ALOHA!
If you’re looking for things to do in West Maui without the crowds, then you may consider heading out to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook!
From here you can see Kahakuloa Bay, Kahakuloa Beach, and the small Kahakuloa village, along with more of Maui’s rugged coastline along the northern shore.
The drive to get there isn’t for everyone (it’s not for me), and it’s been called scary and dangerous.
But you can walk to it too.
You can think of it as another great Maui hike with scenic views.
Actually, I accidentally ended up on the part of Kahekili Highway I didn’t want to drive.
And by accidentally, I mean I kept driving wondering how soon it would be to get on the part of Kahekili Highway that I didn’t want to drive.
And then suddenly I was on the one lane Kahekili Highway and started freaking out. 😜
Luckily it wasn’t long before there was space to pull over and turn around.
So I pulled over and walked the rest of the way to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook.
More happily, there were no cars coming at me when I was driving this road. Otherwise… you might have to drive in reverse.
My great fear… reverse driving right off the cliff… or trying to drive around another car and falling off the cliff! 😅
There are 2 areas of Maui that car rental companies may tell you you’re on your own if something happens to your car.
One area is the back road to Hana, and the other is this stretch of the Kahekili Highway.
So I think it would be okay to basically call this the back road of West Maui.
🌴
Here are some popular activities you need to know about to get some very-Hawaii experiences! Read the reviews on the partner websites listed below!
🐢 You can swim with turtles on Maui!
Read the reviews for the molokini and turtle town tour on viator and the turtle town kayak and snorkel tour.
🌺 Eat Hawaiian food at a luau with a fire show! Have a look at the Maui Nui Luau
🐳 Winter means it's WHALE WATCHING season in Hawaii! And Maui is the best Hawaiian island for whale watching! 🐳
Read the reviews for the whale watching by raft tour and the whale watching catamaran tour.
🐠 If you're going snorkeling (or to the beach!), here are things you must consider packing for Hawaii!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel
- walking sandals perfect for Hawaii
- teva is a popular outdoor shoe brand
- teva sandals for women
- teva sandals for men
I also don't go snorkeling in Hawaii without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.
Search for the cheapest car rentals at the Maui airport.
/end side note
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So…
Where is the back road of West Maui on the Kahekili Highway?
On the northern end, your landmark can be Olivine Pools.
It is a little past the Olivine Pools that the one lane road begins.
This is the side you’d come from if you want to walk to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook.
You will drive past Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua to get to the far northern part of West Maui.
On the southern end, your landmark can be the Waihee Ridge Trail.
You’ll be driving the Kahekili Highway to get to the Waihee Ridge Trail parking, and then you’ll turn off onto a road heading inland towards the mountains to get to the start of trail.
If you were to keep driving straight, you’ll end up on the one lane road.
Just beyond this turn-off for Waihee Ridge Trail on Kahekili Highway is also where you’ll find the 13 Crossings waterfall hike.
You can see more about the southern end of Kahekili Highway backroad.
MAP: One-lane road of Kahekili Highway
For the visual, here is the general area of the road you might want to think twice about driving.
Explore the map.
So then…
How to get to see Kahakuloa Head when you don’t want to drive on a one-lane road with a cliff on the side
Kahakuloa Head is the iconic natural landmark that you can see when you’re on the northern shores of West Maui.
You don’t have to drive the backroad of West Maui to see the Kahakuloa Head, as you’ll be able to see this it from further away off the 2-lane (aka “safe”) part of of Kahekili Highway too. And then as you get closer to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook, you’ll get a better view of it if you do take part of the one-lane highway!
1. Olivine Pools hike
When you are driving along the northern coast of West Maui, there are spots you can see the Kahakuloa Head. For example, you can see it when you do the hike to the Olivine Pools.
2. Drive a bit past the Olivine Pools, and there’s a pullover where you can stop for closer views (google maps)
3. There’s an unofficial spot to park just before Kahekili Highway becomes a one-way road (google maps), and it’s a walk of a couple of minutes to another viewpoint with an obstruction
Well, it’s not an obstructed view, but there are power lines.
4. Continue walking for a few more minutes down the road
5. Continue walking for another 10-15 minutes to get to the Kahakuloa Bay overlook that is nearly directly over Kahakuloa Beach!
Where ever you choose to park… park at your own risk! Also drive at your own risk… and walk at your own risk!
Braddah Chic’s lunch stop food trailer
When I was at the Kahakuloa Bay overlook (February 2020), there was a food truck (food trailer) there. Bring cash in case you want to get some food or drink (smoothie) if it’s there!
And that’s a bit about seeing the Kahakuloa area of Maui!
Things to do in West Maui on the way to Kahakuloa, going the way of past Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua:
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Honolua-Mokuleia marine life conservation district snorkeling spots
- Nakalele Blowhole
- Ohai Trail
- Olivine Pools
Coming up from the south?!
HAPPY SEEING KAHAKULOA HEAD!
