Hawaii
Maui: Sunrises, Surfing & Spicy Margs
📍 Maui, Hawaii | ✈️ 5 Days, 4 Nights | 🗓️ August 31-September 4 | 💃 1st year wedding anniversary
DAY ONE
We arrived around lunchtime, and after a 6-hour flight (we flew in from Vegas after spending the weekend there), we were more than ready to relax on the beach!! We booked round-trip transportation from the airport to our Airbnb—complete with a fresh lei to kick off the Hawaii vibes—and used Hawaii Tours LLC (highly recommend!). That said, there are plenty of Ubers on the island, so if you’re looking for a cheaper option, Uber is the way to go.
We stayed at Sugar Beach Resort, which is a condominium complex where each unit is individually owned. It was definitely a more affordable choice compared to hotels in other parts of the island, and we loved feeling like locals! The resort has one on-site restaurant that’s super affordable, plus a shared pool, hot tub, and beach access. We stayed in the Penthouse Unit 24, and I can’t recommend it enough—the views were absolutely incredible!
Dina’s Sandwitch: DINA'S SANDWITCH, Kihei - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor
Roundtrip airport transportation: Maui Transportation | Maui's Best Shuttle Services | Hawaii Tours
DAY TWO
Time to face my fear of fish… 😅 We booked a snorkel cruise on the Pride of Maui that left bright and early at 7 a.m. They served an amazing breakfast with coffee and freshly squeezed juices, which totally hit the spot before the adventure. Once our bellies were full, it was time to snorkel! Nick jumped off the boat first—right into a school of fish—then I followed and immediately freaked out. But I faced my fear 😊 The visibility and marine life were incredible! We saw tons of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even an octopus!
After snorkeling, they served a delicious lunch and mixed up a few cocktails for us to enjoy on the ride back. The tour wrapped up around noon, so once we returned to our Airbnb, we walked to the ABC Store down the street to grab some snacks. We stocked up on goodies for a charcuterie board, plus beer, wine, liquor, and a giant quesadilla that actually fed us for two nights!
The rest of the day we enjoyed the beach at our airbnb, pool and hottub!
Snorkel Tour: Pride of Maui | Maui Boat Tours, Snorkeling & Sunset Cruises
DAY THREE
Waking up at 2:30 a.m. on vacation sounds lovely, right? WRONG! 😆 On day three, we did the Haleakalā Sunrise Tour—above the clouds. While this tour was absolutely AMAZING, I’d recommend saving it for the last day of your trip so you can sleep on the plane afterward. Our sleep schedule was a mess for the rest of the trip, but honestly, it was totally worth it.
The tour picked us up from our Airbnb at 2:50 a.m., and we made our way up the mountain in the dark. We reached above the clouds around 5 a.m. and managed to snag a perfect spot along the railing to watch the sunrise. If we had arrived any later, we would’ve been stuck in the crowd—so kudos to our tour guide for getting us there early!
Pro tip: it’s freezing at the top! We did our research and packed our snowboard gear, which I’m so glad we did. The tour guide provided parkas, so we probably would’ve survived, but we were extra warm and very thankful.
After patiently waiting for about an hour, we finally saw the first rays of sunlight peek over the clouds. What an incredible experience. Once the sun was fully up, we got to witness the ʻoliʻoli chant—a beautiful cultural performance that welcomes the sun and a new day. Afterward, our tour took us to a cozy coffee plantation for breakfast.
Since we were completely exhausted by then, we spent the rest of the day lounging by the beach and pool at our Airbnb. Pure bliss. 🌤️
A local gave us a pro tip about an amazing sushi spot, so that evening we walked down the beach to Isana for happy hour—and it was an excellent choice! The food was delicious, the walk was beautiful (and hot, wear sunscreen!), and the prices were a steal compared to most restaurants on the island.
Sunrise Above the Clouds Tour: Famous Haleakalā Sunrise Tour | Valley Isle Excursions
DAY FOUR
Our last full day in paradise! 🌺 Today was the day to go surfing—because, in case we broke an ankle, it wouldn’t ruin the rest of our trip, tehehe! After lots of research, we chose Maui Surf & SUP with Kainalu, and it was the best decision. He provided rash guards and even a GoPro so we could have photos afterward!
While waiting for the perfect wave, a beautiful sea turtle popped her head above the water—only about a foot and a half from my surfboard—and I could have died of happiness right then and there! It was seriously one of the coolest experiences ever.
That night, we headed to a Lūʻau, because you cannot go to Hawaii and not go to one! We chose the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, and we were so impressed. We sat on the ground on pillows at the table closest to the stage, which made it feel so authentic. Dinner was served family-style, the cocktails were endless, and the sunset behind the performance made the whole evening absolutely magical. It was the perfect way to end our trip! 🌅
Photo Shoot
Since it was our one-year wedding anniversary, we decided to celebrate by documenting it with a professional photo shoot! We booked Capture Aloha, and they did not disappoint. The photos turned out absolutely beautiful—such a special way to remember our trip! 💕
Photographer: Maui Destination Photographers & Photo Sessions | Capture Aloha Photography
👇 What Do You Think?
Have you been to Maui? Share your favorite spots or hidden gems in the comment box below for others—I’ll add them to the list for next time!
