Exploring Maui in a Wheelchair
Maui has something for everyone. From lush mountains, beautiful beaches, and scenic drives it would be hard for someone to visit and not fall in love with the island. The island also offers options for people of all abilities. Here is my guide to exploring Maui in a wheelchair.
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Wheelchair Accessible Places to Stay in Maui
Before we start talking about all the great activities Maui has to offer, let’s first determine where to stay during your trip here. An extremely popular area to stay in is Lahaina, which is located on the west side of the island. This area offers plenty of chain hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tourist shops.
Another great area to stay in is Kihei, which is in the Southern part of Maui. Close to beaches and restaurants and known for its pleasant weather, this area makes a wonderful option.
While visiting, I decided to stay in the Northern section of the island. It was near to the airport (but far enough that there wasn’t a lot of noise) and centrally located, making it easy to drive to any part of the island I wished to visit. The hotel I stayed at was the Maui Seaside Hotel, which offered clean rooms, an onsite restaurant and ocean views.
Maui Seaside Hotel
My accessible room had a roll-in shower with a fold down bench and grab bars, grab bars near the toilet and a roll under sink. The room had enough room to turn in my wheelchair but was fairly cozy for an ADA room. There were two queen sized platform beds in the room I booked, which would make using a Hoyer lift impossible as there was no space under the bed for it to roll under. The décor was somewhat dated, but that didn’t bother me as it was clean and comfortable.
I did not see a lift for the pool but did not ask to see if one was available on request. The courtyard was easy to roll around, with sidewalks leading to major areas. There was also the nice touch of having several gas firepits available, if you wanted a relaxing evening under the stars.
Getting Around Maui in a Wheelchair
Unlike Oahu, I’d recommend getting a rental car on Maui. While the island is easy to navigate, attractions can be spread out and there is a lack of public transportation. Accessible tours are available through Robert’s Hawaii, but it will limit what you’re able to see and do.
Renting an Adapted Vehicle in Maui
There are a couple of options for car rentals. If you can transfer into a regular vehicle, you can rent a car through any of the major rental companies on the island. There is an accessible tram at the airport that will take you to these rental companies. You can also use Hawaii Rental Cars to see what adaptations to these vehicles are available.
If you need (or prefer) renting an accessible van, there are options for that as well. I rented an accessible van with a ramped side entry from Boogie On Van Rentals. They are a small family run business that was wonderful to work with. They can even deliver the vehicle to any destination you choose on the island (I.e., the airport, cruise port, your hotel etc.). It’s an easy and convenient way to rent an accessible vehicle.
Another company that you can use is Wheelers Van Rentals of Hawaii. They also provide accessible vans that you can rent during your stay and offer delivery. Check online for prices and availability.
Wheelchair Rentals in Maui
The most popular medical equipment rental company on the island is Gammie Homecare. They offer a variety of options including manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, beach wheelchairs, patient lifts, hospital beds, portable ramps, bathroom equipment and more. Make sure to contact them in advance so that they can reserve your required equipment and best assist you.
Wheelchair Accessible Places to Eat on Maui
Restaurants will vary in their level of accessibility, and it depends on what area of the island you are on. I’ve listed two of my favorites below.
Tante’s
This wonderful restaurant was located next door to my hotel and had delicious food, good service, and reasonable prices (especially for Hawaii). They offer a variety of American, local, and Filipino cuisine. While their website indicates that they are only open for breakfast and lunch, I saw a sign on the door when I visited indicating that they were now open for dinner as well. There is a small threshold to maneuver when entering, but I was able to manage it in my manual wheelchair.
Serpico’s
This fantastic Italian restaurant is located just inland on the northern part of the island. It is a favorite of both locals and tourists alike. Offering dine-in, take-out and delivery, this small, family-owned place was always jumping when I visited.
The pavement slopes before going into the restaurant but I was able to handle it just fine. I did not see any customer bathrooms onsite as this is a small restaurant.
All their dishes looked fantastic. I had the baked rigatoni (which was fabulous) and my friend had a calzone (which seemed to be one of their specialties and was also delicious). No matter what you order though, it will surely be delicious.
Wondering what to wear on your trip? Check out my Hawaii Packing List post for ideas!
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do on Maui
1. Take an Accessible Whale Watching Tour
Known for their whale watching, when Humpback whales come to Hawaii to mate and give birth to their calves, Maui is the perfect place to take an accessible tour to see these amazing animals. Whale season typically takes place from December to April but can vary a bit each season.
I took a cruise with the Lahaina Cruise Company. Make sure to get to the pier early for check in as there is no designated parking right at the pier and the small lots available throughout the town can fill up quickly. This tour was fun, educational, and funny!
