Surfin' USA

Big waves and small-town appeal: Paia might well be Maui's most authentic hideaway.

- Jen Murphy

IN THE DECADE THAT I've lived part-time on Maui's North Shore, I've often driven through the bohemian town of Paia, perhaps on my way to surf at Paia Bay or run at Baldwin Beach Park, but rarely stopped. In the past year, however, the town has undergone a renaissance, giving visitors, and locals like me, fresh reasons to stay awhile. Here's how to explore this Hawaiian gem.

HIT THE WAVES

Watersports enthusiasts can rent windsurfing equipment or surfboards at Hi-Tech Sports and paddle out for killer waves at Hoʻokipa Beach Park. It's a dreamy spot to catch the sunset, and the beach is also home to one of the island's largest congregations of sea turtles.

TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE