The Road To Hana Ultimate Guide | Maui Hawaii

The Road To Hana is a beautiful scenic drive along the northeast coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui.  Hana is the small coastal town on the far east point of Maui.  But the road to Hana is as much (if not more) about the journey as it is about the destination. There are dozens of beautiful sights along the way, including beaches, waterfalls, vistas, food, and more.  This Ultimate Guide for the Road to Hana covers all the best places to stop.

This windy narrow road has hundreds of curves and dozens of one-lane bridges.  There is so much to see and do on the Road to Hana, that you could spend a lifetime exploring.

But if you are like most people, you are probably just visiting Maui and will probably attempt to fit the Road To Hana all in a single day.  It is possible to do in a day, but you will have to be selective about what you stop for and what you pass up.  This Road to Hana Ultimate Guide will ensure you spend your precious vacation time wisely.

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

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Before We Start

Since there isn’t enough time to see and do everything in a day, I will try to provide guidance on why you might want to prioritize some stops, or why you might skip it for a similar experience.

So a big factor in your decision should be the amount of time an activity takes.  Stopping for a couple minutes to snap some photos of a roadside waterfall is obviously a much smaller time commitment than a stop that requires some hiking.

If you really don’t want to miss a thing, you can be like us and drive it twice!

Or you could find accommodation in Hana to give yourself more time to explore.  The mornings on this side of the island are magical.  You get beautiful east-facing sunshine and more solitude before the afternoon crowds arrive.

Most people drive the Road to Hana as an out-and-back drive starting in the clockwise direction.  This section of road contains the majority of the best stops, and the road is in the best condition.  This guide is laid out in that order with approximate mile markers noted to help locate these attractions.

The mile marker system is a little wonky, it counts up to Hana from 0 to about 35, then at Hana it jumps up to over 50 and starts counting down when you continue past Hana.  You can reference out this Interactive Road to Hana Mile Marker Map to see where things are.

It is possible to drive the entire loop around in either direction, but it’s generally not recommended to do the loop counter-clockwise because there’s a section of rough road.  So for average rental cars it’s not advisable.

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Paia

The town of Paia is the last place to stop for services before the long drive to Hana.  Make sure you’ve got plenty of gas and maybe grab some food if you didn’t make time for breakfast.

But really it’s much cheaper to get gas in Kahului.  Costco is the best if you have a membership.

Nearby Ho’okipa Beach is also a popular place to view sea turtles “sunbathing” on the beach and surfers catching some waves.  But remember, keep at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the turtles.

Since there’s so much to do on the Road to Hana, you may want to just make a separate trip to Paia on a different day.  It’s pretty centrally located on Maui.

It’s also home to the original Paia Fish Market, which is one of the best restaurants on Maui to get local seafood.  It’s a perfect place to stop for dinner after a long day on the Road to Hana.

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Twin Falls

Mile Marker: 2

This is one of the first waterfalls you will encounter on the Road to Hana.  It also becomes a bit of a tourist trap because of ample parking, and excited tourists will stop at the first sign of something cool.  Feel free to stop, but my best recommendation is to skip these falls.  I promise, there’s much more impressive falls coming up soon.

[Time: Allow 15-30 Minutes]

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Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

Mile Marker: 6.5

The first place that we like to stop on the Road to Hana is at a grove of Rainbow Eucalyptus trees just off the side of the road.  Just past the trees is a small pullout on the right side of the road.

The bark of these trees has an impressive display of colors.  It’s a quick free stop to walk over and check out the trees, and worth admiring the trees up close.  But if you are really into flora, there are some dedicated arboretums coming up, so you should skip this stop if you plan to go into one of those.

[Time: Allow 5-10 Minutes]

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The Garden Of Eden

Mile Marker: 11.5

This carefully maintained 30-acre arboretum and botanical garden (like an outdoor museum for plants) is a great place to stop to see lots of well-labeled exotic plant species.  This privately owned garden costs $20 per adult for entry.  But that fee pays for well-maintained grounds, pathways, and bathrooms.  The Garden Of Eden is great for families, to people with limited mobility.  There is also a waterfall on the grounds.