Captain Ryan and his crew were extremely helpful in getting me aboard the ship. A ramp is used to get aboard, but there were two steps at the end, so the captain and crew picked me up in my manual wheelchair to lift me over the steps. I did see traditional ramps without steps available, so if you use a power wheelchair, call ahead of your tour to see if they can accommodate you with an alternative ramp.
About the Tour
The tour lasted for a total of three hours and guaranteed whale sightings, or you could go again free or get a refund. We saw whales almost immediately and the captain did a fantastic job of explaining the behaviors we saw. When a ton of whale watching boats showed up, we moved on to find a less crowded area with whales.
We saw lots of whales during our time at sea, with some even coming right up to the boat! We saw tail slapping, lots of fins, a mother and calf, males challenging each other for a female and even a whale breach (where they jump out of the water)! This tour was fantastic, and I cannot recommend it enough.
There are restrooms onboard, but I didn’t get the chance to check to see if they were accessible. Honestly though, I highly recommend relieving yourself before the tour, so you don’t miss a single thing. Our tour was action packed. The back of the boat was open and easy to navigate in a wheelchair.
UPDATE: Since the devastating fires that destroyed Lahaina, it appears the company I used for this tour is no longer in business.
2. Maui Ocean Center
A favorite of kids and adults alike, this aquarium is a great way to spend a day (or even part of a day) on the island. Highlights include the shark tunnel where you are surrounded by these impressive hunters, the coral exhibit, and the 3D IMAX movie on Humpback whales. Make sure to also check the animal feeding times and other programs that may be going on for the day when you get your ticket.
This aquarium is not only fun but educational as well, highlighting conservation and Hawaiian history. It’s a great way to learn about the ocean life around Maui and how you can help protect them for generations to come.
The ocean center is fully accessible with paved paths leading to the different exhibits and buildings (which are also all accessible). Accessible parking is available on site with the option of a paid lot (which is closer) or a free lot. Accessible restrooms are also available.
➡️ Save time and order your Maui Ocean Center tickets in advance by clicking here.
3. Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park consists of a dormant volcano and some of the surrounding area. Visitors can drive to the over 10,000 ft summit via a winding road that sometimes rises above the clouds. Popular times to visit are during sunrise and sunset. Reservations are required if you plan to watch the sunrise over the crater of this imposing volcano.
While this park is HUGE, there is limited accessibility. There are no accessible trails available, but you can visit the visitor center (which has a scenic lookout) and the summit.
There is accessible parking in both areas and paved paths leading to the overlooks. Be aware, however, that these paved pathways are steep, and manual wheelchair users will need assistance. In addition, the pavement at the summit has a lot of potholes and broken areas, making for a very bumpy ride. Large gravel is also required to be navigated to get to the actual overlook at the summit.
Along the road leading to the summit, there are small parking areas that offer views of the island on a clear day. Accessible parking is available in these areas as well. Accessible bathrooms are located at the visitor center and at the summit.
➡️ Check prices and availability for this Haleakala Sunrise Tour by clicking here.
➡️ Not a morning person? Check prices and availability for this Haleakala Sunset Tour by clicking here.
4. Maui Tropical Plantation
Love food, especially tropical foods, then make sure to visit this great plantation. Take the 40-minute tram tour to learn all about pineapple, coconut, mango, banana, coffee, macadamia nuts and more. You can even find out how to husk and open a coconut. Make sure to also check out the wooden sculptures on site… they were neat.
The plantation and tram tour are wheelchair accessible but call ahead to make them aware of your needs. Accessible parking is also available.
5. Take an Accessible Helicopter Tour
Helicopter tours can be a fun and exciting way to see the island. There are two companies that offer accessible helicopter rides, so you won’t miss a thing. These companies are Sunshine or Blue Hawaiian helicopter tours.
Both companies offer a variety of tours to choose from and highlight different parts of the island. I don’t think you could pick a bad experience; it just depends on what you want to see. If visiting from December to April and end up flying over the ocean, keep an eye out for whales… an incredible experience.
Sunshine Helicopter Tours (the company I used) offers two incredible tours to choose from.
➡️ Check prices and availability for the West Maui and Molokai tour by clicking here.
➡️ Check prices and availability for the Circle Island Tour by clicking here.
6. Dance at Old Lahaina Luau
A luau is a fun and entertaining way to learn about Hawaiian culture through dance and music. They are also an opportunity to try some local cuisine. One option for an accessible luau on Maui is the Old Lahaina Luau.
