Top Things to Do in Pāʻia
From visiting Pāʻia Bay to checking out the Maui Dharma Center, here are some of our favorite things to do in Pāʻia.
Pāʻia is, without a doubt, one of the best towns to visit on Maui. The Valley Isle’s own Haleʻiwa—an equally beach-y town found on the North Shore of Oʻahu—,there are countless things to do in Pāʻia, even though the town only consists of a handful of blocks and bays. So if you’re looking to experience the best of this north shore Maui town, here are the top things to do in Pāʻia that we recommend.
1. Pāʻia Bay
Pāʻia Bay.
Photo: Getty Images
One of Pā‘ia’s star attractions, Pā‘ia Bay can be found just across a sand-dusted stretch of Hāna Highway. The white-sand beach provides plenty of room to lay down your towel, and while the bay is known for its pounding shorebreak, you’ll find calmer conditions in Hawai‘i’s summer months, from May to July. Regardless of whether or not you enter the water, Pāʻia Bay is a great place to catch the sunset or just take in the rays during your visit to Pāʻia. 19 Hāna Hwy
2. Maui Dharma Center
Definitely one of the top things to do in Pāʻia, the Maui Dharma Center is a colorful Tibetan Buddhism temple in the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu Vajrayana tradition. Visitors can check out the vibrant temple and even join Sunday and Thursday services, where dharma teachings are led by the Venerable Lama Gyaltsen. At 91 Baldwin Ave., next to the temple, you can also find the Maui Dharma Center gift shop, which sells study and ritual materials—like mala beads, incense, Tibetan singing bowls, small thankgas and prayer flags. 81 Baldwin Ave
3. Flatbread Co.
If you’ve got pizza on the mind—don’t we all?—Flatbread Co. in Pāʻia will satisfy your every need. Started in 1998, Flatbread Co.’s mission was to use local farmers and local produce to make the best pizza you’ve ever had, and they’ve been doing just that for the past two-and-a-half decades. Flatbread Co. also wheels-and-deals in interesting pizza topping combinations exclusive to Hawaiʻi, like kalua pig and pineapple. 89 Hāna Hwy, (808) 579-8989
4. Cesere Brothers Photography
Dan and John Cesere have dedicated their lives to underwater photography, moving to Maui from Maine to pursue their dreams of capturing vibrant, unique and dynamic underwater images. You can find—and purchase—some of the brothers’ artwork here at their only brick-and-mortar gallery. 83 Hāna Hwy, (808) 268-4405, ceserebrothers.com
5. Mama’s Fish House
Exterior of Mama’s Fish House.
Photo: Kevin Allen
On the outskirts of Pāʻia, Mama’s Fish House serves some of the freshest seafood dishes in the state. How fresh are we talking? They not only source from local Maui fishermen, but they even list the names of said fishermen and where they caught the fish on the menu. And the quality of the ingredients is palpable, not only in taste but in price—most entrees are around $50-$60 and the price only rises from there. However, if you can swing it, a visit to Mama’s Fish House will redefine what you think of as “fresh seafood.” 799 Poho Pl, (808) 579-8488, mamasfishhouse.com
READ MORE: Dining at the celebrated Maui classic, Mama’s Fish House
6. Hoʻokipa Beach Park
Hoʻokipa Bay.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Yet another excellent bay to spend the day at, Hoʻokipa Beach Park is a spacious white sand beach with picnic areas and pavilions perfect for traveling families. Not only is this beach park great for swimming and snorkeling, but you can also watch an impressive display of windsurfing off the coast, as the beach is considered to be one of the best in the state for windsurfers. 179 Hana Hwy
7. Nylos
There’s no menu at nyloS, just a three-course meal that changes nightly. Entrées, pūpū (appetizers) and desserts are concocted by chef Jeremy Solyn, who astounds diners with expertly crafted meals using produce sourced from local farms. Best of all, the restaurant feels more like Solyn’s own home kitchen, with intimate seating, lowlights and exceptionally cozy vibes. 115 Baldwin Ave., (808) 579-3354, nylosmaui.com
8. Pāʻia Inn
A room at Pāʻia Inn.
Photo: David Croxford
If there’s one thing that’s truly troublesome about Pā‘ia, it’s the parking. The remedy? Staying at the Pā‘ia Inn, which is smack-dab in the middle of town and, yes, has reserved parking stalls for guests. The accommodations are perfectly matched with the fun, beach-y vibes of Pāʻia town, and rooms in this little country hotel feel upscale while maintaining a degree of bohemian chic. 93 Hāna Hwy, (808) 579-6000, paiainn.com
