12 Days in Maui: The Ultimate Vegan & Travel Adventure

March 13, 2025 Maui, HI

A First-Timer’s Guide to Maui: Where to Eat, Stay & Play

Day 1: Seattle to Maui – First-Class Travel & a Sunset Dinner

Our journey started at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC), where we grabbed breakfast at the Amex Lounge before our Hawaiian Airlines first-class flight to Maui. Unfortunately, there were no vegan meal options onboard (come on, Hawaiian Airlines—step up your game!), so I planned ahead and picked up a grab-and-go vegan lunch from Floret before boarding.

We landed at Maui’s Kahului Airport at 1:30 PM and made our way to our first stay: the Marriott Wailea Beach Resort. It took about 30 minutes to get there, and upon arrival, we were greeted with complimentary Mai Tais—a welcome touch!

For a quick bite, I ordered vegan spring rolls at Kapa Bar. Unfortunately, the dipping sauce had honey, so I had to skip it. Lesson learned: always double-check the ingredients! We spent the evening watching the sunset from the adult pool, soaking in the breathtaking views before heading to dinner.

Dinner was at Humble Market Kitchen, a restaurant on the resort. While their plant-based menu was small, our server suggested an off-menu veggie stir-fry, and it did not disappoint! It was fresh, flavorful, and just what I needed after a long travel day.

Day 2: Checking into The White Lotus Dream Hotel & an Oceanfront Dinner

We checked out of the Marriott at 11:00 AM, picked up our rental car, and made our way to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea—our home for the next four nights. Why Four Seasons? Well, if you’ve seen The White Lotus, you’ll know why! Plus, we scored the lowest nightly rate, so it was the perfect excuse to splurge.

After checking in, my fiancé got a quick haircut at the resort salon, and then we wasted no time heading to the adults-only infinity pool—a must for White Lotus fans like us!

For lunch, we grabbed food at the swim-up bar, where I ordered a tofu poke bowl. Sadly, it was pretty bland—not something I’d recommend. It lacked seasoning and overall flavor, which was a bit of a letdown.

We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, lounging, and relaxing in the jacuzzi, soaking up the luxurious resort vibes!

Dinner was at Ferraro’s, an oceanfront Italian restaurant at the resort. I loved that their menu clearly labeled vegan options. We started with vegan-friendly bread (sadly, the butter wasn’t vegan) and customized a few sides, including Brussels sprouts and broccolini made dairy-free. For my main course, I had the rigatoni with seasonal vegetables, and let me tell you—it was hands down the best meal of the trip so far!

If you go to Ferraro’s, book a sunset reservation—the restaurant is outdoors and overlooks the ocean. We arrived just after sunset, but the sky was still glowing with gorgeous colors. Highly recommend this spot for a romantic, scenic dinner.

Day 3: Whale Watching, Lunch in Lahaina & More White Lotus Exploring

We woke up early and took full advantage of our $90 daily breakfast credit at Duo (perks of booking through Amex!). I had the vegan bircher muesli, which was a solid, filling way to start the day.

Next, we drove up to Lahaina and made our way to Mala Wharf for a whale-watching tour with Ultimate. The tour lasted about two hours, and it was an absolute blast! Seeing whales up close was such a surreal experience—I highly recommend adding this to your Maui itinerary.

Afterward, we had lunch at Monkeypod in Lahaina, where, unfortunately, the only vegan option was their Vegan Tortilla Soup. While it wasn’t bad, the portion was tiny, so I wouldn’t recommend this spot if you’re super hungry. The main reason we ate there was to meet up with my fiancé’s coworker, who lives on the island (he even joined us for whale watching!).

We headed back to the Four Seasons and spent the rest of the afternoon swimming at the beach in front of the resort. After a long day in the sun, we caught the sunset from our balcony before heading to dinner.

Dinner was back at Duo, where we ordered Brussels sprouts and broccolini (again, modified to be vegan) and for my main dish, I had the Vegetable Curry Laksa—a warm, comforting way to end the day.

After dinner, we took a late-night walk around the resort, hunting for more White Lotus filming locations. It was such a fun way to explore and appreciate all the little details of the property!

