With stunning sunsets, incredible ocean views and rainbows every day, the Hawaiian island of Maui is an Instagrammer’s paradise. Whether you’re in the mood for shooting a beach, waterfall or volcano, the entire island is blessed with an endless choice of prime Instagram spots.
I recently spent a month exploring the island and discovering all of the most Instagrammable places that Maui has to offer and let me tell you, there are a lot!
Even after an entire month, I realized that I could probably spend another full month and still not see all of the best photo spots on Maui. The diverse range of landscapes makes it one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever seen.
To save yourself the time and hassle, I have put together a useful guide with an interactive map to help you easily locate Maui’s top Instagram spots. I managed to narrow this list down to 25 beautiful photography spots that you’ll want to add to your Maui itinerary for the next time you plan to visit the island!
An epic sunset on the Lahaina Pali Trail
Table of Contents
25 Beautiful Maui Instagram Spots – The Most Scenic Locations for Photographing Maui
Map of Maui’s Best Photography Spots
Maui Instagram Spots on The Beach
It goes without saying that every beach on Maui is stunning and worthy of capturing the perfect Instagram photo. No matter which beach you end up at, you’re guaranteed to find great photography angles.
Having said that, the following beaches are home to some pretty spectacular scenery which makes them some of the most Instagrammable places on Maui. Whether it’s during the day or at sunset, be sure to include these beaches in your Maui photoshoot itinerary!
Keawakapu Beach
Keawakapu Beach
Located in the south end of Maui between Kihei and Wailea is this long stretch of soft sand lined with palm trees. At the north end of the beach you’ll find a green space with palm trees and volcanic rock leading into the ocean.
This picturesque spot allows you to capture the perfect Hawaiian beach scene with a backdrop of the West Maui Mountains. This beach was one of my favourites on Maui as I found myself coming back here several times during my stay.
Aside from the beautiful views, Keawakapu Beach is great for snorkelling, relaxing and catching an epic sunset.
Instagram spots on Maui – Keawakapu Beach
Palauea Beach
A 10 minute drive south of Keawakapu Beach on the same coast will bring you to this small and secluded white sand beach. Palauea Beach (also known as White Rock Beach) is so pretty that it’s a popular spot for wedding photographers.
While the scenery is fairly similar to the previously mentioned beach, it is far less crowded with tourists. This makes it easier to take your photos here without having crowds in the background of your shot.
My favourite part of this beach is the vibrant turquoise water which adds a nice colour pop to your Instagram photo. I also came here to shoot a sunset one evening which was equally beautiful and I can highly recommend doing!
As you can see, Palauea Beach turned out to be one of my favourite Maui Instagram spots!
The gorgeous Palauea Beach
Palauea Sunset
Ho’okipa Beach
As you begin the drive on the Road to Hana, one of the first stops you’ll come across is Ho’okipa Beach. Famous for its big waves, this is a popular spot to sit and watch the wind surfers from the lookout above the beach.
The other reason this beach is well-known for tourists is the huge concentration of sea turtles that can often be spotted lounging on the sand.
If you were hoping to capture the perfect beach scene with turtles and all, this is arguably the best place to see turtles in Maui. Due to the large waves and plenty of sharp rocks near the shore, this is not an ideal swimming beach.
A beach full of turtles – Ho’okipa Beach
Kuau Cove
This pretty little cove is tucked away in front of the famous seafood restaurant, Mama’s Fish House. Located just past Paia, this hidden gem can be easy to miss.
The clear, calm water make this a peaceful spot to take in the scenery while enjoying a relaxing swim. I came here just before sunset and found the perfect angle to shoot through the palm trees toward a beautifully lit sky.
When you first arrive here, you may think the beach is private as the parking lot is where you would park for dining at Mama’s Fish House. However, this is not the case and Kuau Cove is a public beach open to everyone.
Golden hour at Kuau Cove
Baby Beach, Paia
Just before you reach Paia, on Maui’s North Shore, this protected lagoon creates a natural pool offering ideal swimming conditions. The lovely stretch of white sand that curves around a clear, calm lagoon makes for some great photo opportunities at any given time of day.
