Road to Hana Maui: Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Local Farms

The Road to Hana Unfolds in Stops: Waterfalls, a Black Sand Beach, and What Locals Eat

You're driven the entire Road to Hana by someone who knows it, stopping at Hoʻokipa Beach to watch surfers, Keʻanae Village for local banana bread, Puaʻa Kaʻa waterfall for a swim, Hana Farms for fresh food, and Waianapanapa's black sand beach and sea caves. Hotel pickup, park entries, a deli sandwich, and water are included. The whole day takes about ten hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hoʻokipa Beach Park30m
2. Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park30m · entry included
3. Kaumahina State Wayside Park15m

Road to Hana rainforest and waterfalls

• See waves and surf at Hoʻokipa Beach Park
• Explore Ke'anae Village and buy banana bread
• Visit Pua'a Ka'a State Park for waterfalls and swimming
• Shop and taste at Hana Farms
• Swim and explore Black Sand Beach at Waianapanapa
• Rest and enjoy views at Kaumahina State Wayside Park

The experience

The van pulls up to your hotel before dawn breaks. You're heading down the Hana Highway: 64 miles of curves and jungle that most visitors drive themselves and regret it halfway through. Your driver knows every stop, every story, and every reason the road takes ten hours instead of two. Hoʻokipa Beach Park comes first, where the waves are tall enough that surfers call it "Jaws" and the light hits the water in a way that makes you understand why people move to Maui and never leave. You stop long enough to watch, to take photos, to feel the salt air.

Then the road narrows. Keʻanae Village appears (a cluster of houses on a peninsula where people have lived the same way for generations), and you pull over at Aunty Sandy's for banana bread that tastes nothing like the packaged kind. The driver talks about what Hana means to the island, about the families who've kept the traditions alive while the rest of Maui turned into resorts. At Puaʻa Kaʻa State Park, you step out into a rainforest so thick it feels like another world. There's a waterfall, a pool deep enough to swim in, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget your phone exists. The water is cold. You go in anyway.

Hana Farms sits on the edge of town. A farm stand that sells what grows there: banana bread, macadamia nuts, honey, ice cream made from local fruit, chocolate, hand-rolled jewelry. You eat a sandwich they've made that morning. After that comes Waianapanapa State Park, where the beach is black sand (lava, really) and the caves carved into the cliffs are deep enough to disappear into. The water here is darker, colder, and the blowholes send spray up through the rocks. Kaumahina State Wayside Park is the last real stop. A lookout where you can see the whole northeastern coast, the valleys green and steep, the ocean stretching out. There are restrooms here, which matters on a road where they're rare. The drive back is quieter. You're tired. The driver lets you be.

The whole day is about ten hours door-to-door. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which means you don't navigate the hairpin turns yourself or worry about parking. The Hana Highway admission is built in, so is entry to the state parks. Bring cash for the farm stands and tips. The driver's been talking story the whole time, pointing out plants you'd miss, explaining why certain valleys matter to the island's history. Bottled water and Hawaiian chips are in the van. Swimming and hiking happen if the weather holds, which on Maui usually means it does.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from any Maui hotel, air-conditioned vehicle with a local Hana Highway guide, Hana Highway admission, entry to Puaʻa Kaʻa and Kaumahina state parks, a hand-made deli sandwich (turkey, ham, veggie, or roast beef), bottled water, Hawaiian chips, and stops at Hoʻokipa Beach, Keʻanae Village, Hana Farms, and Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach with opportunities to swim and hike weather permitting.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hawaii Island Experiences, LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Road to Hana's main stops without driving the winding highway yourself or arranging park tickets and timing: the fixed schedule and included driver let you focus on the waterfalls, the black sand beach, and the local stories instead of the road.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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.

How long is the Road to Hana tour?

Approximately ten hours total, including drive time between stops and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, Hana Highway admission, state park entries, a hand-made deli sandwich, bottled water, Hawaiian chips, and an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide.

Can you swim on the Road to Hana tour?

Yes, swimming is available at Puaʻa Kaʻa State Park and Waianapanapa, weather permitting.

Do I need to drive myself?

No. The tour includes a driver and vehicle, so you sit back and don't navigate the winding Hana Highway.

What should I bring?

Cash for roadside farm stands, markets, and tipping your guide. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim.

Are there restrooms on the Road to Hana?

Yes, restrooms are available at Kaumahina State Wayside Park and other stops, though they're limited along the highway.

Is the tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Swimming and hiking are optional and weather-dependent.