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Sunbathing
& Swimming Beaches
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Click on beach name to bring
up more information
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Reminders: Drink lots of water - Use
lots of sunblock, often - Respect the ocean, don't turn your back
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Lifeguard beaches - D.T. Fleming Hanaka'o
Kama'oles 1, 2, & 3 H.A. Baldwin Kahana
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West Maui Beaches
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| Punalau, Keonehelelel'I or Windmill Beach |
| Little known beach is only 1/3 mile
long, it has lots of shade trees on the back. Since
strong currents can be present during high seas it
is advisable to swim and snorkel only when it is calm. |
| Access is from a dirt road 7/10 mile
east of Mile marker 34. There is a KEEP OUT sign at
the dirt road just like in Honolua Bay, but the owner
doesn't seem to mind as long as you take out all you
brought in. Camping is permitted with a Maui Land
& Pineapple permit. Printable
map |
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| Slaughterhouse Beach - also called Mokule'ia |
| This small pocket beach has a great
sandy beach in the summer, it almost disappears in
the winter though. Mornings are best for shade and
there is nice sand for afternoon sunning. |
| Access - Just north of mile marker
32 access is via a concrete stairway. Printable
map |
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| D.T. Fleming Beach |
Once a single beach it
was split into two when the West Maui Volcano's lava
flow formed Makalua-puna Point.
D.T. beach has plenty of shade from the Ironwoods
and has lifeguards, restrooms & showers, picnic
areas with BBQs & tables. All this makes it a
popular place; on weekends make sure to get there
early. Mornings are the best time here since the winds
can kick up the sand a bit in the afternoon. Printable
map |
| Oneloa Beach |
Oneloa is one of the
less crowded beaches, only because
of the intimidating expensive beach homes lining it.
When exploring the beach make sure you go all the
way to the opposite end from the public access, that's
where the sandy bottom makes for the best swimming
and snorkeling. No facilities except for a faucet. |
| Access - Take Office Rd. to the end,
turn left then right on Ironwood Lane. Printable
map |
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| Kapalua Beach |
| If you are a timid swimmer this is
your spot, bring your reef shoes as this can be rocky.
Well protected from heavy surf you can wade without
worrying so much about the waves, just remember you
never really want to turn your back to the water.
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| Access - Near the north end of Lower
Honoapiilani Road Park at The Kapalua Bay Hotel or
near the Sea House Restaurant. Printable
map |
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| Napili Bay |
| Considered the most fun beach (crowded)
in West Maui, it has lots of sand that forms a steep
bank between the beach and the water. |
| Access - take either Hui Dr. or Napili
Pl. off Lower Honoapiilani Rd. Printable
map |
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| Pohaku Park |
| Good for sunsets or picnics,
definitely not for swimming |
| Access - just north of
the Noelani Condos. Printable
map |
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| Honokowai Beach Park |
| Another good place for a picnic or
sunset, it gets a lot of locals for leisurely afternoons |
| Access - Southern end of Lower Honoapiilani
Rd. Printable
map |
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| Keka'a, North or Airport Beach |
| Narrow sandy beach that drops off
fast, use reef shoes as there are rocks to trip over.
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| Access - There is a dirt road across
from the Honokowai Marketplace that may or may not
be usable. Printable
map |
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| Kahekili Beach sometimes known as North or Airport
Beach |
| Excellent family beach
with restrooms, showers, lots of sand and covered
picnic tables. The best part is that as soon as you
get your snorkeling equipment on you are on the reef
and seeing fish. There is a series of reefs as you
swim out with eels and turtles in addition to the
abundant fish. This area is also a popular spot with
the SCUBA classes and so a great beach dive just after
you get your certification. Because the reef is so
close this is not a great place to swim. Just continue
down the cement path till it ends and the reef does
too, its sandy bottom all the way to Black Rock. The
water is usually calm here. |
| Access - North of Ka'anapali turn
on Kai Ali Drive, bear right and there is a large
parking lot. Printable
map |
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| Black Rock |
| This large lava formation is right
in the middle of Ka'anapali Beach. The Sheraton Hotel
is built in and on the rock. The snorkeling is right
in front of the hotel along the wall and out around
the point, back to the beach on the other side. Colorful
coral, a variety of fish and an occasional turtle
make this a fun day. The beach is excellent and the
entry is smooth sand. |
| Access - A limited number of free
parking spaces is available at the Sheraton parking
garage but they fill early so plan on paying the $20
daily fee. Up the road you can park at the Whaler's
Mall and make a purchase for free parking validation.
It's a short walk up one of the nicest beaches anywhere.
Printable
map |
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| Ka'anapali Beach |
| Although this beach goes by many
names everyone can agree that this is one of the finest
beaches on Maui. It runs from Black Rock to Canoe
Beaches and if the beach front for lots of the big
hotels. With all the sand and beachside restaurants
it is one of the most popular places to watch the
sunset from. |
| Access - from the free ( but VERY
small) garage between the Sheraton and the Ka'anapali
Beach Hotel, up the road you can park at the Whaler's
Mall and make a purchase for free parking validation.
Printable
map |
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| Canoe Beach |
| A popular but ordinary beach with
lots of activity including canoe racing. It's called
rowing here and is highly competitive among the local
schools and clubs. Good place to take the kids snorkeling
with facilities. Also next to an historic cemetery
if you go for those kind of things. |
| Access - Just north of the Lahaina
post office, you can't miss the parking lot. Printable
map |
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South Maui Beaches
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| Ma'alaea Bay |
| This beach is made for strolling.
