Maui Beaches

Hawaii Beaches: Introduction | Oahu Beaches | Maui Beaches |
Hawaii (Big Island) Beaches | Kauai Beaches

There are more than 80 accessible Maui beaches with all kinds of color sands including black and even red. All are accessible to the public and most have facilities. Here are our favorites...

West Maui

The most plentiful and best beaches for swimming and sunbathing are on West Maui, strung along 18 miles from Kapalua to Olowalu.

Kaanapali Beach, some four miles long, is one of the best Maui beaches and the best known. The long grainy gold sand beach fronts some of Hawaii's most exclusive resorts.

Since the beach is so long and only crowded in areas close to the resort's swimming pools, it is easy to find secluded areas. Swimming is excellent in the summertime. The best snorkeling and diving is at the base of Black Rock (a volcanic cinder cone jutting up at the center of the beach), in front of the Sheraton, where the water is clear and crowded with colorful fish.

Beach concessions and outdoor showers are available at various points along the walkway that links the neighboring hotels and condos of Kaanapali. Parking is limited. There are two public entrances: 1) At the south end, turn off Honoapiilani Highway into the Kaanapali Resort, and pay for parking there; or 2) continue to Honoapiilani Highway, turn off at the last Kaanapali exit at the stoplight near the Maui Kaanapali Villas, and park next to the beach signs indicating public access.

Kapalua Beach, Maui, Hawaii Kapalua Beach, a golden crescent beach with palms, is protected from strong winds and currents by two out-stretched lava-rock points. Its calm waters are perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and kayaking. The Maui beach borders the Kapalua Bay Hotel, but it’s long enough for everyone to enjoy. Facilities include showers, restrooms, and lifeguards.

The beach is accessible from the hotel on one end, which provides shaded sun chairs and a beach-activities center for its guests, and a public access way on the other. Outdoor showers are stationed at both ends. Parking is limited to about 30 spaces in a small lot off Lower Honoapiilani Road, by Napili Kai Beach Club, so arrive early. Next door is a nice but pricey oceanfront restaurant, Kapalua's Bay Club. Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguards, a rental shack, and plenty of shade.

South Maui

Wailea Resort has five golden-sand Maui beaches: Polo, Wailea, Ulua, Mokapu, and Keawakapu.

Wailea Beach, shared by the Four Seasons Maui, Grand Wailea, and the public, is a 1,000 foot long golden-sand crescent. The waters are clear with gentle waves, and there is a singular view dotted with neighboring islands. Snorkel along the rocky promontory that defines one side of the beach, where green sea turtles frequent the waters.

Ulua is the centremost beach, 1,000 feet long and 200 feet wide, between the Renaissance Wailea and Outrigger Wailea Beach. Locals regard the offshore reef here as one of Maui’s best snorkelling spots. A deeper reef, excellent for scuba diving, is about 100 yards out from shore.

Wailea Resort’s 1.5 mile coastal trail links public access ways to all the beaches and private hotel and condo properties. The southern end of the trail, between the Four Seasons and Kea Lani, features a showcase Hawaiian native plant garden and historic house.

Public facilities include rest rooms and showers. Beach concessions offer surfboard rentals and instruction. No lifeguards are on duty.

Little Beach, Maui Makena State Park at Maui’s southern end has two scenic golden-sand Maui beaches: Oneloa (Big Beach) and Little Beach.

Oneloa, meaning "long sand" in Hawaiian, is one of the most popular beaches on Maui. At 3300 feet long and more than 100 feet wide, Big Beach (as the locals call it) is Maui’s longest beach and a favorite spot for experienced body boarders and bodysurfers.

On the other side of Puu Olai is Little Beach, a small cove with gentler ocean conditions. No lifeguards are on duty, nor are there public restrooms or showers. Secluded Little Beach is one of Hawaii’s popular "unofficial" nude beaches, even though public nudity is prohibited by law.

To get here, drive past the Maui Prince Hotel to the second dirt road, which leads through a kiawe thicket to the beach.

East Maui

Two miles past Paia, on the Hana Highway, is one of the most famous windsurfing sites in the world. Hookipa Beach offers both waves and wind to the adventurous. Beware that this Maui beach is not for beginners and swimming is risky here!

If jumping on a board and catching some wind doesn't suit your fancy, relax ocean-side and watch one of two world-class windsurfing competitions held in Hookipa. There are small BBQ areas and plenty of viewing spots to check out the wave action. When waves are flat, snorkelers and divers explore the reef.

Facilities include restrooms, showers, pavilions, picnic tables, barbecues, and free parking.