Are you planning a trip to Maui and want to know some fun Maui activities to add to your itinerary? Find out the best things to do in Kihei, in South Maui.
This list of the best fun things to do in Kihei Hawaii was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung 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.
Look, I’m just going to say it: Kihei surprised me.
After the Lahaina fires in 2023, something shifted. We came back in late 2024 and realized Kihei had quietly become the spot.
Better restaurants, actual nightlife (which Kihei never really had before), and people were choosing to stay here instead of just passing through on their way to Wailea.
The beaches are still six miles long. The fish tacos are still under $30. The condos are still half the price of Wailea.
But now? Kihei’s got this energy it didn’t have before.
I’ve been visiting Hawaii since I was 10 (we’re talking 40+ trips), and as a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist who literally writes about this stuff for a living, I can tell you: Kihei in 2026 is not the same Kihei from five years ago.
Quick context: Maui received 2.07 million visitors from January-October 2025, up 7.6% from 2024 but still recovering from the fires.
While visitor numbers are down, those who come are staying longer and spending more. And a lot of them are choosing Kihei.
Should You Actually Stay in Kihei? (The Honest Version)
Here’s the deal. Kihei isn’t fancy.
If you want someone greeting you with champagne at your beachfront resort, that’s Wailea.
But if you want to save literally thousands of dollars, eat better food, and still be on a gorgeous beach? Kihei makes sense.
We did a solo trip here with my toddler (just me and him, no backup), and you know what? It was shockingly manageable.
The beaches have lifeguards. The restaurants have high chairs. The vibe is chill enough that nobody cares if your kid is sandy at lunch.
I’m not saying Kihei is perfect for everyone. Let’s be real about who it’s NOT for:
- People who hate wind (Kihei gets breezy, especially afternoon)
- People who need fancy resort amenities
- People who want walkable nightlife (it’s spread out, you’ll drive)
But for families who want affordable beach access? Solo travelers who want that local feel? Yeah, Kihei works.
Wait, How Does Kihei Compare to Other Parts of Maui?
| Feature | Kihei | Wailea | Ka’anapali/West Maui |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average condo/night | $150-300 | $400-800 | $300-600 |
| Beach quality | Great (6 miles!) | Stunning but smaller | Beautiful, more crowded |
| Food scene | Casual, authentic, cheap | Fine dining, pricey | Tourist-heavy, mixed |
| Who it’s for | Families, budget-conscious, locals vibe | Honeymooners, luxury seekers | First-timers, resort lovers |
| Sunshine days/year | 300+ | 310+ | 280+ |
| Wind factor | Moderate to high | Low | Low to moderate |
| Snorkeling | Excellent (Turtle Town!) | Good | Great (Black Rock) |
The Beaches (And Why We Keep Coming Back)
Kihei has six miles of beaches. SIX. You’re not fighting for sand space.
Kamaole Beach Parks (I, II, and III)
These are the main beaches, right off South Kihei Road. We basically lived at Kam III when my oldest was a toddler because it had lifeguards, bathrooms, and that protected area where the waves weren’t terrifying.
Kam I is quieter, locals love it for early morning swimming. Kam II is the middle child, smaller, but perfect if the others are packed. Kam III is where families go.
Lifeguards on duty daily, grassy area for picnics, and enough parking (though get there before 9am on weekends).
All three have showers, which matters more than you think when you’re covered in salt and sand.
Sugar Beach
Three miles long, hardly anyone there. It’s between North Kihei and Ma’alaea, and most people drive right past it.
The water can be murky (it’s near the harbor), but for morning walks? Unbeatable. And if you need photos without 50 tourists in the background, this is it.
Book a Flytographer session here and save $20 with my link. We did this on our last trip and got these incredible sunrise shots with literally nobody else on the beach. The photos look like we rented out Maui.
Keawakapu Beach
This is the south end, basically where Kihei meets Wailea. It’s gorgeous, less wind than the other beaches, and you’ll see wedding photographers here constantly (which tells you something about how good it looks).
The walk from North Kihei to here is about 30 minutes along the beach path. We did it once. My son collected 47 rocks. I do not recommend bringing toddlers.
Food in Kihei (This Is Where It Got Interesting)
Okay, so the food scene in Kihei upgraded. Like, noticeably. And I’m not just talking about expensive places opening up. The casual spots got better.
Coconut’s Fish Café – Start Here
Two locations in Kihei (1279 and 2463 S Kihei Rd), both open 11am-9pm daily with happy hour 2:30-4:30pm.
Remember when I said fish tacos under $30? This is where. And I’m not exaggerating when I say the fish tacos here changed my opinion about Kihei food entirely.