It’s open daily from 8am to 4pm, which could be an issue if you got a really early start on the Road to Hana.  They recommend at least 30 minutes to explore, but 45 to an hour would be better.

A little farther down the Road to Hana is a similar experience at the state-run Ke-anea Arboretum (MM 16.5).  I would recommend choosing one or the other, unless you are just crazy about arboretums (is that a thing?).

The Ke’anae Arboretum is free, but it’s smaller, less maintained, no bathrooms, and your vehicle will be less secure parked on the road.

[Time: Allow 30-60 Minutes]

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Haipua’ena Falls

Mile Marker: 11.5

This little waterfall is a great one to start with on the Road to Hana.  The waterfall empties into a blue pool and is only a short walk from the road.

There is a second waterfall up above, but the trail is sketchy and the views unrewarding, so we advise to just stick to the lower falls.

[Time: Allow 5-10 Minutes]

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Honomanu Bay

Mile Marker: 14.1

This little beach is nestled in a cove with steep green cliffs on either side.  This semi-black-sand beach is much better for photo ops, than as a stereotypical beach.  So for most people, just snapping a photo from up above is enough.

But for those compelled to get onto the beach itself, be aware that frequent clouds, pebbly sand, and rough ocean make this beach inhospitable for swimming or sunbathing.  The locals have also made their wishes known about what is (and is NOT) allowed here (see sign below).

Views of the bay are seldom from the road, but the best views are between mile marker 12 and 13, just as you turn the corner into the bay. (Pictured above)

The road down to the beach itself is often in poor condition.  But if you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle, you can always park at the turnout on Hana highway and just walk down.  It’s about a quarter mile, and can be worth it to see the views from on the beach itself. 

[Time: Allow 20-60 minutes depending on if you walk or drive down, or spend any significant time at the beach]

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Ke’anae Arboretum

Mile Marker: 16.4

The Ke’anae Arboretum is another place to see a diversity of labeled exotic plants.  But as an Arboretum, it’s mostly trees.  So just don’t be expecting a bountiful garden of flowers. 

If you missed the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees earlier on the Road to Hana, this is a great place to see them.  And the nice thing about the Ke’anae Arboretum is that it’s free!

[Time: Allow 15-30 minutes]

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Ke’anae Peninsula

Mile Marker: 16.5

The Ke’anae Peninsula is a great detour to check out some epic coastal views and pick up a loaf of Aunt Sandy’s famous banana bread.  The banana bread is delicious and served warm and fresh daily.  When you drive out to the tip of the peninsula, there is parking and public bathrooms.  You can eat your fresh banana bread, while looking out down the coast.

Despite driving so close to the ocean on the Road to Hana, the chances to actually see the entire coastline unimpeded are somewhat rare.  The dense vegetation limits your chances to catch a glimpse of the miles of beautiful coastline.

So it’s worth stopping here just for the open views down the coast.

[Time: Allow 10-30 minutes]

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Halfway to Hana

Mile Marker: 17.5

This unofficial halfway point is a good place to make a pitstop if you are hungry.  There is as big sign on the right side of the paved road, you can’t miss it.  They serve banana bread, sandwiches, shave ice, fresh fruits, beef jerky, and more.

[Time: Allow 10-30 minutes]

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Wailua Valley state Wayside

Mile Marker: 19

This little viewpoint has only room for a couple of cars, and beware the turnout comes quick. But it offers views on the mouka (mountain) side of a couple massive waterfalls in the distance.  And if you climb the stairs to the right, you are rewarded with ocean views over the small unincorporated town of Wailua with its coastal farm fields.

Unfortunately there are no bathrooms, and the views, while grand, are mostly of things far away.  You could skip this.

