Maui Road to Hana: Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Lunch

The Road to Hana in a Mercedes Van: Waterfalls and Black Sand in One Day

You get picked up from your Maui hotel in a luxury van with a driver who knows the Road to Hana inside out. Your day includes stops at multiple waterfalls with optional swimming, the black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park, fresh banana bread from a family stand, and a full lunch with local fruit and juice. The small group size (14 guests max) and fixed itinerary mean you don't have to navigate the narrow road yourself or figure out where to eat. Everything is arranged, and you're back at your hotel by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Hoʻokipa Beach Park10m
2. Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park40m
3. Kaumahina State Wayside Parkpassing by

Road to Hana full-day adventure

• Pickup from major Maui hotels
• Drive towards Hana in luxury van
• Stop at Hoʻokipa Beach Park for photos
• Pass by historic town of Pāʻia
• View Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears)
• Stop at Ke’anae Peninsula for history
• Buy fresh banana bread at Aunty Sandy's
• Visit Wailua Valley cultural site
• Stop at Pua'a Ka'a Falls for optional swim
• Relax and lunch at Wainapanapa State Park
• Walk and explore Black Sand Beach
• Optional swim at Hana Beach Park
• Return drive with scenic stops and views

The experience

Your driver picks you up from your Maui hotel or the Kahului Park'n Ride and you settle into a climate-controlled Mercedes Sprinter van: the kind with high-tech interior and enough space that you're not packed in with thirty other people. The Road to Hana isn't something you rush through. It's 600 curves and one-lane bridges that take hours to cover properly, and that's the whole point. Your driver has been running this route for decades and knows which stops matter and which ones are just Instagram backdrops. You'll stop at Hoʻokipa Beach Park early on to spot local surfers and wild turtles, then move inland where the landscape shifts: bamboo forests thicken, waterfalls multiply, and the air changes.

Around midday, you pull into Wainapanapa State Park for lunch. This is where the famous black sand beach sits, formed from lava that cooled only 10,000 years ago, and the water is cobalt blue against the black rocks and dark sand. Before lunch, you get time to walk the edge of the bay or just sit under a shade tree. The meal itself is simple: a homemade sandwich (ham, turkey, or veggie, your choice) from a local deli, fresh fruit grown on the island, Hawaiian cane juice, pastries, water, and snacks. It's not fancy, but it's real food made by people who know what works on a long drive. You'll also stop at Aunty Sandy's famous banana bread stand on the Keʻanae Peninsula, where the family has been baking fresh loaves since 1983.

Swimming happens at one of the Hana waterfalls (Pua'a Ka'a Falls or Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park, depending on conditions), and it's optional. The pools are freshwater and the hike is short but muddy, which is why fewer people make it out here compared to the well-signed falls closer to the highway. You'll also see Upper Waikani Falls (locals call it Three Bears because of the three parallel waterfalls), pass through Wailua Valley where ancient taro patches still operate, and stop at lookout points that give you a real sense of what untouched Maui looks like. The van keeps moving through the day, but never feels rushed. Your driver talks about the history and culture as you go, and you're never in a group larger than 14 people.

The whole day is full-day commitment (you're on the road for hours), and the van has a low step to board, so you need to be able to get on and off independently. Weather can change routing or timing, and if Wainapanapa isn't accessible on the day you go, they'll substitute Red Sand Beach or another comparable spot. Confirm your hotel pickup location and your sandwich preference when you book, and the operator will call you to lock in the details and pickup time before your tour date.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (from Lahaina resorts or the Kahului or Kihei Park'n Ride), transport in a luxury air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter van, live commentary from your driver, a picnic-style lunch with homemade sandwiches (ham, turkey, or veggie), fresh local fruit, Hawaiian cane juice, pastries, water, and snacks. You also get stops at multiple waterfalls with optional swimming, the famous black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park, and Aunty Sandy's banana bread stand on the Keʻanae Peninsula.

Information

Lasts 9h–10h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 249.99 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupUp to 143 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

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

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3)

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Stardust Hawaii, LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Road to Hana's main waterfalls and black sand beach in one full day without renting a car or navigating the narrow, winding road yourself: the fixed itinerary and small group size (14 guests max) are what make it possible to hit all the stops and still have time to actually swim and eat without feeling rushed.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

198 verified traveler reviews

5 ★172

4 ★10

3 ★8

2 ★4

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3).

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 included in the lunch?

A homemade sandwich (ham, turkey, or veggie), fresh locally grown fruit, Hawaiian cane juice, pastries, water, and snacks. You choose your sandwich type when you book.

Can I swim at the waterfalls?

Yes, swimming is optional at one of the Hana waterfalls. It's weather and water-condition dependent, and you swim at your own discretion.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup times vary depending on your hotel location. The operator confirms the exact pickup time when they call to confirm your booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The van is not ADA-compliant, and there's a low step to board. All guests must be able to get on and off independently without driver assistance. Canes are permitted, but walking sticks are not.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

The tour offers ham, turkey, or veggie sandwiches only. If you're on a special diet (raw, vegan, or have food allergies), you must bring your own food.

What happens if weather closes the Road to Hana?

Routing and times are subject to change due to weather, road closures, or other conditions. If Wainapanapa black sand beach isn't accessible, they'll substitute Red Sand Beach or another comparable attraction.

How many people are on the tour?

Small groups only: a maximum of 14 guests per van.

Where is pickup available?

From most major hotels in Lahaina, or from the Kahului or Kihei Park'n Ride if you're not staying at a participating resort.

What if Aunty Sandy's banana bread stand is closed?

If Aunty Sandy's is closed due to extended wait times or other operational reasons, they substitute Hana Farms, which also offers fresh, warm banana bread.