Here are some of the BEST places to visit to find hidden gems on Maui. The places below are a bit farther off the beaten tourist track and often a bit more difficult to find but will present great views, experiences, and nature.
Maui is an island full of incredible hidden treasures if you care enough to seek them out. These secret Maui spots are known by locals and frequented by those who prefer less of the dense crowds you might find in Kihei or Kaanapali.
These hidden gems will take you through gardens to beach coves, lava caves, cultural monuments and even authentic Maui farms. This is the place to start if you want a more authentic, local experience in Maui.
Before Visiting these Maui Hidden Gems
In this article we will go over lots of different hidden hems in Maui that beach lovers, healthy foodies, couples, hikers, solo travelers, and families alike can all enjoy.
The best way to get around Maui is by car, but there are also options to take buses or group tours to visit these secret spots. Compare rates to rent a car in Maui before you go, or check out some tours.
As these spots are lesser-known, there are no tours that visit all of them. But if you’d rather book a tour or driver, try a Maui private tour where you can decide the itinerary yourself!
Make sure to check out unique places to stay in Maui to keep the off-the-beaten-path vibe going, and unique things to do in Maui for some more unusual and fun ideas.
Paako Cove, aka Secret Beach
If you’re a fan of epic photos and gorgeous beaches, this secret Maui spot is your destination. Well, maybe it’s no longer one of the BEST kept secrets of Maui, but let us explain why you’ll want to visit.
Located on the Southern end of Maui, Paako Cove is a small beach with blue waters — be sure to bring your towel, sunscreen, and camera to make the most out of this destination! Although not the best for swimming, it’s possible to enjoy snorkeling. Just be careful of the lava rocks surrounding the cove!
To find the beach, park alongside the rock wall past Big Beach. Along the rock wall, there’s a small section that’s open – that’s the entrance to this destination!
ONO Organic Farms (aka Maui Exotic Fruit Farm)
This is a coffee, chocolate, and fruit lovers’ heaven in Maui! ONO Organic farms grow their own cacao and coffee, and feature a diverse range of fruits, from simple bananas to fruits such as soursop, pomelos, and durian. Even Gordan Ramsey visited this farm when filming his series Uncharted!
While products are available for purchase from their roadside stand, the farm offers tours by reservation Monday through Friday. The tour includes participating in fruit harvesting and having your own box to take home at the end. Not interested in a tour? Be sure to at least visit their stand and if you love what they offer enough, you can order from their website and have the products from one of the best kept secrets of Maui shipped to your door!
Great Buddha at Lahaina Jodo Mission
If you’re interested in culture, history, and religion, this is one of the secret Maui spots you won’t want to miss! The Great Buddha at Lahaina Jodo Mission is a must-visit. Easily accessible by car and public transportation, the Japanese Buddhist temple features a pagoda and the massive Amida Buddha.
The 12-foot tall Amida Buddha is the largest outside of Japan, weighing three and a half tons and made from bronze and copper. Completed in 1968, the Great Buddha commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants who settled in Hawaii.
Sacred Garden of Maliko
The Sacred Garden of Maliko isn’t sacred without reason. It’s a lush, green space in the Kukui forest where visitors can enjoy meditation and gardening classes, the plant nursery, and explore two garden labyrinths. Open daily from 9 AM – 6 PM, this Maui hidden gem is the ideal place to find a space of tranquility and reconnect with yourself and nature.
In addition to classes and garden labyrinths, along the gardens, visitors find spaces that encourage inner peace and creativity such as the community sketchbooks or the Buddha Garden.
To get here, we recommend driving just 20 minutes from Kahului as the nearest bus stop to the Sacred Garden of Maliko is about a 40-minute walk.
Nakalele Blowhole
Located on the North-Western tip of Maui, the Nakaleke Blowhole is one of many Maui hidden gems and offers amazing views, hiking, and even a little “love.”
With blows of up to 50 feet, it’s no wonder the Nakalele Blowhole attracts adventure seekers. There are two places to park for access – one which allows for easy viewing from the distance and another where you can hike around the area and get closer to the blowhole.
Be warned, blowholes such as this one can be dangerous. Don’t attempt to get too close, and stay on dry rocks as it’s possible to slip and fall.
As for the little bit of “love” mentioned, those that make it down the cliffs to the blowhole can spot a heart-shaped hole in the cliffs!
Hale Ho’omana Spa
While visiting a place as tranquil and beautiful as Hawaii, why not further indulge and take a trip to the spa? But this isn’t just any spa…the 5-star rated Hale Ho’omana spa is one of the hidden Maui gems where visitors don’t only experience relaxation but also Hawaii’s ancient healing traditions.
