Things to Do in Paia, Maui

Photo by Elise Lainé

Whether it's the allure of the high season or tranquility of the low, Paia consistently offers a laid-back atmosphere with adventure throughout the year. It's a picturesque coastal town on the North Shore with a mix of boutiques, surf shops, and cafes surrounded by beaches and the famous Road to Hana. The experience of this quaint town, the people, and the beauty of the island make it a memorable stop and a must-visit destination in Maui.

Restaurants

Mama’s Fish House

Mama’s Fish House is an absolute must. Ask the staff which entrée is best and they’ll most likely recommend the Fish Curry (the type of fish rotates depending on what they have available). They catch the fish daily so you know you’re getting treated with the freshest and best seafood on the island.

Tip: This restaurant can fill up reservations 3-5 months in advance, BUT a little trick locals know is to show up in person if it's by yourself, for two people, or a very small group. Request to sit at the bar since they have a couple of small tables that belong to that section. They’ll most likely accommodate, especially if you go in between normal meal times.

The Mill House

This up-scale farm-to-table restaurants sits on the Maui Tropical Plantation 20 minutes from downtown Paia. What used to have huge significance in the sugarcane industry is now 80 acres of farmland with locally sourced produce.

Cafes

Better Things Cafe: A laid-back cafe indoors serving a variety of breakfast options from toasts, bagel sandwiches, and smoothie bowls that were previously from the now-closed Paia Bowls.

Paia Bay Coffee Bar: Located in an covered outdoor space. More seating options than Better Things and they also have a wide variety of breakfast and coffee options.

Paia Fish Market

This is a well-known chain restaurant throughout Hawaii with a casual vibe as you order first, then find a seat at longer tables with other parties.

Cafe Des Amis/Artisan Ice Cream

An eclectic restaurant in downtown Paia with an ice cream spot attached serving anything from sweet & savory crepes, various Indian curries, and Mediterranean bites.

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

This is the most well-known place to get shaved ice on the island and understandably so, it's not unusual to wait in line 30 minutes for it.

Recommended combination: macadamia nut ice cream for a base, 2-3 flavors of ice, topped with a snow cap - condensed milk mix.

Poke

Ku'au Store: One of the best places to get fresh, quality poke is at grocery stores. The Ku'au Store has a variety of different sauce options and toppings.

Recommended combination: Furikake poke with shoyu on white rice and lilikoi kale salad on top.

Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice: Another great option for poke in downtown Paia.

Activities

Downtown Paia

Paia is the first stop on the Road to Hana. There is one main strip where you can wander through plantation-style buildings and local shops selling jewelry, gifts, swimsuits, and beach accessories with restaurants scattered in between.

Water Activities

Ho’okipa Beach: Known for it's world-class windsurfing. It's not the best place to swim, but it's enjoyable to watch experienced surfers.

Baldwin Beach: Blends the beauty of Maui's coastline with the laid-back charm of Paia. You'll often find sea turtles while swimming or laying around on the sand.

Surfing: Paia holds its place as number four on the list for the best surf towns in the US. Paia Bay has a consistent surf break for beginners, Ho’okipa is for advanced surfers, and Jaws (East of Ho’okipa) offers big wave surfing - sometimes there are jet-skis towing surfers into the waves.

Windsurfing: Paia is also the wind-surfing capital of the world. Waves can get as high as 20' in the winter with constant wind all year. If you’re taking lessons for the first time, I would recommend starting off in a different location other than Ho’okipa. In town, Maui Surf and Soul offers lessons at Ukumehame Beach Park ranging from $100-$200 depending on if you want a private or group lesson.

Hiking

Waihee Ridge Trail: A 4-mile out & back trail close to downtown Paia. It can get steep and slippery, but you’ll be met with panoramic views of the island at the top.

Kapalua Coastal Trail: A flat, but picturesque hike in Lahaina starting at Kapalua Bay Beach and continuing around the coast for 1-2 miles.

Pineapple Farm

At the Maui Gold Plantation, you’ll take a 90 minute tour through the Pineapple Farm that grows on the slops of the Haleakala volcano and walk through the fields, tasting different varieties.

Day Trips

Iao Valley

The Iao Valley is a 4,000 acres in the heart of Maui known by its incredible lush scenery combined with its spiritual and historical significance. It was once where Hawaiians celebrated Lono, the God of agriculture, but also defended the island during the Battle of Kepaniwai. The Iao Needle (Kuka’emoku) serves as the valley's centerpiece. Exploring the valley, you'll encounter well-maintained trails that lead through dense foliage and ancient taro terraces.

Haleakalā Crater National Park

Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse

Ascend to the summit of Haleakala “house of the rising sun” volcano via winding roads to catch the stunning sunrise or sunset view above the clouds. The legend goes, “the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day last longer.” The main attraction is the crater itself, which can be explored via the Sliding Sands Trail.

It takes roughly one hour to reach the National Park from Paia. Dress warm and plan to leave a little earlier as parking can be limited at the summit.

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is a 64 mile scenic route on the East side of the island that takes you from Kahului to Hana. It's the most well-known activity in Maui because it takes you past several stops where you can navigate through lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic sea cliffs. Here are some of the recommended stops to take on your way:

Mile Marker 2 - Twin Falls. A 1.8 mile out and back hike that guides you to a pair of waterfalls.

Tip: For a waterfall hike that is more intimate, stop at mile marker 10. Initially you'll see a small waterfall with a rope swing, but continue on. You’ll be met with the beautiful large waterfall with hardly any other people there. Locals go here and were surprised that others didn’t know about it yet.

Mile Marker 10.5 - Garden of Eden Arboretum. A 26 acre botanical haven with native Hawaiian plants and panoramic views of the Hana coastline.

Mile Marker 16 - Ke'anae Peninsula. A rugged peninsula where taro fields and a historic Hawaiian church create a dramatic landscape with waves crashing against the lava rock shore.

Mile Marker 17.3 - Halfway to Hana Stop. The Halfway to Hana stand is famous for its homemade banana bread and makes for a great snack after adventuring through the rainforest and waterfalls.

Mile Marker 32.2 - Wai'anapanapa State Park. A short hike from the parking lot will lead you to a jet-black lava rock beach. Don't forget to explore the nearby Hana Lava tube!

Hana - Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach. This Red Sand Beach is a secluded cove with vibrant red-hued sand, framed by towering cliffs over crashing waves that forms a unique landscape. Finding the entrance can be tricky, but it's by the Hana Community Center.

Mile Marker 42 - Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) & Pipiwai Trail. Part of Haleakala National Park, Ohe'o Gulch is a series of tiered pools fed by waterfalls that makes a great spot for a dip. Plan enough time for the Pipiwai Trail, located at the same mile marker, a 4-mile trail that'll lead you to a bamboo forest.

Mile Marker 45 - Wailua Falls. An 80 ft double-tiered waterfall cascading down a jungle wall into a plunge pool. Most people just view it from the road, but there's also the option of walking down and swimming.

Molokini Crater Tour

For an underwater experience, take a day trip out to the Molokini Crater. Molokini is a crescent-shaped islet, located off the coast of Maui. This submerged volcanic crater is a renowned snorkeling and diving destination, because of its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life.

Recommended Tour: Trilogy

To start the day off, everyone is given a "Mom Coon's 4th generation" cinnamon bun on the way to the first stop - Molokini. There, you'll snorkel for 45 minutes with the opportunity to see manta rays, turtles, colorful fish, and potentially an octopus. After, you'll head to Turtle Town to explore an alternative underwater landscape - over lava tubes. On the way back, you'll be given lunch and may even see humpback whales.