I'm going to split up all the information into a few different posts, but this one's going to be all about Maui's beaches. Future posts will help you decide where to stay, where to go, and what to do if you ever decide to go on a vacation to this tropical island paradise. Even if you've already been, read the next post for a few tips on 9 of Maui's best beaches.
Maui's Beaches:
Out of all the hawaiian islands, Maui has some of the best, most user-friendly beaches. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, surf, or just frolic around on the beach like an idiot, there's definitely a beach for you! Although South Maui has the most good beaches, West Maui has a few gems. I'm not going to review all the beaches (there are a LOT), but I'll describe some of the island's best, from the bottom of South Maui, clockwise around the island.
 |
| A view of Big Beach from the lava point on the north side. |
Big Beach- Nearly a kilometre long and over 30 metres wide, this beautiful golden crescent of sand is amazing to look at.
Conditions: When waters are calm, the sea is very inviting, but in the winter be aware of large waves. Because it's right at the bottom of South Maui, wind isn't usually much of a problem.
Crowds: This is a very popular beach, and as a result you'll want to get there early.
Best for: Walking, frolicking, sometimes swimming and boogie boarding. If you're not a strong swimmer, don't go swim here because the waves break right on the shore, and the surf comes in at strange angles.
Location: A minute or so past Makena, in South Maui, just north of 'Ahihi Cove.
Po'olenalena Beach- One of the least used large beaches in the Wailea/Makena area, this beach is one of the island's best spots for snorkelling.
 |
| Po'olenalena is one of the best snorkelling spots in South Maui. |
Crowds: Unlike a lot of other South Maui beaches, this beach is quiet, calm, and very much uncrowded (although weekends can be busier here).
Best for: Snorkelling (especially for beginners) is amazing thanks to the clear water and interesting topography, boogie boarding is good (when there's surf) and swimming is great too.
Location: In South Maui, south of Palauea Beach and in between Wailea and Makena.
Palauea Beach- Another great beach near Wailea that offers excellent swimming, calm surroundings, and relatively clear water.
Conditions: Water access is easy, and the gently sloping shoreline is free of rocks. The recessed bay doesn't get as windy as other beaches in the area.
Crowds: It's a little busier than Po'olenalena beach, but considering the location is certainly one of the quietest beaches in the area.
Best for: Swimming, and snorkelling around the left side (the right is good too, but offshore waters can be cloudy).
Location: Near Wailea, and south of Polo beach (in South Maui).
 |
| That's it... we're not leaving... EVER! (Wailea Beach isn't usually this quiet.) |
Conditions: The setting is picturesque and waters are calm most of the time. In the afternoon, it can become windy so morning is the best time to visit.
Crowds: Unfortunately, you won't find this beach empty (it's backed by the Grand Wailea resort), and parking can be a problem.
Best for: Swimming and frolicking is excellent here, and the snorkelling is decent at both ends of the beach. Boogie boarding is good at the left side when there's surf.
Location: This beach is located in Wailea in South Maui, south of Mokapu and Ulua beaches.
Keawakapu Beach- A long, excellent beach with lots of sand on and offshore, and very clear water.
Conditions: Mornings are best as with most South Maui beaches, as afternoons can be windy. Even in the winter, the surf is pretty calm.
Crowds: Like Wailea beach, Keawakapu can get pretty busy, especially on weekends and during the winter season. The left side of the beach is less used than the area by the main public access.
Best for: Frolicking, swimming, and snorkelling (which can be good at the northern rocky point at the end of the beach).
 |
| Keawakapu Beach is one of South Maui's best beaches. |
Kama'ole Beaches- An awesome trio of South Kihei beaches, each a great place for a different activity.
Conditions: Mornings are best, as the afternoons are windy. Kameole 1 is the biggest and best of the three, Kameole 2 has the same clear water and fine sand, and Kameole 3 has a little more seaweed (and is most used of the three).
Crowds: You won't find these beaches quiet, as they are some of the most popular in South Maui. Kameole 3 is most used by locals.
Best for: Kameole 1 is good for swimming and snorkelling (especially at the right end), Kameole 2 is a great place for frolicking and swimming, (decent snorkelling at the rocky points), and Kameole 3 has the most reliable boogie boarding in South Maui, due to bigger waves even during calmer seas.
Location: In South Kihei, a ways north of Keawakapu Beach.
Ka'anapali Beach- This beach fronts lots of resorts in central Ka'anapali, and one of the best ways to spend your evening in West Maui.
Conditions: The entire beach has a fine, sandy bottom (and very few rocks!). During calm seas, the swimming and snorkelling is great, but when the surf's up, don't go in the water.
Crowds: This beach may not be hidden and untrampled, but you won't be disappointed. There's a concrete path along the beach, and it's a great place for an evening walk or run.
 |
| You won't find it empty and untrampled, but Ka'anapali Beach never disappoints. |
Location: In Ka'anapali, in West Maui; south of Kahekili Beach Park.
Kahekili Beach Park- A sandy bottom, clear water, and protection from afternoon winds-- this is one of the best West Maui beaches.
Conditions: A windbreak running north of here helps to protect you from wind, but like Ka'anapali beach, high winter surf can partially erase the sandy bottom and make the water cloudier.
Crowds: Although less crowded than some other beaches in the West Maui area, it's still a pretty popular beach. Mornings are best here.
Best for: Walking is great all the time. Frolicking and swimming (when seas are calm), and snorkelling (but you'll have to go farther out).
Location: Just north of Ka'anapali beach, in West Maui.
Napili Beach- A small but fun West Maui beach with lots of sand and a cove that blocks much of the afternoon wind.
Conditions: When seas are calm, it's good for swimming but beware that the steep shoreline causes waves to slap the shoreline and recede quickly, creating an impressive undertow during high surf.
Crowds: Like most good West Maui beaches, it can be fairly crowded (especially on weekends and holidays).
Best for: This beach is a great place for swimming and frolicking, as long as the seas are calm. During high surf, sit on the sand and watch the waves.
 |
| A dramatic sunset on the shores of Sugar Beach. |
Other beaches: The 9 beaches I've listed in this post are some of my favourite, but there are lots of others. If I gave detailed information on all of them, this post would be way too long. Here are some honourable mentions that you can look up if you're interested or going to Maui:
Best Long Walk: Sugar Beach (Ma'alea/North Kihei area)
Best West Maui Snorkelling: Black Rock (Ka'anapali) and Honolula Bay (north of Kapalua)
Best Secluded Beach: Pa'ako Beach (past Big Beach)
Best West Maui Swimming: Kapalua Beach (Kapalua)
Best Less Known Beach: Black Sand Beach (Makena)
Thanks for reading! The next Maui post will be all about where to stay, and also how to find the best accommodation (does "oceanfront" mean actual oceanfront, or "you might just make out the ocean past those palm tree trunks"?).
Finally, if you have any travel advice, tips, or feedback of your own, leave a comment below :)
No comments:
Post a Comment