As the name of this beach suggests, it’s a great place for young children to play in the shallow water while you relax on the soft sand. With a coral reef close to the shore, you can easily hop in for a quick snorkel.
Keep your eye out while your there, this is yet another Maui beach where turtles are frequently spotted!
Evening glow at Baby Beach, Paia
Maui Instagram Spots on Haleakala
Haleakala Highway
No visit to Maui is complete without driving to the summit of Haleakala. This huge volcano takes up a large part of the island and provides spectacular views over the rest of Maui from the top.
To reach the summit, there is only one scenic road that leads you there with plenty of zigzags and epic viewpoints on the way up. As you drive the Haleakala Highway, you’ll want to stop many times to photograph the incredible view.
You’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of spots to pull over and stop for photos along the road. The weather will likely change a few times throughout your drive which gives you the chance to capture a rainbow in your Instagram photo!
Getting lucky with rainbows on the drive up to Haleakala summit
Haleakala Crater
There are few places in the world where you can pose with the backdrop of a volcano’s crater! This is made possible near the summit of Haleakala.
Once you reach the visitor centre near the volcano’s summit, you can park your car and take a walk right into the crater. The trail that leads you there is called the “Slipping Sands Trail” which is 11 miles long and takes 7 – 8 hours to complete.
If you’re just wanting to find the perfect angle for a photo, simply follow this trail for around 20 minutes to get nice and close to the crater before turning around and making your way back to the top.
Haleakala crater views
Sunset on Haleakala Summit
Most people visiting Maui are keen to watch the sunrise or sunset from the summit of Haleakala. On my recent visit, I opted for a sunset and was very lucky to have perfect conditions!
For several reasons, I would recommend adding the sunset on Haleakala to your Maui itinerary. You can read my detailed post about why I suggest sunset over sunrise here.
Either way, you’re in for a magical experience and some incredibly unique photography opportunities. There’s really nothing like standing above the clouds while watching the sky turn vibrant shades as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, the summit of Haleakala is easily the best Instagram spot on Maui!
An epic Haleakala summit sunset
Maui Instagram Spots on The Road to Hana
Twin Falls
The Road to Hana is full of gorgeous waterfalls and Twin Falls are among the most popular to visit. Located near the beginning of the drive, these beautiful waterfalls are easily accessible with a large parking lot and a short/easy walking trail.
Most visitors to the falls are quick to leave after only stopping to see the main Twin Falls. Instead of rushing off, allow yourself a bit more time to explore the two other waterfalls that are located a little further along the trail.
The second and third falls require a bit more walking however you will be rewarded by stunning scenery and of course, two more sets of amazing waterfalls to capture.
In my opinion, the third waterfall here is the most beautiful and Instagram worthy so you definitely don’t want to miss out! Allow around 1 hour here to explore and photograph all three waterfalls.
Twin Falls is an awesome photography spot on the Road to Hana
The third waterfall at Twin Falls also known as Caveman Falls
Honomanu Bay
Just after you pass Kaumahina State Wayside Park on the Hana Highway, you will turn a corner and begin to see a striking view of the beautiful Honomanu Bay. Continue driving a bit further until you find a large space to pull over on your right hand side.
This is where you can get out of the car and admire the dramatic scenery of Honomanu Bay. This is a little known viewpoint on the Road to Hana but it turned out to be one of my favourite photography spots on Maui.
Getting to Honomanu Bay itself requires a bit more effort of driving down a rough road that leads from the main Hana Highway. That’s why I will simply recommend stopping at the lookout to appreciate the incredible view and snap the perfect Instagram photo.
Stunning view from the Honomanu Bay roadside lookout
Another angle near the Honomanu lookout
Keanae Peninsula
The Keanae Peninsula sticks out from the Road to Hana and makes an excellent addition to your drive. Without adding too much driving time to your itinerary, you’ll get to see some impressive lava formations and breathtaking coastal scenery.
On this peninsula you’ll find an old Hawaiian village, a historic church, and a popular food stall selling banana bread and fruit smoothies. I spent about 15 minutes on the Keanae Peninsula taking photos and watching the big waves crash into the lava rocks.
This is an awesome place to capture the volcanic landscape with a backdrop of the lush green cliffs dropping into the ocean.
Beautiful scenery at Keanae Peninsula