Day 4: A Full Day of Relaxation & Resort Dining

We dedicated the entire day to relaxing at the resort, which was honestly much needed.

Breakfast at Duo was a repeat, but this time, I switched it up and ordered the vegan pancakes with strawberry topping. The best surprise? They actually had vegan butter! A small win, but if you're plant-based, you know how rare that can be at resorts. Meanwhile, my fiancé—who isn’t fully vegan—opted for the buffet and loved the variety.

The rest of the morning was spent lounging at the adults-only pool, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the serene atmosphere. One of the highlights of the afternoon was chatting with the bartender, who was incredibly friendly. Honestly, the service at the Four Seasons is top-tier—everyone we met was so welcoming!

For lunch, I decided to give the Superfood Bowl a try at the swim-up bar, and let me tell you—this was the best thing I ate at the pool. I seriously wish I had discovered it earlier so I could've ordered it more than once.

Dinner was at Komo, a relatively new restaurant at the resort. Unfortunately, this place is not vegan-friendly—the only option on the menu was edamame (disappointing, right?). Instead of settling for just that, I ordered from the Lobby Lounge, which shares the same kitchen but has a different menu. I got their Vegan Roll, which was tasty but definitely not filling. Meanwhile, my fiancé ordered sushi from Komo and found it overpriced with small portions.

Verdict: Komo is not a good option for vegans. If you're dining at the Four Seasons and want sushi, stick with the Lobby Lounge instead.

Day 5: Thai Food Cravings & A Final Night at the Four Seasons

For lunch, we decided to check out My Thai, a cozy 80s-inspired Thai restaurant known for having lots of vegan options. I wish I had the chance to try more dishes, but I kept it simple with a Vegan Thai Iced Tea and Pad Thai. My fiancé, who isn’t fully vegan, ordered the Mango Sticky Rice, and of course, I had to steal a few bites—it was so good!

After lunch, we headed back to the resort to soak in one last afternoon at the pool. At this point, I was fully in vacation mode, just relaxing and enjoying every moment of our final night at the Four Seasons.

For our farewell dinner, we dined at Spago, the last restaurant we had yet to try at the resort. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had their own dedicated plant-based menu, which was actually created by the restaurant’s manager—how cool is that? I ordered the Penne Pasta Bolognese, and it was absolutely delicious. Easily one of the best meals of the trip! Next time, I’d love to try more dishes from their plant-based menu because everything looked amazing.

It was the perfect way to wrap up our stay at the Four Seasons Maui.

Day 6: One Last Morning at the Four Seasons & Moving to Wailea Beach Resort

Our final morning at the Four Seasons Maui was extra special because, as Amex members, we were granted a late 4 PM checkout—which meant more time to soak up the luxury before moving on! Having that extra time made all the difference; we could relax, take our time packing, and truly enjoy our last few hours at this incredible resort.

For our last breakfast at Duo, I decided to try something new and ordered the Soyrizo Hash Brown Bowl from their "Wellness Your Way" breakfast. While I have to say, their vegan pancakes are unbeatable, this dish was delicious! The meal also came with a choice of juice or smoothie, the Hawaii 5-0 fruit bowl, or vegan bircher muesli—a great way to start the day.

After breakfast, we spent the morning at the gym, played a little pool, and, of course, took one last dip in the Four Seasons' pool. I didn’t want to leave, but by mid-afternoon, it was time to pack up and head to our next hotel.

We returned to the Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott. Upon checking in, we got a room upgrade that included an outdoor bathtub, which was such an amazing surprise! After settling in, we decided to check out a highly recommended restaurant called Lineage, which was conveniently within walking distance.

Lineage is a family-style restaurant, but since I was starving, I got the Garlic Szechuan Noodles for myself. The flavors were spot on, and it was a great way to end the night.

Day 7: A Change of Plans & Vegan Comfort Food

We originally planned to go zip lining, but unfortunately, due to high winds, our tour was rescheduled. Instead, we decided to make the most of the day by doing some shopping at the Shops at Wailea before heading out for lunch.

For lunch, we drove 15 minutes to Earth Aloha Eats, a fully vegan spot. I ordered the Thai "Chick’n" Tacos, while my fiancé got onion rings. The food was incredible, and I was seriously impressed by the one-man operation—the same guy was the cashier, cook, and server, yet he still managed to get the food out super fast. Definitely tip well if you eat here, because his hustle is next level.

