Private Road to Hana tour from Maui: Swim under waterfalls

Swim under waterfalls and walk black sand beaches on the Road to Hana

A private guided Road to Hana tour on Maui includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned SUV, a live guide, and stops at waterfalls, volcanic beaches, and the town of Hana. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language, and the tour runs 8 to 10 hours with water and snacks provided. You set the pace and choose which stops matter most to you: no rigid schedule, no crowded buses.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park30m
2. Waiʻanapanapa State ParkEntry included45m
3. Road to Hana15m
4. Hana1h
5. Hoʻokipa Beach Park30m

Explore Road to Hana highlights

• Pick up from accommodation
• Visit Paia town
• Walk Ke'anae Arboretum
• View Ke'anae Peninsula
• Stop at Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside
• Explore Waiʻanapanapa State Park
• See Upper Waikani Falls
• Tour Hāna Gold Cacao Plantation
• Shop and explore Hana town
• Relax at Koki Beach
• Visit Venus Pools for cliff diving
• Admire Wailua Falls
• End day at Hoʻokipa Beach Park
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to Paia, the plantation town on Maui's North Shore where the Road to Hana begins. From there, the route follows the Hana Highway through rainforest and past dozens of pullouts and named stops. You'll see the Ke'anae Arboretum, where a 0.6-mile paved walkway runs through over 150 types of tropical plants, including taro and rainbow eucalyptus trees with their vibrant bark. The guide points out the Ke'anae Peninsula, a finger of lava that stretches half a mile from the cliff line and has been used for taro farming for centuries.

The stops themselves are where the day takes shape. Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside sits in a rainforest setting with a waterfall and natural pool fed by cascading water. You can swim or simply stand in the mist. Waiʻanapanapa State Park has black sand beaches created by volcanic erosion, with mineral-rich sand that catches the light. Upper Waikani Falls, also called the Three Bears, is a trio of waterfalls dropping into an emerald pool surrounded by lush foliage. Wailua Falls is an 80-foot cascade in Hana's rainforest. At Venus Pools, fresh water from the island meets the ocean, and locals jump from the cliffs. Koki Beach shows off red and black sand against the volcanic landscape. Ho'okipa Beach is where you can spot Hawaiian Green sea turtles (honu) resting on shore in the evening, though the guide reminds you to keep your distance. They're protected. In the town of Hana itself, population 782, you can stop at the Hāna Gold Cacao Plantation for a guided walk through cacao trees and handmade chocolate samples, or browse the shops and restaurants.

The SUV is air-conditioned, and the guide brings bottled water and snacks for the drive. Because the tour is private, you and your group decide how long to linger at each stop and which ones matter most. The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or another option), and knows the history and ecology of each site. The whole experience runs between 8 and 10 hours, and the driver handles the return to your hotel at the end.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned SUV.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in your chosen language.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.

Information

Lasts 8h–10h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 599 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate7 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Experience Hawaii

Is this one for you?Book this if your group needs a guide who speaks Spanish, Italian, French or another language, or if you want to pause longer at stops without holding up other travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Ke'anae Arboretum like on the Road to Hana?

The Ke'anae Arboretum is a 0.6-mile paved walkway through over 150 types of tropical plants, including taro, fruit trees, and rainbow eucalyptus trees with striking colored bark. It sits adjacent to the Pi'ina'au Stream and showcases both native Hawaiian plants and ornamental species from tropical regions around the world.

Can I swim at the waterfalls on this tour?

Yes. Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside has a natural pool fed by a cascading waterfall where you can swim, and Upper Waikani Falls drops into an emerald pool. At Venus Pools, you can swim in fresh water, salt water, or both at once where they meet. The guide will let you know which stops suit swimming and how long you can stay.

Will I see sea turtles at Ho'okipa Beach?

Hawaiian Green sea turtles (honu) do frequent Ho'okipa Beach, and the best time to see them is in the evening when they come ashore to rest. They are protected by law, so you'll need to keep a respectful distance, but the guide will point them out if they're present during your visit.

How long does the Road to Hana tour take?

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours total, including hotel pickup and return. The exact length depends on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one, since the tour is private and moves at your pace.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned SUV, hotel pickup and drop-off, a live guide, bottled water, and snacks. Meals and gratuities are not included.