We went for a late lunch after a beach morning (so like 2pm, prime naptime meltdown hour with my youngest).
I ordered the fish tacos without really thinking about it because toddler was losing it and I needed food fast.
They came out and I took one bite and just… stopped.
The fish was this perfectly crispy, light fried, but somehow not greasy? The cabbage had this citrus thing happening. The sauce was this creamy-spicy situation.
My husband looked at me like “…are you okay?” because I’d literally stopped mid-crisis management to stare at a taco.
Those tacos are $16.95. In Hawaii. For GOOD fish tacos.
They’re known for their sustainable seafood (all fish is hook and line caught locally when possible), and you can taste the difference.
Open since 2009, family-owned, zero pretension. Just really good fish.
Go during happy hour if you can (2:30-4:30pm) for appetizer deals. The coconut shrimp during happy hour is stupid cheap and should not taste that good for the price.
South Maui Gardens
This is less restaurant and more “hidden food hub that locals know about.” It’s a 7-acre nursery at 35 Auhana Rd with a Thursday farmers market (11am-1pm) and hula shows Wed/Fri/Sun.
The food trucks here rotate but they’re consistently good. We got a poke bowl that was better than what we’d paid double for at a Wailea restaurant the day before.
Also there’s this guy who sells honey and he will talk to you about bees for 20 minutes if you let him (worth it, bought three jars).
Ululani’s Shave Ice
61 S Kihei Rd, open daily 10:30am-6:30pm.
Look, I’m not normally a “stand in line for shave ice” person. But Ululani’s has 50+ flavors made with pure cane sugar and real fruit purees, and the line moves fast because they’re EFFICIENT.
Get the Haleakala (coconut, pineapple, passion fruit, with vanilla ice cream and coconut drizzle). Or the Sunset Beach (mango, guava, passion fruit). Both are like $8-9 and will completely ruin regular snow cones for you forever.
They’ve been ranked as having the best shave ice in Hawaii multiple times, and after trying it, yeah, I get it. It’s now our favorite Maui shave ice spot.
Café O’Lei Kihei
Rainbow Mall, 2439 S Kihei Rd (upstairs), open Mon-Sat (closed Sundays), lunch 10:30am-3:30pm, dinner 4:30-9:30pm. Sushi bar Tue-Sun dinner only.
This is where you go when you want to feel like you’re having a nice dinner but don’t want to spend Wailea money. Family-owned since 1997, and you can tell they care about food quality.
Their macadamia nut crusted pork is one of those dishes you think about later.
The Maui onion soup is legitimately famous (it’s on like every “best of Maui” list). And the sushi chef Masa-san from Osaka runs the sushi bar Tuesday through Sunday evenings.
Dinner runs about 30% less than comparable Wailea restaurants. You’re looking at $25-35 per entree instead of $45-60.
Paia Fish Market Southside
1913 S Kihei Rd, open daily 11am-9pm.
Order at the counter, eat at picnic tables (mostly covered), super casual. Choose your fish, choose your prep style (I always go blackened), choose your sides. It’s not fancy but it’s reliably good and quick.
The Obama burger is off-menu but just ask for it. Blackened ono with butter. The man knew what he was doing.
Da Kitchen
1215 S Kihei Rd, Suite E, open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm (closed Sundays).
Plate lunch portions that will ruin your dinner plans because you’ll still be full. The chicken katsu plate is massive. The loco moco is bigger. The kalbi ribs are fall-off-the-bone.
This is local comfort food done right. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Guy Fieri loved it).
They closed during COVID but reopened in 2021 and locals celebrated like their favorite cousin moved back home.
Fair warning: portions are LARGE. Like “we split one plate between two adults and still had leftovers” large.
Fourth Friday Town Party (The Thing Nobody Mentions)
Every fourth Friday of the month, 6-9pm, Azeka Shopping Center Mauka hosts a street party. Live music, food trucks, local vendors. It’s free.
This is what I mean about Kihei having more energy now. Pre-fire, this event was… fine. Nice, but small.
Now? It’s packed. People actually show up. There’s good food. The music doesn’t suck.
We went in November 2025 and I realized halfway through: this is Kihei’s nightlife now. It’s not clubs or fancy bars. It’s this.
And honestly? For families, it’s better.
My kids ran around, we ate street tacos, some local guy played ukulele, and we were back in the condo by 9:30pm.
Water Activities (The Actual Reason You’re Here)
Molokini Crater Snorkeling
Every single tour company offers Molokini trips. It’s a partially submerged volcanic crater about 3 miles offshore, looks like a crescent moon from above, and the snorkeling is genuinely incredible.
