Kihei

Travel Guide
Kihei
With charm and a beautiful shoreline, this Maui town is filled with fun and unusual attractions worth a daytrip or a lengthy stay.

In the tiny area of Kihei in Maui it’s hard to tell fantasy from reality as you look out over clear water while feeling the softness and warmth of sand between your toes. Surf, swim or relax as you would at any beach. Bring your sunscreen and a camera to make your own postcard of the gorgeous setting. 

Any trip to Kihei centers on the Kamaole Beach Parks in the south half of Kihei. Pristine sand, handsome palms and breathtaking spreads of volcanic rock make these beaches you’ll always remember. Linger in the water all day or find the best place to read a book and wait for the sunset. 

The water in Kihei is delightful. Rent snorkeling gear and swim with the turtles. Scuba dive in the company of friendly dolphins or visit the ocean floor and examine urchins and other sea creatures. Paddleboard across the surface and spot colorful varieties of fish. Make a trip to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary Visitor Center to deepen your understanding of the area’s precious wildlife. 

Stroll along the boardwalk of the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy the quiet meadows. This refuge is a favorite among bird-watchers, who lie in wait to spot coot, stilt and other species. Watch for nests while you’re here. These delicate bird homes tend to be at ground level and are full of colorful, delicate, variegated eggs. 

For a change of pace, stand at the sidelines of the Maui Raceway Park. Hot rods, drag racers and muscle cars come together here to create a spectacle that’s truly out of the ordinary. Check before your visit for fees and scheduling. 

Fly into Kahului Airport and drive south 12 miles (19 kilometers) to reach Kihei. Rent a car at the airport so that you can continue exploring Maui afterward. Once you sit down for a fresh plate of seafood and tropical juice, you may be tempted to extend your stay in Kihei. 

Where to stay in Kihei

Maluaka Beach featuring landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Wailea

4.5/5(103 area reviews)

Wailea is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Shops at Wailea and Ulua Beach.

Wailea
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Halama Street

If you're spending some time in Halama Street, Kihei Town Center Shopping Center and Coast Guard Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Halama Street
Maui Coast Hotel
Maui Coast Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2259 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
The price is CA $336 per night from Jun. 9 to Jun. 10
CA $336
CA $453 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Kihei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"This property was such a great location to see Maui, have food &drink options outside of the hotel, but you could also easily just stay in the hotel for everything you needed. It’s literally across the street from a great beach if you’re in need of a great beach to swim or watch sunset too. We drove ..."

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Maui Coast Hotel
Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
5 out of 5
3850 Wailea Alanui Drive, Kihei, HI
The price is CA $1,127 per night from Jun. 7 to Jun. 8
CA $1,127
CA $1,410 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 7 - Jun 8
Book a stay at this beach resort in Kihei. Enjoy free WiFi, 9 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Best resort in Maui. Views everywhere that are spectacular. Amazing guest experience with fantastic rooms. Pool area was lots of fun and adjacent to the best beach in Wailea! Unbelievable resort."

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
4.5 out of 5
4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI
The price is CA $1,233 per night from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24
CA $1,233
CA $1,536 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Book a stay at this beach resort in Kihei. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Easily some of the best service at any resort we’ve ever stayed. Start to finish everyone was fantastic. Front desk. Valet. Pool. Restaurants. Everyone went above and beyond. Will definitely return."

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Maui Beach Vacation Club
Maui Beach Vacation Club
2.5 out of 5
515 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Kihei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (621 reviews)
"Loved this place"

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

Maui Beach Vacation Club
Sugar Beach Resort
Sugar Beach Resort
3 out of 5
145 N. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Kihei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Kamaole Beach Park and Maalaea Bay Beaches ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (978 reviews)
Would stay there again.
"I liked this place because it was centrally located on the island, on the beach, nice view, spacious and clean."

Reviewed on May 16, 2024

Sugar Beach Resort
Maui Banyan Vacation Club
Maui Banyan Vacation Club
3 out of 5
2575 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
Stay at this 3-star condo in Kihei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Wailea ...
7.8/10 Good! (289 reviews)
"Location was perfect if you like quiet beach towns. The beach was so beautiful and totally within walking distance. The pool was also very clean."

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

Maui Banyan Vacation Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kihei

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
137
" "5 - Excellent 61.990950226244344%
4 - Good
78
" "4 - Good 35.294117647058826%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 2.7149321266968327%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Ada
Mar. 30, 2020

Not much to see in Kihei, but the location is very convenient if you would like to go to Makena Beach or to Lahaina.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 18, 2020

Love Kihei! Been there 6 times. Just very disappointed about the rental property location to the construction. We couldn’t sit out side and even have a conversation.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 15, 2020

Great place to stay as it is central to the rest of the island.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jan. 27, 2020

Cute town. Not a big night life but great chill vibe. We later stayed in Lahaina and that was soooo touristy, wish we would of stayed jn Kihei.

4/5 - Good

Jenn
Jan. 20, 2020

Road to Hana is a must

5/5 - Excellent

Ying
Dec. 16, 2019

My favourite area in Maui. Very low key and casual. Close to many restaurants, shopping and beaches.

Cities near Kihei