Maui Beaches

Maui Beach Guide

Maui Beaches

Find the best Maui beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, family beach days and scenic shoreline stops, from Wailea and Makena to Kihei, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Paia and Hana.

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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 rocky south Maui snorkeling spot in the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, known for clear water, lava scenery, reef life and no facilities.

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

Big Beach, also known as Oneloa or Makena Beach, is a wide south Maui shoreline known for long white sand, scenic views, lifeguards and powerful shorebreak.

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Black Rock Beach
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Black Rock Beach

Black Rock Beach, also known as Pu'u Keka'a, is a west Maui snorkeling spot in Kaanapali known for lava-rock scenery, clear water, cultural history and sunset views.

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Chang's Beach
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Chang's Beach

Chang's Beach is a small south Maui cove off Makena Road, known for calm-condition snorkeling, swimming, bodyboarding, reef views and limited parking.

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Charley Young Beach
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Charley Young Beach

Charley Young Beach is a family-friendly Kihei beach on Maui's south shore, known for soft sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding and nearby Kamaole I facilities.

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Cove Park
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Cove Park

Cove Park is a small Kihei beach on Maui's south shore, known for beginner surfing, calm-condition swimming, surf lessons, local beach time and no facilities.

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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 spacious West Maui beach in Honokahua Bay, known for white sand, shade trees, lifeguards, picnic areas, surfing and bodyboarding.

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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 spacious north Maui beach near Paia, known for white sand, grassy park areas, bodyboarding, surfing, picnic facilities and lifeguards.

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Hamoa Beach
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Hamoa Beach

Hamoa Beach is a scenic east Maui crescent beach near Hana, known for gray sand, sea cliffs, calm-condition swimming, bodysurfing, surfing and no lifeguards.

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

Hana Bay, also known as Hana Beach Park, is a calm east Maui black-sand beach with swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, picnic areas, a pavilion and no lifeguards.

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Ho'okipa Beach Park
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Ho'okipa Beach Park

Ho'okipa Beach Park is a famous north Maui surf and windsurfing beach near Pa'ia, known for powerful reef breaks, turtle sightings, scenic overlooks and expert ocean conditions.

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Honokohau Bay
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Honokohau Bay

Honokohau Bay is a rugged West Maui boulder beach near mile marker 36, known for sea cliffs, fishing, experienced winter surfing, rocky water and rip currents.

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Honolua Bay
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Honolua Bay

Honolua Bay is a protected northwest Maui marine bay known for summer snorkeling and diving, winter surf, coral reefs, rocky shoreline access and no lifeguards.

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Honomanu Bay
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Honomanu Bay

Honomanu Bay is a scenic north Maui bay along Hana Highway, known for black sand, rocky shoreline, rainforest cliffs, fishing, experienced surfing and poor swimming conditions.

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Ka'anapali Beach
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Ka'anapali Beach

Ka'anapali Beach is a famous West Maui resort beach known for golden sand, Black Rock, snorkeling, swimming, bodyboarding, surfing, sunset walks and nearby dining.

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Kahana Beach
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Kahana Beach

Kahana Beach is a quiet West Maui resort-front shoreline with calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, reef protection, shallow nearshore water and no public facilities.

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

Kaihalulu Beach, also known as Red Sand Beach, is a dramatic Hana-area cove known for red sand, steep trail access, strong currents, no facilities and no lifeguards.

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Kalama Beach Park
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Kalama Beach Park

Kalama Beach Park is a large Kihei oceanfront community park with sports courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, pavilions, a skate park, parking and poor swimming conditions.

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Kama'ole Beach Park
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Kama'ole Beach Park

Kama'ole Beach Park is a trio of family-friendly Kihei beaches on Maui's south shore, known for swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, lifeguards, picnic areas and easy access.

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Kanaha Beach Park
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Kanaha Beach Park

Kanaha Beach Park is a spacious Kahului shoreline known for windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, fishing, picnic areas, volleyball courts, lifeguards and north shore wind.

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Kapalua Bay
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Kapalua Bay

Kapalua Bay is a crescent-shaped northwest Maui beach known for white sand, clear calm water, snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, rocky outcrops and resort scenery.

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Keawakapu Beach
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Keawakapu Beach

Keawakapu Beach is a long south Maui white-sand beach between Kihei and Wailea, known for calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, diving, sunset walks and no lifeguards.

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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 is a rugged South Maui lava-rock bay near Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve, known for volcanic scenery, tidal pools, rough terrain, parking 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, known for 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 secluded Makena State Park cove near Big Beach, known for soft sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, surfing and no facilities.

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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 ocean access point with rocky shoreline, kayak launching, snorkeling, scuba diving, showers, restrooms, parking and no lifeguards.

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Maluaka Beach
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Maluaka Beach

Maluaka Beach is a golden-sand Makena beach on Maui's south shore, known for calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, picnic tables, showers, parking and no lifeguards.

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Mokapu Beach
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Mokapu Beach

Mokapu Beach is a sandy Wailea beach on Maui's south shore, known for calm-condition swimming, morning snorkeling, bodyboarding, shared Ulua Beach 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, known for 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 inlet on Maui's northwest coast, known for sea cliffs, clear water, cliff jumping, rugged views, no sandy beach and no facilities.

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Napili Bay
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Napili Bay

Napili Bay is a golden-sand northwest Maui beach known for summer swimming, snorkeling, winter bodyboarding, rocky points, street parking, no public facilities and no lifeguards.

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One'uli Beach
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One'uli Beach

One'uli Beach is a hidden Makena State Park shoreline on Maui, known for black, red and white sand, Pu'u Ola'i views, kayaking, limited swimming and no facilities.

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Oneloa Beach
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Oneloa Beach

Oneloa Beach, also known as Ironwoods Beach, is a quiet Kapalua shoreline with white sand, coastal views, bodyboarding, surfing, calm-condition snorkeling 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 small Makena cove on Maui's south shore known for white sand, lava rocks, wedding photos, street parking and no facilities.

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Palauea Beach
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Palauea Beach

Palauea Beach, also known as White Rock, is a secluded South Maui beach with white sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, roadside parking and no facilities.

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Papalaua Beach Park
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Papalaua Beach Park

Papalaua Beach Park, also known as Thousand Peaks, is a narrow West Maui roadside beach known for surfing, bodyboarding, camping with a permit, kayaking and calm-day snorkeling.

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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 quieter South Maui beach in Wailea with golden sand, calm-condition swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, picnic tables, BBQ grills, parking and no lifeguards.

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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, also known as Kealia Beach, is a long Maui shoreline between Ma'alaea and North Kihei, known for beach walks, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing and no facilities.

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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, known for fishing, ironwood shade, coastal views, rocky water and no facilities.

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Ulua Beach
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Ulua Beach

Ulua Beach is a Wailea beach on Maui's south shore known for calm-morning swimming, snorkeling, beginner scuba diving, bodyboarding, shared parking 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 famous Hana-area Maui beach known for black sand, lava cliffs, sea caves, coastal trails, camping, parking reservations and no lifeguards.

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Wailea Beach
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Wailea Beach

Wailea Beach is a wide South Maui white-sand resort beach known for swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, coastal path access, equipment rentals, parking and no lifeguards.

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Waipu'ilani Park
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Waipu'ilani Park

Waipu'ilani Park is a quiet Kihei oceanfront park with lawns, shade, sunset views, windsurfing, community activities, restrooms, parking and poor swimming conditions.

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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.