Maui Beaches

Maui Beaches

Most of Maui’s beaches are located on its western coast and protected from big waves by neighboring islands, thereby offering good swimming during much of the year. Since the western (leeward) sides of Hawaii islands are the sunniest, Maui is a very popular destination for beach and sun lovers. Maui’s most popular beaches include Kaanapali beach, the Kamaole beach parks, Wailea beach, Kapalua beach and Napili bay. Kaanapali beach has a similar vibe to Waikiki but less crowded, and offers many tourist activities including snorkeling. Maui has many good snorkeling locations including Black Rock, Mokapu beach, Honolua Bay, Laperouse Bay, Kapalua beach and several others. Hawaii’s only truly nude beach, Little Beach, is located adjacent to Big Beach, hidden behind a little hill.


Central Maui
Baldwin Beach Park
Beautiful sand but murky water (from nearby runoff).
South Maui
Big Beach
The widest beach on Maui with beautiful views but dangerous surf break.
West Maui
Black Rock
Very popular snorkeling location and the north end of Kaanapali beach.
West Maui
DT Fleming Beach Park
Good swimming with occasional boogie boarding surf.
Upcountry
Hamoa Beach
A fun beach with fine sand
West Maui
Kaanapali Beach
Maui's flagship beach - fronted by many hotels, the mile long beach is always busy but rarely overly crowded.
West Maui
Kahekili Beach Park
The extension of Kaanapali beach past black rock, a beautiful beach with excellent swimming.
South Maui
Kamaole Beach Park 1
This is Kihei's best beach with good swimming and reasonable snorkeling at the rocky ends of the beach.
South Maui
Kamaole Beach Park 2
Slightly smaller than Kamaole Beach Park 1, also with good swimming and reasonable snorkeling.
South Maui
Kamaole Beach Park 3
The smallest of the 3 Kamaole beach parks with a large grassy area behind the beach for kite flying.
West Maui
Kapalua Beach
Beautiful beach with excellent good swimming and snorkeling.
South Maui
Keawakapu Beach
One of maui's nicest beaches with soft sand and good swimming but no snorkeling.
South Maui
Little Beach
Hawaii's only real nude beach.
South Maui
Makena Landing Beach Park
A popular beginner dive site and also a good beginner snorkel site.
South Maui
Makena Park Black Sand Beach
A modest dark sand beach near Makena State Park.
South Maui
Maluaka Beach
Good swimming, and snorkeling on the left side of the beach.
West Maui
Mokuleia Bay
Good snorkeling wihen the ocean is calm during the summer months
West Maui
Napili Beach
A charming beach with excellent swimming
West Maui
Oneloa Beach
A quiet beach with lovely sand but not good for swimming.
South Maui
Palauea Beach
One of the less crowded beaches in the area with good swimming.
South Maui
Polo Beach
Good swimming, and the boogie boarding here tends to be better than surrounding beaches.
South Maui
Poolenalena Beach
One of the lesser known beaches in the area with good snorkeling at the rocky end sections of the beach.
Upcountry
Red Sand Beach
One of the most unusual and interesting beaches in Hawaii.
South Maui
Secret Cove
A very picturesque but small beach just south of Big Beach.
Upcountry
Tavares Beach
This is a pretty beach with good swimming that's popular with families.
South Maui
Ulua and Mokapu Beach
Two popular adjoining beaches, Mokapu (the left or southern section) offers better swimming.
South Maui
Wailea Beach
A picturesque beach with soft sand and good swimming, backed by impressive hotels.

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