Kahului-Maui, Hawaii

A golden crescent beach in front of an upscale resort complex, ideal for swimming and snorkeling in clear, calm water.

Use of reef-safe sunscreen without chemicals to protect coral reefs is required.

A crescent-shaped underwater volcanic crater 4.8 km off Maui's south coast, where at least 250 species of tropical reef fish can be seen in visibility of up to 45 m.

Access is available only through a snorkeling catamaran tour departing from Kihei Maalaea Harbor.

A quiet, uncrowded 1.1 km stretch of white sand between Kihei and Wailea, known for sunset walks.

A farm-to-table restaurant by Hawaiian Regional Cuisine chef Peter Merriman, known for pizza and seafood made with local ingredients and a signature mai tai topped with lilikoi foam.

Advance table reservations or an early happy-hour visit are recommended at the Wailea location.

A local brunch restaurant across from Kalama Park that opens early and draws long lines for pork chop loco moco and French toast with fresh papaya.

A family-friendly beach at the southern end of Kihei with a broad lawn and sandy shore, where sea turtles (honu) are often seen around the rocks.

A Kihei specialty fish taco shop serving wild-caught grilled mahi-mahi and ono (wahoo) with mango salsa and 17 seasonings in crisp tortillas.

Maui's largest undeveloped natural beach, 30 m wide and over 1 km long, with enormous turquoise waves and dramatic volcanic cinder mounds.

Shorebreak with very strong waves occurs frequently, so take extra care when entering the water.

A shop behind the Kihei Farmers Market where ahi poke and spicy mayo tuna bowls are freshly prepared to order using raw tuna caught that day by local Maui fishermen.

It closes early when the fresh catch runs out, so a lunch visit is recommended.

An open-air market in central Kihei, with Hawaiian shirts, shell crafts, local food trucks, and lively bars.

A Kihei specialty coffee shop serving single-origin drip coffee from 100% Maui-grown beans, light-roasted to preserve delicate acidity and flavor.

A viewpoint at the edge of a crater at 2,969 m above sea level, overlooking an immense, moonlike landscape above the clouds.

The altitude is high and oxygen is thinner, so walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

A rest area for seeing silversword (ʻāhinahina), an endangered plant endemic to Haleakalā, and cinder cones inside the crater up close.

A subalpine forest trail at 2,000 m above sea level near the national park entrance, where you can walk while listening for native Hawaiian honeycreepers (ʻIʻiwi, ʻApapane).

Maui's highest summit viewpoint at 3,055 m (10,023 feet), with views of Mauna Kea on the Big Island on clear days.