⚠️ SEP 5, 2023 – IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE FIRES IN MAUI!
Much of the island of Maui has been tragically impacted by recent fires, with the region known as West Maui being most affected and Historic Lahaina Town having been all but destroyed.
All fires are contained (or nearly so) at this point. Travel is safe and encouraged, outside of the West Maui region!
The Hawaii Tourism Authority message to tourists is to maintain travel plans to visit the island and to help support the local economy, but to be mindful and respectful of the hardships the locals are enduring, and to avoid the West Maui region.
You can find out more about the Hawaii fires and find the most current updates here: HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
This photo guide to the best Maui Instagram spots has been created with one thing in mind; showcasing the unique beauty of the Valley Isle!
When we explore a new place, we make it our goal to seek scenes that are distinctly that place; we look to capture its individual personality and flavor!
If you want bikini shots in a tropical setting, pick any resort at random and go nuts! They are all beautiful and manicured to a disingenuous perfection.
If instead, you want to discover those special destinations that are distinctly Maui, and desire compositional inspiration for your Instagram feed, you are in the right place! Our guide to photographing Maui will cover all the most beautiful places on the island.
And if you are planning on doing some island hopping or deciding which Hawaiian island to visit, you will also want to queue up our Big Island photography guide, Kauai photography guide, and Oahu photography guide!
Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links 🙂
🗺 Map of the best places for photographing Maui
In order to help you find all the best locations for photographing Maui, we’ve put all the places we mention in this blog post on the map below.
Click here or on the image below to open the interactive map in Google Maps.
🏝 Maui Instagram Spots: South Maui Region
The island of Maui is broken down into several regions. South Maui includes the southwestern corner of the island, including the Kihei and Wailea-Makena coastline.
This is where you will find the most recent remains of volcanic activity. More importantly, it is also the region with the best beaches.
If you are still deciding where to stay in Maui, the Kihei area is the best choice for most. While Lahaina is also a great option, you will find the options are not as plentiful there.
Below are a collection of the most Instagrammable spots in Maui’s south region. It’s here where you will find the majority of the postcard-worthy beaches many of you are hoping for.
🏆 Best Maui Instagram Spot Award: Paako Cove aka Secret Cove Beach
Just South of the Big Beach 3rd Entrance is a favorite destination for photographers, locals, and of course, Instagrammers. It is one of the best beaches in Hawaii and it’s easy to understand why, as some of the most beautiful pictures of Maui have been taken here.
The Secret Cove Beach is so-named because there is no sign for it, and I’m sure once was a secret! However, the odds of you having it to yourself are slim to none most times of the day. It also goes by Secret Beach, Makena Cove and Paako Cove, depending on who you’re asking!
Here’s how to find what is perhaps the most prized of the Maui Instagram spots…
Drive past the Big Beach third entrance a short distance until you see a wall on the ocean side of the street. You may notice a break in the wall, providing easy access to this unsigned cove. If in doubt, you can always just type Secret Cove Beach into Google Maps. This should give you a bit more insight into how much of a “secret” this cove is not!
You can also find more detailed information and photo inspiration in our complete guide to Makena Cove Beach.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Complete Guide to Makena Cove aka Secret Beach Maui
⛱ Bonus: Unnamed Beach
(Near Secret Cove Beach)
If Secret Cove Beach is too packed, there is a Plan B! To find this even smaller, more secret beach, walk to the water’s edge and turn to your right. Wander over the lava rock for another little inlet that you may have all to yourself.
We visited this section of the beach a few times while exploring and photographing Maui and never encountered another person, even when Secret Beach and Big Beach were busy.
Both shorelines claim top-spots on the list of the Top 10 Secret Beaches of Maui.
🏖 Makena Beach
Comprised of Little Beach and Big Beach, both featured in the photos above and below, Makena Beach is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
While most tourists stay on the more accessible Big Beach, a trail leads up and over to the secluded Little Beach where locals gather for beach parties. If you are hoping for some Instagram photos of your own, just make sure you go early as this is a nude beach and people often do not take kindly to cameras.
