Road to Hana in Mercedes Van: Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach

At a glance

Road to Hana in Mercedes Van: Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach is a 9h – 10h small-group experience in Kihei, USA, operated by Stardust Hawaii, LLC. Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 197 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $249.99 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Pick-up/drop-off at majority of resorts in Lahaina or pick-up at the Kahului or Kihei Park’n ride, Small Group Experience, Road to Hana Tour.

Quick facts

Duration

9h – 10h

Group

Small group, up to 14 travellers

Languages

English

Pickup

Hotel pickup or meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 7h

   Relax and let us pamper you as a VIP guest to show you the beauty on a road trip to magical Hana. On this exclusive full-day adventure designed for just 14 guests, you'll enjoy the best banana bread you can get in Maui, refresh with a waterfall swim, stroll unique sand beaches and swim at the most famous black sand beach at the Wainapanapa State Park. During our expedition aboard a luxurious air-conditioned van, your driver will select a perfect lunch spot with a local Speciality. We serve a full lunch plate with Hawaiian juices and locally grown fruit.
   
   If time allows, we will stop at fruit stands with fresh fruits and vegetables for you to buy.

2. Stop 2

   Just four miles into your drive to Hāna from Kahului, you'll discover the historic town of Pāʻia on Maui's north coast. Divided into Lower Pāʻia and Pāʻia, this hospitable community was once a booming plantation town during the heyday of Maui's sugar cane industry. Today Pāʻia is a town of colorful, rustic storefronts filled with local art galleries, one-of-a-kind shopping boutiques and restaurants.

3. Stop 3 · 10m

   A perfect spot for a light breakfast when spotting local surfers and wild turtles and taking pictures of the famous Northshore coastline. Lavatories are available.

4. Stop 4

   is the first easily accessible string of waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana

5. Stop 5

   is a small waterfall and pool along Maui's popular Road to Hana. Thanks to the unsigned trail and short hike over an often muddy path, the pool receives far less visitor traffic than the well-signed falls along the route.

6. Stop 6 · 20m

   The Ke’anae Peninsula was created from an immense lava flow originating from Haleakala Crater. Centuries ago Hawaiians brought soil down, by hand, from the mountains to create the Keanae Peninsula. Their amazing display of physical labor is a testament to how revered this land is in Hawaiian culture. It is no wonder so much history is found here!

7. Stop 7 · 15m

   In 1983, Aunty Sandy Hueu began to bake her famous banana bread in Keʻanae, Maui. In 2003, her daughter Tammy joined the business to create an authentic family owned and operated food stand on the Keʻanae peninsula. Since then, Aunty Sandy's has become a must stop destination for hot, fresh baked banana bread.

8. Stop 8

   very photogenic spot to get photographed doing something life threatening

9. Stop 9

   The beautiful view from this lookout point really gives you a sense of what ancient Hawaii must have looked and felt like. It’s truly as though you received a glimpse back in time at untouched Maui.

10. Stop 10

    Upper Waikani Falls is often referred to as Three Bears, thanks to the three separate but parallel falls of differing lengths—with the third and smallest being the “baby bear” falls on the right.

11. Stop 11 · 10m

    Wailua Falls is so noticeable in fact, that it may be the most photographed waterfalls on Maui.

12. Stop 12

    are formed when massive flows cool on the surface forming an insulating conduit for the lava flowing underneath. During the creation of Maui’s volcanic landscape these served like the veins of the volcano, channeling lava for many miles underground before being deposited as new landmass (in this case, into the ocean.) After a volcano has been dormant for some time, these tubes usually begin to cave in and disappear under the forces of nature. Since much of the surface of Maui formed long ago, we have few lava tubes of significant size remaining; Ka’eleku Cave is the largest known accessible lava tube on Maui.

13. Stop 13

    located within Hana Bay is Hana Beach Park, which has a long black-sand beach and is the safest swimming beach along the East Maui coast. The bay is protected by a coral reef and harbored from big swells by its curved shape.