Water visibility is typically 100+ feet. You’ll see tropical fish, sometimes rays, occasionally turtles. Morning tours are better (water’s calmer, visibility’s better before wind picks up).
Book through Viator or Get Your Guide and read reviews carefully. Some boats are party boats with 100 people. Some are smaller with 20. Decide which experience you want.
Tours run $100-150 per person, usually include breakfast and lunch, and you’re gone about 5 hours total.
Turtle Town (Shore Snorkeling)
You can literally snorkel from shore at Maluaka Beach (between Kihei and Wailea, technically Wailea side) and see sea turtles.
Like, guaranteed.
They’re just… there. Eating algae off rocks. Living their best turtle lives.
Park at the public access (limited spots, go early), walk down, swim out about 75-100 feet, and start looking. We saw six turtles in 30 minutes.
This is free. You just need a mask and snorkel (which you can grab at Walmart or Target in Kihei for like $30 if you don’t have gear).
Whale Watching (December-April)
Humpback whales migrate to Maui waters December through April to breed and give birth. Peak season is February-March when you’ll see the most whales.
And here’s the thing about Kihei: you can see whales FROM SHORE. We’ve sat at Kam III with coffee and watched whales breach. It’s insane. About 60% of North Pacific humpbacks come to Hawaii each winter.
If you want to get closer, book a whale watching tour (around $60-80 per adult, kids often cheaper). But honestly? The shore viewing in Kihei is so good that it’s not always necessary.
Maui Ocean Center (The Rainy Day Save)
192 Ma’alaea Rd (technically Ma’alaea but right next to Kihei), open daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm).
This is one of the top 10 aquariums in the world, and it’s 10 minutes from Kihei.
Adult tickets are $49.98 (book through Hawaii Activities for occasional deals), kids under 3 are free. Parking is $2/hour or $8/day via ParkLinq app.
The “Humpbacks of Hawaii 3D Sphere” is included with admission and it’s honestly mesmerizing.
You’re standing in this spherical room watching whales swim around you in 3D and my toddler was so quiet I thought he fell asleep standing up.
The tunnel walkway through the main tank is what everyone posts on Instagram.
You walk through and sharks and rays swim over your head. It’s crowded midday but go right at 9am opening and you’ll have it mostly to yourself.
Plan 2-3 hours here. There’s a cafe but it’s overpriced; eat before you come. But save room for Ululani’s Shave Ice (they just opened a location here). Read my full review.
Where to Actually Stay in Kihei
Forget hotels. Kihei is condo territory.
Most families rent condos because you get a full kitchen (which saves hundreds on dining out), washer/dryer (mandatory with beach kids), and actual space (not one hotel room where everyone’s trying to sleep by 7:30pm).
Search Expedia or VRBO for “Kihei condos” and look for these complexes that consistently get good reviews:
- Maui Banyan (pools, grills, AC, across from Kam II)
- Hale Hui Kai (beachfront, older but great location)
- Maui Sunset (quiet, family-friendly, good pool)
You’re looking at $150-300/night depending on size and how close to the ocean. Compare that to Wailea where you’re starting at $400 minimum.
For a rental car, Discount Hawaii Car Rental site also is usually cheaper than Expedia.
Random Stuff That’s Actually Worth Doing
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge – Free boardwalk, Hawaiian stilts (endangered birds), sunset views. It’s between Kihei and Ma’alaea. Takes 20 minutes to walk the boardwalk. Go in late afternoon when it’s cooler.
Maui Brewing Company – Quick drive from Kihei, brewery tours and tastings. Their Bikini Blonde lager is everywhere in Hawaii and it’s solid. Tour is like $15 and you get samples.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary – Free visitor center in Kihei (out towards Ma’alaea). Educational displays about whales, viewing deck, good for kids. Honestly more interesting than I expected.
Getting Around Kihei
You need a car.
Kihei is six miles long, spread out, and there’s no walkable downtown. You’ll drive to beaches, restaurants, activities. Just accept this now.
Book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They compare all the major companies and usually beat the prices on Expedia or direct booking.
Parking is mostly free except at Maui Ocean Center ($2/hour) and some beach lots get full by 10am on weekends. Get to beaches before 9am or after 3pm for easier parking.
What People Get Wrong About Kihei
“It’s too touristy” – Compared to what? Ka’anapali? Wailea? Kihei is actually less touristy than both. Yes, there are tourists (you’re a tourist), but there are also families who live here, locals grabbing lunch, real life happening.
“The beaches aren’t as nice” – The beaches are gorgeous. They’re just not as manicured as Wailea’s resort beaches. That’s different.