If you happen to be in Maui on a Sunday, get your photos early and head over to Little Beach in the afternoon. Here you can spend the evening watching fire dancing and drum circles… clothing optional, but not encouraged. It’s one of the best free things to do in Maui!
*UPDATE: As of April 2022, this event no longer takes place on Little Beach but has moved to Chang’s Beach instead. It still takes place every Sunday afternoon.*
Our favorite view of Makena was from the sky. We used the drone to capture the caldera as well as the lush, tropical colors and coral of the Pacific.
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🩱 Sugar Beach
There are a number of pristine, quiet beaches in Kihei, but the most photogenic of them is Sugar Beach.
Like most beaches on Maui, the beauty has been created and maintained by the resorts nearby, but the best law Hawaii has on the books is that all beaches are public. This means that you do not have to be a guest of the resort to sit back and enjoy a beach that is befitting of a beer commercial.
If you are lucky, you may encounter a sea turtle that has come ashore to rest. As with any wildlife you have the good fortune of meeting, please keep a respectful distance and absolutely never touch the animals!
DISCOVER MORE:
A complete guide to Sugar Beach
🌊 Polo Beach
The picture-perfect Polo Beach is maintained by the Fairmont Kea Lani and Polo Beach Club. In addition to being a beautiful beach, it also is a great place for whale watching at the right time of year!
From the shoreline, you can clearly see the island of Lanai off in the distance, as well as the Pu’u Kukui mountain looming to the north.
If you are visiting with photographing Maui in mind, this is one of the best places for sunset on the entire island. The lava rock provides some interesting shapes and textures along the shore, and Lanai adds a nice element to the background.
We had the amazing fortune of witnessing a mother whale and her calf playing around in the water for over an hour only a short distance away.
This enchanted evening was perhaps the most memorable of all of our time in Maui. If you look at the photo below, you will see the baby calf playing joyfully in the setting sun!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Complete Guide to Polo Beach Maui
🌅 Maui Instagram Spots: West Maui Region
⚠️ Sep 5 Update: The entire West Maui region is closed to tourists. This includes the areas of Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Kapalua, and Napili.
These closures are expected to remain in place through October 2023.
The rest of Maui is open and the Hawaii Tourism Authority is urging travelers to visit to help support the local economy.
While the majority of Maui’s Instagram spots and beaches are in the south region, there are many gems and beautiful beaches in the West Maui region as well.
More importantly, this is where you will find the best snorkeling around, providing unique opportunities for photographing Maui underwater!
If you have a GoPro and are looking for some amazing underwater shots for your Instagram, be sure to bring a snorkel and reef-safe sunscreen.
There are also some great snorkel tours in Maui, to help you capture those perfect underwater Insta moments.
The West region of Maui begins at and follows Highway 30. Take time to enjoy this stunning coastal drive. The most sizable town is Lahaina, which is where you would likely want to find accommodation. Lahaina is also where you will depart from if you wish to visit the island of Lanai.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Oahu
🤿 Olowalu
Just one glance at the aerial photos of Olowalu above and below and you’ll realize why this beach is considered the best snorkel location on all of Maui. The reef that thrives here is an immaculate coral garden, teeming with all sorts of aquatic life.
If you happen to have a drone, this is a fun place to snag some aerial photos. Of course, you will also want to grab an underwater camera or GoPro and be sure to actually go for a swim. You are likely to find turtles, colorful fish, and potentially even the occasional monk seal!
It is also important to ensure you add reef-safe sunscreen to your Hawaii packing list to help protect this beautiful place. I hope most of you know this already but as it is an Instagram guide to Maui, I think it is worth stating clearly that the reef is incredibly delicate. It should by no means be trodden on or collected in any way for souvenirs… that’s what your camera gear is for!
