One'uli Beach

Oneuli Beach is a black-sand beach in Makena, with lava-rock scenery, red cinder cliffs, calm-condition snorkeling, turtle sightings and no lifeguards.

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One'uli Beach

One'uli Beach, Maui

Also known as Black Sand Beach and Naupaka Beach, One'uli Beach is part of Makena State Park. It lies just north of Pu'u Ola'i, a 360-foot-tall volcanic cinder cone with red cliffs and green vegetation. If you look closely, One'uli's beach sand has three colors: black, white and red.

One'uli Beach doesn't see as many visitors as other beaches in this area, such as neighboring Big Beach. One reason is that One'uli can't be seen from the road. Swimming conditions are limited here because a lava shelf sits on the nearshore ocean bottom. The beach can still work well for photography, picnics, coastal views and cautious shoreline time. Kayaking is best only when the ocean is calm.

Key Features

Black-sand beach in Makena on Maui's south shore
Dark sand comes from nearby volcanic cinder and lava-rock material
Pu'u Ola'i rises above the beach with red cinder slopes
Short unpaved access road leads from Makena Road to a small parking area
No lifeguards, restrooms or showers are available at the beach
The sand can get very hot in full sun
Shoreline drops off faster than many sandy South Maui beaches
Snorkeling depends on calm, clear water and enough visibility
Turtles may be seen in the water or resting near the shoreline
Oneuli Beach is known for black sand, volcanic color, photos, turtle sightings and quiet Makena scenery

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Oneuli Beach black?

The dark sand comes from volcanic material eroded from the nearby cinder cone and lava-rock shoreline, giving Oneuli a different look from the pale sand beaches nearby.

What does the name Oneuli mean?

Oneuli is commonly translated as "dark sand," which fits the beach's black-sand shoreline and volcanic setting in Makena.

What is Pu'u Ola'i?

Pu'u Ola'i is the red cinder cone above the beach. Its color and shape are a big part of the scenery at Oneuli and nearby Makena beaches.

How does Oneuli compare with Big Beach?

Big Beach has a broad golden-sand shoreline, while Oneuli is smaller, darker, rockier and more focused on volcanic scenery and calm-condition water time.

Why is Oneuli interesting for photos?

The black sand, red cinder slope, lava rock and blue South Maui water create strong color contrast, especially in morning or late-afternoon light.