“There’s nothing to do at night” – Correct! This isn’t Waikiki. If you need nightlife, Kihei will disappoint you. We usually get ice cream and go to bed by 9pm because we’re exhausted from sun and swimming.
“It’s too windy” – It IS windier than Wailea. Especially afternoons. But that same wind keeps it cooler. You win some, you lose some.
Best and Worst Time to Visit Kihei
Best: September-November Fewer crowds, lower prices, still great weather. Whale season hasn’t started yet but everything else is perfect.
Also good: April-May Tail end of whale season, spring break crowds are gone, summer vacation rush hasn’t started.
Worst: December-March Peak tourist season. Higher prices, more crowds, harder to get restaurant reservations. The whales are here though, so if that’s your priority, it’s worth it.
Also avoid: June-August Summer vacation means families everywhere. Beaches are packed. Everything’s expensive.
Pro Tips From Someone Who’s Made the Mistakes
- Sunscreen before you leave the condo. You’ll forget once you’re at the beach and then you’ll burn.
- Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks to the beach. Saves money and time.
- Park in the northern part of beach parking lots (farther from ocean). Locals know it’s less crowded there.
- Restaurants get packed 6-7pm. Eat at 5:30pm or 8pm for easier seating.
- Farmer’s markets have better prices on fruit than grocery stores. Stock up.
My Honest Opinion on Kihei
I wasn’t expecting to like Kihei as much as I do now. For years it was just where we’d drive through on the way to snorkeling trips.
But we’ve stayed here three times in the past two years (including that solo trip with my toddler that should have been a disaster but was actually… fine?).
And every time we leave I think “we should just stay here next time instead of splitting our trip between multiple areas.”
It’s not fancy. It’s not quiet. But it’s authentic in a way that resort areas just aren’t. You’re eating at restaurants where locals actually eat.
You’re on beaches where families from Maui bring their kids. You’re paying prices that don’t make you want to cry when the check comes.
When my grandmother lived part-time on Kauai, she always said the best Hawaii experiences happened in the places that weren’t trying to be picture-perfect. Kihei gets that.
If you want resort luxury with champagne greetings, Wailea is down the road. If you want the real Hawaii at half the price? Kihei’s your spot.
Need Help Planning Your Kihei Trip?
Planning a Hawaii vacation with kids is overwhelming (trust me, I’ve done it 40+ times and it’s still overwhelming).
That’s why I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we’ll talk through your specific family’s needs and I’ll build you an actual plan that makes sense.
Or grab one of my comprehensive Hawaii travel guides:
- Maui Travel Guide for Families
- Oahu Travel Guide for Families
- Kauai Travel Guide for Families
- Big Island Travel Guide for Families
I also host the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast where I break down specific Hawaii travel questions in 15-minute episodes you can listen to while you’re meal prepping or commuting or pretending to fold laundry.
And if you want free email courses that walk you through planning step-by-step:
FAQ: Your Kihei Questions Answered
Which Hawaiian island is best for toddlers?
Maui, specifically Kihei. The beaches have gentle waves, lifeguards, and facilities. Most restaurants are casual enough that nobody cares about sandy toddlers.
And the drive from the airport is only 25 minutes, not 90+ like some areas of the Big Island.
Is Kihei better than Wailea for families?
For budget-conscious families, yes. Wailea has nicer resorts but you’ll pay 2-3x as much for accommodations and dining. Kihei has better beaches for kids (more space, less crowded) and more casual restaurant options.
Can you walk everywhere in Kihei?
No. You need a rental car. Kihei stretches six miles and isn’t walkable from end to end. Everything requires driving.
When is whale season in Kihei?
December through April, peak in February and March. You can see whales from shore at Kihei beaches, especially early morning. About 12,000 humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters each winter.
What’s the best beach in Kihei for kids?
Kamaole Beach Park III. It has lifeguards daily, bathrooms, showers, a grassy picnic area, and a partially protected swimming area with smaller waves. Get there before 9am for parking.
Is Kihei safe for families?
Yes. It’s a residential beach town. Use normal travel common sense (don’t leave valuables in your car, watch kids in the water) but it’s not a safety concern.
How much does a week in Kihei cost?
Budget $6,500-8,500 for a family of four including flights, condo, rental car, food, and activities. That’s 30-40% less than staying in Wailea. Solo travelers or couples can do it for $3,000-4,500.
Should I stay in North Kihei or South Kihei?
South Kihei is more developed with more restaurants and shopping. North Kihei is quieter and cheaper. Both have great beach access. Choose based on whether you want convenient amenities or peaceful relaxation.
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