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Best Big Island Photography Spots
🌈 Lahaina (Destroyed by Fire Aug 2, 2023)
Tragically, the entire historic town of Lahaina was destroyed by fire on August 8, 2023.
Lahaina was a semi-extravagant beach town tucked into the mountains of western Maui. It was also the gateway to the island of Lanai, a popular tourist destination, the major regional hub, and at the top of the list for the Top 10 best towns in Maui to visit.
The mountains here create a microclimate in the region that tends to remain drier. Rainbows are a regularity as the rainclouds would get trapped in the mountains and mix with the brilliant tropical sun.
Many popular bars, restaurants, galleries and shops dotted the crowded streets any time of year. What comes next following the rebuilding effort remains to be seen.
🦀 Olivine Pools
The Olivine Pools is of the few hidden gems remaining on the island of Maui. They provide a fantastic setting for some Game of Thrones-esque Instagram shots. You can find the Olivine Pools off the Kahekili Highway.
Fiery red and black lava rock create a savage, dramatic coastline with some amazing coastal surges. The rock is very sharp, so take caution if scrambling over them.
Most importantly, understand how quickly and aggressively the tide can come in here and do not put your back to it for a photo during big swells.
While we focused mostly on the landscape, this would be a beautiful scene to introduce a red or white dress and shoot for that “Goddess of the Sea” feeling, especially if you are fortunate enough to get a good sunset!
🚗 Maui Instagram Spots: Road to Hana
No visit to Maui is complete without exploring the Road to Hana.
Palm tree laden beaches are a dime a dozen on the Hawaiian islands, but the photographic treasures that await you in the Hana region are unlike anything you will find anywhere else in the world!
Be aware that the Hana region tends to receive a lot more rain than anywhere else on the island. As a result, this region also boasts many of Maui’s waterfalls, as well as some of the most fascinating natural landscapes you will find anywhere in the world!
The Road to Hana can be unbelievably busy and is a narrow route with few places to turn off. To truly enjoy your drive and allow yourself time to appreciate the sights, we suggest leaving very early or very late, avoiding midday as much as possible. You can even stop at one of the top-rated all-inclusive resorts if you fancy a bit of indulgence!
If you have the option, stay one night somewhere near Hana and break the drive into two days. This will allow you to travel during off-peak hours and actually appreciate the sights.
FIND OUT MORE:
25 BEST STOPS ON THE ROAD TO HANA
🏳️🌈 Best Maui Instagram Spot Award: The Rainbow Eucalyptus
One of the first stops on the Road to Hana is the incredible, jaw-dropping Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees at Keʻanae Arboretum.
Be warned that these are very easy to miss if you are driving at full speed and not keeping a keen eye out for them.
With that said, be sure you have this amazing place pinned on your map as it is definitely one of the most Insta worthy places in Maui! Whether you want to photograph just the trees or include yourself in the photo, there is so much opportunity to interact and get creative.
While these rare beauties are not native, it feels fitting that the Rainbow state is now home to the Rainbow Eucalyptus!
💦 Upper Waikani Falls
The good news about Upper Waikani Falls is that you cannot miss it! It is visible from the road as you drive over a bridge soon-after you begin your journey to Hana.
The bad news is that there is almost nowhere to park anywhere nearby. Unless you happen to be traveling at an unusual hour as we have suggested, you will likely be unable to stop and visit.
If you’re willing to walk a little way, however, there is a small pull-off just up the hill from the falls with space for a couple of cars. This is where we parked and walked in from there. Please do not be one of those tourists that park in the passing lanes!
While I’m sure the locals or those determined enough could find a way to walk up to the falls themselves, there is no easy access from the bridge.
💧 Makapipi Falls
While there are apparently dozens of waterfalls hidden away along the road to Hana, most require a more local knowledge of the island. However, Makapipi Falls is another one you will see right from the road and happened to be the one we found ourselves photographing as the sky caught fire.
Much like Waikani Falls, there is no immediate access to the waterfall.
Unless you have a lot of time and thorough knowledge of the area, leave that swimwear in the car and photograph what you can from the road.
