La Perouse Bay
La Perouse Bay is a rugged and geologically fascinating bay at the end of Maui's south shore road, located within the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Formed during Maui's most recent lava flow in 1790, the area features sharp lava rocks, coral-rubble beaches, and tidal pools. While the bay itself has poor visibility for snorkeling, nearby coves - when open - offer excellent marine exploration. Hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing are popular, but visitors must respect preservation rules in this fragile ecosystem.
La Perouse Bay, Maui
La Perouse Bay located on Maui's south shore in the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve, has a rocky shoreline. The bay features several small coves that lie between rocky points. These are often covered with tidal pools. Some of the coves have small sandy beaches, but most of them have coral-rubble beaches. The road that leads to La Perouse Bay is a narrow (one lane), and the last stretch to the bay is unpaved and riddled with lava rocks.
The bay is protected from strong currents, but during periods of storms and heavy surf, the water inside the coves can become very turbulent. La Perouse Bay is known for being a great snorkeling location, but not the bay itself (which has poor visibility), but the small coves along the northern end of the bay in the nature reserve. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) decided to temporarily close the area to let the ecosystem recover from overuse. This includes the popular snorkeling coves to the north of La Perouse Bay, known as Kalaeloa (Aquarium) and Mokuha (Fishbowl).
An alternative snorkeling location that remains open is Moanakala, locally known as Dumps, named after a rubbish dump that used to be located here. This place also offers somewhat easier access to the water (the entire area around La Perouse Bay is covered with sharp lava rocks). Dumps is located in the northern portion of the reserve, just south of Ahihi Cove. (After passing Ahihi Cove, go up the hill, where you'll find a rough parking lot on the right. From here it's a 5-minute walk to the ocean.) The snorkeling at Dumps is not suitable for beginners because the winds can be strong here and they make the ocean choppy. The area also gets occasional strong currents. Access to the northern portion of the reserve is allowed between 5:30 am to 7:30 pm daily.
When visiting this area, it's best to wear sturdy shoes because of the sharp lava rocks. Also, bring your camera. The stark, barren lava rocks, the bright blue ocean, the coral beaches and the waves crashing against the cliffs provide the perfect scenery for some great shots. Just keep in mind that the bay is a protected nature preserve. It is therefore against the law to harass or approach any marine life or to remove or destroy any rocks or plants.
La Perouse Bay is named after a French naval officer and explorer (Jean-François de La Pérouse) who was the first European to set foot on Maui in 1786. The Hawaiian name of La Perouse Bay is Keone'o'io.
Key Features of La Perouse Bay
- Volcanic landscape: Created by Maui's last lava flow around 1790, with dramatic lava fields and rugged coastline.
- Part of a protected reserve: Located in the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve - most of the reserve is closed to protect marine life.
- Limited snorkeling access: Snorkeling in the bay itself is poor, but Moanakala (“Dumps”) offers decent visibility and remains open.
- Remote and undeveloped: No restrooms, facilities, or lifeguards; access road is narrow and partially unpaved.
- Popular for hiking and photography: Stark lava, tidal pools, and sweeping coastal views make it ideal for scenic exploration.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow was La Perouse Bay formed?La Perouse Bay was created by the last lava flow on Maui in 1790, resulting in the stark volcanic terrain seen today. Can I snorkel at La Perouse Bay?Snorkeling inside the bay is not recommended due to poor visibility. Moanakala (Dumps), north of the bay, is open and better for snorkeling. Why are some areas around La Perouse Bay closed?Much of the surrounding nature reserve is closed by the DLNR to allow for environmental recovery and to protect marine ecosystems. Is it worth visiting if I'm not snorkeling?Yes! The area offers striking lava landscapes, coastal trails, tidal pools, and photo opportunities unlike anywhere else on Maui. Where is La Perouse Bay located?It lies at the southernmost end of Makena Alanui Road in South Maui, within the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. |
