Almost three years after the devastating wildfires on Maui, the island is ready to welcome back visitors for a tropical escape. The Hawaiian destination’s relaxed aloha vibes encourage travelers to let go of schedules and embrace spontaneity while enjoying the island’s breathtaking natural beauty and resilient spirit. Haleakalā National Park offers opportunities to hike and stargaze; upcountry farm tours offer tastes of local pineapple, dragon fruit, chocolate and wine; and Maui Ocean Center acts as a literal deep dive into the biodiversity of underwater habitats. Winter is also prime whale-watching season, with thousands of humpbacks migrating from Alaska to give birth in Maui’s warm, shallow waters. Arrive with an open heart, take in the island’s natural wonder and learn the Hawaiian value of mālama, meaning caring for the community.
Photography provided by Hotel Wailea
Stay
Hawaii’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel is an all-suite adults-only oasis tucked away on a hillside, making for the most exclusive and peaceful stay in Maui’s Wailea neighborhood. All 72 one-bedroom suites are comfortably spacious with private lanais, deep soaking tubs and well-equipped kitchens ideal for longer stays.
Aerial yoga is the perfect way to kick off the day before relaxing with frozen cocktails in a private poolside cabana or enjoying a picnic on one of seven nearby beaches. Guests can also rent high-tech wellness amenities from HigherDOSE and Therabody, including red-light facial masks and lymphatic-drainage compression boots, for customized self-care.
The food and beverage program is exquisite, from binchotan grilled bites and sushi at the Birdcage lobby lounge to a tantalizing tasting menu that pairs perfectly with one of Hawaii’s largest wine selections and brilliant sunset views (naturally). Private treehouse dinners and the chef’s table in the kitchen with Executive Chef Ryan Cruz offer even more intimate experiences.
Photography provided by Wings Hawaii
Shop
Wings cofounders Samantha Howard, Melody Torres and Becky Dosh became best friends while attending the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, selling handcrafted jewelry and clothing from their dorm and at craft fairs. The trio moved to Maui after graduation, building their brand of effortless style and opening their first boutique in 2007.
Everything is handmade in their workshop on Maui’s North Shore using sustainable materials like bamboo fibers, organic cotton, reclaimed fabric and metals, and nontoxic dyes. Quilted Pau Hana pants have become a bestseller, with stretchy waistbands and flowy, wide legs. Upcycled sun pocket jeans are one-of-a-kind, made with collaged and appliquéd vintage fabrics. Colorful trapeze mini dresses, seashell hoop earrings, playful crop tops and hand-stitched crochet pants made from vintage blankets create the perfect wardrobe for the sun-kissed vacationer. Men’s tees, baby swaddles and children’s pajama sets ensure nobody is left out.
Photography provided by Aurum Maui
Dine
Husband-and-wife team Taylor and Natasha Ponte, who both grew up in Makawao in Upcountry Maui, celebrate the island’s agricultural roots with their new restaurant. Located at the Shops at Wailea, the eatery works closely with farmers, ranchers and fishers to showcase the best local ingredients. The culinary team breaks down whole fish, chickens and pigs for a nose-to-tail approach, using trim to make luscious meatballs and a paniolo smash burger with caramelized Maui onions.
The dining room is designed with soft curving banquettes, warm lighting and earthy textures inspired by Maui’s golden sands and shimmering coastline. Destination Hospitality Group also operates three Aurum locations in Colorado, and while there are a few Aurum staples on the menu — rosemary Parker House rolls, crispy curried cauliflower and gochujang BBQ fried chicken — the majority of the offerings here are unique to Maui. Daily happy hour has quickly become a local favorite.
Photography provided by The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Stay
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Unfurling across 54 oceanfront acres, this family favorite on Maui’s northwest shore is part of the 22,000-acre Kapalua Resort and one of the state’s largest nature preserves, with two championship golf courses as well as tennis and pickleball courts. All 468 rooms and suites were recently renovated, and club lounge access is well worth the upgrade for a steady stream of refreshments and an open bar. Among other can’t-miss offerings: a soulful lobby lanai sunset ceremony and a five-course communal chef’s table experience under the stars at signature restaurant Banyan Tree.
With more than 70 weekly resort activities, ranging from e-bike tours and morning hikes to s’mores on the lawn and ATV rides, boredom simply does not exist here. Kids can explore tide pools and ancient lava fields alongside naturalist guides from Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program as they learn about early Hawaiian culture and native wildlife. A relaxing spa day and lomi lomi massage is always a good idea, too.
Photography provided by Hua Momona Farms
Dine
Zach Laidlaw is both an organic farmer and the executive chef behind Hua Momona Farms, a beautiful venue for farm-to-table dinners and Maui’s leading microgreens supplier, serving several dozen restaurants and food trucks. Multi-course private dinners are available for up to 40 guests, and include canapés, wine pairings and live entertainment.
Customized menus are inspired by the freshest seasonal produce, with field crops ranging from watermelon radish and fennel to bok choy and purple daikon. Rainbow butter with housemade bread and microgreens harvested tableside is a colorful way to garnish agnolotti and venison.
Visitors can “voluntour” at the farm, helping with weeding, harvesting and other light farm work while learning about the importance of caring for the land, or ʻāina. Proceeds from farm dinners benefit the Hua Momona Foundation, which shares fresh local produce and supplies nutritious meals to vulnerable populations, specifically focusing on recovery efforts from the Lahaina fire in 2023.
Photography provided by Trilogy Excursions
Do
With a fleet of seven sloop-rigged catamarans, Trilogy is Maui’s best bet for sailing excursions, and the family-owned and -operated company offers small group tours and private charters. Idyllic sunset sails include four-course dinners and mai tais, and whale-watching tours offer the chance to hear the marine animals’ captivating song via hydrophones.
Participants can visit the crescent-shaped Molokini islet, formed by a partially submerged volcanic caldera with thriving coral reefs. Snorkel or scuba with a mouthpiece and harness for close marine life encounters with manta rays, monk seals and ulua fish. Trilogy captains pick the best snorkel sites based on weather, like Turtle Town, named for its abundance of Hawaiian green sea turtles and Olowalu, Maui’s “mother reef,” with calm, clear waters. A flagship full-day tour to neighboring Lanai includes swimming, snorkeling and hiking the Hulopo’e Marine Preserve. Food is always top-notch, including secret family-recipe cinnamon rolls for breakfast on morning departures.
