Yogafy with Ry · A north shore companion
The Maui Guide
Everything we've learned about this island, kept current and shared with love. Come find your own version of it.
Come with an open heart, and a light footprint.
Maui is still healing. The 2023 fires took so much from Lahaina and West Maui, and those communities are rebuilding with real care. The island welcomes you, and the kindest thing a visitor can do is show up gently. Spend your time and money with local people, keep clear of the Lahaina burn zone, and treat every beach, trail and town as someone's home. Our north shore is fully open and ready for you.
Hoʻokipa · the north shoreFirst things
Getting here, and getting around.
You'll fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), the island's main gateway. From there it's a short, pretty drive to the north shore and the town of Paia.
Rent a car. This is the one thing we'd insist on. Public transit is thin out here and doesn't reach the quiet corners you'll want to find. Every major rental company has a desk at the airport, and there are local budget outfits too. Book early, especially around the retreat dates.
Once you have wheels, the whole island opens up. Fill the tank, download an offline map, and give yourself room to get a little lost.
The water
North shore beaches.
The coast right by the studio is wild and rugged, and not for swimming. These are the calmer, kinder stretches, listed roughly as you'd reach them from Paia.
A long, wide, white-sand beach and a favorite with local families. Lifeguards, showers, picnic tables, and calm protected pools at both ends. Easy and welcoming.
A protected lagoon just before Paia, sheltered by a reef. Gentle and shallow, lovely for an easy float or a slow lap. Perfect when the ocean is rough elsewhere.
Famous for windsurfing and, most evenings, Hawaiian green sea turtles resting on the sand. The water is usually rough, with a protected swim area on the pavilion side. A state park with restrooms.
A small crescent in Kuau, off most tourists' radar. Good for swimming and snorkeling on calm days. Unmarked and easy to miss. Look for the house with the blue tile roof.
Right in town and loved by surfers and bodyboarders. Beautiful to sit at, but mind the rip current in winter. Better for watching than swimming when the surf is up.
The wild
Waterfalls, valleys and volcano.
A few of these now take a little planning. The island started asking visitors to reserve ahead, which keeps these places quiet and cared for. Book early and it's easy.
The closest falls to the studio, a short walk in from the lot. Parking is $10, cash, first come with only about 55 spots, and no rideshare or walk-ins. Come early before practice or later in the day.
The island's great drive. Sixty-four miles, fifty-nine bridges, and a waterfall around nearly every bend. It's the journey, not the end, so leave by 7am and don't try to see it all. If you want to stop at Waiʻānapanapa's black-sand beach, reserve ahead. Non-residents need a booking, up to 30 days out.
Watching the sun come up above the clouds from a 10,000-foot crater is unforgettable. A sunrise reservation is required (the 3 to 7am window, booked up to 60 days ahead), it's a 1.5-hour drive up, and it gets genuinely cold. Bring layers and a flashlight.
An easy paved walk to the emerald ʻĪao Needle, deep in a lush valley. Non-residents now reserve ahead. Worth a quick check that it has reopened after its 2026 safety closure before you drive over.
The table
Where we eat in Paia.
Small town, big flavors. Everything here is a short stroll or drive from the studio, and all of it is open and beloved as of this year.
A tucked-away courtyard serving Mediterranean and Indian plates, with live music some nights. This is where we gather the whole group for our long retreat dinner. Open daily, noon to evening.
A true island landmark, oceanfront, with Hawaiian seafood and Polynesian charm. The spot for one really special evening. Reservations go fast, so book as far ahead as you can. People reserve months out.
Communal picnic tables, fish burgers, and generous plate lunches. Easy, tasty, and always busy for a reason.
Sustainable, organic breakfast and lunch in a converted old train station. Bowls, smoothies, and good coffee.
Açaí bowls, smoothies and coffee steps from Paia Bay, opened by two local big-wave surfers. A lovely way to start a beach day.
An open-air spot for morning coffee, easy meals, live music and a cold drink after the sun goes down.
The natural grocery where the whole town passes through. Do your shopping, grab from the deli, and do a little people-watching while you're at it.
The fine print, kindly
A few things worth knowing.
Reserve the big sights
Haleakalā sunrise, Waiʻānapanapa and ʻĪao Valley all need a booking now. Sort them the week you arrive, or sooner.
Island time is real
Roads are slow and winding on purpose. Leave early, drive gently, and let the pace of the place set yours.
Some cash helps
Little lots like Twin Falls take cash, and a few local spots prefer it. Keep a bit tucked in the glovebox.
Respect the ocean
North shore surf can be strong. If a beach looks rough, it is. Swim where it's protected and when in doubt, sit it out.
Bring layers up high
The summit dips below freezing before dawn even in spring. Warm layers and a flashlight make sunrise magic instead of miserable.
Snorkel gear is easy
Boss Frog's rents affordable snorkel sets around the island. The calmest snorkeling is on the south and west sides.
Until next timeCan't find something? Just ask.
This guide grows every year. If there's something you're wondering about, or a place you fall in love with, tell us. We'd love to hear it.