Should I Stay on Maui's North Shore? | Maui Guidebook (2024)

The North Shore isn't a developed resort destination. If that's music to your ears, read on!

Baby Beach (North Shore)

Do any of these describe you?

– Usually active on vacation
– Plan on seeing it all
– Love hiking, waterfalls & adventure
– Prefer being closer to nature
– Seek authenticity in travel
– Plan lots of surfing/windsurf/kiteboard
– Escape touristy hustle and bustle
– Enjoy experiencing how people are living alternative/green/natural lifestyles
– Like to get away from it all – but still be close enough to drive back in

Summary
Maui’s North Shore is less developed, less crowded, has cooler days, and is in a more natural state than the popular resort areas of South and West Maui.

With a rich agricultural history, the North Shore is now primarily residential with large multi-acre lots. Celebrities and the ultra wealthy live side-by-side with multi-generation Hawaiian families. Stunning views, uncrowded beaches and an eclectic collection of unique and interesting folks dot the landscape.

A North Shore lanai

Much of the land and virtually all of the oceanfront property is protected from significant development, and there are strict zoning laws that prevent the sprawl and population density found in the more popular visitor destinations. Since development is restricted here, you won’t find any large hotels or resorts. Lodging options are much more down-to-earth: you can rent a house or vacation rental, or stay at one of only three small boutique hotels.

Location Advantages
The North Shore is strategically located for visitors to conveniently explore the natural sites and attractions on the Road to Hana and Upcountry Maui, while also being close to world-class beaches. Avid hikers, adventurers, beachcombers and surfers won’t run out of things to do no matter how long they stay on the North Shore.

The North Shore is also quite centrally located, and since the island is relatively small, it is also located within moderate drive times to the rest that Maui has to offer.

Drive Times
The first thing to know (and this applies to any location you choose to stay) is that those who love nature, hiking, sightseeing, exploring and adventure will find themselves all over our incredibly diverse island.

Second is that outside of the immediate resort-area congestion, drives on Maui are not boring commutes like they are back home – virtually every drive is incredibly scenic, and more often than not, drives to a specific destination serve up unexpected and enjoyable tours en route. This is especially true on the North Shore, and outside of the more developed ares, because open view planes show off Maui’s vast geographic diversity.

Drive Times
North Shore vs. Resort Areas

– Closer/avoid traffic bottlenecks to:
~ Haleakala National Park
~ Lavender Farms
~ Winery
~ Ulupalakua
~ Upcountry

Should I Stay on Maui's North Shore? | Maui Guidebook (4)

Piiholo Zipline

– Much closer:
~ Road to Hana
~ North Shore Beaches
~ Paia Town
~ Makawao Town

– About the same:
~ Airport
~ Iao Valley
~ Kahului
~ Hospital
~ Costco, Big Box Stores, Mall
~ Surf rental

The only places further are the resorts themselves:

– It takes around 10 minutes more to drive to either resort area from the North Shore than it would staying in one resort area and driving to explore the other (a must-do!) A straight drive, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Kihei from Paia, and about 50 minutes to reach Lahaina from Paia.

Beaches
The North Shore has many uncrowded, dramatic and beautiful beaches. Surfing, sunbathing, swimming and world-famous surf spots are plentiful. The biggest wave surfed in the world most years is at Jaws in Peahi. Hookipa is Mecca for windsurfers around the world. Kanaha is the most popular place to learn windsurfing, and Kite Beach is where the sport of kitesurfing was literally invented! All are found on Maui’s North Shore.

The Mecca of windsurfing: Ho'okipa

Most tourists will drive right by these beaches – if you don’t decide to stay on the North Shore, you should still consider setting aside at least one day to explore a couple of these these great local beaches.

Some Favorite North Shore Beaches
Baby Beach
Great for kids, lap swimmers and beachcombers. Also very scenic.

Ho’okipa
You can watch some of the best windsurfers in the world here. Also has very regular surf breaks.

Baldwin Cove
Calm cove, great for escaping the wind when the sand is blowing!

Paia Secret Beach

Baldwin Beach Park
A long, sandy beach with plenty of parking, lifeguards and facilities.

Tavares Beach
Popular with locals. Good surf break, too.

Kuau Cove (Beach at Mama’s Fish House)
A small tidepool beach. Kids love exploring here.

