Road to Hana Tour

For the Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America, the tour picks up passengers from this ship every Sunday. It's actually quite close to where the tour naturally begins. Pick-up time is around 7:30-8 am, and the van will be there when you arrive and disembark the ship. Please ensure you choose the first day you're on Maui (Sunday), since the tour concludes in the evening (around 4:30-6 pm). If you can only do Monday (when you would need to be back by 5 pm at the latest), you would need to book a private tour (just select 8+ people when booking) and the pickup time would be 6:15 am in order to ensure you are back in time. In the unlikely case the ship does not arrive as scheduled, you will receive a full tour refund if you can't reschedule.

If you're coming in to port at Kahului on a Carnival cruise, it depends on the schedule, but if it arrives at 8 am or later, you would need to do a private tour. Depending on the pick-up time, the required return time, and the pace of the tour, it may have to return shortly after Hana rather than do the full loop since the backside road should not be driven in the dark. In general, return time to Kahului is around 6:30 pm, or 4:30-5 pm if doing modified tour that turns around near Hana.

For cruises arriving in Lahaina, pick-up is at 7:15 am, so it's doable only with cruises that arrive at 6 am, since it usually takes about a hour to get to shore. Note you do not return until around 7 pm. If this does not fit your cruise ship schedule, you could do a private tour. If your cruise ship arrives in the morning after 7 am and doesn't leave in the evening or leaves 8:30 pm or later, your private tour would do a modified version: during the summer months the normal itinerary with perhaps just a little less time at some stops, or other times of the year turning around near Hana as described above. It would return to Lahaina around 7-8 pm. If your cruise leaves before 8 pm that day, your private tour would do a modified itinerary in which it is the same until the tour reaches Hana, after which the tour turns around (rather than go all the way around). Therefore, in the itinerary below the last stop is Hana Bay Black Sand Beach, or occasionally Hamoa Beach (time permitting). If interested in a private tour, see FAQ below, and please note at checkout the cruise ship you will be arriving on.

Not directly at the airport. You would need to take a taxi/Uber/Lyft to the nearby Courtyard Marriott hotel which is only 1 mile / 2 minutes away, where you would be picked up at 7:45 am. Please note the tour cannot store luggage for you, unless it's just a day bag (if this is a deal-breaker, an exception may be possible). If the timing does not work for your flight schedule, you can book a private tour (see FAQ above). If you're just flying in for the day, the tour can drop you off directly at the airport after the tour around 4:30-6 pm.

If you are flying out after 8:30 pm, you should be able to do the full tour. You would return to your hotel by 5-7 pm (depending on hotel), or you could be dropped off directly at the airport 4:30-6 pm. Possible traffic, as well as 1-1.5 hour airport security lines, is why we recommend such a late flight. Please note the tour usually cannot store or handle your luggage (if this is a deal-breaker, an exception may be possible). If you are not staying in Central Maui and you would prefer to not go back to your hotel, you could meet the tour for pick-up at Maui Marketplace in Kahului (near the airport); you could keep your luggage in your car and afterwards you could drive to the airport after being dropped off at your car around 5-6 pm.

If you are flying out before 8:30 pm, it will probably be too tight to do the full day tour. However, a modified version is available (and quite common) if you do a private tour. It is the same itinerary until the tour reaches Hana, after which the tour turns around (rather than go all the way around). Therefore, in the itinerary below the last stop is Hana Bay Black Sand Beach, or occasionally Hamoa Beach (time permitting). If interested, simply book the tour for 8 people (making the tour private), and note at checkout what time you need to be at the airport or back at your hotel.

Yes, individual groups that are larger than 8 can be accommodated. The 8 person maximum only applies for groups that are mixed with others. A single van has 13 seats, although in general no more than 10 is recommended on one van for optimal comfort on this full day tour, unless you have younger children and don't mind being cozy. If you have more than 10-13, we can put you on an additional van(s), pending availability, in which case please note at checkout the number count for each van. Again, you would need to pay for 8 seats on each van for them each to be private.

Please note that if your group does more than one van, not all stops will be made together. About 60% of the stops can be made together, including all the longer stops, but many of the shorter stops don't have enough room for both vans to safely park at the same time. This is true for all Road to Hana tours.

Like other Road to Hana Tours, this tour does not stop at the Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) due to a precarious cliff-side trail to get to it. Injuries are common involving tourists trying to reach this beach (example 1, 2 & 3). The tour does stop at Koki Beach, which has a mixture of red, black, and white sand.

[During COVID-19, the the Pools are closed indefinitely, so the tour isn't currently stopping there.]

The tour stops here most of the time, depending on weather, timing, road conditions, and the interests of the group. The downside is that this stop can get really crowded, and getting there early before the crowds would mean rushing through the majority of the Road to Hana, since it’s located past the town of Hana. Swimming is not permitted at the pools here due to often hazardous conditions and multiple injuries and deaths that have occurred in the recent past (although not on this tour). If it’s important to you to visit these pools, please make a note at checkout so your guide is aware, but it cannot be guaranteed. There will be many other scenic and memorable waterfalls on your tour, even without a stop here.

Fresh baked goods made with local tropical ingredients from a famous bakery, with flavors including Coconut Macnut, Strawberry Guava, Banana Macnut, and Pineapple. Also fresh Maui-grown fruit served include premium Maui Gold pineapple and strawberries from Kula Maui. Hot coffee is not served and shouldn't be brought on the tour due to safety/liability issues.

