Best Activities Along Maui’s Scenic Road to Hana

Turn the Road to Hana Into a Full-Day Adventure

Road to Hana planning tip: If you want a powered hang gliding or gyrocopter flight from Hana Airport, schedule it first and add roadside stops around the confirmed flight time. The drive can take substantially longer with sightseeing. For an island-wide shortlist see things to do on Maui, and for East Maui specifically consult our Hana activity guide.

The Road to Hana is absolutely about the journey, not just the destination. With a little planning, you can make time for rainforest scenery, black sand beaches, and a special experience in Hana: a guided powered hang gliding or gyrocopter flight. These open-air Maui adventures offer aerial views and are available to visitors ages 12 and older. Explore flight reservations before finalizing your Road to Hana schedule.

For a less-traveled approach, we recommend driving the backside to Hana, then returning to town on the front side of the Road to Hana. It takes patience, but the changing scenery makes the effort worthwhile. Bring your snacks and your aloha, because the best days on this route are not rushed.

August days can be sunny, warm, and humid, so an early start makes a big difference. Before leaving, we suggest packing:

Plenty of water and easy snacks

Essential oils for insect repellent (don’t introduce chemicals into the fragile ecosystem)

A full tank of gas

Downloaded maps for areas with limited service

Comfortable clothes and secure footwear

Check current road conditions, weather, closures, and rental car restrictions before choosing the backside route. August falls within hurricane season, and conditions can shift quickly, even when the morning begins bright and clear. Drive slowly, pull over only in safe designated areas, respect local neighborhoods, and leave every stop cleaner than you found it.

Start on the Backside for a Quieter Hana Arrival

A backside drive to Hana gives you a side of Maui that many visitors miss. Instead of the busy roadside stops found along the front side, you may find drier leeward scenery, broad coastal views, open pastureland, and dramatic volcanic cliffs. The road itself becomes part of the day, not just a way to reach a destination.

For visitors looking for unique things to do in Hana, the backside drive offers a quieter and more adventurous way to arrive. Still, this is not a route to treat like a shortcut. Road conditions can vary, pavement may change, and sections can be narrow. You may also encounter livestock, cyclists, local drivers, and scenic pullouts that deserve a slow, careful approach.

Before heading out, we encourage you to confirm that your vehicle is suitable for current conditions and that your rental agreement allows travel on the route. Download maps while you still have service, pack enough food and water for the day, and give yourself room in the schedule. Pulling over safely matters, especially when local traffic needs to pass.

See Hana From the Air with Powered Hang Gliding

Once you arrive in the Hana area, an instructor-piloted powered hang gliding flight can bring a whole new perspective to the day. We fly with you in an open-air aircraft, where Maui’s coastline, mountains, valleys, and familiar landmarks can look completely different from above.

You do not need previous flight training to join us. Our instructor pilots the flight and guides you through the experience, so you can focus on the views and the feeling of being out in the open air. For many guests, powered hang gliding becomes one of the memories they talk about long after their Maui vacation ends. We encourage you to read our guest feedback and view our photos to get a sense of why so many people remember it as an adventure of a lifetime.

Among the most unforgettable things to do in Hana, a powered hang gliding flight delivers a view of Maui that no roadside lookout can match. August can be a popular time to travel, so we recommend booking ahead, staying flexible around weather, wearing secure and comfortable clothing, and following all instructor guidance on the day of your flight.

Explore Lava Formations and Waiʻānapanapa Black Sand

After time in the air, go underground for a different look at Maui’s volcanic past. A lava tube near Hana Airport offers a shaded stop where you can see the kind of formations created by flowing lava long ago. It is a memorable contrast to the bright August sun and a chance to slow down for a closer look at the island beneath your feet.

This local, family-run attraction is also a meaningful place to support a Maui family while exploring beyond the usual roadside pullouts. Pay the requested admission, follow posted rules, and avoid touching fragile formations. Bring a flashlight if the site recommends one, and watch your footing as you walk through the darker sections.

From there, make time for Waiʻānapanapa State Park and its famous black sand beach. Reservations are required, and they should be made well ahead of an August visit. Bring your camera, stay on marked paths, and pay close attention to ocean conditions. The black sand, lava rocks, and coastal plants belong here, so please leave every natural item exactly where you find it.

Find Turtles at Hookipa

The return drive gives you one more scenic stop before dinner. Hookipa Beach Park is known for Hawaiian green sea turtles, which may rest along the shoreline at certain times of day. Late afternoon and sunset can be especially pleasant for a visit, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Respectful viewing keeps this experience safer for both turtles and people. If you see them, give them plenty of room and follow all posted guidance:

Keep a generous distance from resting turtles

Never touch, feed, or chase wildlife

Do not stand between a turtle and the ocean

Keep voices low and avoid crowding the beach

Watch from a place that does not block others

After a full day of things to do in Hana, a casual Paia dinner is the perfect way to unwind. Toby’s Poke and Shave Ice makes a relaxed final stop for travelers coming back from a day of driving, flying, walking, and sightseeing. Check current hours before you leave Hana, since a late return can affect your dinner timing.

Build Your Hana Day Around Adventure and Aloha

Our favorite order for a memorable Hana day is simple: take the backside route to Hana, see Maui from the air with us, explore a lava tube near Hana Airport, enjoy a reserved visit to Waiʻānapanapa, watch turtles respectfully at Hookipa, and finish in Paia with poke and shave ice. It is a full day, but each stop brings a different view of Maui.

Planning early helps the day feel exciting instead of hurried. Make required reservations, watch the weather and road updates, pack snacks and water, and leave extra time for slow roads and unexpected viewpoints. The best Road to Hana days balance adventure with patience, preparation, respect for the island, and plenty of aloha.

See Hana From a New Perspective

For an unforgettable addition to your itinerary, Hang Gliding Maui offers a view that goes far beyond the roadside stops. Browse our things to do in Hana flight options to find an aerial adventure that fits your day. Our experienced team is here to help you make the most of your Maui experience.