The West Maui Mountains are such a beautiful region of Maui. Featuring a rugged coastline, dense rainforest, cascading waterfalls, and local villages scattered throughout. Discover these 11 amazing things to do in the West Maui Mountains!
11 Things to do in the West Maui Mountains
Table of Contents
- 1. Take a Jeep tour
- 2. See the Makaluapuna Point Dragon’s Teeth
- 3. Snorkel at Honolua Bay
- 4. Discover the remote beauty of Punalau “Windmills” Beach
- 5. See the Nakalele Blowhole
- 6. Walk the Ohai Coastal Trail
- 7. See the Olivine Tide Pools
- 8. Stop at the village in Kahakuloa Bay
- 9. Hike to the Makamakaole Stream Falls
- 10. Hike the Waihee Ridge Trail
- 11. Visit Iao Valley State Park
1. Take a Jeep tour
We took a private West Maui Mountains Jeep tour with Hoaloha Jeeps and it was such a fun way to explore this region of the island!
We had the top off, the sun shining down on us, and the wind blowing through our hair as we cruised along the stunning coastal road.
Our tour guide took us to popular tourist hot spots, as well as a few hidden local gems. We also learned about the Hawaiian culture and some interesting history along the way.
Many of the spots listed on this guide were stops we made along the tour.
2. See the Makaluapuna Point Dragon’s Teeth
A short 0.25-mile trail near the Ritz-Carlton Resort will lead you to this unique coastal rock formation resembling dragon’s teeth.
This geological phenomenon is the result of fierce winds blowing molten lava upwards in a jagged form.
Be sure to notice the trees on this particularly windy beach, they are growing at an angle as a result of the vicious winds whipping the coast. It reminds me of the unique trees found in the Catlins region of New Zealand.
It’s worth a quick trip to see this cool feature, your kids will especially think that it’s neat!
3. Snorkel at Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay boasts one of the best snorkeling destinations in Maui! The sheltered bay offers calm waters, vibrant tropical fish, a colorful coral reef, and the opportunity to swim with sea turtles.
The trail leading to the bay is also an experience in and of itself. The 0.25-mile path cuts through the dense Honolua Forest with light filtering through the branches of monkeypod trees.
Once you reach the bay, make your way to the right side of the boulder-laden shore. You won’t find much sand to relax on, but once you enter the water you’ll be greeted with an underwater wonderland.
The best place to snorkel is about 600 feet offshore on the right side of the bay where the reef begins. You’ll often see catamaran tour boats anchored here.
For more snorkeling and beach recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the Best Beaches in Maui!
4. Discover the remote beauty of Punalau “Windmills” Beach
Punalau Beach, or Windmills Beach, is a remote beach that can only be reached by a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. I was glad we did it with the Jeep tour!
Alternately, you can find limited parking on the road and then walk down about a quarter-mile to the beach.
This beautiful stretch of white sandy beach is the perfect spot to escape the crowds.
This beach is also a favorite local hang-out with bonfires and parties at night, so it’s best to visit during the day.
See our Wailea Travel Guide for another beautiful secret beach in Maui!
5. See the Nakalele Blowhole
Nakalele Point is home to the island’s most popular blowhole. The Nakalele Blowhole has the effect of a geyser shooting powerful jets of water up to 50 feet in the air.
Approaching the blowhole can be quite dangerous. If you get too close, it can suck you in. Waves have also been known to wash people out to sea.
There is a viewing area where you can safely watch the blowhole from a distance.
However, if you do want to get a closer look you can follow a rugged trail about a half-mile down to the blowhole. Keep your eye out for the famous heart-shaped cut-out in the rock on your way down.
Just be sure to keep your distance once you reach the blowhole.
After you continue on the road past the blowhole, it becomes much more narrow and winding.
In some portions, the road narrows to a single lane that hugs the sheer cliff with no guard rail on the side. The road itself is paved and in good condition, but it becomes dangerous as it is so narrow.
I was glad we had our experienced Jeep tour guide driving, I would have been a nervous wreck if we were driving it ourselves!
6. Walk the Ohai Coastal Trail
The Ohai Trail is a fairly short loop trail following along the green-carpeted headland.
The trail is named for the native “ohai” plant that can be found along the trail.
The easy trail offers unparalleled ocean views as it follows above the cliffs through the native shrubs.
The contrast of the vivid green ground covering against the azure blue sky and ocean is just breathtaking. It almost feels as if you’re in Ireland!
The full loop is 1.2 miles with benches along where you can stop and take in the scenery. For the best views, follow the trail counter clockwise.
7. See the Olivine Tide Pools
This stop also comes with a warning as these tide pools are nicknamed “the death pools”.