Plan the Perfect Trip:
A PERFECT 1-2 DAY ROAD TO HANA ITINERARY
🏅 Best Maui Instagram Spot Award: Black Sand Beach
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
As of April 19, 2021 all non-resident visitors are required to have an advanced reservation for visiting Black Sand Beach in Waiʻānapanapa State Park.
Read our Reservations Guide to Black Sand Beach / Waianapanapa State Park to find out everything you need to know.
If you are a camper or van-lifer, be sure to schedule a night at the Waiʻānapanapa State Park; home of the island’s most pristine Black Sand Beach.
We spent 2 weeks on the Big Island of Hawaii and had seen a few black sand beaches already, but this one is very different. The vibrant, lush greens of the tropical vegetation contrast magnificently against the opal-black rock. This was one of our favorite places for photographing Maui, both for landscape and Instagram photos.
Do yourself a favor and spend one night here, if possible. Not only will this allow you to wake up and take in sunrise at one of the prettiest beaches on the island of Maui, but it will also allow you to drive and visit places that will be unbearably crowded later on in the day!
We recommend having a sunrise shoot here and then quickly making your way to the next stop to ensure you have our two favorites beaches on Maui to yourself…
FIND OUT MORE:
Complete Guide to Black Sand Beach Maui
❣️ Best Maui Instagram Spot Award: Red Sand Beach
Locally known as Kaihalulu Beach, this is one of the most interesting places you will find anywhere on this planet!
While the pinkish-red tint is clearly the most unusual and captivating feature, the water here also mixes into beautiful shades of aqua, green, and blue creating a captivating scene.
Because it is not well-signed and visits are discouraged by locals, this beach can be tough to find. However, this once-secret beach is now very well known. If you do decide to visit, be sure to first consult this complete guide to Maui Red Sand Beach with safety information, directions, and more.
If you took our advice and were able to stay the night at Black Sand Beach, then you should be one of the first to arrive at Red Sand Beach as well; we even had the place all to ourselves for about 20 minutes!
To find this natural marvel, park along the street near the community center and look for a yellow gate. This will lead you to a large grassy area that you will walk through, looking for the dirt trail that will be signed. This trail gets narrow and should not be attempted in wet conditions! The total hike time is less than 10 minutes and should only be attempted with caution and by those confident in their physical ability. Read our complete guide to Maui’s Red Sand Beach to ensure you’re prepared before visiting.
We have traveled a lot of places, but neither of us had ever seen anything like Kaihalulu Beach before. For that reason, it was our #1 favorite Maui Instagram spot.
FIND OUT MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO RED SAND BEACH
🌴 Seven Sacred Pools
The last of the Road to Hana stops will be at the Seven Sacred Pools, aka The Pools at ‘Ohe’o. Be prepared for a LOT of people as this is the single most popular tourist spot on the island.
The Seven Sacred Pools are also part of the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, meaning you will be paying $30 per vehicle or $15 per pedestrian for entry. It is worth noting that as it is a National Park, if you have one, you can enter using your Interagency Annual National Park Pass.
The tricky thing about this place is that it can be absolutely beautiful, but that depends on so many things.
When we visited, the water had mostly dried up, meaning the ‘Ohe’o pools were just empty holes. The water was also a muddy brown and not terribly inviting. Swimming here is also not recommended for safety reasons, although it remains a popular spot to swim.
How many Instagram-worthy photos you are able to capture here will largely depend on the conditions you get. If you are short on time, this would probably be the most missable stop along the road to Hana, though we do recommend at least popping in if time permits.
There is also a bamboo forest about one mile into the hike which can make for pretty photos if you’re able to get any shots without crowds!
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🏄♀️ Maui Instagram Spots: North Shore Region
Perhaps the most overlooked destination for photography in Maui is the beautiful north shore region.
While the wind on this side of the island can be aggressive, the lack of crowds and idyllic beaches make it worth a spot on your Maui itinerary.
