Haycraft Beach Park

Haycraft is a little-known county beach park at the end of the strip of condominiums and vacation rentals east of Ma'alaea harbor. It provides natural shade and windbreak shelter, and has several picnic tables, fresh-water shower and portable restroom facilities. Great for running and long walks, as it connects to Ma'alaea Beach and then Sugar Beach to the east, creating the longest uninterrupted beach on Maui.

AT A GLANCE
HIGHLIGHTS: Quiet and secluded, multitude of sheltered sandy nooks that have a remote beach feel. Amazing views of the coastline and the neighbor islands, a 3-mile-long stretch of sand beach heading left.
ACTIVITIES: Swimming, running, beach walking, boogie-boarding, picnicking, watching surfing.
LIFEGUARD: NO
WARNINGS: submerged rocks and reef in some of the near-shore areas, enter water carefully. Some of the shade trees are of a thorny variety of mesquite called Kiawe. Sharp thorny branches are often found on the ground under them, so please be careful when bare-footing here.
AMENITIES: Designated small parking lot, shower, picnic tables, and portable restroom.

County of Maui "Haycraft Park" website link:
http://www.co.maui.hi.us/facilities/Facility/Details/199

This is the primary beach access for the Ma'alaea condos. The surf break to the right (Freight Trains) is suitable for body-boarding during mild summer swells, but becomes veritable beast during high surf, great for watching advanced surfers show off their skill. The beach is of the softest finest grain sand mixed with sediments so the water is often a bit cloudy near shore but clears up a little ways out passed the low reef. The whales are highly visible during January through March season just mile or so offshore as this is a protected part of the whale sanctuary, where whale mothers and babies often seek shelter. The coastline view with Makena cinder cone and topped by Haleakala is superb, with Kaho'olawe island and Molikini islet clearly visible as well.

*There is a "Shoreline access" half-way to the park, amidst the multitude of condominiums, there look for the public beach access sign. While there is no beach, it is a surfers' access point to the Freight Trains surf break, as well as general public's access to a very cozy sunset-viewing bench.

Getting there:
Take Route 30 to Ma'alaea Harbor area. At the "Carl's Junior" intersection light turn ocean-ward onto Kapoli Street and proceed 1 block to the stop sign. Turn right on Kapoli Road, proceed 0.2 mile, turn left onto Hauoli Road, proceed 0.9 mile to the end of the road and look for park entrance.

Address:
Haycraft Park
399 Hauoli Street
Ma'alaea, Maui, HI 96793

Ma'alaea Harbor "baby beach"

If you are visiting Ma'alaea harbor area with small children, there is a small beach in the eastern corner of the harbor that is supremely protected from surf and hazards, and is worth mentioning. This sandy beach with shallow water and no waves also provides an excellent vantage point to watch the harbor activity, with boats entering and exiting the harbor at a safe distance. It has a small parking lot and access adjacent to the Coast guard station. . There is a small convenience store for your sundry needs.

Getting there:
Take Route 30 to Ma'alaea Harbor area. At the "Carl's Junior" intersection light turn ocean-ward onto Kapoli Street and proceed 1 block to the stop sign. Turn right on Ma'alaea Road, proceed 0.3 mile and turn left just before the Coast Guard station into the first parking area.