[Time: Allow 5-10 minutes]

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Upper Waikani Falls (AKA Three Bears Falls)

Mile Marker: 19.8

This is one of the best waterfalls on the Road to Hana.  This waterfall is located just before mile marker 20.  Upper Waikani falls is visible right from your car as you cross one of the many one-lane bridges.  But it’s definitely worth parking to get out to enjoy the view without holding up traffic.  There is a small pull-off about 800 feet past the bridge on the right.  Park there, and then walk back to the bridge.

When the amount of water is right, you will see three distinct waterfalls of descending sizes (hence, Three Bears).  If the flow is too strong or too weak it could be one huge gush of water or less than three falls.

There is a way down to the falls, but it is not recommended because the climb down from the road is wet and the first ledge is large.  The trail below is also muddy and slippery, so proceed at your own risk.  If you must go, start the trail on the ocean side of the road, and then cross under the bridge.

I honestly found the views of the falls from the bridge to be better than down close to the falls. So because of the sketchy trail down, I would recommend most people just viewing from above.

[Allow 5-10 Minutes, double it if you hike down]

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Wailua Iki Falls

Mile Marker: 19.8

This large falls sits underneath one of the many one-lane bridges, but the best view is from up around the corner.  There is a small pull-out on the left, several hundred feet past the bridge, large enough for barely two cars.  But from here you can walk over to the guardrail and see the falls as pictured above.  Be careful of traffic passing by, because there is no shoulder to stand out of the road.

The waterfall empties into a large bowl with green vegetation on all sides.  From here you can also see the road wrapping around the bowl.  It’s also worth a walk down to the bridge to look at the falls from the above, and get a closer view of some smaller falls upstream from the bridge.  But be careful not to lean too far over the bridge guardrail, because it’s short and won’t stop you from falling over the edge.

[Time: Allow 5-10 Minutes]

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Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside

Mile Marker: 22.5

This state wayside has bathrooms and a relatively big parking lot.  But it’s often packed with tourists stopping just because they see easy parking and other people.  There are several smaller roadside waterfalls, but it’s okay to skip them to save time for other spots.

[Time: Allow 5-20 Minutes]

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Hanawi Falls

Mile Marker: 24.2

You know the drill.  Another awesome roadside waterfall that you can see right from your car.  There are a series of waterfalls and cascades all in the general area.  In any other place, Hanawi Falls would be the main event, but on the Road To Hana, you are starting to become numb to the endless beautiful waterfalls.  But nonetheless, still a cool spot and worth a short stop to get a closer look.  There is parking on either side of the bridge to check it out.

[Time: Allow 5-10 Minutes]

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Nahiku Pond and Viewpoint

Mile Marker: 25.2

Nahiku is a small community tucked in the hills that lead down to the oceanfront.  The drive down to the “trailhead” takes about 12 minutes.  Park on the left by the church, and then you have to walk about a half mile to the oceanfront.  Just before you get to the ocean you can find Nahiku Pond and Falls on your right.  This little swimming hole and waterfall are exceptionally idyllic.  But watch out for abundant mosquitoes here.

Then, once you reach the ocean there is another larger waterfall on the right.  And finally, you reach the viewpoint down at the waterfront.  The spot offers nearly 270 degree views of the coast.  And in the distance you can see waterfalls pouring straight into the ocean.  If the weather is nice, you will get great views with vibrant colors.  But it is equally likely that this area may be shrouded in clouds.

The locals here are notoriously not that psyched about the volume of tourists that drive down their quiet road in paradise.  As one local in front of us made clear by stopping his pickup in the road to chat with several neighbors, while we waited patiently behind.  But we mostly received smiles and waves from the few other locals we saw.

This detour will actually take a decent amount of time to complete with about 25 minutes of driving time, 15 minutes of walking, and whatever time you spend at the waterfall and ocean viewpoint. So if you are short on time, you may want to skip this detour.

[Time: Allow 45-95 minutes]

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Hana Farms Roadside Stand & Restaurant

Mile Marker: 31

Just before you reach Hana town, you will pass Hana Farms on your right.