Below are the best places on the north shore for Maui photography.
FIND HIDDEN GEMS, MAPS, DIRECTIONS, & MORE IN OUR
COMPLETE GUIDE TO MAUI NORTH SHORE
👙 Baldwin Beach
The best beach on the north shore and among the best on the island of Maui, Baldwin Beach Park is a blue-water haven for swimming, kite surfing, and beach bumming.
The incredible water and expansive beach make it easy to find foregrounds all to yourself for that perfect Maui Instagram photo.
When the West Maui Mountains are not covered in cloud, they add a spectacular background to every photo.
LEARN MORE IN OUR
COMPLETE GUIDE TO BALDWIN BEACH PARK
🐢 VOR Beach
One of the Top 10 best secret beaches on Maui, VOR Beach is a hidden oasis with photogenic scenery, tropical palm trees, and ample solitude.
The downside to this beautiful beach is its proximity to the airport, which can get noisy at times. There are also no services.
If you find this hidden gem, expect to share it with only a small few locals and perhaps a resident honu (turtle in Hawaiian).
LEARN MORE IN OUR
COMPLETE GUIDE TO VOR Beach
🍍 Paia
Paia is a charming, historic town on the north shore of Maui and considered the beginning of many Road to Hana itineraries.
The town has become a destination for tourists of all kinds, even appearing near the top of the list of best Maui towns to visit in 2022.
In addition to being fun and quirky, it is also highly photogenic. The most instagrammable spot is the now-famous surfboard wall located at a small grocery store near town.
🏄♂️ Ho’okipa Beach
While you cannot take a selfie with them, more turtles fill the shore of Ho’okipa Beach on a daily basis than any other beach on Maui!
These friendly creatures are protected but a rock barrier and lifeguard who monitors their safety. This means you cannot get close, but should be fine to get some amazing shots with a telephoto zoom lens.
Turtles aside, the rest of Ho’okipa is beautiful unto itself. Tropically-colored waters meet golden sand that can be viewed from one of several viewpoints, including Hookipa Lookout adjacent to the beach entry.
LEARN MORE IN OUR
COMPLETE GUIDE TO HO’OKIPA BEACH
🥾 Maui Instagram Spots: Upcountry
As we did not find ourselves compelled to take any photos in the Maui Central region, the final region to pin in your map is the “Upcountry,” which covers most of the non-coastal section in the middle of the island.
You will inevitably drive around and through the upcountry on your way to more exciting and photogenic Instagram spots, but there is exactly one place that most visitors make a point of saving time for…
🌋 Haleakala
Image: Adobe Stock
Sunrise at Haleakala, a shield volcano that created 75% of the island of Maui, is probably the one photo of Maui that most photographers covet most dearly.
From what we’ve heard, sunrise from the crater is supposed to be an amazing experience. However, we had no idea that you needed a permit to visit, nor were we prepared for a multi-week waiting period! If you would like to visit this iconic spot for sunrise, be sure to book well ahead of time.
It seems like we missed out as there are plenty of things to do in Haleakala National Park, including some great hikes.
Plus, it’s considered one of the best national parks to visit in January (the time of year we visited!). However, I guess it gives us a good excuse to go back though.
For permits, pricing, and more info, visit the Haleakala National Park Service website.
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
🐋 Maui Instagram Spots Bonus: Whale Watching
If you visit Maui during the right time of year, you are bound to see a LOT of whale activity as they migrate through the islands. As of the time of our visit, drone regulations were very relaxed on the islands and provided the best way to see these amazing animals up-close without bothering them.
As most of you will not have a drone and should expect the rules to become more strict, there are also plenty of opportunities to capture them from one of many whale watching tours, or even from the beach!
The west coast will provide most of your opportunities for whale-watching on the island, particularly the passage between Lanai and Maui.
