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What Are The Best Things to Do in Paia Maui?
Located on the Northshore of Maui, the laid-back beach town of Paia is a unique destination with a lot of character. Paia’s local population is under 2,500, so many visitors, especially those heading to the Road to Hana, may be initially inclined to drive straight through the small community.
When you take the time to explore Paia you’ll find that this is one of the coolest and most relaxed areas of the island with many great things to do. Great restaurants, large beaches, boutique shopping, and a variety of extreme and non-extreme sports are easy to find here.
What are some of the top things to do in Paia?
1. Mama's Fish House
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Mama’s Fish House is among the most well-known restaurants on Maui for fresh seafood and an amazing cultural experience. This family-owned restaurant opened in 1973 and quickly gained recognition among locals and visitors alike thanks to its incredible beachfront location and locally sourced seafood.
The restaurant is located on the beach at Ku’au Bay, and diners enjoy delicious meals with fabulous ocean views on the patio. You could also opt to dine inside the Polynesian-themed dining room. All fish dishes are made with fresh-caught seafood from local fisherman, you may even see exactly where you’re fish was caught and by whom on your menu. Some featured seafood includes mahi mahi, ahi, octopus, toothfish, ono, prawns and others.
Mama’s Fish House is booked several months in advance throughout the year, so you are encouraged to make your reservation for lunch or dinner as soon as possible.
2. Learn to Kiteboard or Wingfoil at Kanaha Beach Park
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Kanaha Beach is among the top beaches on Maui’s northern shore, and it is located between Spreckelsville and Kahului Bay. Kanaha Beach Park is a 40-acre public beach maintained by the county. The park is recognized for its soft, white sands as well as its shaded picnic areas and stunning mountain views. A big bonus is that many of the picnic tables have grills making it perfect for having a barbeque.
Because of the consistent winds that commonly blow across the beach, Kanaha Beach Park is popular for various water sports including kiteboarding, windsurfing, and wingfoiling. Each sport kind of has its own area of the ocean, so check out the scene before going windsurfing in the kiteboarding lanes. Volleyball, camping, mountain biking, windsurfing and canoeing are also fun activities to experience at Kanaha Beach Park.
3. Tobi's Poke and Shave Ice
If you are in the mood for a casual meal in Paia, Tobi’s Poke and Shave Ice will not disappoint you. This popular restaurant has an outdoor patio with beach views, and it is recognized for its all-day breakfast menu. Other favorites are Ahi Poke, locally grown coffee and Acai bowls.
Tobi’s Poke and Shave Ice is an award-winning restaurant and was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and on Island Hopper TV.
4. Ho'okipa Beach Park
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Located just off of the Hana Highway, a few minutes north of Paia Town, Ho’okipa Beach Park has been a hot spot for water sports since the 1930s. With its white sand beaches and big waves, this 8.4-square-mile park hosts events like the Red Bull and Aloha Classic surfing competitions.
While surfers flock to the area, spectators enjoy the excitement from the beach. The park also has three pavilions with picnic tables and grills as well as outdoor showers and flush toilets. Also, the eastern corner of the beach is known for being a haven for sea turtles. Often you can find a dozen or more huge sea turtles relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun.
5. Maui Country Club
Maui Country Club is a private golf club in Spreckelsville just outside Paia Town and offers many fun things to do besides golf including pickleball and tennis. It is recognized for its well-maintained, 9 hole, par-36 golf course, which runs along Baby Beach and the many beautiful homes in Spreckelsville.
The course has flat, wide and tree-lined fairways, but it is more challenging than it initially appears with some of the best greens on Maui as well as consistent winds from the ocean. Six tennis courts are available as well as pickleball courts, a pro shop, a heated swimming pool, a restaurant, a sports lounge, a well-equipped fitness center and a special events room. Memberships applications are available at https://mauicountryclub.org/
Spreckelsville and Paia Real Estate
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6. Cruise Baby Beach and Baldwin Beach Park
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Baby Beach is appropriately named as it is ideal for swimming with young children. Families take advantage of the calm waves in the shallow, reef-protected waters. The reef rises above the waterline, creating a natural boundary and a pool-like experience.
Baby Beach is located roughly a half-mile from another beach at Baldwin Beach Park. At Baldwin Beach Park, you can enjoy a picnic area with barbecue grills, lifeguards, ample parking and restrooms. This area is not protected by the reef and offers a fun beach experience with progressively deeper waters and plenty of waves.
7. Get a Massage at Ashiatsu Massage
You can enjoy a deeper level of relaxation with a massage at Ashiatsu Massage. This respected venue embraces the Hawaiian vibe through its decor and is located in the center of Paia close to popular restaurants and beaches. The specialty at Ashiatsu Massage is the barefoot massage.
Other types of massages are available as well, including couples, prenatal, lomi lomi, fusion hot stone and deep tissue. Your massage therapist can use essential oils, cupping techniques and CBD massage cream upon request to enhance your experience. Reservations can be made online.
8. Coffee or a Cocktail Paia Bay Coffee and Bar
Situated on Hana Highway, Paia Bay Coffee Bar specializes in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including those from local vendors, farms and breweries options range from Italian sodas, espressos, lattes and cappuccinos to cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine.
Paia Bay Coffee Bar also has a full menu with all-day breakfast as well as lunch and dinner meals. Some of the meals include banana bread French toast, waffles, poke bowls, chicharrones, wings and others.
9. Acai Bowl at Choice Health Bar
Choice Health Bar has several locations on the island, including one conveniently located in Paia Town. This restaurant is recognized for its delicious, healthy foods. All menu items are vegan and plant-based, and most ingredients are sourced locally.
The restaurant has gluten-free and honey-free options, including numerous types of acai bowls. A few of the other options are salads, smoothies, wraps, avocado toast, burrito bowls and more. Online ordering is available, making it easy enjoy your healthy meal at one of the beautiful beaches in the area.
10. Fresh Fish at Paia Fish Market
Paia Fish Market has been a go-to destination for fresh fish on Maui’s northern coast since 1989. Everyone from local fishermen and surfers to tourists and others enjoy burgers and fresh catch plates here. Fish specialties include salmon, mahi mahi, ahi, ono and snapper.
Your preferred fish can be charbroiled, blackened, sauteed or cooked Cajun style. Reservations are not available, and you can browse the gift shop's apparel, spices and other merchandise if there is a wait.
11. Find The Perfect Fit at San Lorenzo Bikinis
San Lorenzo Bikinis captures the aloha spirit with its collection of premium beachwear for women. While there are several store locations in Hawaii and California, the only location on the island is in Paia on Hana Highway.
The swimwear line embraces both Brazilian and Hawaiian styles, and both one-piece and two-piece styles are available. The various swimwear options are suitable for lounging by the pool, surfing and more.
12. Find a Parking Place! The Hardest thing to do in Paia is to Park!
There is very limited parking in Paia, especially on a busy day on the weekend. To enjoy the many things to do in Paia, you need to park your vehicle first and that can often be its own adventure. Some venues, such as Baldwin Beach, Maui Country Club and others have onsite parking available. There is on-street parking on Baldwin, but these are tough to come by.
There are also three public parking lots in Paia. These are located at 120 Hana Highway, 137 Hana Highway and 114 Baldwin Avenue. The lots are relatively small, and you can find both free and paid parking spaces available.
While the town is small, there are so many things to do in Paia that you can easily spend a full day enjoying all that it offers. Whether you are planning a trip to Hawaii or you are a new resident, Paia should be at the top of your list of places to explore on the island.
Get In Touch With Evan!
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