This awesome stop has a 7-acre tropical farm, roadside marketplace stand, bakery, and restaurant that serves wood-fired pizza, farm fresh plates, and BBQ on the weekends.  We love everything about this place, the farm-fresh marketplace, the delicious restaurant food, and the open-air vibes of their bamboo structures.

I highly recommend that you stop at Hana Farms for lunch.  But there’s more options available in the town of Hana, just a few miles further.

[Time: Allow 10-40 minutes]

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Hana Lava Tube (Kaeleku Cave)

Mile Marker: 31

This is one of the more unique Road To Hana stops.  Exploring the massive lava tubes deep underground is one of the best ways to escape the afternoon heat.  The entry price is $12 per person.

[Time: Allow 20-40 Minutes]

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Wai’anapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)

Mile Marker: 32

This state park requires reservations to be made in advance, and there are fees. More info here.

Wai’napanapa State Park is most famously known for its Black Sand Beach. But other notable attractions are the sea cave, sea arch, and blowhole.  The sea cave is a small volcanic rock tunnel on the right side of the black sand beach.  This narrow tunnel leads down to the water’s edge.  The sea arch is also easily seen from the landing above the black sand beach.

The blowhole is a hole in the rocks where ocean waves force water up in a blast very similar to a whale’s blowhole.  Getting to the blowhole requires a short hike along the coast path starting at the north side of the black sand beach.  The blowhole being active depends on the tide and waves.

And as far a black sand beaches go, this one does have a few drawbacks.

We found that even with a reservation system, the rather small black sand beach was a little crowded.  And the black “sand” was more like pebbles, rather than fine grain sand.

I don’t share these caveats to deter you from going, but rather just to provide fair expectations.  So given the price and need for advanced reservations you may choose to skip this stop.

However, if you do make the effort to get into Waianapanapa State Park, the colorful coastal views are truly beautiful.  As a photographer, I really loved the combination of the bright green plants, cobalt blue ocean, and black volcanic rocks.

[Time: Allow 40-90 Minutes]

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Town Of Hana

Mile Marker: 34

You’ve finally made it to Hana, Hawaii.  This small oceanside town is cute, but don’t expect some grand tourist mecca.  Sure, there are some shops and restaurants to entice tourists, but overall vibe of Hana is just a quiet oceanside community.  There’s also a gas station and general store.

The restaurant scene in Hana is almost entirely food trucks style.  There’s a few clustered just on the main road, and a few other solo ones scattered around the town.  There’s Hawaiian, American, BBQ, Thai.  But if you are looking for a more traditional restaurant with table service, then the Hana Ranch Restaurant is your only option.

You will also probably notice that there is cell service in Hana, if you need it.  It can be helpful to have a little service to plan the rest of your day.

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Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu)

Mile Marker: In Hana

The coolest thing to see in Hana is the Red Sand Beach.  This little cove is tucked on the southwestern side of the town of Hana.  The cove is slightly protected by a string of jagged rocks that break incoming waves.  This makes a nice protected area for swimming and sunbathing.  The red sand is a little bit coarse, but the beauty more than makes up for it.  

The trail out to the beach is short but a little sketchy.  It traverses along a narrow cliff edge around the rocky point and down into the cove.  So it’s recommended to have footwear with good traction for the hike out.

Parking is a little tricky because there is limited street parking only.  You should park on Uakea Road in front of the community center.  But make sure you are not blocking the road.  Then the trail begins just south, starting by crossing a small grassy field.

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Koki Beach & Hamoa Beach

Mile Marker: 50 & 51

The two beaches just past the town of Hana are the best beaches on the Road to Hana if you are looking for more typical fine grain sand.

Hana tends to actually get a good amount of sunshine because the rain clouds form a little farther up the mountainside.  So despite being on the “rainy” side of the island, you can actually find some pretty good beach weather on this coast.

Koki beach is more well-known as a surfer beach, and is not great for swimming because of the dangerous rocks and currents.

