Planning a trip to Maui and want to explore the South Shore town of Kihei? Scroll to find the best things to do in Kihei Maui, including where to eat, cool tours, and where to play!
This list of things to do in Kihei Maui was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Kihei doesn’t try to be Wailea, and that’s exactly why it’s usually where I book a room when I’m staying in South Maui.
No valet, no dress code for dinner, just condos, a strip of shopping centers, and some of the best beach access on the whole island.
I’ve stayed in Kihei more times than I can count over 40+ trips to Hawaii, and I’ve slowly whittled down a long list of “things to do” into the handful I keep coming back to.
This isn’t a copy-paste list of everything within driving distance. It’s what I book, eat, and show up for myself, plus current 2026 prices so you’re not caught off guard.
Quick Take: Kihei in a Nutshell
- Best splurge: A morning Molokini Crater snorkel tour departing early to beat the wind and the crowds. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, it’s required at Molokini either way.
- Best free thing: Sunset from Kamaole Beach III, no ticket required.
- Best meal: Fish tacos at Coconut’s, hands down.
- Best splurge for date night: The Feast at Mokapu luau in nearby Wailea.
- Skip if: You’re hoping for a resort-style, everything-included vacation. That’s Wailea, not Kihei.
1. Snorkel Molokini Crater on a Morning Boat Tour
Molokini is a half-sunken volcanic crater about three miles off Maui’s south shore, and it’s the closest thing to guaranteed excellent snorkeling that I’ve found on any island.
The water inside the crescent is protected from wind and current, which means visibility that regularly stretches past 100 feet.
Timing matters more than people expect. Trade winds pick up by late morning, so afternoon boats often get bumped to a backup spot along the coast instead of the crater itself.
I won’t pretend this one is without downsides. The ride out can get bumpy once the wind kicks in, so if you’re prone to seasickness, take something before you board, not after.
Larger catamarans can also pack in 80 to 100 passengers, which makes the water feel more crowded than the photos suggest.
If a quieter experience matters to you, look for a smaller operator that caps the group size, even if it costs a bit more.
As of 2026, prices run somewhere between $140 and $250+ per person depending on the boat and what’s included.
A few operators, like this Kihei-departure Molokini snorkel tour, leave right from South Maui instead of Ma’alaea, which saves you the drive if you’re staying in Kihei.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, not the regular kind. Molokini is a protected Marine Life Conservation District, and the reef inside it is a big part of why the snorkeling is this good in the first place.
2. Watch the Sunset from the Kamaole Beaches
Kihei has three connected beach parks along South Kihei Road, known simply as Kamaole I, II, and III, and they’re some of my favorite sunset spots on Maui because you don’t need a reservation, a boat, or a dinner tab to enjoy one.
Kamaole III is my pick for an easy evening.
There’s a grassy lawn set back from the sand, so you can bring a blanket, some takeout, and watch the sky turn orange and pink over the water without any real setup.
It’s also one of the few Kihei beaches with a playground nearby if you’re traveling with kids.
Kamaole I and II are smaller and quieter, and both are good backups if III feels crowded, which it can on a clear evening in high season.
Parking along South Kihei Road fills up fast right before sunset, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early if you want a spot close to the beach access.
If you’re marking a special trip, a Kamaole sunset is also an easy spot to book a quick Flytographer session (readers of this site can save $20).
No professional shoot is needed for a regular evening, but for an anniversary or honeymoon, it’s worth it.
3. Spend a Few Hours at Maui Ocean Center (Then Get Shave Ice)
Maui Ocean Center sits right on the way between Kihei and Lahaina in Ma’alaea, and I’ve been back more times than I’d like to admit.
It’s built entirely around Hawaiian marine life, so instead of penguins or an arctic tank, you’re looking at reef sharks, honu, and the fish you might spot snorkeling that same afternoon.
Plan for about two hours. The Humpbacks of Hawaii sphere is worth the extra few minutes if you’re visiting between December and April, since it’s the closest most people get to seeing a whale up close without being on a boat.
As of 2026, general admission runs $49.95 for adults, $39.95 for kids ages 4 to 12, and $44.95 for seniors when you book online ahead of time. Buying tickets on their own site is cheaper than a lot of third party resellers.
There’s also an Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice stand inside the building, and you don’t need admission to walk up and order from it.
Even on trips where I skip the aquarium itself, I still stop in Ma’alaea for the shave ice on the way through.
4. Get Takeout from Café O’Lei Kihei
Café O’Lei has a beautiful sit-down location at the Plantation House up in Kapalua, but for a quick, no-fuss meal, I almost always go with the Kihei location for takeout.
It’s family owned, the portions are generous, and it never feels like a tourist trap even though it’s clearly built a following with visitors.
I keep coming back for the sauteed fish with rice and slaw. It doesn’t look fancy on the menu, but it’s consistently incredible, which is exactly the kind of order that makes a takeout run worth the drive.
A quick note on hours since sources online don’t agree: their own site lists them as closed Mondays, with lunch from 11am to 3:30pm and dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm.
