Booking choice: The private full day tour, from $599 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The Hana Highway runs from Kahului through Paia, then along the northeast coast to Hana. Most stops are short: a lookout, a five-minute walk to a waterfall, a fruit stand. A few, like Wai'anapanapa, deserve an hour.
Shared tours pick their stops on the day, depending on crowds and weather, so treat any itinerary as a guide rather than a promise.
The quick answer
The classic stops, in order, are Paia and Ho'okipa, the rainforest waterfalls and bamboo near the start, the Ke'anae Peninsula and its banana bread, Pua'a Ka'a, Upper Waikani Falls, Wai'anapanapa's black sand beach and Hana town. Past Hana come Koki Beach, Wailua Falls and the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Most shared tours turn around near Hana.
Where does the Road to Hana start?
In Kahului, near the airport; the first proper stop is the surf town of Paia, then Ho'okipa Beach Park.
Paia is the last town with plenty of cafes and shops. Ho'okipa is famous for windsurfers and, late in the day, sea turtles resting on the beach.
What are the first waterfall and forest stops?
The early miles bring roadside falls, bamboo stands and rainbow eucalyptus, mostly seen on short walks or in passing.
Tours often pass Twin Falls and the rainbow eucalyptus trees without stopping, and pick one or two short walks depending on the day. Respect private property signs: some popular falls sit on private land.
Why stop at the Ke'anae Peninsula?
For black lava rock and crashing surf, taro fields, and the banana bread stand that most guides visit.
Ke'anae is a short detour off the highway and appears on almost every tour itinerary, from the private day to the Stardust and Aloha Eco tours. The Ke'anae Arboretum, just before it, is a short walk among tropical trees.
Want time to linger at Ke'anae? A private guide sets the pace around you.
Check dates for the private full day tourWhat comes between Ke'anae and Hana?
Pua'a Ka'a's small falls and pool, Upper Waikani Falls by a bridge, and roadside stands selling fruit and snacks.
Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside is a popular rest stop with a small waterfall. Upper Waikani, the triple falls, is usually seen from the road, as space to stop is tight.
Is Wai'anapanapa worth it?
Yes: the black sand beach, sea caves and lava arches are the highlight of most tours, but you need a reservation.
Non-residents pay $5 per person and $10 per vehicle, and the park is open 7 AM to 6 PM. The tours listed here that include it handle the reservation. More in the Wai'anapanapa guide.
Want every park fee covered? This tour includes them all, plus breakfast and lunch.
Explore the Road to Hana adventure tourWhat is there to do in Hana town?
Not much, and that is the charm: a quiet bay, a store and a few lunch spots.
Visitors expecting a destination are sometimes disappointed; one reviewer called it a one-street town. Shared tours usually stop for lunch around Hana, often at Hana Farms, and then turn back.
Which stops are past Hana?
Koki Beach, the Venus Pool, Wailua Falls, and 12 miles past Hana, the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park.
Kipahulu has the Pipiwai Trail, about 4 miles round trip through a bamboo forest to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, and the Pools of 'Ohe'o, which are closed to entry for safety and can only be viewed from the Kuloa Point Trail. The private full day tour lists Koki Beach, the Venus Pool and Wailua Falls on its itinerary; most shared tours do not go past Hana.
How many stops can you fit in one day?
Between five and twelve on a full day tour, most of them 15 to 45 minutes.
The private tour's listed itinerary has twelve stops from 15 minutes to an hour. Shared tours list fewer, with more passed by. If a long hike like the Pipiwai Trail is your priority, tell a private guide at the start, or plan a self-drive day for it.
Want to reach Wailua Falls and Koki Beach? The private tour continues past Hana.
Check dates for the private full day tourFrequently asked questions
What is the best stop on the Road to Hana?
Opinions differ, but the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa is the stop almost every tour includes, followed by the Ke'anae Peninsula and the waterfalls past Hana.
Can you swim at the Seven Sacred Pools?
No. The Pools of 'Ohe'o are closed to entry for safety; you can view them from the Kuloa Point Trail.
Do tours stop at Twin Falls?
Usually only in passing, according to the listed itineraries. Parts of the area are private land, so follow the signs.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Full Day Private Road to Hana Tour
- A private guide and vehicle for your group only (up to 15 travelers)
- Door-to-door pickup anywhere on Maui, cruise passengers included
- Snacks, soda and bottled water in an air-conditioned vehicle
Hana Waterfalls Full-Day Tour with Lunch
- Driver-guide with live commentary in an air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter
- Picnic lunch (ham or turkey; no special diets) and Wai'anapanapa admission
- Pickup from select resorts, or meet at Lahaina Cannery Mall or Kahului Park and Ride
Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Lunch
- Professional driver-guide narration in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Light to-go breakfast and lunch
- All admission and park entry fees, including Wai'anapanapa