Monday - Friday is Tahitian BBQ at local favorite Braddah's Hutts with 9 choices and Sat & Sun is Hawaiian BBQ with 4 choices. Vegetarians and gluten-free eaters can be accommodated (vegans might want to consider bringing own food).

During the week, the vegetarian option is veggie pasta, mac salad, and rice; on the weekend, it's veggie pattie, corn, rice, and salad. For gluten-free eaters, the main protein and rice would be fine, but the side mac salad would be skipped; for breakfast, the pastries have gluten, so only fresh fruit would be available. Please indicate any dietary restrictions at checkout.

Either a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or a Ford Transit, which are both identical. They are designed for 14 people, but the tour only has 8 passengers max (on non-private tours). Comfortable seats, customized enhanced suspension system, and large windows. Not a low-ceiling cargo van like some other tour companies. Seating is mostly attached, but individual seats are molded. 

Couples usually end up having their own row (since there are 4 rows with 3-4 seats in each row for a total of only 8 passengers) which is better for maneuverability and comfort than if it was stand-alone "captain seats" and so they can easily see views on either side -- no risk of being stuck on a side with limited views. 

Photos of the van can be seen in the photo gallery (note: you need to scroll through to the end). Vans are maintained daily and replaced annually. Safety and comfort are a top priority.

While there is no age minimum, you are responsible for providing a child car seat if needed. Hawaii law requires children under age 4 to ride in a child safety seat and children ages 4-7 to ride in a child safety seat or a booster seat. Please consider the length of the tour (9-12 hours), much of it in a van, in determining whether this tour is a good fit for your child and that your child won't significantly detract from the experience of other passengers (if non-private tour).

For all our outdoor tours, we recommend early in your trip in case weather cancels it and therefore you have a better chance of being able to reschedule. If you're not coming in on a cruise ship, we recommend avoiding Sundays, which are the busiest day due to a large cruise ship in port every Sunday. Saturdays and Mondays may also be busier than average, although there may also be large conferences/conventions and other cruise ships on other days too. The tour starts early and plans stops strategically to best mitigate crowd issues.

Yes, the tour has restroom stops planned throughout the day, as needed. If you require frequent access to a bathroom, this 12-hour tour may not be for you, since there are usually only about 5-6 restroom stops, with the longest gap being 2-2.5 hours. However, by request, 3 more bathroom stops could be added, and the longest gap reduced to 1.5 hours.

On most tours, there is at least one swimming opportunity at a beach (black, red, or white sand beach, depending on conditions) and/or waterfall for those who wish to swim. If interested, it is recommended to wear a bathing suit and bring a towel.

In some cases, recent or current rains may prevent swimming, which can often be the case during the wet season (Nov-Apr). If swimming is important to you, you can always inquire about conditions at least 48 hours prior to the tour (so you can reschedule/cancel if you wish without penalty). You should also tell your tour guide when you start the tour of your swimming preference, and they will do their best to accommodate. 

Minimal. There are some possible short trails, including to a bamboo forest and some waterfalls, but these are optional and the tour guide will use their judgment in determining which stops are most appropriate for the guests on the tour. At the time of booking, there is a place to indicate any physical limitations, and some effort is made to combine parties with similar physical abilities.

No. Federal/state law prevents the tour from taking these items onboard because it is not an ADA-compliant van and these objects can serve as hazardous projectiles. Since ADA vans are wider, most, if not all, Road to Hana Tours have this restriction (if operated legally). Canes are permitted. There is a low step to get on the van. Note: sitting in the front passenger seat (next to the driver) is prohibited by law for safety reasons.

In addition to comfortable seating on the van with large windows, there are benches and tables at some of the stops, particularly those where the tour stops for an extended period.

It is not recommended if you are pregnant (2nd or 3rd trimester) or have a bad back due to a rough section of the road past Hana which is over 10 miles long and takes about a hour to get through. If you still decide to go, you will need to sign a waiver at check-in. Due to van restrictions and safety concerns, those over 350 lbs / 160 kg unfortunately will not be able to participate. Finally, guests should be able to enter/exit the van without assistance from the guide/driver and in a timely manner.

Alcohol is not permitted on the tour, per government regulations. This is the case for all tours on the Road to Hana.

The drivers are highly trained and experienced, and even guests who typically get motion sick are pleasantly surprised how they don't in the luxury vans customized for this route (another benefit of taking a tour). To minimize, you should sit in the front and perhaps consider taking medicine (such as Dramamine, or Hana Tonic that can be found at ABC Stores on the island). Feel free to also tell the driver beforehand! Seating is not assigned and passengers are usually picked up at different times, so seating requests are accepted but not guaranteed -- just make a note at checkout.

There are multiple vans that go out on the same day and that don't generally stay together. Therefore, if booking separately, please answer the question at checkout about you being with another party so we can ensure you are on the same van.

Although passing showers are not uncommon on the lush rainforest side of the island, if there is a storm forecast or any other situation that would make the tour possibly unsafe for the driver and passengers, the tour will be cancelled. You will be contacted and asked to reschedule or receive a full refund.

Mahalo Tours is a small business founded & operated by Native Hawaiians that prides itself on sharing the culture and history of the islands in an intimate and authentic way.