Maui Road to Hana: Private Waterfalls, Black & Red Sand Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (92 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/20

Duration9h–10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Private road trip through Maui’s wild coastline with waterfalls and beaches

You’ll ride Maui’s legendary Road to Hana with a local guide who keeps things relaxed and personal. Expect waterfall swims, black sand beaches, roadside lunch, and time to wander coastal parks or watch turtles basking in the sun. It’s less about ticking boxes than feeling what makes this island wild—and why you might want to stay longer next time.

9h–10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore waterfalls, beaches, and scenic stops

Short jungle stroll on Pipiwai Trail
Drive through scenic areas
Stop at Kaumahina State Wayside Park
Visit valley viewpoint with cliffs and coastline
Explore lava rock coastline and taro fields
Panoramic overlook of jungle ridges and waterfalls
Swim at waterfall pools with shade
Lunch with local food and smoothies
Photo stop at red sand coastline
Relax at crescent beach
Visit black sand beach and lava tubes
End day with turtle viewing at Hoʻokipa Beach Park

The Experience

I’ll be honest, we almost missed the turn for banana bread because I was too busy gawking at the cliffs outside the window. Our guide, Kaleo, just laughed and promised there’d be more food stops (he was right). The Road to Hana isn’t really a “road trip” like I pictured—more like a winding ribbon through jungle, where you never know if you’ll see a waterfall or a chicken next. It rained for five minutes, then sun again. My hair looked wild in every photo but I kind of loved that.

Kaleo grew up around here and pointed out things I’d never notice—tiny taro patches tucked behind lava rocks, or why the water at one beach looked almost turquoise against the black sand. He told us stories about old sugar plantations and legends that made me see Maui as more than just beaches. At Kaumahina State Wayside Park we stretched our legs and watched waves crash below—felt the salt spray on my face. The private tour meant we could linger at spots that felt right instead of rushing off. I didn’t expect to actually swim under a waterfall (the water was so cold it made me yelp), but somehow that’s what happened.

Lunch was fresh fish tacos from a roadside stand—messy but worth it—and then we wandered along red sand that got everywhere (my shoes still have some). There were moments of quiet too: bamboo creaking in the wind on Pipiwai Trail, or watching green sea turtles at Hoʻokipa Beach Park while surfers paddled out. Sometimes I still hear that mix of birdsong and distant surf when I close my eyes. If you want to do this day trip from Maui with someone who knows every curve of the road—and lets you stop for banana bread twice—this is it.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation with pickup, bottled water throughout the drive, and an experienced local guide who handles all logistics so you can focus on exploring waterfalls, beaches, scenic overlooks, and relaxed food stops before returning in comfort.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Local Maui Tours