Wailea Beach

Maui has many attractions that shouldn't be missed. This is but a small summary of great ideas that won't disappoint you.

 You shouldn't miss the great beaches on Maui. They are truly world class.

Wailea Beach (S. Maui)  The warm, clear teal blue water and the golden sands are wonderful. A series of three really pretty crescent beaches with lava outcroppings at several places. You can snorkel at several locations and several of the finer resorts can provide you with snorkel or scuba gear on-site.

Kihei (S. Maui)  Another group of nice beaches in the south are the Kamaole Beach Parks I, II & III of Kihei. These are nice public parks with great beaches and facilities. They are great for swimming, sunning, windsurfing and general recreation.

Pa`ia (N. Maui)  H.A. Baldwin Park has a nice beach, with one section protected from waves by coral offshore known as 'Baby Beach'. This is located just below Mama's Fish House at Ku`au Cove and is a great spot to take the children. This area is also used by wind and board surfers.

Ho`okipa Beach Park (N. Maui)  This beach just past Pa`ia is one of the most famous windsurfing beaches in the world. A word of caution: this beach is not very safe for swimming due to the waves and rough current. Windsurfers should definitely practice at the Kamaole Beach Parks in Kihei before trying this one out. Even if you don't windsurf, you really should go to Ho`okipa to see the windsurfers in action.

Kapalua Beach (W. Maui)  A very pretty, good sized beach and great for swimming. Several fine resorts are located here.

Ka`anapali Beach (W. Maui)  Nice beach with lots of activity due the number of nice resorts located here. The section known as 'Dig Me Beach' is especially popular. It's not sheltered with lava reefs like Kapalua, so if storms are passing through, you can get some big waves.

Hamoa Beach (Hana)  Mark Twain's favorite. Way out the eastern part of the island near Hana Town, it fronts Hamoa Bay and is usually not crowded. Scenic with high cliffs. Mostly used by visitors to the Hotel Hana Maui. A favorite of the local surfers around Hana. Water is somewhat rough but can be used for swimming on calm days.

Waianapanapa State Park (Hana)  The famous black sand beach of Maui, a real rarity anywhere in the world. It was formed by the erosion of lava flows instead of coral like most beaches. About 4.5 miles before Hana. Look for the signs for the left turn. Enjoy it for the scenary as swimming here is not for the inexperienced due to the rough water and currents. Picnic and camping are allowed and it does have facilities.

Big Beach/Little Beach (S. Maui)  These two beaches are located in extreme South Maui just past Makena. Big Beach is aptly named as it is over 3,000 feet long and quite wide. It is one of the last undeveloped beach areas on Maui. To get to it, take Wailea Alanui Drive and continue on as it changes into Makena Alanui Drive down past the Maui Prince Hotel to the other side of the large volcanic cindercone Pu`u Olai. Look for the second dirt road on your right. This will lead down to the beach. There is good snorkeling at the north end around the base of Pu`u Olai, but only if the ocean is calm as there is no protective reef. If you cross over the hill at the base of Pu`u Olai, you will come upon the smaller Little Beach. This is Maui's infamous nude beach. Nude sunbathing is illegal but is rarely inforced at this beach. As these beaches are somewhat remote, you shouldn't leave any thing of value in your car, even in the trunk, as there have been incidents of auto burglary here.

Don't miss the next page of great things you shouldn't miss!

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Last modified on Aloha Friday, May 25, 2001