Maui Beaches

Maui Beach Guide

Maui Beaches

Maui has calm South Maui coves, long Kihei shorelines, black-sand beaches near Hana, snorkeling bays in Kapalua and powerful north shore surf breaks. Browse beach guides by area, with details on swimming, snorkeling, facilities, access, parking and nearby attractions.

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Maui Beaches Overview

The island of Maui has a coastline of about 120 miles (193 km). Maui beaches come in all forms and colors – there are gorgeous white sand beaches, black sand beaches and even red sand beaches offering great swimming, snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, windsurfing and kayaking opportunities. Generally speaking, the beaches on Maui's south and west shore are best for swimming and snorkeling. Beach sand in Hawaii comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. Read more about Hawaiian beach sand composition.

Ka'anapali Beach, Napili Bay and Wailea Beach are some of the most popular among visitors, while Ho'okipa Beach is known as one of the world's windsurfing meccas. Then there is Jaws (Pe'ahi), one of the most popular big wave surfing spots, located on Maui's north shore, where waves frequently reach monstrous heights up to 70 feet (21 m) in the winter months.

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Beach directory

Maui Beaches

Browse Maui beaches by area and activity, from famous surf breaks and snorkeling coves to quieter local beach parks, family beaches and scenic shoreline stops.

Ahihi Cove
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Ahihi Cove

Ahihi Cove is a protected south Maui snorkel cove in the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, with lava-rock shoreline, clear-water days and rich reef life.

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Big Beach (Makena Beach)
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Big Beach (Makena Beach)

Big Beach, also known as Makena Beach, is a wide south Maui beach in Makena State Park with golden sand, lifeguards, powerful shorebreak and open coastal views.

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Black Rock Beach
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Black Rock Beach

Black Rock Beach is the lava-rock point at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, known for snorkeling, clear-water days, cliff jumps, sunset views and resort access.

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Chang's Beach
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Chang's Beach

Chang's Beach is a small south Maui beach near Makena and Wailea, with golden sand, lava formations, reefy water, snorkeling on calm days and sunset views.

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Charley Young Beach
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Charley Young Beach

Charley Young Beach is a north Kihei beach connected to Kamaole I, with soft sand, calm-morning swimming, snorkeling near lava-rock edges and sunset views.

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Cove Park
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Cove Park

Cove Park is a small Kihei beach known for beginner surf lessons, gentle waves on calm days, lava rocks, sunset views and easy South Kihei access.

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D.T. Fleming Beach Park
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D.T. Fleming Beach Park

D.T. Fleming Beach Park is a Kapalua beach with lifeguards, picnic tables, ironwood shade, bodyboarding, winter surf and a long sandy curve on Honokahua Bay.

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H.A. Baldwin Beach Park
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H.A. Baldwin Beach Park

H.A. Baldwin Beach Park is a long north Maui beach near Paia, with lifeguards, a wide sandy shore, picnic areas, bodyboarding waves and calmer end coves.

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Hamoa Beach
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Hamoa Beach

Hamoa Beach is a crescent-shaped Hana beach with salt-and-pepper sand, clear-water days, bodyboarding waves, no lifeguards and lush east Maui scenery.

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Hana Bay (Hana Beach Park)
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Hana Bay (Hana Beach Park)

Hana Bay / Hana Beach Park is a sheltered east Maui bay in Hana town, with black sand, a pier, calm-water days, paddling, fishing and local park facilities.

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Ho'okipa Beach Park
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Ho'okipa Beach Park

Ho'okipa Beach Park is Maui's famous north shore surf and windsurfing beach near Paia, with a lookout, lifeguards, turtle viewing and powerful ocean conditions.

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Honokohau Bay
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Honokohau Bay

Honokohau Bay is a rugged northwest Maui bay with steep cliffs, boulders, powerful surf, dramatic wave sound and a remote coastal setting.

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Honolua Bay
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Honolua Bay

Honolua Bay is a protected northwest Maui bay near Kapalua, known for summer snorkeling, winter surf, a forested walk-in trail and rich reef life.

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Honomanu Bay
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Honomanu Bay

Honomanu Bay is a rugged Road to Hana bay with black sand, stones, steep green valley walls, strong water, fishing and a quiet turnoff from the highway.

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Ka'anapali Beach
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Ka'anapali Beach

Kaanapali Beach is a famous west Maui resort beach with golden sand, Black Rock, snorkeling, beachwalk access, sunset views and clear-water days.

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Kahana Beach
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Kahana Beach

Kahana Beach is a west Maui beach fronting the Kahana condo area, with a narrow sandy shore, reefy water, sunset views, paddling and nearby resort access.

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Kaihalulu (Red Sand) Beach
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Kaihalulu (Red Sand) Beach

Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach is a striking Hana cove with red volcanic sand, black lava rocks, blue water and a dangerous, unofficial access trail.

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Kalama Beach Park
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Kalama Beach Park

Kalama Beach Park is a large Kihei park across from South Kihei Road, with ocean views, surf lessons, skating, picnics, sports courts and sunset space.

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Kama'ole Beach Park
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Kama'ole Beach Park

Kamaole Beach Park is Kihei's three-beach shoreline, with Kamaole I, II and III offering lifeguards, sandy coves, swimming, snorkeling, picnics and sunsets.

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Kanaha Beach Park
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Kanaha Beach Park

Kanaha Beach Park is a wide Kahului beach park near Maui's airport, known for windsurfing, kitesurfing, canoe paddling, camping, picnics and open north shore views.

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Kapalua Bay
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Kapalua Bay

Kapalua Bay is a sheltered west Maui beach with a crescent of golden sand, rocky snorkeling points, calm clear-water days, resort access and sunset views.