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🎞 Camera Equipment for Photographing Maui
While it is possible to capture some great photos nowadays with smartphones, for the best possible photos you may want to consider a few key pieces of photography gear:
- Camera: We use the Sony a7riii and have loved it ever since the first photo we took with it. However, for beginners you may wish to consider an entry level DSLR. This will allow you to start learning manual settings and decide whether photography is something you enjoy enough to invest in.
- Lens: The lens we use most frequently is the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS as the zoom lens allows for the most diversity. We also often use the Laowa 15mm F2 for shots that require a wider angle.
- Waterproof camera: With incredible snorkeling and waterfalls to explore in Maui you may find yourself taking more photos from underwater than on the land! We recommend either the GoPro or Olympus TG6, both of which we use.
- GoPro Dome: The PolarPro FiftyFifty Dome allows you to capture creative Maui images that are half underwater and half above water with your GoPro. You can see an example of this in the turtle shot above (under the West Maui heading).
- Tripod: A tripod is essential if you are shooting in low light, at night or for any other long exposure photography. When traveling, we use the Manfrotto Be Free as it’s lightweight and easy to carry on longer hikes. For times when we require something more stable, we use the Artcise Carbon Fiber Tripod.
- Filters: A Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter (CPL) or Neutral Density (ND) filter are very useful for allowing slower shutter speeds and for cutting glare on reflective surfaces, helping to bring out the colors. The best CPL and ND filters we have found are the Quartzline from Polar Pro.
🤳 Tips for Photographing Maui
Now you know where to go to get those perfect Instagrammable shots of Maui. So it’s time to give you some tips on how to capture them.
Don’t forget your camera!
Of course, having good camera equipment will help to capture those perfect photos in Maui. However, you can still get some great shots with just your phone. The images in this blog were taken with the Sony a7riii, DJI Mavic Pro, or GoPro.
Check out our post on travel photography camera gear to see what everything we used to take the photos in this post. If you are looking to invest in a camera, then you may also be interested in this blog post about the best cameras for blogging.
Choose the right lens
You will likely want a zoom lens to allow you to change your focal distance. In addition, you may want to consider a wide-angle lens to capture some of the wider scenes. The lens we use most frequently is the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS as the zoom lens allows for the most diversity. We also often use the Laowa 15mm F2 for shots that require a wider angle.
Bring a tripod
A tripod can be valuable for a couple of reasons, with the most obvious being its designed intention as a way to hold your phone or camera. It’s also great if you want photos of yourself or to include everyone you’re traveling with. It will allow you to compose your photos and use a timer or the help of a friend or stranger to hit the shutter button for you.
The other service a tripod is that itmagically provides is a bit of authority. Though by no means a given, most people are less inclined to step in front of your shots when they see you look professional!
When we have a lot of walking to do, I use the Manfrotto Be Free as it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
Protect your camera / phone
If you plan on taking your camera to the beach or on boat trips, you may want to consider a rain cover. This is not a waterproof case, but it is substantially cheaper! A rain cover can reduce the risk of saltwater and sand getting on your camera.
For those of you using your phone, a cheap waterproof phone pouch is great for keeping your phone safe.
Take to the sky
If you have a drone, then you’ll definitely want it for photographing Maui! The island looks absolutely incredible from the sky.
A drone is a big investment so it’s not the right piece of gear for everyone. However, if you are interested in aerial photography, Maui is an incredible place for it. Our aerial photos in this post were taken with the DJI Mavic Pro. But we’ve recently upgraded to the DJI Mavic Pro 2 and love it! It’s also worth checking current drone restrictions as these are constantly being updated.
For those that don’t have a drone but still want to get a birds-eye view, consider a helicopter ride over the island. Again, this isn’t a cheap option but will offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to capture some unique Maui photos.
Get out and shoot as early as possible
For the best chance of getting pictures without a ton of tourists in them, you’ll want to get to these locations as early as possible. Of course, it’s not going to be possible to only visit each place in the morning. Therefore, you’ll need to prioritise the shots you want the most and the places that will be busiest.