14. Stop 14 · 1h

    Waianapanapa is Maui’s famous Black Sand Beach. Cobalt blue Ocean surrounded by black sand and black lava rocks from a recent flow only 10,000 years ago. Go for a walk along the edge of the bay and check out the blue water or just sit under a nice shade tree. This location is a great place to spend an hour relaxing, taking in one of the islands most beautiful locales. Simply stated, Wai’anapanapa State Park is among the very best of the Road to Hana sites. It offers outstanding nearly 360-degree sweeping panoramic views. On land, the hills and valleys of green jungle give way to rugged and dramatic black basalt lava coastline. Out to sea, the deep blue ocean and white cresting waves are dramatically blasted into spray and mist as they pound against the jagged cliffs.

15. Stop 15 · 40m

    Pua'a Ka'a Falls (rolling pig) resides in the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park, which made it one of the rare waterfalls on the Hana Highway. Swim at your own discretion and risk in the freshwater pools. Lavatories are available.

16. Stop 16 · 10m

    Wailua Valley is an ahupuaʼa that sits just after the Keanae peninsula on the road to Hana. The area, though small, is rich in Hawaiian culture. It is here that an abundance of rare culturally significant fish and plant life can still be found. The area holds many ancient taro, or kalo, patches; a number of which are still in operation. In Hawaiian legend, taro is literally the older brother of all Hawaiians. And, so “Mahiʼaiʼana”, or cultivation of the land, is an ingrained principle that has endured for the people of Wailuanui.

17. Stop 17

    The beautiful view from this lookout point really gives you a sense of what ancient Hawaii must have looked and felt like. It’s truly as though you received a glimpse back in time at untouched Maui.

18. Stop 18

    Right beyond Kaumahina State Wayside Park you'll find a pullout that gives a good view of Honomanu Bay.

19. Stop 19

    Beautiful views of the Keanae Peninsula, lavatories are available.

20. Stop 20 · 5m

    The unique rainbow tree reveals bright shades of green, blue, purple, orange and maroon, as patches of its bark shed throughout the year. Hawaii hosts many of these beautiful shrubs that can grow to an over-elming height of 200 feet! Many consider the rainbow eucalyptus the most beautiful tree on earth.

Meeting point

Good to know

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please indicate your hotel in 'Hotel Pickup' at time of booking in the "special requirement" section
• Write your lunch preference under special requirements - HAM or TURKEY or VEGGIE SANDWICHES. We DON'T offer any food alternatives. If you are on a special diet (raw, vegan, or have food allergies), you must bring your own food.
• Provide your EMAIL address under special requirements
• This tour is not confirmed until the operator calls you to confirm it and setup a pickup.
• Please provide a proper contact phone number to confirm food orders and pickup arrangements. If resort phone is provided please provide room number in the "special requirement" section
• Due to circumstances out of our control (closures, traffic, inclement weather, etc.), routing and times are subject to change.
• Accessibility Notice Please note that our tour is not wheelchair accessible. Due to federal and state safety regulations, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, or similar mobility devices on board, as our vehicle is not ADA-compliant and such items may pose safety hazards during travel. Canes are permitted, but walking sticks are not allowed. There is a low step to board the van, and all guests must be able to get on and off the vehicle independently, without assistance from the driver. Most Road to Hana tours operated legally have similar restrictions, as ADA-compliant vans are wider and subject to different regulations.
• Important Child Safety Notice: Guests traveling with infants, toddlers, or young children must provide their own car seats, booster seats, or other child restraint devices as appropriate for their child's age, size, and needs. Child safety seats are not provided by Stardust Hawaii. Failure to bring necessary child safety equipment may impact participation in the tour.
• Tour itinerary is subject to change due to weather, road conditions, park closures, construction, or reservation availability. Waiʻānapanapa Black Sand Beach will be visited whenever possible. If access is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute Red Sand Beach or another comparable attraction without prior notice.
• We reserve the right to substitute the stop at Auntie Sandy's with Hana Farms when necessary due to closures, extended wait times, traffic conditions, or other operational considerations. Hana Farms is a wonderful local alternative, offering fresh, warm banana bread straight from the oven, comfortable seating, and a beautiful setting to relax and enjoy the experience.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Frequently asked questions