This luau is next to the ocean so you can get spectacular sunset views over the ocean, but it is not directly on the beach, so it has good accessibility. Make sure to call ahead to ensure you get placed in the appropriate area for wheelchair users.
7. Drive the Road to Hana
The road to Hana is a scenic drive that starts at the northeast part of the island and leads to the town of Hana (hence the name). Many people consider this a “must do” while on Maui and I’d have to agree. Just be aware if you get motion sickness, that this road is very winding and narrow, sometimes only big enough for one car to pass at a time.
If you’re nervous about driving on such a road, you can hire a driver like I did (which was offered through the accessible van rental company I used) or book a tour. Polynesian Adventures offer smaller sized tour buses, and some have a wheelchair lift. Contact them in advance to determine availability and to notify them that you will need an accessible vehicle.
Companies typically offer two tours, halfway to the road to Hana or the full road to Hana experience. Along the road you’ll pass wonderful waterfalls and incredible scenic overlooks (some of which the tour will stop at allowing you to get pictures). At some point on the tour, you’ll stop at a cute little stand where you can purchase the popular banana bread (very yummy).
If you decide to drive this road yourself, I highly recommend starting early in the day to help avoid crowds and to try to plan to do this activity on a day when a cruise ship is not in port. There are also audio tours you can download from various apps to give you a bit of history during the tour.
8. Find Some Peace at the Garden of Eden
Located along the road to Hana, this is a great stop to visit if you’re not part of a tour group. Just as the name suggests, you’ll get the opportunity to see lots of flora and fauna that Maui and the subtropics have to offer. This botanical garden has over 700 labeled specimens.
This is called the garden of Eden for a reason. Consisting of beautiful plants, a waterfall, and views of the ocean, it’s hard to imagine that this place could get anymore scenic.
During your visit, you’re encouraged to get back in touch with nature and connect with its magic. You can either hike or roll along its 2 miles worth of trails which are made up of dirt and compacted gravel or do the drive through option which will take you to many of the highlights and allow for great photo opportunities.
9. Visit the IAO Needle
Located in the mountains, this state park was once the scene of a bloody and fierce battle between Maui and King Kamehameha who was trying to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Now, it is a peaceful and popular spot for locals and tourists.
Although accessibility is very limited, I still think it’s worth a short visit. Accessible parking and restrooms are available onsite. There is a paved path to a lookout point where you can see a partial view of the “needle”. The best views are from the bridge along the path. After that lookout point, there are over one hundred stairs to get a better view.
There is also a Hawaiian gardens area along the accessible part of the path, and the paved path will veer off to take you down to them, however, it is very steep and manual wheelchair users will need assistance. Power wheelchair and mobility scooter users may have difficulty coming back up from the gardens due to the incline.
➡️This tour takes you to this iconic state park as well as the Haleakala Crater. Check prices and availability by clicking here.
10. Go to the Beach!
While there aren’t a ton of accessible beaches on Maui, there are a couple good options. Arriving early in the day is always best as the car park fills up fast. Most beaches on the island do not have free beach wheelchairs, so it’s best to rent one, which can be done from Gammie’s Homecare.
Wheelchair Accessible Beaches on Maui
Kamaole Beach
Located in Kihei, Kamaole Beach is one of the largest and flattest beaches on the island. It is also the only beach that has advertised having a free beach wheelchair available on a first come, first serve basis. Go to the lifeguard tower to request it. Free parking, bathrooms and showers are available.
Kaanapali Beach
A paved pathway runs the entire 3-mile stretch of beach, allowing you to take a scenic roll and enjoy the views. Unfortunately, this pathway does not go down to the water, so if you’d like to get a closer look, it’s best to rent a beach wheelchair.
Wailea Beach
Offering restrooms and equipment rentals, this beach is set in front of some pretty swanky resorts (like the Four Seasons). A paved pathway runs along the beach and past shops. The beach itself gently slopes to the ocean making beach wheelchair use easy (but you’ll have to rent one).
Other beaches that would be suitable for beach wheelchairs include:
- Airport Beach
- Napili Bay
- Kapalua Bay
- Haycraft Beach Park
- Kanaha Beach Park
- Baldwin Beach Park
Although not a beach per se, another park that has a paved walk close to the water is Kalama State Park. The shore is lined with lots of volcanic rock, and it offers splendid views of the water, Maui, and the nearby islands.
Final Thoughts on Exploring Maui in a Wheelchair
Maui is a beautiful island and has a lot to offer for people of all abilities. I hope that my overview has given you some inspiration to visit this beautiful place. I know that following my guide to exploring Maui in a wheelchair will help you make your trip here a memorable one. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I know you will as well.