Wear comfortable shoes
Maui has some beautiful hikes so you’ll want to ensure you pack some comfortable shoes. Ideally, bring a waterproof pair of hiking shoes as rain is not uncommon in some areas of Maui. Or consider some hiking sandals that can also be worn in the water.
Bring spare batteries and memory cards
You don’t want to miss that perfect Instagram photo of Maui because of a full memory card or exhausted battery. Make sure you have an empty memory card, full battery, and spares! If you’re using your phone then invest in a power pack to keep you going.
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
🌺 More Maui Travel Guides
If you have read to this point, hopefully you have found some inspiration for your visit to the Valley Isle!
There is a lot of planning left to do, however! Browse some of our other most popular Maui travel guides below:
- MAUI PACKING LIST: A printable essential packing list + 25 useful items to consider
- 7 DAY MAUI ITINERARY: How to see the entire island in one week
- WHERE TO STAY ON MAUI: The best places and areas to stay on the island
- PLANNING A TRIP TO MAUI: Step-by-step guide for planning your first visit to Maui
- ROAD TO HANA STOPS: The Top 25 places to visit on the Road to Hana
- ROAD TO HANA ITINERARY: How to plan for a 1-2 day self-drive.
- BEST MAUI PHOTO SPOTS: 15 best places for photographing Maui
- SECRET BEACHES OF MAUI: The 10 most incredible hidden beaches on the island
- MAUI SUNSETS: The Top 10 places & activities for watching sunset in Maui
- KIHEI BEACHES GUIDE: Photos, locations, and descriptions for all 15 beaches in Kihei
- BEST SNORKELING IN MAUI: Best snorkel spots, tips, tours, and more.
📜 More Hawaii Travel Guides
If you have found the Hawaii photos in this guide inspirational and the information useful, you will also enjoy some of our other guides to the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii Travel Guides
- Printable Hawaii Packing List
- Planning a Trip to Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide
- Hawaii Beach Hopping Guide
- Best Beaches of Hawaii: Top 5 on Each Island
- 7-Day Hawaii Itinerary
- 10-Day Hawaii Itinerary
- 14-Day Hawaii Itinerary
- Hawaii Photography Guide
Kauai Travel Guides
- WHERE TO STAY IN KAUAI
- BEST THINGS TO DO IN KAUAI
- HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO KAUAI: START TO FINISH
- THE PERFECT 5-7 DAY KAUAI ITINERARY
- KAUAI PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS
- KAUAI WATERFALLS GUIDE
- BEST PLACES FOR KAUAI SUNSETS
Oahu Travel Guides
Big Island Travel Guides
- WHERE TO STAY ON THE BIG ISLAND
- PLANNING A TRIP TO BIG ISLAND: COMPLETE GUIDE
- THE PERFECT 5-7 DAY BIG ISLAND ITINERARY
- THE BEST BEACHES ON BIG ISLAND
- BIG ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
💬 Final thoughts on the best Maui Instagram spots
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
As you can see, the places for capturing the best Instagram photos on Maui are a lot more diverse than your simple palm-tree paradise… though there are plenty of those as well!
As our visit to the Hawaiian Islands included visits to every island except Molokai, we were able to observe how much each one varied.
Maui was where we discovered the best Instagram spots! It did not happen to be our favorite island when it came to experience, but was certainly the one that provided the greatest diversity of photo ops!
📌 Enjoyed Reading Our Guide to the Best Maui Instagram Spots and Destinations? Pin It! ?
I have to say that I have a big problem with this post. I have been wanting to go to Hawaii for ages but the flights are always above 1000€ from Europe and that’s more than I am willing to pay… And you just made sure I have to go. Not because of instagram but because Maui seems to be a piece of heaven on Earth. What a list of magnificent places! Thanks for sharing and giving us the travel blues!
