Maui Beaches
D.T. Flemming Beach
D.T. Flemming Beach, located in the Kapalua area of West Maui, is the perfect place to lounge on a wide, sandy beach, but you should exercise great care when heading out for a swim, even when the ocean is calm, since rip tides can suddenly occur. There are plenty of shady areas from the ironwood trees that surround the beach and the conditions are usually ideal for snorkeling, surfing, diving, and body boarding. Since a backwash may develop from the steep slope of the beach, it is important to monitor the water conditions closely before venturing into the water. You can find other amenities near this mile-long beach, including picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms, and showers, plus there are lifeguards on duty during the busy seasons.
Hanakaoo/Canoe Beach Park
Hanakoo Beach Park or Canoe Beach is popular with tourists and is located along the western shores of Maui. While you will certainly find many swimmers here, body boarders and bodysurfers flock here for the attractive shorebreak. If you arrive at the right time, you may come across canoe racing as outrigger canoe clubs claim this area as their practice site. The sandy beach is the perfect place to catch some sun and people watch, while the covered picnic tables are convenient for those who need a mid-afternoon snack and a respite from the heat and the sun. There are showers and restrooms located along the beach, which is easily accessed from a parking lot just past mile marker #23 on Highway 30.
Honolua Bay Beach
For spectacular views of coral formations and schools of fish, make your way to Honolua Bay Beach in the Kapalua area of West Maui. This beach is part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District, making it an ideal location for scuba diving and snorkeling, particularly on the right side of the bay. With its small beach, rocky shoreline, and murky water near shore, the beach is not considered a popular swimming spot, but it is the place to go if you want to catch a surfing competition. The amazing surf breaks draw surfers here and cause many passersby to pull off the road near the pineapple field to catch a glimpse of some of Hawaii's most talented surfers. You will find showers near the beach, but there is no fishing or spearing as it is a marine life preserve, and there are no lifeguards on duty, so examine the water conditions before heading out.
Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali Beach, located in West Maui, is generally considered one of the best beaches on the island. The conditions are usually prime for swimming and there are amazing snorkeling possibilities at Black Rock. Black Rock divides the beach in two and is a well-known snorkeling destination due to its diverse and abundant supply of fish and sea turtles in addition to the beauty of the rock itself, which is almost completely covered in coral. The sandy beach is perfect for catching sights of all the beautiful people and watching the windsurfers and parasailers head out over the water. You certainly will not find peace and quiet here as a cement pathway winds along the length of the three mile beach and provides easy access for those staying at the impressive resorts that line the shore. While Kaanapali Beach has restrooms, showers, and lifeguards scattered throughout, one of the best reasons to visit is for an unimpeded view of the spectacular sunsets.
Kahekili Beach Park
Long and sandy with rocky areas, Kahekili Beach in West Maui is ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving on calm days. While swimming is not recommended due to the hidden rocks in the surf, underwater adventures abound for those who want to explore the beautiful coral reef. There are great facilities, including showers, restrooms, covered picnic tables, and a vibrant grassy area, all conveniently located near the paved parking lot. This beach is the perfect safe haven away from the incessant afternoon winds, but better swimming can be found down the beach near Black Rock.
Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Beach, in West Maui at the end of Kapalua Place, is a breathtaking bay that has continually been rated one of the best beaches in the world. The beach, which sits slightly north of Napili Bay, is protected from the winds and typically stays calm until late afternoon. As the safest beach in West Maui, you can head into the water almost any day for a snorkeling or swimming adventure. If you want a good sunning spot, however, arrive early since this beach is very popular and the sand space fills up fast. There are basic amenities available, including restrooms, showers, and picnic tables, and the parking is convenient on Kapalua Place. With its picturesque and stunning views, there is no wonder why so many people choose Kapalua Beach for their weddings.
Launiupoko State Wayside Park
Launiupoko State Wayside Park is in the Lahaina area of West Maui. This sandy beach has a rocky shoreline that makes it ideal for strolls along the sand as the water crashes into the large rock piles. It is a great location, however, for families with smaller children since there is a large wading pool that is protected from the waves. For those who want to enjoy the ocean, diving, surfing, and snorkeling are popular activities as is swimming in certain areas. You can catch a clear view of Lanai island from this beach and take advantage of the conveniently located restroom, shower, and picnic facilities.
Napili Bay
A few miles south of Kapalua in western Maui rests Napili Beach, known for its stunning sunsets and abundant marine life. Snorkeling is popular as the water is teeming with turtles and fish, while sunbathing is pleasant and relaxing on the sparkling water sand. For those traveling with children, the water is safe for swimming and if you decide to venture into the water while your children play in the sand, you can keep a close eye on them since the entire beach is visible from the water. Restrooms, showers, and parking are also readily available along the shore of this beautiful bay.
Mokuleia Bay
Located at the top of the island on the western shore, Mokuleia Bay is a gorgeous beach that offers an abundance of water activities, including swimming, bodysurfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, when the water is calm and the weather is accommodating. Part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District, visitors can catch sight of some amazing reef fish and coral when they adventure underwater since the inhabitants are protected from removal. In the winter, the currents can be hazardous and the surf rough, though, leading to the name "Slaughterhouse" in reference to the beach. Parking for the beach is done along the side of the road and then you will have to take a long stairway down a sheer cliff to the sand, but the journey is worth it for those seeking privacy and a picturesque sunbathing location.
