Beaches in Maui

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• Big Beach

  Makena, Maui

  Makena State Park, more commonly known as "Big Beach", goes by many names including Makena, Big Beach, and the Hawaiian name "Oneloa". Getting to Big Beach is easy from Kahului, just take State Highway 31 (Mokulele Hwy) towards Kihei, follow for 7.2 Miles, then highway will turn to the right at the end, turning into Wailea Ike Drive, follow for 0.6 miles and turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive for 2.6 miles and Big Beach's first entrance will be on your right. There a

• Honolua Bay

  Kapalua, Maui

  A multi-use natural playground, Honolua Bay provides the best natural wilderness of the West Side with forest walks, surf watching and snorkeling all on your adventure menu. Part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Bay marine life conservation district, the bay's inner-portion to about mid-point is mostly sheltered from the wind and surf. It is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, great for seeing a myriad of fish and coral. The outer bay break is a legendary powerful right break that ro

• Koki Beach

  Hana, Maui

  This beach is a short drive from Hana town and is centered among several Hawaiian heritage sites. Beautiful crescent of soft sand curves along the bottom of a striking red-and-yellow-striped cinder cliff, with an off-shore islets dotting the horizon. The ocean conditions fluctuate here, and currents can be prevalent. Usually water is safest in the summer; avoid swimming during high surf during mid-autumn through late-spring. It is best to see if locals are in the water. Do not hesitate

• Kanaha Beach

  Kahului, Maui

  Directly next to the Kahului airport lies Maui's most hidden beach known as Kanaha Beach Park. A mile-long stretch of green grass lawns and tree-lined soft white sand beaches, it is a world-renown windsurfing and kite-boarding spot, attracting both experienced athletes and beginners. On any given windy afternoon there are swirls of butterfly-like sails off-shore. Kanaha also has some fine swimming, and though popular with locals on weekends, is wonderfully uncrowded during the weekdays.

• Kamaole III Beach Park

  Kihei, Maui

  This beach has the best park atmosphere of the three "Kamaole beach parks", it is as much about family gatherings, picnics and playgrounds, as it is about the ocean access. Though this beach is only a little over a hundred yards long, the clean water quality to the far right of the beach is one of the best in Kihei, great for swimming and practicing snorkeling. Large parking area, plenty of picnic tables, a children's playground, expansive shaded lawns and multitude of ameniti

• Hana Bay Beach Park

  Hana, Maui

  The town of Hana on Maui's easternmost point is a sleepy country town surrounded by gorgeous scenery and very remote and unguarded beaches. So it is worth mentioning this park for the island visitors who prefer safer ocean access with more protected beach and amenities. Hana Bay Park is a centrally located county park and beach that serves as a town center for Hana. With its numerous picnic tables, pavilions, kayak rentals and the local outrigger canoe club, Hana beach park is a hub of activity

• Napili Bay

  Lahaina, Maui

  A balmy, coconut palm-lined soft sandy beach with calm vividly blue water and gentle breezes, this is the place where you can just float away in relaxation. Welcome to Napili Bay, a wide and open west-facing ocean bay that whispers paradise in many ways. Nestled amongst several classic condominium resorts on a small side street off Lower Honoapiilani Road in Napili, it is picture-perfect and quite popular. The parking is a little tricky, limited curb-side only, but is truly worth the ef

• Red Sands Beach

  Hana, Maui

  Perhaps one of the more mysterious and least understood spots in the small town of Hana is Kaihalulu Bay or "Red Sands Beach". Though not very safe or easy to reach, many make the trek to find out that the beach is not made of sand at all, but instead consists of small red cinders. The small cove at Kaihalulu is surrounded by a mountain of volcanic remnants known as a "cinder cone". The mountain is highly unstable and crumbing into the sea all around this l

• Kamaole I Beach Park

  Kihei, Maui

  The northernmost of three Kamaole Beach Parks, this beach is by far the longest with nearly 600 yards of light soft sandy beach and plenty of room to spread out. The far right end of the beach is known as "Charley Young Beach" and has a separate entrance and parking if you find that you prefer the quieter end of the beach. The central section of the beach in front of the lifeguard towers is the most popular and has a feeling of being a "California" beach except, of c

• Honomanu Bay

  Hana, Maui

  Honomanu Bay's stunning black sand beach is a landmark along the legendary Road to Hana that most visitors hope to catch a glimpse of from the road high above, but very few actually make it down to the bay as it is not easily accessible. However, it is definitely possible to set foot on the beach without too much hassle, and the rugged landscape and surreal views make it worth it. AT A GLANCE:Honomanu Bay is located on the ocean