Maui with a Toddler: Beaches, Road to Hana, Whale Watching and More

Here’s the second and final recap of our Maui trip — a relaxed family getaway full of beaches, scenic drives, a few adventures, and plenty of memories with our toddler, Clara. If you missed our first post, it covered where we stayed, where we ate, our local neighborhood, how we saved money, and tips for traveling with a little one. In this entry we’ll focus on what we did during the trip, the keepsake we bought to remember it, and the vacation tradition we always continue.

• The activities and adventures we enjoyed with a toddler in tow
• The souvenir we purchased to commemorate the trip
• The vacation tradition we kept alive while in Hawaii

Our main priority was simple: beach time and decompressing. After a hectic stretch back home, we were craving low-key days—sun, shoreline, and mealtimes with no rush. That said, we did set aside time for a few memorable outings designed to let us soak up Maui’s beauty without overdoing it for Clara.

One full day was devoted to the famed Road to Hana. We weren’t certain what to expect from all the guidebooks, but it felt like a must-do while on Maui. We stocked the car with snacks, diapers, fuel and a guide CD bought at the highway’s start in Paia, then headed out for a day of dramatic coastal views, waterfalls, and winding roads.

The scenery lived up to the hype. The drive is a mix of thrilling and nerve-wracking — constant curves that are fun at first but tiring after several hours, especially as lanes narrow and visibility drops. Still, every twist rewarded us with striking vistas.

We didn’t hike to many waterfalls since that’s harder with a toddler, but the roadside views were spectacular. We paused to admire falls visible right from the highway.

One favorite stop was the Ke’anae Peninsula, where the sea smashes dramatically against cliffs. We grabbed a treat from Aunt Sandy’s fruit stand — the banana bread was unforgettable.

Even more impressive was Waianapanapa State Park. The coastline features a sea arch, a blowhole that shoots water skyward when big waves hit, a cave, and a striking black sand beach formed from lava rock. Seeing black sand was something Clara and we had never experienced before.

The black sand beach felt otherworldly — volcanic in origin and dramatic to explore with a little one.

After that stop the weather turned overcast and, to top it off, our camera battery died — a reminder to pack spares. We pushed on to Hana for lunch at a roadside BBQ called Braddha Hutt’s, then completed the full island loop instead of turning back. Some travelers stay overnight in Hana, but we wanted to see more of the island and Clara was napping, so the drive kept going. The full loop took us about eight hours with multiple stops, some unpaved roads, and far fewer oncoming cars on the return stretch. Those stops really helped keep Clara content for the long day.

We made it home in time to recharge the camera and catch a gorgeous sunset back in Lahaina.

Another highlight was whale watching. After spotting whales from shore on an earlier day, we decided to take a boat tour so Clara could see them up close. We worried a little about spending two hours at sea with a two-year-old, but Clara did well overall—aside from one brief meltdown and a lot of curiosity during the Young Naturalist on-board program.

She amusingly shuffled up close to the other kids during the program, so we gently redirected her and then enjoyed the ride. We saw several whales—mostly blows and occasional tail sightings. Regulations keep boats at least 100 feet away, so we didn’t get dramatic breaches, but just being on the water with whales around was magical.

We also explored Lahaina on foot. Our condo was close to everything, so long morning walks often turned into breakfast outings and chance discoveries. Banyan Tree Park was one favorite stop — it’s home to one of the world’s largest banyan trees, a single tree that spreads and drops roots that become new trunks. Clara loved playing peekaboo among the roots.

On one walk we unexpectedly found the Lahaina Jodo Mission and a large Buddha statue — a peaceful little slice of Japan right on Maui. It was a nice, quiet cultural stop without another long flight.

We also visited the Hyatt Regency at Kaanapali for a stroll and some animal-spotting. The resort has flamingos, black swans, and even African penguins wandering the grounds, which delighted Clara. The property also has an enviable pool and a lovely oceanfront walkway.

The Maui Ocean Center was another family-friendly highlight. The aquarium’s underwater tunnel gives you the sensation of fish, sharks, and huge stingrays swimming all around and above you — a dry, toddler-friendly version of snorkeling that Clara really enjoyed. We spent our last afternoon there before catching an evening flight.

To preserve a snapshot of our trip, we followed our vacation tradition of writing postcards to ourselves. We usually fill the backs with notes about where we ate, what we saw, and the small, funny moments — like Clara’s challenging hibachi dinner. We didn’t always mail the cards, but they help us remember the trip in detail.

We also brought home a simple keepsake: a historic map of Maui printed on canvas for $20. We wanted a piece that represented this trip since our travel map at home only shows the continental U.S. The canvas is a beautiful reminder of the island.

All told, the trip was a wonderful mix of rest and small adventures, perfect for a family with a young traveler. We came home relaxed, grateful, and missing our dog, Burger, who we thought about often (we even woke once thinking we heard him walking by the bed). Do you have any trips planned? We’d love to hear about them.