While taking a dip in this crystal clear water can be appealing on a calm day, the Olivine Tide Pools can be deadly during high tide or rough water. Even on a calm day a rogue wave can still come and wash you out to sea.
Getting down to the pools can be a bit tricky as you navigate over rough and unforgiving lava rock, so use caution.
However, visitors may safely opt to just view the pools from above.
8. Stop at the village in Kahakuloa Bay
A stop at Kahakuloa will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
This picturesque old Hawaiian fishing village is nestled on the shores of a serene bay in the West Maui Mountains.
You’ll find a quaint wood chapel, a beautiful art gallery perched on the hillside, Braddah’s Food Truck where you can get the best fried chicken, and Lorraine’s where you can eat banana bread while overlooking the ocean.
Karen Lei’s Gallery is worth a stop for unique hand-made gifts created by local artists. Turnbull Studios a few miles down the road is also a great little gallery and gift shop.
Just keep in mind that the narrow cliffside road to this village is treacherous and I wouldn’t recommend it without an experienced guide.
9. Hike to the Makamakaole Stream Falls
The Makamakaole Stream Trail, or 13 Crossings Trail, is a short 2-mile roundtrip hike that leads to a series of waterfalls.
The trailhead can be found along the Kahekili Highway around mile marker 8.
Once you arrive, you’ll find a small parking area after the bridge and a dirt path on your right leading into the woods. The trail is fairly easy to navigate as it just follows alongside the stream.
You will be required to cross the river multiple times, more precisely 13 times according to its name. There are stepping stones at the river crossings so it is possible to keep your feet dry if the river is low enough.
The trail leads past a banyan tree and through a majestic bamboo forest.
After 0.85 miles, the stream forks with a trail leading in both directions. Both trails lead to a waterfall after about 0.1 miles and I would recommend visiting both.
The waterfall on the left has a rope where you can scale the waterfall to find even more falls. I wouldn’t recommend climbing the falls as it is quite dangerous, but many adventurous souls have given it a try.
The waterfall to the right of the fork has a little deeper pool for you to jump in and swim. Just be sure to check the depth before jumping.
And if you’re looking for more waterfalls to swim in, be sure to check out our guide to 9 of the Best Waterfalls in Maui!
You can also climb up the rocks on the right to view more waterfalls up above.
If you want to climb to the upper falls, there is a rope to assist you on the hill. There is another waterfall above the upper falls, creating a series of three cascading falls.
The climb is still dangerous, so use caution and hike at your own risk.
This short hike packs a big punch and is our favorite hike in the West Maui Mountains, and one of our favorites on the entire island!
Another favorite hike that you must do in Maui is the Pipiwai Trail!
However, this area is prone to flash flooding and rising river waters. Do not attempt to hike the trail during or after heavy rainfall. You are hiking at your own risk so please use caution and common sense.
For more information and details, be sure to check out our Guide to Hiking Makamakaole Falls!
10. Hike the Waihee Ridge Trail
The Waihee Ridge Trail is located about 2 miles past the Makamakaole Stream when coming from the north heading south.
The 4-mile round trip trail offers some of the best panoramic views of the ocean and West Maui Mountains on a clear day.
Around the one-mile mark, you can even spot one of the waterfalls from the Makamakaole Stream Trail.
The trail is rated moderate with some steep and muddy portions.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do this hike, but it is definitely on our list for next time!
*Related post: If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations, check out these 11 Best Places to Eat in Maui!
11. Visit Iao Valley State Park
Iao Valley is located in the heart of the West Maui Mountains. A visit to the valley will make you feel as if you just stepped onto the set of Jurassic Park.
You’ll find rich vegetation tumbling down towering cliffs, and a verdant valley filled with trees draped in vines.
While much of central Maui is dry and barren, in contrast, Iao Valley is the second wettest place in all of the Hawaiian islands.
The crowning jewel of the park is the regal Iao Needle. This iconic rock formation is known as the phallic stone of Kanaloa, the god of the ocean. So go ahead and have a giggle about that.
The Needle also served as a lookout point for warriors during war.
A short 0.6-mile roundtrip trail leads to a viewing platform where you can capture the Iao Needle in its full glory. The trail is paved with a series of stairs at the end leading to the lookout.
The trail also leads down to the river and through the well-manicured Kepaniwai Park Heritage Gardens blooming with native flowers.
Admission is $10 per vehicle and an additional $5 per person. This also includes entrance to the Hawai’i Nature Center Museum.
I hope this guide will help you discover the untouched beauty of the West Maui Mountains!
And to discover more of the most beautiful places in Maui, check out our guide to 15 of the Best Stops on the Road to Hana!
*Click on the map to see the locations of each stop in the West Maui Mountains:
[…] And if you’re planning a trip to Maui, be sure to check out our favorite waterfall hike and some more hidden gems in the West Maui Mountains! […]