Maui’s Heart: Maalaea Bay

Literally located at the center of Maui’s exciting whirlwind of vacation-worthy attractions, Maalaea Bay quietly captures the essence of Hawaii without being overwhelming.

Halfway between Lahaina and Wailea, nestled right next to Kihei, fifteen minutes from the airport and within a reasonable driving distance from Hana, Haleakala National Park or anywhere else you’d care to visit, Maalaea Bay has a lot going for it. Wandering souls will find themselves in heaven, as will those who enjoy the feeling of being tucked away from the maddening crowd.

Hop in the car when the urge strikes and see what magical Maui adventure reveals itself (whale-watching, scuba diving, hiking a volcano, perhaps?). Or if it’s one of those lazy days, then settle down near the pool, on the lanai, or right on the beach beneath a striped umbrella.

Much of the shoreline of Maalaea Bay is designated a wildlife preserve, so don’t expect lots of development to stand between you and your dreams of fresh air and pristine scenery. The vacation condos in this area will further encourage you to let the real world fade into the background, so make yourself at home for as long as you need.

Even though Maalaea Bay is quieter than some of its neighbors and counterparts, you’ll still find plenty of restaurants, a mall and the Maui Ocean Center right down the road. In other words, its location is definitely a plus, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to think of Maalaea Bay as the whole package.