Vacationing in a lush, tropical island paradise for your next vacation no doubt means plenty of beach time. Take a much-needed break to a place full of sand, sun, fun, water, and plenty of rest and relaxation.
Baby Beach in Lahaina is a family-friendly option in South Maui. It’s perfect for spending a day with little kids and babies. Then, spend as much time as you please on the beach! Charley Young Beach is a great option for visitors staying in Kihei. It’s known for its soft, pristine sand and crystal-clear water.
When planning your tropical trip, zero in on the Hawaiian island of Maui and South Mauiโs best beaches, as well as some secluded ones where you may be the only one around.
Ulua Beach
If scuba diving or snorkeling is on your bucket list for your Hawaiian vacation, itโs a great place to get your feet wet. This gorgeous sandy beach usually offers tranquil waters, abundant sunshine, and a break from the crowds.
Ulua Beach sits right in front of Wailea Elua Village. The two rocky points, where it settles, form it to be a crescent-shaped beach with bright, blue water. When you pass by the beach, youโll often spot dive instructors with their students.
The quarter mile of sand boasts great snorkeling, swimming, boogie boarding, and more. Dive instructors choose it due to the good beginner-level dive at the outer reef. There are bathrooms and showers for your convenience.
This is among the most beautiful beaches on Maui, which is why youโll see a lot of crowds here. If you like keeping it to yourself, we have other less crowded options you can visit.
Oneโuli Black Sand Beach
Another typical bucket list for Hawaiian vacations is a trip to a Oneuli black sand beach. Oneโuli, also known as Naupaka Beach, is a notable geological feature within Makena State Park and one of the best black sand beaches.
Its name, โOneuli,โ fittingly translates to โdark sandsโ in Hawaiian. This beach is somewhat of a hidden gem on Maui, formed from volcanic cinder washed ashore from Haleakalฤ volcano.
The beach on the Wailea side of the Puโu Olaโi cinder cone is considered excellent for snorkeling and diving due to the coral reef. The black sand covers the beach but disappears and is replaced by hard lava at the waterโs edge.
If you are planning to sunbathe here, we will suggest you think again. This beach is not for relaxing and sunbathing. But, if you want to encounter aquatic creatures like manta rays or Hawaiian green sea turtles, this may be the best beach to do it, which is why many snorkelers come here.
Planning to snorkel here? Apply a good reef-safe sunscreen and have your snorkel gear ready to go inside the water safely.
Makena Beach State Park
Makena Beach, also known as โBig Beachโ and โLittle Beach,โ is a long, wide beach with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the day. Add panoramic views and a large shorebreak, and the beach is a must-see. Wherever you end up soaking in that beautiful Maui sun, youโll be so glad you did.
Fun fact: Makena Beach is the most photographed beach in all of Hawaii!
We love Big Beach because itโs the biggest stretch at Baldwin Beach Park. If youโre heading to Little Beach, you have to pass through Big Beach first.
This place is a hotspot for weddings, swimming, bodyboarding, skimboarding, and catching some rays. When we visited this beach, we witnessed an intimate wedding, which was really a sight to behold.
If youโre planning to swim here, make sure to pay attention to all the safety signs. Big Beach is famous for its big and unpredictable waves, so always stay on your toes.
Coming to Little Beach, itโs one of the rare nude beaches in Maui, with a unique vibe and perfect swimming conditions. This South Maui beach has super clear water.
With public restrooms and showers, itโs really convenient. You can swim, snorkel, skimboard, and catch some beautiful sights under the sun here.
Food vendors often operate food trucks nearby. Please note that although there are lifeguard stands, this is not a beach for small children or inexperienced swimmers to take a dip.
Wailea Beach
Consistently rated one of the worldโs best beaches, it quickly gets crowded with resort guests and their beach essentials. This is a proper Hawaiian beach with dancing palm trees all around. The unique thing about it is that itโs a crescent-shaped beach, which adds to its beauty.
We definitely felt a resort vibe here with cabanas, umbrellas, and beach chairs arranged across the beautiful beach. The sand is fine and soft, so even lying on it is not a bad idea.
While many people come here for snorkeling, we didnโt find it to be that great for this activity. There are many other beaches where you can snorkel. However, to see the marine life, it could be a great place as youโll easily see them swimming on the surface of the water.
Your perch on the perfect, large sandy area offers views of Kahoโolawe, Molokini, and Lanaโi. When calm waters prevail, enjoy a variety of water sports. The beach is family-friendly and boasts amenities like a paved walkway, bathrooms, showers, and a generous amount of free public parking.
Kamaโole Beach Park
The 1.5-mile beach consists of three sections: Kam I, Kam II, and Kam III, also known as โKamaole Beach Park.โ It is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike due to its views of Molokini, Kahoโolawe, and Lanaโi.
The boundaries of each beach are marked by rocky points at either end. Each is a great place for swimming and other beach and water activities. While the boundaries may be the same for all the beaches, each has something different to offer its visitors.
