Beaches
The Best Beaches in Maui, Coast by Coast
Maui has a beach for every mood — resort-lined and gold, wild and volcanic, calm enough for toddlers or steep enough for bodysurfers. Here are the ones worth planning a day around, grouped by where they sit on the island.
West Maui
- Ka'anapali Beach — three miles of gold sand fronting the resorts, with the daily cliff-diving ceremony off Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock) and good snorkeling at its base.
- Kapalua Bay — a protected crescent often called one of the best swimming beaches in America; gentle and great for families.
- Napili Bay — a softer, low-key alternative with turtles and sunset views.
South Maui
- Wailea Beach — calm, clean and backed by manicured resorts, with a coastal path linking several coves.
- Makena (Big Beach) — a vast, undeveloped stretch of sand; stunning, but the shore break is powerful, so swim with care.
- Kama'ole I, II & III — the reliable Kihei trio, easy to reach with lifeguards and facilities.
East & North
- Hamoa Beach (Hana) — a gorgeous, jungle-framed bay that rewards the long drive east.
- Wai'anapanapa black-sand beach — volcanic drama near Hana; reserve entry ahead.
- Ho'okipa — less for swimming, more for watching world-class windsurfers and resting sea turtles.
Ocean sense
Conditions change by season and swell. Check the lifeguard flags, never turn your back on the water at Big Beach, and when in doubt, don't go out. Honu (sea turtles) and monk seals are protected — give them room.
Photo: John P Salvatore / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Planning a Maui stay?
This article lives on RentMauiNow.com — a demonstration vacation-rental website that is itself for sale. See the 10 best places to stay in Maui, or learn how to own a site like this.