This might not be your dream Maui day, but it was ours, and it was too good not to share. If you want a unique, easy to copy day around the island, do exactly what we did.
Copy our Maui day: vintage Porsche, calm Makena, Upcountry tea, Wailea sushi
If you want a Maui day that feels a little different, here’s the exact loop we did.
Stop 1: Pick up a 1957 Porsche Speedster from Maui Roadsters
We kicked things off by picking up a 1957 Porsche Speedster reproduction rental from Maui Roadsters. Starting the day in that car changes everything. You’re not just driving from place to place, you’re actually enjoying the in between.
A couple tips if you’re copying this part:
- Bring sunglasses and something to tie your hair back if you need it. If driving a lot, like we did, get a long sleeved shirt and sunblock too.
- Plan your route loosely, half the fun is taking the long way.
- Leave a little extra time at pickup, you’ll want to take photos, and you’ll probably chat cars for a minute. The owners are really cool.
Stop 2: South Maui beach hunt, Makena (Big Beach) won
Before lunch we wanted a South Maui beach, so we did the classic drive around, checking a few spots and seeing what felt right. We landed at Big Beach in Makena, because it was an unusually calm day. No waves, no wind, just glassy water and that wide, golden stretch of sand. There’s often what we refer to as the “Makena Cloud” that blocks out the sun but not on this day! Big Beach is notoriously dangerous due to sneaky shorebreak, so if you copy us, check Maluaka, Mokapu, Ulua, and any of the Kams.
We brought the energy way down on purpose. We played some ukulele, snacked, swam, read, and stayed long enough that it actually felt like beach time, not a quick stop.
A few practical notes for Makena:
- Big Beach conditions can change fast. It’s almost always better to go to a different beach with less waves. We just got really lucky.
- If it’s too cloudy, drive North a few beaches. You’ll find a great spot elsewhere.
- Bring only what you need, shade and water go a long way. These Porsche’s don’t have a lot of storage space, we left the beach chairs at home, and we just dug little back rests in the sand under our towels.
Stop 3: Lunch at That’s a Wrap in Kihei
After the beach we wanted something easy and genuinely good, and That’s a Wrap was perfect. It’s casual, it’s quick, and it still feels thoughtful. Also, Gina is one of the sweetest people on Maui, the kind of person who makes you want to come back even before you’ve finished your food.
What we ordered:
- Egg and tamale breakfast special with fruit
- G.G.’s Reuben
- Golden milk latte
- Lavender cold brew
If you’re trying to keep your day light but still satisfying, this is the move. They have a knack for turning healthy ingredients into delicious dishes.
After lunch we didn’t race to the next stop. We just drove. If you’re copying our trip, build in some unplanned time here. Pick a direction, follow the views, and stop when it feels right.
Stop 4: Upcountry stop at Maui Tea Farm
We headed Upcountry and made our way to the Maui Tea Farm. We did a tea flight, walked around, did a little shopping, and ended up chatting with the guy serving us. It’s peaceful, green, and a nice change of pace after the beach.
What we loved about this stop:
- It’s calm and quiet, you can actually hear yourself think.
- The flight makes it easy to find what you like. We ended up taking some tea home.
- The lavender, flowers, fruit trees, and foliage are really beautiful.
Stop 5: Sushi at Oao in Wailea
We finished with sushi at Oao in Wailea, and it might be our new favorite on Maui. We’ve got great sushi spots, but this one hit just right for quality and vibe. We’ve been here a few times before, but I think because we had such a great day already, it just made it an even better session. Each item we ordered was beyond delicious.
A few Tips at Oao Wailea:
- A quick heads up, evenings can get busy, so plan it like a real dinner stop, not a last second idea or get there early. We arrived moments before a rush, and we sat the sushi bar.
- I’m a sucker for fresh uni. It had just arrived that morning from Hokkaido.
- We ordered some rolls and some entrees. Anyway you go, you’ll be happy.
We rent these Porsche’s at least once a year, just to force us to enjoy Maui and get out of our daily grind. It’s always a blast. Let us know if you like these day-in-the-life posts, and we’ll share more days off! Mahalo!