Paia Bay
Great for advanced boogie boarders. Also has a good surf break.

Paia Secret Beach
Secluded and clothing optional.

Jaws
In the winter you can watch big-wave surfers defy sanity!

One of many waterfalls at Twin Falls

Scenery: Ocean, Jungle & Waterfalls
The North Shore is also where the famous Road to Hana begins, and where the transition to rainforest begins. Twin Falls is the North Shore’s most popular destination for waterfalls, swimming holes and jungle hikes. The jungle scenery is diverse everywhere along the North Shore, from rugged oceanside cliffs, to sandy beaches to lush jungle. For nature lovers, staying on the North Shore can be like a vacation to the Garden of Eden.

Scenic & Quaint Towns
Paia Town is the unofficial capital of the North Shore, and is famous for its hippie and surfer population. Paia also has collected some great restaurants and shops filling in the 1960’s era storefronts. See the Paia Town article from more detail.

4th of July parade in Makawao Town.

Makawao Town (technically Upcountry) is known for its rich Paniolo history. Adjacent to the North Shore, folks who stay here will pass though its main crossroads many times. Check out the Makawao Town article from more detail.

A large area of neighborhoods, farmland and estates are collectively called Haiku by most people, but the town of Haiku proper is small. In the town there is a market, a general store, a few restaurants (all good and inexpensive), a gym, a Post Office and a laundromat. Blink and you’ll miss it all, but the gym (FuzionFit) is visitor friendly, Veg Out is a great vegetarian restaurant, and there are several other tasty and affordable dining options for carnivores and veggies alike.

Should I Stay on Maui's North Shore? | Maui Guidebook (9)

Prime produce at Mana Foods

Food Shopping
The best priced and largest selection natural & local foods on Maui is on the North Shore: Mana Foods in Paia. (In fact, the natural foods at Mana are less expensive and fresher than at the mainstream chain supermarkets here.) In Haiku Town there is f*ckushima store and the small Haiku Market. In Kuiaha Hanzawa’s General Store has a little bit of everything.

Dining
Mama’s Fish House is one of the best restaurants on Maui. Ambiance and location right on the beach is everything you imagined of Hawaii dining and more.

The Paia Fish Market is moderately priced, and the food is solid. The fish market doesn’t wait on you and you need to share picnic-table style with other folks – we like to take our dinner to the beach and watch as the sun sets over the West Maui Mountains.

There are plenty of other good places in Paia to eat. Cafe Des Amis gets great reviews for their eclectic selections. Their crepes and curries are so ono! Cafe Mambo also has a tasty eclectic menu. Flatbread Pizza is delicious – and a good choice if traveling with kids (they are exceedingly kid friendly.) Charley’s has great burgers, brews and bands.

No North Shore restaurants require reservations (besides Mama’s), and there truthfully isn’t a bad place in the lot so feel free to try whatever looks good when you’re walking by!

Rain & Weather
The short answer is: if rain is absolutely unacceptable, then you definitely want to stay in South or West Maui where the resorts are located (it’s essentially the desert!) The majority of visitors stay in hotels in the resort areas and take day-trips to Hana, North Shore, Upcountry, Haleakala, etc. Those who stay on the North Shore do that in reverse – and if the rain comes on beach day, it really is no biggie to get in the car and drive to the sun!

Maui is perfect. Really, it is. Since our weather is mostly formed from daily tradewind patterns, the majority of the North Shore’s rain is kind enough to come in the later afternoon and overnight. More rain also comes in the winter. If it is raining excessively from trade wind weather, you can typically escape it by driving into the rain shadow of the mountain – within minutes you’ll be in the sun! (Yeah, seriously!)

Oh, and don’t trust the Weather channel or any other service that was primarily designed to bring weather forecasts to the mainland US. (Pssst: We have a handy weather summary fed by NOAA on our sidebar that is as accurate as it gets.) The forecast delivery model designed for mainland US weather conveys a much wetter picture than is the practical reality. When you understand that it can rain an inch or more overnight, but then daylight hours are typically sunny and beautiful, the numbers don’t compare equally. (“It will be raining today” means a vey different thing if it comes to water the garden when you’re in bed!)