Ahihi Kina'u Beach
Ahihi Kina'u Beach is located inside the Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve in South Maui. This is not a typical area in that sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the water are not popular activities. The water is shallow, the shoreline is rocky, and there actually is no sand beach since the land is covered by lava remnants from the last flow of Haleakala in 1790. Most people come here for the snorkeling, which is excellent since the cove is not affected by the wind and the coral and marine life are protected from capture. There are no facilities, no lifeguards, and no pets allowed, but the landscape is worth a look as visitors can walk around the surreal beach area.
Makena
Makena, also known as Big Beach, is located on Maui's south shore and is generally considered one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches. Stretching two-thirds of a mile long and 100 yards wide, this gold sand beach draws numerous visitors but never seems to feel crowded. Although the water is sparkling and allows for fairly good swimming, caution should still be exercised since the dropoff from the shore is steep. If you want to explore the area, make your way over Pu'u Ola'i or Earthquake Hill for an amazing view and to discover "Little Beach," which was cut off from Big Beach during an earthquake and lava flow in 1790. While Little Beach offers excellent bodysurfing and a little seclusion, it is not a family-friendly area since clothing is considered optional here. Makena Beach offers plenty of shady areas for those who want to escape the sun and hiking trails for those who want to explore the beautiful terrain. There are three entrances to the beach, each with portable toilets, paved parking lots, and plenty of picnic tables for an afternoon snack.
Kalama Beach Park
The 36-acre Kalama Beach Park, situated in South Maui, offers visitors to the area an abundance of activities outside of the usual beach experience. The beach is small and has a rocky shoreline, making it better for taking strolls in the sand rather than swimming in the water. However, there are excellent options available within the park and near the shoreline, including picnic facilities, barbeque grills, grassy areas, and sports areas for baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. It is an excellent place to play near the water and to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings while participating in different activities. There are no lifeguards, but there are restrooms, showers, and telephones readily available throughout the park.
Kama'ole I, II, and III
In the southern portion of Maui lies Kama'ole Park, which has three distinct beach areas separated by dark lava rocks. Kama'ole I, located on the northern end, is generally considered the finest of the three with its pristine white sand and excellent swimming conditions due to the sandy bottom that extends far out into the water. On the south side of this beach, visitors can find a grassy area where they can lay out and enjoy a picnic to the sounds of the water. Kama'ole II is further south and nearly identical to the first beach, but it does not have the grassy area and is slightly smaller. Kama'ole III is quite possibly the most popular beach since it has more space for family-oriented activities. In addition to its wide, white sand beach, there is a playground, picnic area, volleyball net, and plenty of room to run around or fly a kite on the large grassy area. The water of Kama'ole III is also great for boogie boarding since the waves are fairly consistent coming into shore. There are lifeguards, restrooms, showers at these beaches, but better facilities can be found at nearby restaurants.
Keawakapu Beach
Located on the Kihei Shore of South Maui, Keawakapu Beach is a hidden treasure that is definitely worth a visit. You can avoid the crowds and experience a personal getaway on this tucked away beach that most tourists do not know how to access. Large homes line the beach area, making it difficult to notice, but if you look around the South Kihei Rd. & Kilohana Drive intersection, you will find that you can make your way onto this sandy beach. You are almost certain of a sunny day here since Keawakapu Beach sits on Maui's driest coast, allowing you to take full advantage of the sandy bottom water and excellent swimming conditions. Parking is available, as are restrooms and showers, but there are no lifeguards on this beach.
Maluaka Bay and Beach
Surrounding Makena Bay, Maluaka Beach is a wide sandy beach off of Makena Road in South Maui. Water activities are popular in this area and many individuals find that the conditions are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing. In addition to the water, there is a grassy area that is covered with trees, providing plenty of shade and a great location for resting out of the sun. There are picnic tables nearby for relaxing and enjoying a nice snack along with restrooms and showers ideally situated close to the beach. The views of the coast and Lanai are impressive and access is easy through the paved parking lot.
Mokapu & Ulua
Hidden between the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort and the Marriott, Mokapu and Ulua Beach are popular destinations for beach-dwelling families. After finding your way to the small, paved lot between these resorts, you can head to either Ulua on the right or Mokapu on the right. While Mokapu is usually the less crowded beach, you may want to head to Ulua since it has a lot more to offer visitors. Ulua has been named one of the most beautiful beaches in America, and with its stunning sandy beach, sparkling blue water, and excellent snorkeling conditions, it is easy to see why. The water is perfect for swimming with its sandy bottom and it is a great place for children to explore since the reefs create a multitude of tide pools. There are easily accessible restrooms and showers throughout both beaches, but there are no lifeguards on duty so it is important to take extra precautions when venturing here for a lazy day.
Palauea Beach
If you are staying along the southern shore of Maui and want to find a beach that is a little off the beaten path and has the privacy you would not expect in Hawaii, then try Palauea Beach. Most tourists do not know about this sandy beach, which is also known as White Rock, meaning you will not have to fight the crowds for a prime sunning spot. The swimming here is excellent since there is a soft, sandy bottom and you can typically find exceptional snorkeling conditions around the rocky point. Bodysurfing is another option at this beach, which is located off of Makena Road, but there are no on-site facilities as this is a more secluded destination.
