Maui Jeep Tours

Maui is a tropical paradise with so much to see. Make the most of your time on the island by taking a jeep tour of the best of Maui, you'll love it!

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

6 min read

Maui Jeep Tours

Jeep in Maui | ©jylght

If you ask me what I think paradise is like, my answer would be "it's just like Maui". This wonderful island is one of the most picturesque in Hawaii and has a myriad of beautiful places to visit and a huge range of things to see and do.

If you're spending a few days on Maui, I recommend taking a jeep tour, as it's a great way to see the highlights in comfort and with the taste of adventure that comes with off-road vehicle travel through the rainforests of the region.

What is a private jeep tour of the best of Maui like?

Jeep Tours| ©Ophios
Jeep Tours| ©Ophios

Jeep tours of Maui generally take you part of the way to Hana, an activity not to be missed if you're visiting the island, and also explore other sites of interest, such as bamboo forests, rainforests and waterfalls.

These tours generally cover half of the Road to Hana, giving visitors a chance to see and appreciate the winding road with over 600 bends, but also giving them the opportunity to visit other sights.

If you intend to do the entire Road to Hana, it is best to choose a specific tour for that destination. There are several options for Road to Hana tours that you are sure to love.

What does it mean that the tour is private?

Using a Jeep| ©dustinkb
Using a Jeep| ©dustinkb

Jeep tours of Maui are, for the most part, private, meaning just you and your group, no strangers outside your party.

This type of tour is a very personalised option, where you will ride at your own pace and with the guide exclusively for you and your companions. Generally, each vehicle can carry up to five people plus the driver. If your tour group is larger than five people, no problem, you can book two vehicles.

Another advantage of this type of tour is that you are picked up and taken back to your hotel. In some cases also to the port or airport, if you arrange this in advance (extra costs may apply).

If you need a transfer to or from the airport you also have specific Maui airport transfer options for hire.

Details of interest for this type of tour

  • Duration: usually 8 hours or more.
  • Means of transport: off-road vehicle and in some places on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: private.
  • Disadvantages of this option: not available in English.

How to book a jeep tour of Maui

Jeep in Maui| ©ehj630
Jeep in Maui| ©ehj630

Jeep tours in Maui are one of the most popular activities for tourists, as they are one of the best ways to get to know the island in a different and fun way.

If you are planning your trip, I recommend that as soon as you decide the best time to travel to Maui, you start booking the tours you intend to take. If you wait until you arrive on the island, there is a good chance that you won't be able to find any openings.

You can easily book your Maui jeep tour online with companies that specialise in selling tours and sightseeing experiences.

When you go to book online, you can also check out other options for tours and activities in Maui that you may not have known about and may want to include in your itinerary. Among others, I recommend one of the fantastic Molokini Crater tours.

Maui jeep tours duration

Jeep Excursion| ©Duncan Creamer
Jeep Excursion| ©Duncan Creamer

The length of the Maui jeep tours varies depending on the company that organises the tour, as it will depend on the places that are visited in each option.

As a general rule, jeep tours last approximately eight hours, although in the case of private tours, sometimes you can coordinate with the guide if you want it to last longer or shorter. Part of the time is set aside for lunch on the road to Hana and the cost of lunch is included in the price of most tours.

Be aware that jeep tours, being quite long, usually start early, around seven in the morning to make the most of the day. If you don't like to get up early, check other possible departure times before booking.

You should also keep in mind that in case of rain, the tour will be rescheduled, so it's good to have alternatives for the activities on your itinerary and plan some things to do in Maui on rainy days.

What will I see on this type of tour?

View from the Jeep| ©Keitha Young
View from the Jeep| ©Keitha Young

On this type of tour you can drive along part of the Road to Hana with its breathtaking views. You will also see the amazing bamboo forests on the island. This tour is great for taking photos and filming and treasuring unforgettable moments forever.

You will have the opportunity to see the highlights of the island in a short time and then, if you prefer, you can visit more in depth the places that most interested you.

Another of the particularities of these excursions is that you will visit some of the beautiful waterfalls of Maui, which are another of the most sought after attractions for travellers.

If you are especially interested in getting to know in detail the different waterfalls on the island, you can also choose to take one of the best waterfalls tours in Maui, which is really worth it. It's really worth it.

Book your Maui Off Road Tour

What are the advantages of taking a guided jeep tour of Maui vs. doing it on my own?

Jeep Day| ©laurascudder
Jeep Day| ©laurascudder
  • Safety. The road known as Road to Hana is as beautiful as it is dangerous if you don't know it, it has many curves, it is narrow in some areas and there are significant heights on one side. If it's your first trip to Maui, it's best to take a driver who knows the area.

  • You can relax along the way: If you do this tour on your own, driving on rough roads can be quite stressful. If you go with a private driver, you will be able to relax and enjoy the experience and the views much more.

  • You can be more attentive to your children. If you're travelling with children, opting for a chauffeur-driven tour means you can spend more time looking after the little ones, who tend to demand a lot of attention on long trips. This is a great activity to do with them, although fortunately there are plenty of things to see and do with kids in Maui. - Take photos and film without worry. It will be much easier to get the perfect photo if someone is driving in your place. This way, you can pick out the places that catch your eye. If you drive yourself, you will only see the road, because the road is dangerous and you have to be very careful.

Book your off-road tour of Maui

Tips to keep in mind on a jeep tour of Maui

On a tour| ©Igor Motov
On a tour| ©Igor Motov
  • Some of these tours are on foot. While the routes are not very demanding, it is generally advisable to be physically fit enough to walk on uneven terrain. Unfortunately, these tours are not suitable for travellers with reduced mobility who require wheelchairs - Wear comfortable shoes, a good pair of hiking boots is recommended. If you prefer, you can also bring a walking stick for the more difficult to access places. For the more demanding hikers, there are excellent options for hiking tours in Maui- remember to bring sunscreen and apply it several times throughout the day, even in winter. Don't forget your hat and sunglasses either - Above all, enjoy Maui is a destination to be experienced with all five senses.

Book your Maui Off Road Tour

Other Maui Jeep Tour Options

Jeep Tour| ©Light Struck
Jeep Tour| ©Light Struck

If you prefer to tour off the beaten tourist track, you can choose from private jeep tours that visit places like Rocky Coast, Nakalele Blow Hole and West Side Crawl.

If the traditional Hana Trail tours are not enough for you, you can also opt for full-day jeep tours of this classic Hawaiian destination.

These are places that are not easily accessible, so jeep tours are the ideal way to see them. Another good option to see the hard to reach places on Maui is by helicopter or boat tour.

As you can see, jeep tours are an excellent way to see both the most popular and lesser known places on the island. Please note when booking that the longer and more difficult the tour the higher the price.

Book your off-road tour of Maui