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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Wailea Beach, Maui

Wailea Beach on Maui's south shore is a pretty white-sand beach with fine-grained sand. It is one of five beaches in the Wailea resort development (the other four are Polo, Ulua, Mokapu and Keawakapu). The beach is backed by sand dunes at its southern end.

Wailea is a good beach for swimming. The nearshore ocean bottom drops off gently to the deeper waters offshore. The small shorebreak attracts beginning bodyboarders. The snorkeling conditions are good around the rocky points, but only when the waters are calm.

Key Features

Wide white-sand beach on Maui's leeward south shore
Public shoreline access from Wailea Alanui Drive
Beachfront resort setting near Grand Wailea and Four Seasons
Restrooms, showers, equipment rentals and parking near the access point
No lifeguards are posted at Wailea Beach
Rocky points at both ends can have clear-water snorkeling when the ocean is calm
Mornings often bring calmer water before afternoon wind reaches the shore
Small shorebreak sometimes attracts beginning bodyboarders
Paved Wailea shoreline path links this beach with nearby Wailea beaches
Polo Beach, Ulua Beach, Mokapu Beach and Keawakapu Beach are nearby along the same resort shore

Daily Activity Picks

Featured Maui Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wailea mean?

Wailea is often translated as the water of Lea, referring to Lea, a Hawaiian goddess connected with canoe builders. The name is part of the larger Wailea place story, not only the modern resort shoreline.

Did Wailea Beach have another name?

Older accounts identify this beach as Kahamanini before the Wailea name became widely attached to the resort shoreline. Kahamanini is commonly connected with surgeonfish.

How does Wailea Beach compare with Ulua and Mokapu?

Wailea Beach has a broad resort-front crescent, while Ulua and Mokapu to the north have a different rhythm with reef entries, dive classes and a more compact beach setting.

Why do Wailea Beach photos often include umbrellas and resorts?

The sand fronts major Wailea hotels, so beach umbrellas, cabanas, landscaped grounds and the paved path are part of many shoreline views and photo angles.

What views stand out from Wailea Beach?

The beach opens toward the outer islands and the South Maui horizon. Clear evenings can bring wide sunset color over the water, with Wailea Point framing part of the shoreline.