer vacations
But expect:
- Higher prices
- Busier beaches + higher crowds
Fall (September–November)
An underrated sweet spot:
- Warmer water
- Fewer tourists
- Potential to find lower airfare
Winter (December–March)
- Peak whale season
- Rainy season.
Where to Stay in Maui with Kids
Choosing where to stay is probably the biggest decision you’ll make for your trip.
The good news? There’s no “wrong” area! The entire island is full of kid-friendly beaches, snorkeling opportunities and great food options, and it really doesn’t take that long to get from one side to the other.
🌴 Wailea
Best for: Luxury resort feel
Wailea is beautiful, quieter, and home to many of Maui’s luxury resorts.
Choose Wailea if you’re looking for:
- Walkable resort areas
- Resort-focused vacations
- Great snorkeling nearby
The best resorts to stay in Wailea:
For budget friendly options, stay here:
🌊 Kaanapali
Best for: Classic family vacation feel
Kaanapali is one of the most popular family areas on the island, and it’s easy to see why! It’s proximity to restaurants, shopping and tons of family-friendly hotels make it a top spot on the island.
Choose Kaanapali if you want:
- Family-friendly resorts
- Easy beach access
- Restaurants + shopping nearby
The best family options in Kaanapali:
- Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa (where we stayed!)
- Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas
- The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
☀️ Kihei
Best for: Budget-friendly family travel
More centrally located on Maui, Kihei is a great option for families wanting more space without the luxury resort pricing and are planning to spend some time exploring the island.
Choose Kihei if you want:
- Larger condos with kitchens
- Central location on the island
- Easy access to family-friendly beaches
- A more local feel
The best options in Kihei for families:
Best Family Resorts in Maui
Some of the most family-friendly resorts on the island include:
- Grand Wailea Maui
- Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
- The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
- Wailea Beach Resort
Looking for more room? Here are my top Airbnb picks in Maui!
The Best Things to Do in Maui with Kids
One of the best things about Maui is that you don’t need to fill every minute to have an amazing trip.
A few highlights mixed with lots of beach time is usually the perfect itinerary for families, and provides a great mix of adventure and relaxation.
🚗 Drive the Road to Hana
This is one of Maui’s most iconic experiences. While the trip can be long and the roads winding, the payoff and adventure is incredible.
Plus, you don’t have to drive the whole thing! Go as far as you want, and then turn around and head back! No matter how far you go on the Road to Hana, you are sure to find some beautiful scenery and epic adventures along the way.
Along the drive you’ll find:
- waterfalls
- bamboo forests
- scenic overlooks
- epic black sand beaches
👉 Read my full guide to traveling the Road to Hana with kids here
🐠 Take a Snorkeling Tour
Maui has some of the best beginner snorkeling in Hawaii, and it gets even better if you head off shore on an excursion!
While Maui truly has some beautiful shore snorkeling spots that are free to visit, I highly recommend taking an excursion out to sea for the chance to really see some unique and amazing reefs and ocean life.
We took a boat tour out to Molokini Crater and it was truly epic! We saw so many colorful fish, turtles, a shark and even a monk seal.
Here are some of the best family-friendly snorkeling excursions on Maui:
Read next: Our Favorite Maui Excursion with Kids
🐋 Go Whale Watching
If you’re visiting between December and March, whale watching is a must. Many of the snorkeling excursions double as a whale watch, too! After our snorkeling tour to Molokini crater, we saw several humpbacks, including a mama and baby, on our way back to shore.
This is one of those Maui moments that feels wild and magical for both kids and adults, and will be one of the core memories from your trip.
🌺 Attend a Luau
A luau is one of the best ways to experience Hawaiian culture as a family.
Your kids will love the music, dancing and fire performances, and parents will enjoy the traditional Hawaiian food and tropical drinks.
See my top recommendation for which luau to attend on Maui with kids here
🏖 Spend Time at the Beach
You can’t fly all the way to Maui without spending some time exploring her stunning beaches. From sand castle building to snorkeling with sea turtles right off the shore, you definitely will want to reserve some beach time in your itinerary.
Visit Haleakala National Park
If you are a National Park loving family like us, you can’t visit Maui without checking out this unique one.
If you are interested in watching sunrise here, make sure to book a timed reservation to enter the park before 7 am.
Hike some of Maui’s Epic Trails
Maui is full of amazing trails that are perfect for adventurers of all ages! A couple of our favorites included:
- Honolua Bay (great spot for snorkeling, too!)
- Ohai Trail Loop
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
Some of our favorite spots to grab lunch from were:
- South Maui Gardens
- Food trucks on Olowalu Highway + stop at the Olowalu Farmers Market right next door for local produce and goods
- Aloha Mixed Plate
Best Beaches in Maui for Families
While Maui is full of fantastic beaches, these are some of the most kid-friendly spots that you don’t want to miss:
Family favorites:
- Baby Beach – calm water for younger kids thanks to the natural reef protection
- Kapalua Bay – A crescent shaped bay with soft sand and calm waters
- Kamaole Beach Park – easy access + bathrooms and lifeguards
- Wailea Beach – mild waves and close to nearby resorts
- Black Rock Beach – close to resorts and dining, plus great off shore snorkeling
- Ho’okipa Beach – not good for swimming, but you can see dozens of turtles sleeping on the sandy beach here
- Honoloua Bay – while this beach has rocks instead of sand, it’s a great snorkeling spot, and a beautiful hike to get here!
What to Pack for Maui with Kids
Besides swim suits, hats and a few fun sundresses, here are some essentials you will want to make sure to bring on your trip to Maui with kids:
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Rash guards because the Hawaiian sun is no joke
- Sand-proof beach blanket
- Snorkel gear
- Water shoes
- Portable charger
Suggested 8-Day Itinerary for Adventurous Families
- Day 1: Arrive, check in and spend the afternoon at the pool or beach
- Day 2: Explore West Maui
- Stops: Kapalua Bay or Honokeana Bay; Nakalele Blowhoe; hike the ‘Ohai Trail
- Day 3: Drive the Road to Hana.
- Stops to include: Twin Falls, Ke’anae Peninsula, Black Sands Beach at Wai’anpanpa State Park, Wailea Falls, Pipiwai Trail
- Day 4: Wailea Village & Ulua Beach + Anihi Cove for snorkeling
- Day 5: Whale watching or snorkeling excursion
- Day 6: Beach or resort day + luau
- Day 7: Haleakala National Park
- Day 8: Head home
Tips for Visiting Maui with Kids
- Don’t over-schedule your days! Some of the best days are spent on th beach or wandering around the towns.
- Build in beach + pool downtime – your kids will love both!
- Start activities early to avoid heat and crowds.
- Keep expectations flexible. Weather can change and plans may need to be adjusted.
Is Maui Worth It for Families?
Absolutely, 100% yes.
Are there cheaper beach destinations? Yes. Is the flight a tad long? Sure.
But Maui is one of those destinations that genuinely feels special for every age, and there’s a reason people go back to Hawaii over and over again.
From the fresh coconuts, to snorkeling with sea turtles, watching whales breach, and catching a Maui sunset – this is truly one of the most magical places to slow down and soak it all in.
