10 Top Things To Do in Kīhei on Maui
From whale-watching to lounging on a golden-sand beach, Kīhei has everything you’d want in a Maui vacation.
About half an hour from Kahului Airport is Kīhei, a sunny area that stretches for 6 miles along Maui’s south coast. Once a destination for vacationing aliʻi (Hawaiian royalty), this laid-back beach town still lures visitors, with its golden sands, snorkeling, whale-watching, beachy eateries and a wide assortment of affordable accommodations. It’s easy to see why Kīhei has long been a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
Read More: Your Guide to Kīhei, Maui
1. Get Breakfast at Kīhei Caffe
View this post on Instagram
The motto at Kīhei Caffe says it all: “Eat, talk, share, and eat some more.” This popular breakfast spot—which opens at 5 a.m.!—doesn’t mess around: Its menu is packed with classic and local fare, including fresh buttermilk pancakes, crab cakes eggs Bennies and a kālua pork loco moco. The Surfer Dude sammie is a must-try, with three eggs, two pieces of bacon, tomato, avocado and cheddar cheese on a brioche bun. (The café also serves lunch.) The coffee and drinks menu is great, too, with fresh juices and smoothies. 1945 S. Kīhei Road, (808) 879-2230, kiheicaffe.com
2. Hit the Surf
Surfers heading out from Kalama Beach Park in Kīhei on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/mudskipperanne
Maui is a great place to hit the waves—whether you’re a beginning or veteran rider. In fact, one of Hawaiʻi’s best big-wave spots is Peʻahi—aka Jaws—on the north shore of the island. But there are gentle waves all over the island, and surf schools like Maui Surf Lessons that offer small-group lessons perfect for the entire family. (Recommended for ages 8 and older.) Plus, you’ll get free digital photos of your session—so you can brag about it later to your friends!
3. Enjoy Shave Ice
View this post on Instagram
Rain or shine, shave ice is always a good idea. And in Kīhei, there are a handful of spots that serve this Hawaiʻi treat. Check out Beach Street Maui in Rainbow Mall; it offers dozens of flavors and toppings like haupia (sweet coconut cream), chocolate, caramel and li hing mui powder. You can also get shave ice with vanilla ice cream, gummy bears, mochi balls or sweet azuki beans. The shop—which also serves açaí bowls, bagel sandwiches and smoothies—has a few signature shave ice combos, if you can’t decide what to get. The Hula Girl consists of raspberry, coconut and passion fruit syrups with vanilla ice cream and haupia; the Happy Honu is a combination of blue vanilla and Melona syrups with ice cream, azuki beans and haupia. Rainbow Mall, 2439 S. Kīhei Road, (808) 344-6598, beachstreetmaui.com
4. Learn about Humpback Whales
A humpback whale breaching off Lahaina on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/Beth Cagnoni/500px
During the winter months—November through May, with the peak season running from January to March—you’ll likely see koholā, or North Pacific humpback whales, off Maui’s southern shores. These magnificent mammals migrate to the warmer waters in Hawaiʻi to mate, give birth and frolic. Maui is one of the best places in the world to see these whales—and you don’t need to charter a whale-watching tour. The whales are visible from shore. Learn about these whales at the Humpback Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, where you can tour the exhibits and interactive displays. 726 S. Kīhei Road, (808) 879-2818, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/visit/visitor-centers.html
Read More: Your Guide to Whale Watching on Maui
5. Hit the Beach(es)
Keawakapu Beach in Kīhei on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/7Michael
Kīhei boasts 6 miles of sandy beaches where you can surf, snorkel, swim or just lounge on the golden sands and enjoy the town’s perpetual sunshine. Keawakapu Beach has clear waters perfect for snorkeling around the coral reef. (You can often spot honu, of Hawaiian green sea turtles, here.) Kamaʻole Beach Parks is really three beaches, all with incredible views of Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi and Molokini offshore. The first of these beaches is Kamaʻole 1, a gorgeous white-sand, crescent-shaped beach that stretches for 1/3 of a mile.
6. Drink Mai Tais and Sing Karaoke
View this post on Instagram
There are parts of Maui that shut down when the sun goes down—but not Kīhei. Haui’s Life’s a Beach, for example, is open daily from 1 p.m. to midnight, with karaoke most nights until 11:30 p.m. Get there for sunset and watch from the lānai with a cold local beer or mai tai. If you’re hungry, LAB offers a variety of Mexican fare, from enchiladas to fish tacos. (Football fans can games Sunday morning games here, too.) 1913 S. Kīhei Road, (808) 891-8010, mauibars.com
7. Go Birdwatching
Keālia Pond National National Wildlife Refuge on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/RASimon
A hidden gem in Kīhei, the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wetland and home to the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot). In the winter months, there are more than 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory ducks at the refuge. You can walk along a coastal boardwalk—which is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily—to catch glimpse of these rare and wonderful birds. Or sit in the Native Plant Pollinator Garden, located behind the visitor center, and enjoy the peaceful solitude. Milepost 6, Maui Veterans Highway, (808) 875-1582, fws.gov/refuge/kealia-pond
8. Learn How to Stand-Up Paddleboard
View this post on Instagram
Stand-up paddleboarding is a fun way to catch waves—or just be in the water. The family-run Maui Waveriders offers SUP lessons for all ages, and provides everything you need for a fun day in the sun. Lessons are 90 minutes long and start at $95 a person. 2021 S. Kīhei Road, Kīhei (808) 875-4761, mauiwaveriders.com
9. Take a Workshop
View this post on Instagram
Paper Garden Maui, a charming boutique in Wailea Village Center, offers small and unique workshops every month, ranging from macrame to candle-making. You can even sign up for a one-day watercolor painting class for beginners. Not only will you learn something new, but you’ll have a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take back home with you. Check its Instagram for workshop updates. Wailea Village Center, 116 Wailea Ike Dr., Suite 2202, Wailea, (808) 871-5541, papergardenmaui.com
10. Watch the Sunset
Sunset in Kīhei on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/sanfel
Because of its location on the south shore, Kīhei is one of the best places on Maui to watch the sunset. Sit on one of Kīhei’s many beaches—we like Sugar Beach—or grab a bite to eat at a beachfront eatery with a front-row seat. Nalu’s South Shore Grill, a locally owned restaurant across the street from the shoreline, has great sunset views plus a menu that will satisfy any craving: classic loco mocos, chicken and waffles, salads, burgers and, of course, tropical cocktails. The live music provides the perfect soundtrack to the unforgettable Maui sunset. Azeka Shopping Center, 1280 S. Kīhei Road, Suite 132, (808) 891-8650, naluskihei.com