With a 3 mile sandy stretch from the harbor down to
Kihei you can indulge in a long walk, we suggest either
in the morning or at sunset since the combination
of wind and sand can make the afternoons uncomfortable. |
| Access - pretty much anywhere along
the road you'll find spots or park at the harbor.
Printable
map |
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| Kama'ole Beaches 1, 2 & 3 |
| These three beaches are separated
by rocky outcroppings. The beaches are excellent with
showers, restrooms, picnic tables, shade trees and
lifeguards most of the time. The snorkeling is good
around the rock outcroppings at the ends of each beach.
Beach 1 is the biggest and best for swimming. Beach
2 is similar to 1 just smaller. Beach 3 is the most
popular with locals, at the south end you will find
a lawn big enough to indulge in quite a few sports
all at the same time, unfortunately it also has the
smallest sandy beach. |
| Access - Parking is right in front
of the beach, if that's full there are also some lots
across the highway. Printable
map |
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| Keawakapu Beach |
| A sparsely used beach with good snorkeling
around the rocks at the north end in front of the
Mana Kai Hotel. The main public access area has a
great sandy bottom as does the beach area just south
of that where the beach widens out. Showers available
at the southern end of the beach. |
| Access - As you head south on South
Kihei Road, just past the boat launch, look for parking
lots along the left side of the road and the signs
indicating public beach access on the right. Printable
map |
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| Wailea Beach |
| This is one of the premier beaches
anywhere. Calm waters, fine sand restrooms, and showers
make this one of the nicest spots to catch some rays.
Swimming is not suggested because of all the rocks
on the shore and in the water. |
| Access is between the Grand Wailea
and the Four Seasons hotels. The public parking fills
early but it's a great place to spend a long day.
There are showers and restrooms and a classy clientele
to rub elbows with. Printable
map |
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| Polo Beach |
| Lots of parking, easy access, restrooms,
showers, picnic tables and BBQs. Smaller sunbathing
area than others and rocks to watch out for in the
sand, but you can almost always find a place to park. |
| Access - 2 miles from the Wailea
Iki intersection. Printable
map |
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| Palauena Beach or White Rock |
| Excellent swimming most of the time.
No facilities and you have to take a short path through
the trees to get here, it is a local favorite and
worth the search. |
| Access - Off Makena Rd. between Kuakahi
and where Makena Rd and Makena Alanui meet. Printable
map |
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| Maluaka Beach |
| In front of the Maui Prince Hotel
it has a nice sandy beach for sunning, at the south
end is shade, restrooms, showers and a picnic area.
Snorkeling is off the south end of the beach and has
on of the turtle towns. |
| Access - past the Maui Prince Hotel,
or on Makena Rd just south of Honoiki, park 100 yards
from the drop -off area near the Keawala'I Church(don't
walk through the cemetery). Printable
map |
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| Big Beach also known as Oneloa or Makena Beach |
| This beach is what most people dream
of when they think of Hawaii's. It's one of the most
popular beaches for swimmers, snorkelers, funlovers
and boogie boarders. It is over 100 yds. wide and
2/3 mile long, facilities include porta potties and
picnic tables. For the more adventuresome hike around
the promontory to the right. Although nude sunbathing
is illegal in Hawaii's, nudists sometimes use this
beach. There are times when "free campers" take advantage
of the isolation and can be territorial, so check
it out at the top of the promontory before going down
to the beach. |
| Access - there are 2 parking lots
you can see from the road also one further on where
it is more convenient to park if you're going to use
the south end of the beach (shady there). Printable
map |
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| Pa'ako Beach or Secret Cove |
| Just past Big Beach at the first
phone pole, there is a public access to a small beach
where many folks have gotten married. Space is limited
and it fills up so if you want to go there go early. |
| Access - you can use the parking
for Big Beach, it's a short hike. Printable
map |
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Back to the map
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Hana Beaches
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| Wai'anapananpa Black Sand Beach |
| There are two features that make
this beach different from any other on Maui. One is
the only black sand beach, which is formed from lava
into fine-grained sand. The other is the spring-fed
freshwater caves, one is good for swimming but both
are a cool refreshing break from the beach. Because
it is part of the campgrounds you have nice facilities
to use: restrooms, showers, picnic areas and lots
of grass to play on. |
| Access - park at the campgrounds
just past mile marker 32 on the Hana Hwy. and follow
the signs. Click here for camping
information. Printable
map |
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| Red Sand Beach |
| The sand forming the beach is from
the crumbling red & black cinders that make up the
hill behind the beach. Sometimes used by nudists,
be forewarned and don't go there if you are offended.
The swimming is marginal at best but the wonderful
range of colors of the beach and foliage make this
a worthwhile adventure. |
| Access - Park on Uakea near Hauoli,
just past Sea Ranch Cottages there's a large lawn
owned by the county. Walk across the lawn, there's
a trail on the right side headed down. Don't walk
through the Japanese cemetery use the other trail
on the right. You'll see a sign there that says there
is no trail but hey you're standing on it! Takes about
5 minutes to get to the beach. Printable
map |
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| Koki Beach |
| We mention this one because it is
a great beachcombing beach. Swimming is not recommended. |
| Access is off the north end of Haneo'o
Rd. Printable
map |
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| Hamoa Beach |
| Great beach located just below the
Hotel Hana Maui. This is reputed to be a great place
to learn to body surf, you can lose some skin if the
waves rub you into the beach. The facilities there
are for hotel guest but the showers and everyone uses
restrooms. |
| Access - at the south end of Haneo'o
Rd., look for the paved path leading down to the beach.
Printable
map |
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