Hamoa Beach is the best beach for people looking to sunbathe and take a swim.  It’s also a great place for bodysurfing or boogie boarding when the waves are breaking offshore.  But even Hamoa Beach can be dangerous if big waves are pounding the shore.  So be careful if the waves are crashing right on the beach.

The beach also has a good mix of shade and sun, getting more shady as the day wears on.  And there is decent snorkeling on the edges of the cove, but only if the waves are small enough.  Parking is just along the road up above the beach.

[Time: Allow 20-90 Minutes]

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Wailua Falls

Mile Marker: 45 (counting down from Hana)

This is another waterfall that is easily seen from the road.  Wailua Falls is often called Maui’s most photographed waterfall.  Unlike most waterfalls on the Road to Hana, this falls has a relatively large dirt parking area just past the bridge on the left.

You can see the falls right from the bridge, or backtrack and take the trail just before the bridge.  This falls has a large plunge pool underneath, that makes a popular swimming spot for visitors who tend to reach Wailua Falls later in the day.

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‘Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) & Waimoku Falls

Mile Marker: 42 (counting down from Hana)

Sometimes you save the best for last.  These two waterfalls in Haleakala National Park are some of the most spectacular waterfalls on the Road to Hana.  But they are also likely your farthest destination on the drive.  Hence, why it’s important to get an early start if you want to include these stops.  They are in the Kipahulu District of the National Park, and requires a $30 per car entry fee, or parks pass.

Waimoku Falls is probably the tallest waterfall you will see on the Hana Highway, standing at 400 feet tall. 

The Pipiwai Trail that takes you there is one of the best hiking trails in Maui.  But the hike to this falls if often the most substantial trail that people will take on this trip.

To get there, you take Pipiwai trail (3.4 miles, 908 feet elevation) whose other notable sights are a massive Banyan tree, bamboo forest, and several other smaller (but not small) waterfalls.  If you have enough time, it’s definitely worth the hike, though many people run out of energy or daylight by the time they reach it.  I personally would make it a priority.

O’heo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) is actually a cascade of several waterfalls and pools, however there aren’t quite seven pools total.  This name was given by a former owner trying to entice tourists to this remote part of Maui.

At the top of the gulch, there is a bridge that makes a great backdrop, especially if you have a telephoto camera lens.  At the bottom of the gulch, the river empties out into the Pacific Ocean.  This is a great place to look down the coast and see waves crashing into the rocks.

The trail for Ohe’o Gulch is only a half mile loop. So it’s not that difficult of an add-on.

The rules about swimming here seem to be getting increasingly restrictive.  First, cliff jumping was banned, and when we visited no swimming of any kind was allowed.  Injuries and subsequent lawsuits are the root of the problem.  But the park service manages the rules based on the flow of water.

{2023 Update – Now O’heo Gulch is closed to all access due to safety concerns.  Seems that it wasn’t possible to let people recreate here safely.  The falls can still be view from the Kuloa Point Trail}

This is the farthest that most people will drive on the Road to Hana before turning around (if they haven’t already).  Or you can continue this direction and finish the loop going clockwise, but it’s not recommended because of some rough sections of paved and graded dirt.

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Join Us On A Vlog Tour Of The Road To Hana

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Tips For Driving The Road To Hana

Start Early

The Road to Hana has enough beautiful sights and activities to fill an entire week of exploring.  So if you are trying to do the drive in just one day then you must start early!  This also will give you a slight head-start on the crowd of people who make this drive every day.  Getting to Paia by 6-8am is going to give you the most time and keep you ahead of the “sleep in” crowd.

When To Do What?

Most people will visit sites as they encounter them, stopping a bunch on the drive out to Hana.  But then drive the way back with very few stops.  This system works pretty well because you tend to have more energy for stopping and exploring early in the day.  On the drive back, you will likely be exhausted, and might not feel like putting in the extra effort at a stop.

However, if you are getting a late start, then you could zig when everyone else zags.  You could intentionally save some stops for your way back when they will be less crowded in the evening.  But as I mentioned, you run the risk of being too tired and skipping them altogether.