Treatments include Lomi Lomi massage, detox baths using sea clay and medicinal herbs, and revitalizing facials. The spa even offers couples retreats so you can have a romantic getaway with your partner.
Additionally, the spa hosts trainings for those interested in learning Lomi Lomi massage and other Hawaii healing traditions that practitioners can incorporate into their spiritual and bodywork. If you’re looking to experience and even learn the best kept secrets of Maui, this secluded spa is it!
The Makawao Forest aka Kahakapao Loop Trail
When most people think of hiking in Hawaii, it often includes incredible ocean views – but this trail, nestled in the middle of the forest, is one of many secret Maui spots. Unlike oceanside hiking trails, the Kahakapao Trail keeps visitors shaded from the glaring sun and hidden away in the lush forest.
The 6-mile loop is just a 30-minute drive from Kahului and is perfect for those who enjoy a moderate hike and escape the heat. In addition to the Kahakapao Loop, the Makawao Forest features trails great for intermediate to advanced cyclers! Just be sure to follow the trail markers, and you’re bound to have a grounding and peaceful experience in this Maui hidden gem.
Kaupo Store
If you’re planning to visit ONO Organic Farms, be sure to add the Kaupo Store to your to-do list! Located just 6.4 miles West of the farms, Kaupo Store is one of the secret spots in Maui visitors can get refreshed and visit a piece of Hawaii’s history.
Completely off-grid, this general store is in the “middle of nowhere” along the Piilani Highway. Due to the location of the store, it’s the go-to spot to stop for travelers looking for a drink or a snack as there’s often nothing else in sight.
Yet despite being a quick fix for thirst and hunger, it’s also part museum, dedicated to photographer Nick Soon who worked out of the store selling hardware, auto supplies, and more in the early 1900s.
Olivine Pools
Mother nature certainly provides some incredible sights, and the Olivine Pools are just that. The water here has a green hue due to the mineral called Pele’s tears. Located in the NorthWest of Maui en route to the Nakalele Blowhole, the Olivine Pools are a somewhat treacherous destination for those looking for true Maui hidden gems.
Now while these tide pools are beautiful, visitors must be careful as people have lost their lives enjoying this Maui secret spot. First, visitors must trek down to the pools, which is not the safest landscape. In addition, the pools are open to the ocean, meaning huge waves can crash into visitors and even take them out to sea.
In any case, it’s best not to swim or walk around the edges of the pools to get a view of them. For those who are insistent to take a dip, only go between April and October and stay alert while here!
Waioka Pond aka Venus Pool
The Waioka Pond is another destination like the Olivine Pools, where while beautiful, visitors must be careful. The natural pool connects to the open ocean and is prone to flash floods, which can be dangerous if they strike out of nowhere. If you’re not experienced with off-trail hiking and climbing, this may not be the destination for you.
Now with the warnings out of the way, this pool is gorgeous to view even if you don’t go swimming or cliff jumping (yes, we just said cliff jumping)! When seas are calm, the very back part of this pool has a fantastic area to jump in. It’s one of the ideal hidden gems on Maui for a summer day.
‘Iao Valley State Park
Just a short 15-minute drive from Kahului, the ‘lao Valley State Park is the perfect destination for any kind of traveler in Hawaii! If you want to hike with the whole family, this park has perfectly paved hiking trails. Want to cool off? There’s a river you can enjoy!
Unfortunately, unlike most of the destinations covered in this article, the ‘Iao Valley State Park isn’t free – for those without a valid Hawaii ID, the entrance fee is $5 per person while children under 3 years old are free. Currently, due to improvement projects, the park was closed to the public until January of 2023.
Hana Lava Tube
Something unique about Hawaii compared to all other United States travel is how volcanos and lava contribute to the natural beauty of the area – and the Hana Lava Tube is one of the Maui secret spots that really shows that off!
Formed over 900 years ago when lava flowed out to the ocean from here, its a pretty unique and interesting sight to see where you can hike inside a dark cave. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the .5-mile long cave at $15 per person (5 years old and under get free entry!)
Luckily this cave is an activity safe for the whole family, including rails to make the flash-light guided journey a safe, yet fun and exciting one!
Olowalu Petroglyphs
Carved by the pre-historic people of Hawaii, the Olowalu Petroglyphs are one of the easiest-to-access ancient historical sites in Maui and a necessary trip for culture and history lovers! Just a short walk from Olowalu General Store, one can view over 100 drawings, including animals and people carved into rocks.
Many visitors report area is very dry with little shade, so be sure to bring some water and a hat for sun protection!
That’s all for hidden gems on Maui for now! Comment below which was your favorite or what we should add to this list.
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