Itinerary of the Month: Polynesian Cultural Center

Welcome to Wailea—sunset luxury, ocean calm, and effortless aloha.

Wailea is ideal for a 3-day “luxury beach + low-driving” Maui trip: you can walk the resort shoreline, book one curated excursion, and use The Shops at Wailea for easy dining and shopping without bouncing around the island. The itinerary below emphasizes Wailea’s best beaches, an iconic Makena day, and one “booked experience” day, with plenty of built-in downtime.

3-day itinerary (Wailea-first)

Day 1 — Resort beaches + Wailea evenings

Morning: Beach time right from the Wailea resort strip; start early for calmer water and easier seating.
Afternoon: Midday reset (pool/spa/nap), then do a short walk-and-swim loop between resort beaches.
Evening: Sunset shopping stroll and dinner at The Shops at Wailea (easy parking, many choices in one place).

Day 2 — Makena “Big Beach” day (iconic South Maui)

Morning: Go early to Mākena State Park (Big Beach area) and treat it as a “respect the ocean” day—shorebreak can be strong, so swim only if conditions are calm and you’re confident.
Afternoon: Keep it simple: snack/picnic, beach walk, and photos; return to Wailea before you’re exhausted.
Evening: Dress-up dinner night (Spago at Four Seasons is a classic special-occasion option) and catch sunset from the resort coastline.

Day 3 — Choose one booked experience + last-night stroll
Pick one anchor and keep the rest relaxed.

Option A (bucket list): Haleakalā National Park sunrise (requires reservations for certain entry hours) or daytime visit.
Option B (ocean): Snorkel tour day (many depart from nearby harbors; keep a light evening planned).
Option C (easy luxury): Golf + spa + long beach walk, then final shopping and dinner at The Shops at Wailea.
End the trip with a last sunset walk and dessert close to your hotel.

Top 10 activities (best in Wailea/Makena)

Beach day from the Wailea resort shoreline (minimal logistics, maximum relaxation).
Sunset shopping + dining at The Shops at Wailea.
Mākena State Park day trip (Big Beach area).
Haleakalā National Park day (sunrise reservation if entering 3:00–7:00 a.m.).
High-end dinner at Spago (Four Seasons Maui).
Wailea “date night” at Lineage (modern Maui cuisine at The Shops at Wailea).
Monkeypod Kitchen (casual upscale with craft cocktails; strong happy-hour strategy).
Plan store-by-store shopping using the Shops directory so you don’t waste time wandering.
Makena Landing-style snorkel launch days (only if you’re experienced and conditions are safe; keep it conservative).
Use Go Hawaiʻi Maui for official planning of tours, beaches, and seasonal advisories.

Top 10 restaurants (Wailea-area, with official sites)

Spago (Four Seasons Maui) —

https://www.fourseasons.com/maui/dining/restaurants/spago/

Spago (Wolfgang Puck official listing) —

https://wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/spago-maui/

Monkeypod Kitchen —

https://www.monkeypodkitchen.com

Lineage (Wailea) —

https://www.lineagemaui.com

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar (listed at The Shops at Wailea; confirm via directory) —

https://theshopsatwailea.com/directory

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (listed at The Shops at Wailea; confirm via directory) —

https://theshopsatwailea.com/directory

Pint & Cork (listed at The Shops at Wailea; confirm via directory) —

https://theshopsatwailea.com/directory

Lappert’s Hawaiʻi (listed at The Shops at Wailea; confirm via directory) —

https://theshopsatwailea.com/directory

Island Gourmet Markets (listed at The Shops; great for picnic supplies) —

https://theshopsatwailea.com/directory

“Plan B” dining: use the Shops’ restaurant listings to pivot if reservations fill up —

https://theshopsatwailea.com

Top 10 shopping (Wailea does this well)

The Shops at Wailea (primary).
Shops at Wailea directory (pre-plan your exact brands).
Shops directory map (reduce walking and decision fatigue).
Honolulu Cookie Company (listed in directory; easy gifts).
Martin & MacArthur (listed in directory; koa wood items).
Maui Hands (listed in directory; local art gifts).
Maui Jim (listed in directory; sunglasses).
ABC Stores (listed in directory; convenient essentials).
Packable-souvenir strategy: buy gifts on Day 2 evening so Day 3 stays open.
If you need non-luxury errands, do a quick run into nearby Kīhei and come back to Wailea to relax.

Split-stay suggestions (Wailea + one more base)

Option A (most balanced): 2 nights Wailea + 1 night Central Maui (Kahului/Wailuku) if you have an early Haleakalā start or airport logistics; it reduces pre-dawn driving.
Option B (variety): 2 nights Wailea + 1 night West Maui (Kāʻanapali/Kapalua area) to sample a different coastline and beach style, using Go Hawaiʻi for current regional guidance.

Travel tips (Wailea-specific)

Build your days around ocean rhythm: earlier swims, midday rest, then sunset walk and dinner—Wailea is designed for this pace.
Makena shorebreak can be powerful; DLNR’s Makena State Park page is the best official reference before you go.
If you plan Haleakalā sunrise, reservations are required for vehicles entering 3:00–7:00 a.m., so set that up before your trip.