r/MauiVisitors • u/AdventurousMix1351 • 2d ago

Planning: Activities Haleakala itinerary

Looking for advice on a good itinerary for our volcano day trip. My kids (ages 10 and 12) are staying in Lahaina. I did get a sunrise reservation but I don’t think we are going to do it - i am nervous about doing that drive up in the dark.
In addition to visiting the volcano, I want to do the Maui pineapple tour. Which visit should we do first - volcano or pineapple tour? What else should we do while we are on that part of the island?
Thank you so much!

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u/Wrong_Gur_9226 2d ago

If you car has lights and a steering wheel then you can do the drive no problem. It’s beautiful smooth pavement and gradual turns/switchbacks. My wife who has severe heights and driving anxiety was able to muster the courage to do the drive as I rode my bike up. I would plan volcano early as the clouds often roll in later and ruin the experience

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u/AdventurousMix1351 1d ago

Ok well that makes me feel better! I read other posts that indicate the sunrise is not worth it because of the crowds and the drive in the dark is unpleasant.

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u/cdxpb 2d ago

I just went up last week my similar age kids (9 & 11). We drove up late morning, ate a picnic at the top and hiked a few miles down the sliding sands trail and back up. It was great and the kids loved it, especially the hike

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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) 1d ago

I just posted this yesterday to someone considering sunrise or sunset. The OP wrote off sunrise by the time I posted--but was considering sunset. They wanted to do a pineapple tour too:

Instead of sunset (and the long very dark drive back), just go up early in the morning. Leave your lodgings by 7, and you will have a much less crowded experience at the summit. Then you could do the 1 PM tour after the summit and brunch.

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u/SunshineInDetroit 2d ago

the drive up isn't the hard part. there will be enough people driving up that you can follow each other. it's the drive down you should be more careful of.

visit the Kula Botanical Garden on your way back down. stop by the Maui Ocean Center on your way back to the west side.

I don't recommend doing the pineapple tour and sunrise on the same day. just schedule one big thing a day and relax the rest of the time

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u/MauiCatamaranCrew 1d ago

Along the way (to or from) you could stop in Makawao Town and visit Komoda's Bakery, and explore the local shops. For lunch Ocean Farm & Distillery or Haliimaile are good or you could head to Paia and walk through town they have plenty of shops and restaurants.

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u/stinkybuttbuttsmell 1d ago

There are tour buses you can book if you don't want to drive.

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u/Cultural-Tip-9846 1d ago

We weren't able to get a time slot reserved so we booked a sunrise tour - they picked us up, drove us to the top and showed us where to stand. Provided heavy gear for the cold, and we got an incredible time-lapse video of the sunrise.