Before leaving, I grabbed a vegan Snix candy bar—a cold and perfectly sweet treat for the hot day!

We spent the afternoon at the adult pool back at the Marriott, sipping on welcome Mai Tais and soaking in the relaxing atmosphere.

For dinner, we met up with my fiancé’s coworker and his wife at Pita Paradise. If you're vegan, make sure to ask for their vegan menu, as it's not listed on the main menu. I ordered the Bruschetta and Kale Goddess Pasta, both of which were super tasty.

Thai "Chick’n" Tacos

Pita Paradise

Bruschetta

Kale Goddess Pasta

Day 8: Snorkeling & Sailing to Lanai with Trilogy

We had an early wake-up call for our all-day sailing & snorkeling trip to Lanai with Trilogy Excursions. Our boat departed at 6:30 AM, and we returned around 2:30 PM—so it was a full adventure!

Pro tip: If you're vegan, call ahead to request a plant-based meal at the time of booking. They only prepare enough for those who request it, so don’t wait until the last minute!

For breakfast on the boat, I was served a banana muffin and fresh fruit. A little later, they brought out a veggie wrap, which was surprisingly really flavorful.

As we sailed toward Lanai, we got incredibly lucky—we spotted a whale and a huge pod of bottom-feeder dolphins, which swam right alongside our boat. Such an unforgettable sight!

Once we arrived at Lanai, we took a short walk to the beach, where we snorkeled for the first time. Trilogy provided snorkeling gear and chairs, but make sure to bring your own towels and sunscreen since they aren’t included.

For lunch, we were served veggie yakisoba noodles, vegetable skewers, corn on the cob, and juice—a satisfying meal after a morning of swimming and exploring.

Tip: Dress warmly for the boat ride—it gets really cold when the boat picks up speed on the water.

Later that evening, we were invited to my fiancé’s coworker’s home, where his wife prepared a special homemade Italian dinner for us. It was such a thoughtful and delicious way to wrap up the day!

Day 9: Ziplining Canceled Again, But Making the Most of Lahaina

Originally, this was supposed to be a rest day, but since our ziplining tour was rescheduled, we made our way up to Lahaina for a quick lunch before the adventure.

We ate at A’a Roots, a fully vegan restaurant, where I ordered a Caesar Salad, and my fiancé, Mark, got the Veggie Curry. The food was fresh and flavorful, and we were excited to finally go ziplining with Kapalua Zipline.

Unfortunately, just 10 minutes after checking in, it was canceled again due to high winds. A little disappointing, but instead of dwelling on it, we decided to pivot and explore the area!

We did a short hike at Dragon’s Teeth (such a unique rock formation), then drove a mile or two down the road to a beach in hopes of seeing turtles—sadly, no luck this time.

After a full day of exploring, we were hungry and decided to go back to Lineage for dinner since we loved it so much last time. This time, we ordered the Crispy Cauliflower and the Veggie Bird’s Nest—both vegan-friendly and incredibly delicious. Of course, I had to get myself a Mojito to pair with the meal.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel to rest up for the next day’s adventure.

Day 10: Road to Hana & Haleakalā Summit Attempt

We finally set off for the Road to Hana, making sure to stop at Safeway first to stock up on snacks and water for the long journey. Pro tip: Make sure your gas tank is full before starting the drive!

Our first stop was Ho’okipa Beach, and I’m happy to report—we saw tons of turtles! 🐢 Such a cool experience.

Other stops along the way:
✔ Twin Falls – A beautiful and easy waterfall stop.
✔ Black Sand Beach (Waiʻānapanapa State Park) – Sadly, we didn’t realize that reservations are required ahead of time ($5 per person, $10 for parking), and you must book online. Since you can’t purchase entry on-site, we had to skip it. Lesson learned—plan ahead!
✔ Coconut Glen’s – A local vegan-friendly food stand. I got coconut ice cream and vegan banana bread, both incredible! Some of their other items contained eggs or honey, so I skipped those.