Don’t get me wrong, it rains in the daytime, too – but it is nothing like most wet places where it is grey and dreary for days…weeks…months on end. The North Shore serves up loads of rainbows and sun to go along with her pools and waterfalls 🙂

Should I Stay on Maui's North Shore? | Maui Guidebook (2024)

FAQs

What side of Maui is the best to stay on? ›

If you want a resort experience with world-class beaches, easy access to ocean excursions, and a few nearby hikes: West Maui is the perfect area to stay. If you have been to Maui before, and you want a more local, boutique experience, consider the North Shore (Paia) or East Maui (Hana).

Is North Shore or south shore better in Maui? ›

Maui's North Shore is less developed, less crowded, has cooler days, and is in a more natural state than the popular resort areas of South and West Maui.

What is there to do on the North Shore of Maui? ›

Hiking Tours

Wander into the lush rainforests of the North Shore with a guide and go for a swim in a waterfall pool. These experiences are available in the Huelo area. Take a shorter half-day tour or explore more along the road to Hana with a private hiking and swimming experience.

Which part of Maui is the most beautiful? ›

The most popular part of Maui is the region of Kaanapali. It's famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Kaanapali Beach is particularly well-known for its golden sands and crystal-clear waters, making it a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.

Where not to stay in Maui? ›

Areas in West Maui that tourists should avoid include Lahaina, Napili, Kaanapali, and Kapalua, according to a press release from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Where do most people stay when visiting Maui? ›

There are five distinct areas on the island: West Maui, South Maui, Central Maui, Upcountry Maui, and East Maui (Hana). A majority of visitors choose to stay on West Maui or South Maui. That's because as these are both on the leeward side of the island, the weather is better. You're in for sunnier skies and less rain.

Is North Shore worth visiting? ›

Known for its pristine beaches, big wave surfing, bucket list snorkeling, and so much more, anyone visiting Oahu should have the North Shore on their itinerary.

Why is the North Shore so popular? ›

The North Shore is considered to be the surfing mecca of the world. Every December, the area hosts three competitions, which make up the Triple Crown of Surfing. The three men's competitions are the Hawaiian Pro, the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, and the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

What is one thing not to miss on Maui? ›

VISIT MOLOKINI CRATER

With visibility that exceeds 180 feet on good days and thousands of tropical reef fish swimming below and alongside you, Molokini is a can't miss for those of you planning on exploring Maui's underwater life.

Which side of Maui is less touristy? ›

In a nutshell: The North Shore of Maui is less developed, less crowded, and has a great selection of less-touristy beaches.

What beach do the locals go in Maui? ›

Paako Cove, known as the "Secret Cove" by locals, is a scenic stretch of sand backed by a rock wall and palm trees on the southwestern edge of Maui. The intimate setting is the perfect place to relax in the sun or snap some unforgettable photos of the coast and the far-off island of Kahoolawe.

What is the most touristy town in Maui? ›

Lahaina: A Maui Hotspot

Lahaina is the most popular town to visit on the island. That's because there are so many things to do and see!

What is the coolest town in Maui? ›

So, here's a look at our top 4 best towns in Maui.
  • Wailuku. Just ten minutes from the Kahului Airport, Wailuku town sits at the foot of the dramatic West Maui Mountains. ...
  • Paia. Paia is a colorful North Shore art town filled with vibrant shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and local restaurants. ...
  • Makawao. ...
  • Hana.

Where is the prettiest beach in Maui? ›

Hamoa Beach

Both Mark Twain and author James Michener fell for this sheltered, palm-fringed shoreline, which is arguably Maui's most beautiful beach.

Which side of Maui has the best beaches? ›

The leeward side beaches on Maui are the best for great snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and of course, sunset watching. Some of the best beaches on Maui's south shore include Wailea Beach, the Kama'ole Beach Parks, Keawakapu Beach, and Makena Beach.

Is the south or west side of Maui better? ›

Both areas have their own unique charm and attractions. West Maui is known for its historical landmarks, cultural entertainment and surf, while South Maui offers a more transient casual vibe, both with luxury resorts and pristine beaches. Each area also has its own distinct weather patterns and natural scenery.

What side of Maui is wet vs dry? ›

The south and west side of the island are known as sunny and dry areas while the north and east coast are much more wet and lush. Having said that, we should point out that even in the wettest locations on Maui, the rain is a hit or miss.

Which side of Maui is the warmest? ›

The south side of Maui, including the areas of Kihei, Wailea and Makena, is typically warm and dry, receiving less then 10 inches of rain per year.

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