Use a Guided App

We highly recommend downloading the Road To Hana Gypsy Guide Audio Tour, offering virtual tour guides.  Because let’s face it, you can’t expect to remember all the names and mile markers for each of these incredible stops.  And you wont have cell service for most of the drive, so looking things up as you go is not an option.

The Gypsy Guide audio Hana Tour is a $7 app that you download to your phone that uses your phone’s GPS to gives you information and commentary throughout the entire drive.  The “narrator” points out places as they come up, making it really easy to find places.  But the guide still lets you choose what you want to stop for, so you’re still in control of your own adventure.

And beyond just the locations, there’s all kinds of informational tidbits about Hawaiian history, culture, and more.  It will be a $7 well spent to make your Road to Hana experience carefree and easy.

But there are some “smaller” attractions that the app doesn’t mention, so it’s not a bad idea to write down a few mile markers and names just in case.

Warnings

Flash flooding is a serious danger on the Road To Hana.  Heavy rainfall can turn streams and drainages into a heavy flood of water within minutes.  Even if it is sunny where you are, rainfall miles away can lead to flash floods at your location.  So when visiting waterfalls you should always be aware of the possible danger.  Listen/watch for a sudden increases in water volume.  And it’s generally a bad idea to stand under really large waterfalls, because water is not the only thing that comes falling down.

Also on a more aesthetic note, waterfalls don’t always look the same depending on the flow of water.  A strong flow is always the most powerful and impressive to see.  However, if you are photographing waterfalls and want those whispy long-exposure shots, then usually, less is more.  But obviously, if there’s no water at all then that will be a big bummer.

When swimming in rivers and lagoons, it’s best to use mostly your arms.  There’s potential for sharp rocks, so swimming with your legs can lead to cuts, or a stubbed toe.

You can pretty much assume that every trail on the Road to Hana will be muddy and slippery.  So use caution and bring footwear with traction if you have desire to explore off the pavement.

Don’t drink too much alcohol the night before.  The winding roads are very likely to cause motion sickness, even if you weren’t drinking the night before.

One-lane bridges are one of the most iconic features of the Road to Hana.  So be mindful of cars coming the other direction and pay attention to yield signs.  Even still, there are plenty of places where you simply cannot see around blind corners, so just take it slowly.

Also, don’t hold up traffic by stopping on a bridge.  If you want to see what’s there, then park in one of the pulloffs and check it out on foot.

Adhere to local signage about private property and other restrictions.

Theft is a common issue on the Road to Hana.  So anytime you let your car leave your sight, you should bring all your valuables with you, or at least tuck them out of sight.

Staying In Hana

One of the best ways to explore the Road to Hana is to actually stay in Hana.  There is actually a few accommodations in Hana.  If you book a night or two in Hana, it will give you so much more time to explore the east side of Maui.  And you will find the mornings in Hana to be much quieter before most of the tourists arrive around midday.

If you want to stay at a hotel/resort, the Hana-Maui Resort is the place to be! Use Kayak.com to find the best deal!

Or there are even a variety of rental properties on VRBO if you prefer that type of accommodation.

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What To Bring On The Road To Hana

Bring a rain jacket for this drive, because rain showers can strike at any moment.  And if it’s raining at one stop, don’t fret, it may clear up by the time you reach your next stop.

Bring footwear with good traction because the trails are muddy and slippery.

If you are bringing expensive electronics (cameras, phones, etc) then a waterproof bag or container is a good idea.

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim at any of the lagoons or beaches.

Bring a tripod if you want to get those wispy waterfall shots with long exposure photography.

If you do the hike to Waimoku Falls (3.4 miles) then I recommend packing these hiking essentials.

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Conclusion | The Road To Hana

The Road to Hana is such an incredible scenic drive.  The area is unique for it’s almost fairy-tale beauty that surrounds the road.  With endless waterfalls, hidden lagoons, lush rainforests, unique cove beaches, and more, you are sure to be captivated by the natural beauty.

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