Maui has amazing beaches. So many in fact that it’s difficult to say what our single favorite Beach is. So, we are listing the ones we enjoy the most. We like our beaches for different reasons. Some are secluded, some have wide-open sandy beaches, and others have spectacular views, wind sports, and surfing. We hope you enjoy our beach favorites as much as we do. WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Kahana Beach (the beach next door)
When on Island, we spend almost every afternoon here. You can access the beach by the stairs at the north end of the oceanfront lawn or by walking two properties north and taking the walking beach path. This beach is very quiet and few people use it. It's kind of a local secret. Turtles often come ashore here. If you see turtles on the beach, please do not come within 10 ft of them. They are federally protected and you will get a huge fine if you are too close to a turtle. A perfect little beach to relax and chill.
Beaches within 15 Minutes North of the Condo
Napili Bay Beach
Very popular beach. Nice sandy beach with calm water for swimming and sunbathing. Napili Beach gets crowded early and Parking is limited. We do our morning walks along the beach trail. Napili Beach has public showers and bathrooms. Local tip, get here early in the morning to get the best spot on the beach.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Kapalua Bay is another very popular beach. Nice sandy beach with calm water for swimming and sunbathing. The beach gets crowded early and Parking is limited. But if you don't mind paying for parking you can park at the Tennis Club. No public restrooms or showers. There is limited beach access to the beach.
DT Fleming Beach Park
DT Fleming Beach is another very popular beach. Nice sandy beach with waves. Great Surfing and bodyboarding. Surfing is a shore break and when a big swell is in the reef will break. The park has bathrooms and showers and free parking. Lifeguards are on duty. Snorkeling is best in the summer months. For snorkeling, we tend to stay on the south side of the beach towards the point.
Beaches within 15 Minutes South of the Condo
Free Parking Directions
Ka'anapali Beach North of Black Rock
It is located in the Ka'anapali Resort Bubble hosting major hotel chains. The north end of Ka'anapali while having many resorts it's not as busy as the south end of Ka'anapali. It's a mile and a half of beautiful sandy beach with plenty of beach access and free public parking and public restrooms. We walk this stretch of beach nearly every day when on Island. If you're looking for a big sandy beach with calm waters to swim in, this is that place. We've added directions for the free parking.
Free Parking Directions
Pay
Parking Directions
Ka'anapali Beach South of Black Rock
Ka'anapali Beach South is located in the Ka'anapali Biggest Resort Bubble hosting major hotel chains. This is a very busy and crowded mile and a half of beautiful sandy beach. with plenty of beach access and paid and limited free public parking, and public restrooms. You also have access to restaurants, bars, and shopping. If you're looking for a resort day and all that goes with Maga Resorts, this is the place to go. We've added directions for the free parking.
Olowaua Beach
Ukumehame Beach
Olowalu & Ukumehame Beach Park
About 30 minutes from the condo
Olowalu & Ukumehame Beach are located south of Olowalu Bay on highway 30. There are small parks with ironwood trees and sandy beaches. It is an uncrowded reef break for beginner surfers wanting to get away from the crowds of nearby beaches. The ironwood trees meet the ocean making nice shady places to get out of the sun. There is overnight camping there. There are no lifeguards and no public facilities. We like to go longboarding there. Great place to hang your hammock and chill. Try not to park in the sand, you might get stuck.
(**Warning** getting back onto the Highway can be dangerous, the highway is very busy there. Also, there can be problems with the homeless.)
Annie's South Maui Beaches
South Maui Beaches
When most people think of South Maui Beaches, they think of Sugar Beach in Kihei and beaches in and around Wailea. All great beaches. But if you’re looking for more secluded sandy beaches, here are three of our favorites.
Makena State Park
Big Beach & Little Beach
Makena State Park is located approximately three and a half miles south of Wailea. The road gets a little rough near the park entrance. The sand is an awesome golden color that blends into a turquoise emerald-colored sea. There is plenty of room to spread out here. Occasionally it gets a bit crowded. But mostly you'll have the beach to yourself. Lots of wedding photos are taken here. There are two park entrances, bathroom facilities, and paid parking. People who don't want to pay for parking, park on the road. The second parking lot is a lot closer to the beach. Big Beach is the larger beach that most people go to. Little beach is across/over the hill/point to the north. Warning, Little Beach is a known nude beach, so don't be surprised to see naked people there. Not everyone there is beautiful, and there may be some things you might not want to see. lol
Oneuli Beach
Entrance
Oneuli Beach
Parking
Oneuli Beach
Black Sand Beach
Oneuli Beach is only one of a hand full of black sand beaches on Maui that you don't have to drive to Hana to see. It's located not quite 200 yards from Mekena Beach's first entrance. All you see from the road is a dirt road with yellow crossing gates. There will be two brown signs on top of each other with park rules and hours just inside the entrance. The dirt road is not well maintained, so it can be bumpy in places. Just go slow and you won't have any problems. The road is about 500 yards from the small parking lot. At the parking lot, the beach opens up to a beautiful black sand beach. Most black sand beaches are made up of rough sand and pebbles, that can be really hard on your feet, so wear your flip-flops or water shoes. Great place to snorkel. The shore break can be rough here at times, so be careful. On hot days the sand gets really hot. They have a port potty and paid parking, and No lifeguards.
Po‘olenalena Beach Park
Po‘olenalena Beach Park
Parking
Po‘olenalena Beach Park
AKA Chang's Beach
Poolenalena Beach Park is located at the southern end of Wailea. The beach is split into two sections. The southern section is located in front of the Makena Surf Condos and sometimes has good conditions for boogie boarding. A path over some lava rocks leads to the northern section which is backed by big expensive homes. Both the northern and southern sections have snorkeling possibilities when the ocean is calm. Paluauea Beach is just to the north, separated by a couple of small rocky bays. We love this place because it is quiet and not a lot of people go here. A great place to sit with your toes in the sand. No Lifeguards, no facilities. Bring a cooler, beach chairs, and an umbrella, and get ready to do nothing.
Annie's North Maui Beaches
North Maui Beaches
The North Shore of Maui is the home of Big Waves and Wind Sports. Here are Annie's top three beaches.
Kanaha Beach
Kanaha Beach
Parking
Kanaha Beach Park
Premiere Wind Sport Beach
If you want to be wowed by Wing Foilers, Kite Surfing, and Windsurfing, this is the beach. We go here to Wing Foil. This is are really nice beach park with restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and plenty of parking. Lots of shade and very fine sand (Our car is full of this sand.). It's located on the ocean side of the Airport. So, you'll have to put up with the noise of jets taking off. We spend a lot of time here with friends. Local tip, get here earlier in the morning so you don't have to park on the road.
Sprecklesville Beach
Sprecklesville Beach Parking
Sprecklesville beach
AKA Baby Beach
If you have little ones, this is a great beach for them. The reef forms a protective barrier from the ocean and makes for a great pond of salt water for the kids. Parking can be a pain, so get there early. There are no facilities or Life Guards here. If parking is full, you can drive to Baldwin Beach Park and walk down to Baby Beach,
Baldwin Beach Park
Baldwin Beach Park Parking
Baldwin Beach Park
Paia
Baldwin Beach Park is Paia's community beach park. They have a wonderful sandy beach with Lifeguards, a picnic pavilion, picnic tables, and three BBQ Grills. Home of a soccer field, and softball backstop. Sometimes we go into Paia and have lunch and spend the afternoon just enjoying a really wonderful beach day. The view around you is awesome. To the west, you'll see the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala is behind you. What's not to like?