In terms of its characteristics, Kamaole I has calm waters, soft golden sand, and a crescent-shaped shape, making it the most beautiful of the three. Kamaole II, with its calm and shallow water, is best for swimming, even for kids. Kamaole III sometimes has rough waves, which is ideal for surfing and bodyboarding.
An on-duty lifeguard is present on all the beaches, but we suggest still being careful, as weโve seen times when they are not there. Facilities include a large grassy park nearby, a playground, a bathroom, and public parking.
If youโre planning to stay near the beach, book a vacation rental at Kihei Aliโi Kai Resort. It is an affordable option with a great oceanfront view.
Keawakapu Beach
Keawakapu Beach is one of Mauiโs top beaches. The cozy beach is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, boogie boarding, snorkeling, or any other beach activity you can think of, including everyoneโs favorite: sunbathing and just chilling out.
There arenโt many hotels and resorts near this beach, and due to its small size, youโll hardly see any crowds. This makes it a great spot to spend quality time without much hustle and bustle. We stayed for a longer time here and saw one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island.
Check out the tidepools at the north end or spend the day snorkeling in the area. Rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, beach and snorkel gear, and bikes from the nearby Mana Kai hotel at the north end. Hit the showers before returning to your car.
Polo Beach
Polo Beach is one of the most popular South Maui beaches, and youโll see a lot of tourists swarming the location. โKe One o Polo,โ its original name, means โThe sand is not thick,โ due to the rocks peeping through the sandy beach.
If the crowdโs too much for you, head over to the two beautiful crescents of sand, which are a popular spot close to Polo Beach Club and Fairmont Kea Lani. Youโll be sharing the water and sand with hotel guests on the north end, but the south end can be uncrowded.
The family-friendly beach is great for snorkeling, boogie boarding, or a casual dip. Facilities include a grassy park with showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, and grills.
Palauea Beach
Palauea Beach, also known as โWhite Rock,โ is another beautiful beach on South Maui. If youโre looking for a chill spot to hang out or relax, Palauea is perfect.
Palauea translates to โlazy,โ and itโs rarely crowded with tourists. Itโs mostly a go-to for South Maui locals to relax. As it has less crowd, calm wind, and clear visibility in the ocean, this beach is mostly preferred for snorkeling, among other water activities.
This long, sandy beach is typically uncrowded and normally frequented by locals. The beach has very few public access trails, but when you get there, plan on snorkeling, boogie boarding, or just taking a dip.
If you are coming here by your own vehicle, you should note that the beach doesnโt come with its own parking spot, and youโll take a brief stroll through the trees to reach it. Also, due to the lower population, you wonโt find lifeguards on duty. Therefore, itโs a good idea to go here with someone.
Mokapu Beach
Mokapu Beach, known as โthe sacred island,โ got its name from a small islet that once sat just offshore. Unfortunately, these rocky islets were mostly destroyed during WWII combat training.
This beach is just walking distance from Ulua Beach. The quarter-mile-long piece of sand neighbors the Andaz Wailea Hotel.
Make sure to bring your own beach chairs, umbrellas, and other gear, as the ones on-site are for hotel guests only. Youโll find prime waters for boogie boarding, swimming, and snorkeling along the south end.
Public parking is shared with nearby Ulua Beach, which is popular for dive instruction, so come early. There are also bathrooms and showers available.
Poโolenalena Beach
This picture-perfect beach is also known as Paipu Beach. The long, wide swath of sand is a picture of seclusion on weekdays, but weekends and holidays see a swell of people that will make it hard to find a parking spot. Come later in the day to avoid any crowds and drink in the sunset.
It is one of the most loved beaches on the island, where locals and tourists come to relax. It is a quieter beach than the others, so if you are looking to spend time peacefully on the beach, this might be a good location.
Boogie boarding is a popular activity, and the waters are calm enough for kids and beginners. At the north end, youโll have access to a port-a-potty and a shower at the south entry.
FAQs
What is the best time to visit South Maui beaches?
The best time to visit is during the morning hours when the weather is typically calmer and the beaches are less crowded. Additionally, weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
Are there restaurants or food options near these beaches?
Yes, there are many dining options near the popular beaches in South Maui, especially around Wailea Beach and the resort areas. There are also food trucks and local eateries near Kamaole Beach Parks.
Is there parking available at South Maui beaches?
Yes, there is parking available at most beaches, though it can fill up quickly during peak times. Wailea Beach and Kamaole Beach Parks have designated parking lots, while other beaches may have street parking.
Lazy Beach Days on Maui
While there are many named beaches around Maui, the beach closest to your vacation rental is a great place to start! South Maui is home to many beautiful white sand beaches.
Choose from a cozy studio for a solo or sweetheart escape full of beach relaxation and fun, or a 2-bedroom for you and even more of your loved ones, Midway Vacations has a cozy vacation rental thatโs just right for your tropical island beach retreat.
Open the door of your home away from home and feel the stresses and worries of home wash away into the nearby Pacific Ocean, replaced by the spirit of Aloha. Prepare ingredients for a beach picnic or any other meal of the day in a fully equipped kitchen, relax in an open living space, or retreat to a private bedroom.
Contact us today to start planning your Maui beach adventure!
