Road to Hana: Rainforest Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Picnic Lunch — A Day Along Maui’s Most Scenic Highway

Hana•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

9–10 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for travelers of average fitness; requires mobility for short, sometimes muddy walks and standing at viewpoints.

Overview

Wind through 59 single-lane bridges and 640+ turns on a full-day narrated tour of Maui’s legendary Hana Highway. Visit rainforest waterfalls, Wainapanapa’s black sand beach, swim at freshwater pools and enjoy a picnic lunch while learning about the region’s geology and Hawaiian culture.

Road to Hana: Rainforest Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Picnic Lunch — A Day Along Maui’s Most Scenic Highway

Bus Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The van peels away from Kahului before sunrise and the island exhales: mist rising from gulches, palms whispering, the highway threading itself into a wall of green. For nine to ten hours you move through microclimates—ocean spray and wind-swept cliffs, then a sudden cathedral of kiawe and ʻōhiʻa—while the Hana Highway unfolds its famous statistics: roughly 64.4 miles (103.6 km), 59 single-lane bridges and more than 640 turns. It’s not just a drive; it’s a paced introduction to East Maui’s living geography.

Adventure Photos

Road to Hana: Rainforest Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Picnic Lunch — A Day Along Maui’s Most Scenic Highway photo 1

Adventure Tips

Start early and sit forward

Morning departures reduce traffic and offer better light for waterfalls and the black sand beach; sit near the front to get clearer views and photos.

Bring rain protection

East Maui’s rainforest gets sudden showers—carry a lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho for muddy trail sections and cooler gulches.

Swim with caution

Freshwater pools and Hana Bay can have strong currents and hidden rocks—obey posted warnings and don’t swim alone.

Pack snacks for special diets

Lunch options are fixed to ham, turkey or veggie sandwiches—bring your own food if you need vegan, raw or allergy-safe meals.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Green sea turtles (honu) on coastal rocks and beaches
Native seabirds; seasonal humpback whales offshore in winter

History

The route passes ancient Hawaiian ahupuaʻa—land divisions tied to taro cultivation and traditional stewardship; many bridges were installed in the early 1900s during plantation-era infrastructure projects.

Conservation

Waiʻānapanapa’s black sand environment and local taro loʻi are fragile—stay on marked trails, don’t remove sand or rocks, and support local vendors to benefit community-based conservation.