A few other listings claim they’re open daily. I’d call ahead (808-891-1368) before you make the trip, especially if Monday is the only night that works for your schedule.
5. Eat Fish Tacos at Coconut’s Fish Cafe
If I had to pick one meal that says “Kihei” to me, it’s the fish tacos at Coconut’s.
Wild caught fish, a light crunchy slaw, and a sauce that somehow makes me order the same thing every single visit instead of trying something new off the menu.
There are two Coconut’s locations in Kihei now, one at the Azeka Shopping Center and a second in the Kamaole Beach Center.
Both are counter service, open daily from around 11am to 9pm as of 2026. The lunch rush at both is real, so if you hate waiting in line, go before 11:30 or after 1:30.
6. See the Feast at Mokapu Luau
Kihei itself doesn’t have its own luau, but the best one I’ve attended on Maui is a short drive away in Wailea.
The Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui sits right on Mokapu Beach, and it’s the one I recommend when people ask me to name just one Maui luau to book. What sets it apart isn’t just the setting.
The food is a real step up from typical luau buffet fare, the show itself is staged with a level of production most luaus don’t bother with, and the whole evening has a luxe feel from the moment you sit down.
It isn’t cheap, and as of 2026, it’s gotten pricier. Classic seating runs around $296 per adult with tax and fees, and premium seating (the first two rows) is closer to $380.
Classic seating is also communal, meaning you’re sharing a table with other guests rather than getting your own private setup, which matters if you’re going for a quiet date night.
I’d treat this one as a special occasion rather than something to build every trip around.
7. Catch Kihei’s Fourth Friday Street Party
If your trip happens to land on the fourth Friday of the month, Kihei throws a free town party at the Azeka Shopping Center from 6 to 9pm.
There’s live local music, food trucks, local vendors selling everything from art to handmade jewelry, and a keiki zone for younger kids.
I went years ago and had a fun, low-key evening. It’s not flashy, but it’s a good way to spend an evening around locals instead of only other tourists, and it costs nothing beyond whatever food or goods you decide to buy.
If you’re traveling with kids and want more family-specific Maui picks like this one, my sister site Hawaii Travel With Kids covers that side of things in more depth.
8. Walk the Kealia Pond Boardwalk
This one surprises people. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge sits along the highway between Kihei and Ma’alaea.
Its Coastal Boardwalk is a flat, easy, half mile path along a protected wetland that’s home to two endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, the ae’o and the ‘alae ke’oke’o.
I walked it years ago when my oldest was still a toddler, and it’s exactly the kind of low-key, stroller-friendly activity that’s easy to squeeze in without planning a whole day around it.
No tickets, no timed entry, just sunrise to sunset access, seven days a week.
Where to Stay in Kihei
Kihei runs almost entirely on condos and smaller boutique hotels rather than big resort chains, which is part of its charm and part of what keeps it more affordable than Wailea just down the road.
If you want your own kitchen and laundry, look at condo-style stays along South Kihei Road near Kamaole Beach. If you’d rather have daily housekeeping and a front desk, a smaller oceanfront hotel is a better fit.
I’d recommend comparing a handful of options on Expedia before you book, since pricing on the same property can shift a lot depending on the week.
And no matter where you stay in Kihei, Discount Hawaii Car Rental is who I book through, since you’ll want a car to get around South Maui.
Kihei, Maui FAQs
Do I need a car to stay in Kihei?
I’d say yes for almost everyone. You can walk to a beach and a few restaurants without one, but Molokini tours, the Ocean Center, and the Feast at Mokapu all require a short drive.
How far is Kihei from the airport?
Kahului Airport is about 25 minutes away, which is one of the reasons Kihei works well as a home base if you don’t want to spend your whole trip in the car.
How long should I stay in Kihei?
For most travelers, three to five nights in South Maui is enough to hit the beaches, a Molokini tour, and a couple of the food spots on this list without feeling rushed. If Kihei is your only home base for a full Maui trip, I’d lean closer to five or six nights so you have time for the Road to Hana and Haleakalā too.
Is Kihei better than Wailea for a first Maui trip?
It depends on your budget and your travel style. Wailea has the big resorts and the manicured grounds. Kihei has more affordable stays, easier beach access, and a more local, lived-in feel. I usually point first-time visitors toward Kihei if budget matters at all, and toward Wailea if a resort experience is the whole point of the trip.
Kihei Is a Home Base, Not a Checklist
You don’t need to do all eight of these in one trip, and I never do. Some visits are built entirely around snorkeling and sunset beach evenings. Others lean more toward food and a quiet luau night.
That flexibility is the whole point of staying in Kihei instead of locking yourself into one resort’s activity schedule.
If you want help turning all of this into a realistic Hawaii trip planning guide built around your actual dates and budget, that’s exactly what I do in my one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations.
I also cover South Maui, along with the rest of the island, on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy, if you’d rather listen your way through the planning process.
For more on building out the rest of your itinerary, take a look at my full Maui travel guide, or my Hawaii island hopping guide if Maui is just one stop on a bigger trip.
