The Gorgeous And Secluded Coastline Drive Everyone In Hawaii Must Take
By Megan Shute|Published December 15, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Island of Maui is an absolute paradise, with gorgeous beaches in a variety of colors, striking mountains, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. And while Maui is one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, there are many who never venture out of their resorts long enough to experience what the island truly has to offer. There are even fewer who experience the wild and unspoiled natural beauty that is the island’s northwestern shore.
Luckily for you, we’ve mapped out the ultimate road trip along this picturesque stretch of Hawaiian coastline, from Kahului to Kapalua, with 10 absolute must-stop attractions along the way. The road trip clocks in at only 30 miles and an hour and a half of driving time, perfect for a full day of exploring. From stunning hikes and a gorgeous ranch to coastal rock formations and beautiful bays, this stretch of the Kahekili Highway is absolutely stunning, perhaps even rivaling the famous Hana Highway to the south?
This 277-acre refuge is not only gorgeous, but dedicated to the enhancement of this critical native wildlife habitat and the preservation of one of the state's most critical cultural sites.
This west Maui trail is approximately 4.5 miles and ascends 1,500 feet, traversing through a lush forest of ohai, kukui, guava and tropical ferns. With stunning views of Makamaka’ole Falls, as well as the Waihee Valley, this hike is best started as early as possible – when the valley is relatively clear of clouds.
The beautiful Kahakuloa Bay is home to an isolated community and absolutely incredible scenery. Stop here for Lorraine's Shave Ice for a sweet treat and check out Kaukini Gallery while passing through.
These dramatic tide pools located along Maui’s western coast were first recognized in a popular Maui guidebook, though we would like to urge visitors that the short hike to reach the pools can be dangerous – and that you should only enter the water during calm ocean conditions.
Nakalele Point Blowhole is a stunning display of water shooting nearly 100 feet in the air. Due to its geyser-like attributes and unpredictable conditions based on the tides, standing too close to the blowhole could be deadly. Nearby is the charming and enchanting heart-shaped cut-out known as "Maui’s heart rock."
While Honolua Bay is one of Maui’s most popular snorkeling destinations, the turquoise water in this Marine Life Conservation District also makes for an out of this world kayaking excursion.
Also known as Maui’s dragon teeth, these volcanic formations are found on the edge of the Ritz’s golf course. The jagged, gray rocks were formed hundreds of years ago when wind gusts from the ocean forced lava to harden towards the sky. This intriguing scenery looks like something out of a science fiction or fantasy novel, does it not?
Walk along the ocean’s edge from Kapalua Bay Beach, across Oneloa Bay’s sand dunes, through the Ritz-Carlton resort, and end at the popular D.R. Fleming Beach Park on this gorgeous Maui coastal trail.