Haha sorry Jenn!! You won’t regret it though. Make your airfare worth it by including some of the other islands too 😉
Oh my! Where do I even start with which photo I loved best! You sure managed to make Maui look like the most beautiful place on earth! Those beaches are really out of this world. Secret or not, I’d love to visit them all! We saw rainbow Eucalyptus tress in Oahu too and I was so fascinated. And I have never seen a black sand beach let alone a red sand beach! I can see why that was your favourite part of the trip.
Thank you so much! The island is so beautiful, it makes the photography a lot easier. I hope you do great to visit them all 🙂
Wonderful photos and great recommendations along the Hana Highway. I loved the eucalyptus grove, and you’re right that it’s easy to miss! I made of a list of must sees by mile marker from Paia to Hana to keep us on track.
That’s a great tip to make sure you don’t miss anything! The eucalyptus trees are so cool right?!
I don’t really need to mention photography as I always love yours but this made me dream and wanna book tickets soon. Also how pretty was that campervan, omg!! I love your blog posts.
Thank you lovely! I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you can make it to Maui soon xx
Your photos are absolutely stunning!! I’ve always dreamt of visiting Hawai’i but I haven’t made it there just yet 🙂
Thank you so much! I hope you do get to visit Maui, it’s beautiful!
Such beautiful photos and wow, all these spots look so Instagrammable indeed. I haven’t been to that side of the world yet but I wish to go after reading this ?
Thank you. It’s such a beautiful place! All the Hawaiian islands are gorgeous.
OMG! What a great post! Thank you for sharing all this information! I love your van 🙂 Where did you rent it?
Thank you Maryla. If you’re referring to the beautiful, brightly painted VW, she just rents it out for birthdays and photoshoots rather than to camp in. However, I believe she’s moved to Florida now with the van! It’s so pretty, you can check her out on Instagram @hellomissmaven
How many days are you recomending to stay on Maui?
We spent about 10 days on Maui (and about 6 weeks total across 5 of the Hawaiian islands). We felt this was plenty of time to see all the main sights and have some downtime on the beach and sipping cocktails at a bar! How long you need will vary depending on what you’d like to do there and what pace you’d like to see things at.
Lovely photos!! You said Maui wouldn’t be your first island of choice on experience. Which island would you recommend for first timers visiting Hawaii?
Thank you so much Michelle! That’s a tough question as it really depends on your interests as the islands are so diverse. All the islands are beautiful and everyone seems to have a different favourite! Our favourites were Kauai and Oahu. Kauai has the most truly spectacular scenery and felt the wildest. While Oahu had both incredible beaches and stunning mountainous backdrops. The Big Island offers the widest range of diversity in terms of landscapes, being home to 11 of the 13 world climactic zones. However, many would argue Maui has some of the best beaches in the world and it has plenty of resorts if you’re looking for a more relaxing Hawaiian vacation.
Thats such a helpful list. I have not been to Hawaii as yet but I hope to go there sometime soon. This list will surely be very useful then. Thanks.
I’m so happy you found it helpful Jes. I really hope you can make it to Hawaii soon, I’m sure you’ll love it!
Indeed! Thanks
Beautiful photos! Question: what time of the day is the best time to visit red beach for photo? Thank you!
Thank you! We visited first thing in the morning and had the beach to ourselves… so I would highly recommend going in the morning 🙂
Amazing article with stunning pictures thanks for sharing this rich post
Thank you so much Tina. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Hello – beautiful photo ideas for our upcoming Maui trip….
I have been searching Google Maps for the spot where you had the van between the rows of palms on either side of the little path. A location or ballpark area will be much appreciated! Thank you.
Thank you JT! I hope you manage to find the location. I know we’ve chatted over email about it but I thought I would reply here in case anyone else has the same question! I believe it was up towards Lahaina, but can’t remember the exact location. I’d love to know if you find it – good luck and have the most wonderful vacation!
A big big thank you ! I followed your tips and recommandation all along my trip, your website is so useful and complete, and your pictures are just incredible 😍
Oh what an incredible thing to hear!! We’re so glad it was useful and appreciatre you coming back to leave some kind words!! Mahalo!