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Keawakapu Beach
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Keawakapu Beach

Keawakapu Beach is a long south Maui beach between Kihei and Wailea, with golden sand, clear-water mornings, rocky snorkeling ends and sunset views.

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Koki Beach
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Koki Beach

Koki Beach is a scenic Hana-area beach on Maui's east shore, known for red, black and white sand, 'Alau Island views, picnic tables, strong currents and no lifeguards.

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La Perouse Bay
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La Perouse Bay

La Perouse Bay, also called Keone'o'io, is a rugged South Maui lava-rock bay beyond Makena, with tide pools, rough terrain, coastal trails and no lifeguards.

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Lelekea Bay
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Lelekea Bay

Lelekea Bay is a remote East Maui pebble beach near Kipahulu, with rugged scenery, Kalepa Point views, strong currents, no facilities and no lifeguards.

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Little Beach
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Little Beach

Little Beach is a small Makena cove beside Big Beach, known for golden sand, a short lava-rock trail, strong shorebreak, no facilities and no lifeguards.

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Makena Landing Beach Park
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Makena Landing Beach Park

Makena Landing Beach Park is a small South Maui launch and snorkel spot, with lava-rock coves, turtle sightings, kayak tours, scuba entry and no lifeguards.

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Maluaka Beach
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Maluaka Beach

Maluaka Beach is a South Maui beach in Makena, known for soft sand, calm-morning snorkeling, turtle sightings, kayak tours, showers and no lifeguards.

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Mokapu Beach
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Mokapu Beach

Mokapu Beach is a sandy Wailea beach beside Ulua Beach, known for calm-morning swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, shared facilities and no lifeguards.

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Nahiku Cove
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Nahiku Cove

Nahiku Cove is a secluded East Maui rocky cove off Nahiku Road, with lush scenery, quiet ocean views, fishing, no facilities and no lifeguards.

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Namalu Bay
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Namalu Bay

Namalu Bay is a rocky Kapalua shoreline below the resort cliffs, with clear calm-day water, tide-pool scenery, coastal path views and no lifeguards.

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Napili Bay
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Napili Bay

Napili Bay is a crescent-shaped West Maui beach with golden sand, calm-morning swimming, snorkeling, turtle sightings, sunset views and no lifeguards.

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One'uli Beach
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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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Oneloa Beach
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Oneloa Beach

Oneloa Beach, also called Ironwoods Beach, is a long Kapalua beach with pale sand, lava-rock points, surf, wind, coastal path views and no lifeguards.

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Pa'ako Beach (Secret Cove)
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Pa'ako Beach (Secret Cove)

Pa'ako Beach, also known as Secret Cove, is a tiny Makena beach framed by lava rock, with clear calm-day water, wedding photos, limited parking and no lifeguards.

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Palauea Beach
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Palauea Beach

Palauea Beach is a quiet South Maui beach in Makena, with soft sand, lava-rock ends, calm-morning snorkeling, sunset views and no lifeguards.

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Papalaua Beach Park
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Papalaua Beach Park

Papalaua Beach Park is a narrow West Maui shoreline along Honoapiilani Highway, with camping permits, ocean views, portable restrooms, picnic tables and no lifeguards.

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Po'olenalena Beach
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Po'olenalena Beach

Po'olenalena Beach is a quiet South Maui beach near Makena with golden sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, surfing, bodyboarding, showers and no lifeguards.

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Polo Beach
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Polo Beach

Polo Beach is a Wailea beach with golden sand, resort views, public parking, restrooms, showers, picnic areas and no lifeguard.

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Puamana Beach Park
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Puamana Beach Park

Puamana Beach Park is a quiet West Maui shoreline park with fishing, beginner-friendly surfing, picnic tables, kiawe shade, parking and poor swimming conditions.

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Sugar Beach
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Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach is a long Maui shoreline between Ma'alaea and North Kihei, with open sand, beach walks, canoe and kayak launches, breezy afternoons and no lifeguards.

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Ukumehame Beach Park
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Ukumehame Beach Park

Ukumehame Beach Park is a narrow West Maui roadside beach near mile marker 12, with ironwood shade, fishing, surf breaks, picnic tables, portable toilets and rocky water.

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Ulua Beach
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Ulua Beach

Ulua Beach is a Wailea beach with a sandy cove, rocky snorkel edges, beginner scuba lessons, shared Mokapu parking, showers and no lifeguards.

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Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach
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Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach

Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach is a Hana Coast beach inside Wai'anapanapa State Park, with black sand, lava cliffs, sea caves, coastal trails, reservations and no lifeguards.

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Wailea Beach
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Wailea Beach

Wailea Beach is a wide South Maui resort beach with white sand, public access, a paved shoreline path, restrooms, showers, equipment rentals and no lifeguards.

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Waipu'ilani Park
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Waipu'ilani Park

Waipu'ilani Park is a Kihei oceanfront park with open grassy areas, tennis and pickleball courts, volleyball, restrooms, limited parking and sunset views.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best beaches on Maui?

Popular Maui beaches include Wailea Beach, Big Beach, Kapalua Bay, Kaanapali Beach, Napili Bay, Kamaole Beach Park and several Hana-area beaches.

Which Maui beaches are best for snorkeling?

Kapalua Bay, Honolua Bay, Black Rock Beach, Maluaka Beach and several South Maui coves are popular for snorkeling when conditions are calm.

Which Maui beaches are good for families?

Kamaole Beach Park, Wailea Beach, Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay are popular family beach choices during calm ocean conditions.

Are all Maui beaches safe for swimming?

No. Conditions vary widely by season, surf, wind and shoreline. Always check signs, avoid rough water and choose lifeguarded beaches when possible.

Where are Maui's black sand beaches?

Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach near Hana is one of Maui's best-known black sand beaches and requires advance planning for parking and entry.