TRENDING NOW: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Destination: Maui

Yes, the Maui, well-known for destination family gatherings, couples retreats, beach weddings—we get it, that’s a lot of gooey love. But what if we told you to leave the husband and kiddos at home, invite your best girlfriend or group of gals, and embark on an indulgent lady-filled adventure instead?

Recent girlfriend-inspired travel trends such as those promoted at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Rosewood Hotels piqued our curiosity and immediately had us using up the last of our annual PTO. We did our research, followed our instincts and landed in Maui for five sun and estrogen-drenched days.

Day I

We arrived at our Airbnb in Kihei, on Maui’s southwest shore. After we settled in, we ventured seven miles south to the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. We chose this hotel for its proximity to the beach, modern, coastal-inspired decor, rumors of excellent grub (at four on-site restaurants; rumors confirmed to be true!) and sweeping sunset views of Mokapu Beach from every angle. At Ka’ana Kitchen, we recommend trying Bitters + Bites: An interactive cocktail experience with a 3-course meal paired with cocktails handcrafted with your favorite spirit ($125pp; reservations required).

Day 2

We decided to stay put and explore some local spots in Kihei. For breakfast or brunch, we highly recommend Java Café on Kihei Road. Grab your morning coffee and/or freshly squeezed juice and a slice of their perfectly moist banana bread. Once you’re properly fueled, burn off some of those calories on the scenic Wailea Coastal Walk, a mile-and-a-half of jaw-dropping views, white sandy beaches and ocean wildlife.

Day 3

A day spent at Big Beach (also known as Makena Beach and Oneloa Beach) is a recipe for big beach hair. This long, wide, undeveloped sandy beach is in fact as spectacular as everyone says. With plenty of room to spread out, we brought towels, snacks and our boogie boards (the waves are much bigger here than on Wailea’s resort-side beaches) and spent the day equally in and out of the ocean. And had fantastic hair to show for it! But please play with caution; even though lifeguards are on duty, the ocean is no joke and the waves break hard here. We recommend playing Pandora music station: Beach Bar Lounge Radio.

Day 4

You have plenty of spa choices to choose from so we will leave that up to you. But if you plan on shopping, head up to the town of Paia for a day. It’s about a 30 minute drive north east from Kihei. Loaded with unique, high quality and modern boutiques, Paia embraces Hawaii’s small town culture and shares its attractions with locals and tourists seeking world class surfing. In fact, named one of the Best Surft Towns in U.S. In addition to one-of-a-kind boutiques, you’ll also find delicious restaurants, yoga studios, coffee houses, and surf shops and galleries, all surrounded by some of Maui’s best beaches.

Day 5

Now that you’ve had a proper beach day and satiated your shopping habit, it’s time for an adrenaline rush. I never thought I’d find myself staring downhill atop a 10,000-foot volcano. Alas, there I was, on the bike tour of a lifetime. There are many companies that offer these tours, all at various prices, so research to find the company that works best for you. This six-to-eight hour tour begins between 2-3am by being bussed to the top of the mountain, where you then ride down the volcano as the sun rises—brilliant reds, oranges and yellows light up the sky as the Haleakala Crater comes into view. I can easily call this experience a Bucket List item. Learn more HERE about the details of this fantastic bike ride.

All right, Maui. This is where we say goodbye. Thank you for all of the beauty, sun, relaxation and adventure with the girls. Until next time…