Since we got a late start, we decided to cut the Hana trip short and instead try to catch sunset at Haleakalā Summit—a must-do on our bucket list. Unfortunately, when we got there, it was completely fogged over, and visibility was zero. The drive itself was pretty scary due to the winding roads and thick fog, so we decided to leave before it got dark.

Feeling a little bummed but still hungry, we made our way to Ocean Organic Vodka for dinner. They have a restaurant on-site, and we arrived just in time to see a breathtaking sunset—even though we missed the summit, this spot made up for it! 🌅 I ordered Vegan Spring Rolls and a vodka cocktail (their vodka is vegan-friendly—major plus!).

After an eventful day, we headed back to the hotel to rest.

Day 11: Poolside Relaxation & Fine Dining at the Fairmont

We decided to make Day 11 a chill day after all the running around.

I started my morning with an iced matcha latte with coconut milk, followed by a light workout at the gym.

For lunch, I grabbed food at the Mo’ Bettah food truck at our resort (next to the waterslides). I got a Veggie Banh Mi, which came with a side of fries or tater tots—of course, I chose the tots!

After lunch, Mark and I spent the rest of the day between the waterslides and the adult pool, soaking up as much Maui sunshine as possible.

For dinner, we ventured to the Fairmont Kea Lani and dined at Kō. They have a dedicated plant-based menu (just ask the host before being seated). I ordered the Yaki Udon Noodles, which were so flavorful, and for dessert, I got the strawberry sorbet. Everything was delicious, and after dinner, we walked around the resort, ending the night by watching the sunset on their beachfront.

Day 12: Last Full Day in Maui

We had a lazy morning before heading out for lunch at Earth Aloha Eats one last time. This time, I tried their "Fish" Filet Sandwich, while Mark got the "Chick’n" Teriyaki Bowl. Once again, everything was absolutely delicious!

After lunch, we did some shopping at Costco—Mark had lost his Maui Jim sunglasses in the ocean earlier in the trip, so we picked up a new pair plus a backup.

For dinner, Mark was craving sushi, so we went to Oao. Unfortunately, they didn’t have many vegan options, so I settled for a simple Avocado Roll. However, they did have a vegan-friendly Mai Tai topped with coconut foam, which was super tasty.

Since I was still a little hungry, we checked out the Kihei food truck park, where I got a Tofu Cashew Bowl from Thai Mee Up—their only vegan option, but it came out quick and delicious.

After a long day, we headed back to the hotel to pack up and get ready for our flight.

Day 13: Departure Day & Vegan Travel Tips

We left for the airport around 11 AM and took an Uber to OGG (Maui Airport). Pro tip: Maui’s airport has very limited vegan options, so I prepped ahead and bought a Tofu Sandwich from Down to Earth Organic before heading out.

The only vegan option I could find at the airport was an Impossible Burger from Burger King, so I grabbed one for the flight and also snacked on the extras I bought from the grocery store—which definitely helped on the long flight home.

Final Thoughts & Travel Tips for Maui

✅ Must-Do Experiences:

Seeing turtles at Ho’okipa Beach 🐢

Visiting during whale season (it’s absolutely magical!)

Exploring the Road to Hana—but plan ahead and book reservations for stops like Black Sand Beach.

Relaxing at the luxury resorts—totally worth the splurge!

Snorkeling at Lanai with Trilogy Excursions (request vegan meals in advance).

✅ Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants:

Earth Aloha Eats (casual & delicious)

Lineage (great plant-based options & cocktails)

Spago at the Four Seasons (dedicated plant-based menu)

Kō at the Fairmont (amazing plant-based selection)

Ocean Organic Vodka (vegan-friendly spirits & great sunset views)

✅ Pro Tips:

Wake up early for the Road to Hana to maximize stops!

Book Black Sand Beach reservations in advance—don’t make the same mistake I did!

Bring your own food for the airport & flight—vegan options are very limited.

If doing a boat tour, call ahead to request a vegan meal!

This trip was incredible, and I can’t wait to come back in July for Mark’s family trip! 🌺✨

All Photos & Videos were taken by me (Jessica Camarillo)

#hawaii #travelphotos #travelphotography #veganblog #veganfood #travelbloogger #maui #vacay

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