How Far in Advance Should I Book a Maui Vacation?

Imagine you buy your ticket to Maui for March in February, Maui’s peak season, only to discover all of the best hotels have been booked and that poke restaurant you’ve been wanting to go to is fully reserved throughout your stay. Late planning can be the catalyst for missing out on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Booking vacations in advance is a smart move, especially when you’re planning to visit a popular destination with a plethora of options for activities, places to stay, and sights to see. It’s up to you how in-depth your vacation planning can be, but having a general plan and your overnights booked in advance is a good place to start. The purpose of this blog is to provide a general guide on how far in advance you should start planning your Maui vacation, the optimal booking times for flights, and recommendations for accommodations and activities. 

General Timeframe for Prebooking 

Maui’s peak season is December through April. It is recommended to book at least 6 to 12 months in advance, depending on how many people you’re booking for. For families, for example, you might want to accommodate pre-booking and push it even further in advance, like a year and a half, to be safe. In Maui’s less busy season, May to November, prebooking plane tickets and hotels is less pressing. The recommended timeframe is 3 to 6 months in advance, so if you’re looking to go with less time to spare on planning, going in the low season could be beneficial. 

 A tip for booking flights is to avoid buying tickets over the weekend, as those tickets tend to be the most expensive when flight websites have the most online traffic. Another tip is to use fare alerts to keep real-time tracking notifications for when prices on tickets vary, especially if the days you’re considering flying are within a reasonably flexible time frame. Consider alternative airports and airlines, too, if you’re not set on a specific option. 

Hotels, Resorts, and Rentals

Both of these housing options are flexible and are more dependent on the popularity of the individual hotel or specific Airbnb. If you’re looking for a top-rated hotel or rental on the pricier side, you should plan on booking further in advance. If it’s a last-minute reservation you might end up paying even more money for a mediocre sleeping accommodation. The nicer the bed, the more relaxing of a vacation you’re bound to have, so especially plan ahead for where you’re going to spend your evenings!

Activities and Excursions

You may want to engage in certain activities on Maui that require advanced booking. Depending on the activity, earlier booking is recommended. Whale watching, snorkeling tours, and luaus are some examples of things to do in Maui that may require an advanced booking, especially during peak season. Popular activities like these fill up quickly at the in-person ticket booth, so depending on buying spots day-of is not guaranteed and could ruin your day plans. The recommended timeframe for pre-booking if you want a guaranteed reservation is 3 to 6 months in advance. 

Last-Minute Bookings: Pros and Cons

The cons of last-minute bookings far outweigh the pros. Although you may score last-minute deals on flights, other prebooked parts of your vacation are likely to fall through if you don’t plan ahead. For hotels, Airbnbs, and preplanned activities/restaurant reservations, there will be limited availability and higher costs for last-minute bookings. Last minute planning can also be stressful and cause you to compromise on your preferences: who doesn’t want their first choice to be available and optional? 

Maui is a very popular tourist destination, especially during its peak season. Don’t let last-minute planning ruin your vacation!