There’s a good reason why people are booking flights and cruises to Hawaii’s second-largest island, Maui. A survey cited by Spectrum News highlights that 42.6% of American visitors are motivated to make a trip to Maui due to its stunning landmarks and natural beauty. Around 2,29m visitors headed to the island in 2021 to witness its beauty, and one can expect that more tourists will be coming in the next few years.
If you also want to see Maui's stunning landmarks and natural beauty, you can maximize your trip and get around the island by using a rental car. Rental cars offer plenty of benefits, thus making your trip a breeze.
Why You Should Rent a Car for Your Trip to Maui
Public transportation is available on Maui—but you’ll be able to save lots of time and easily go wherever you want on the island if you’ll be using a car. US News emphasizes that the best way to get around Maui is by car because these vehicles can help you get across various areas around the island. While there are bus systems and hotel shuttles, these public transportation options are only useful if you spend most of your time in a single portion of Maui. As such, it's better to use a car that can help you hit multiple destinations during your stay on Maui.
On top of that, car rentals can make your trip smooth, especially during peak seasons in Hawaii. The car rentals at Maui airport are located right at the Conrac facility, so you can easily access the car you rented upon your arrival on the island. This setup is advantageous for tourists visiting during peak seasons like summer or mid-December to March because you can quickly go to the car rentals at the airport and navigate to the island’s top destinations as soon as possible. You can even avoid the crowds
during peak seasons and go straight to secluded beaches on Maui upon getting your rented car from the airport.
Beaches You Must Visit On Maui, Hawaii
Secret Cove Beach
Secret Cove Beach is one of the most photographed destinations in the country. However, our guide to Secret Cove Beach points out that it’s not easy to get to this paradise, so it’s a must to bring a car that can help you get there. Fortunately, you can use mid-sized cars like a Toyota Corolla as you navigate the route going from Wailea to Makena. Once you’ve passed the last entrance to the Big Beach, you can park by the stone wall and enter the small door to Secret Cove Beach.
Mo‘omomi Beach
Mo‘omomi Beach shows one of the most impressive sand dunes in the state. The beach is also great for adventurous tourists because you’ll need a four-wheel vehicle like the Nissan Armada or Chevrolet Suburban to navigate the rough roads that lead to this destination. The tough ride is worth it because you can join the monthly hikes that will allow you to see native Hawaiian plant species and endangered animals.
Kapalua Beach
CN Traveler hailed Kapalua beach as one of the best snorkeling spots on Maui. You can see marine wildlife like butterfly fish and spotted Moray eels here, so it’s not surprising that the beach can get crowded and that parking can be a challenge for many tourists. Compact or economy cars like the Chevrolet Spark can be advantageous here because it will be easier to squeeze your vehicle into a spot by the street in case the parking lot gets full.
Maui is a place that you need to visit due to its stunning scenery and unique wildlife. Using a rental car allows you to explore multiple local spots and truly enjoy what Maui offers.