Maui Beaches

+ The Top 25+ Beaches on the Hawaiian Island of Maui

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Maui Beaches
John Derrick
Published by: John C. Derrick
Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Maui Best Beaches

Hamoa Beach

Best Beaches on Maui

Maui Beach Guide (25+ Beaches)

Maui has some of the best beaches in all of Hawaii and some of the most diverse. Whether you're looking for a romantic stroll for two, a family-friendly day in the sun, a fascinating black sand beach to explore, or the ideal snorkeling location, Maui has the spot for you. Choose your perfect slice of sand from these great Maui beaches.

Of course, snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities are always popular at some of Maui's top beaches. Remember that conditions may vary from summer to winter, so know what to expect before you visit with our beaches guide.

West Maui offers many fine beaches scattered between major resorts (Kaanapali Beach being our personal favorite), while South Maui is teaming with various beaches along the shoreline from North Kihei to beyond Wailea. The famous duo of Big Beach and Little Beach is trendy on the southern shore.

East Maui offers a few beaches along the Road to Hana but makes up for it with a beautiful black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park. Plus, beyond Hana town, you'll find world-renowned Hamoa Beach, voted one of the finest anywhere.

This entry includes resources for Maui's Top Beaches, including tips, advice, beach rankings, maps, and more.

Top Maui Beaches Map Image

Top Maui Beaches Map

Maui's Top Beaches - All on one map...

Updated with a new high-resolution map of Maui. Includes each of Maui's top beaches, all major routes, landmarks, and a key with colored icons for help selecting the perfect beach.

Best Top 10 Beaches on Maui

Which beaches are the very best on Maui? Which are worth a visit and which can be skipped? Our ratings consider several vital things: sand quality, waves, year-round consistency, crowds and popularity, accessibility, and the beaches' surroundings as a whole. Let's take a look at Maui's best beaches.

Makena 'Big' Beach

Kihei & Wailea (South Maui) Region
#1 Rated Beach on Maui

Also known as Oneloa Beach (its proper Hawaiian name) or Makena Beach*, Big Beach is probably one of the prettiest beaches on Maui and certainly south Maui. It is nearly 2/3 miles long and over 100 feet wide. The gorgeous sand and pristine waters attract snorkelers, swimmers, and sunbathers.

One can access Makena Beach via a short road at mile marker four on Makena Alanui Road. The second access point lies past mile marker 4 in South Maui. Big Beach is connected by a small path over the hill and lava to Little Beach, a favorite spot for sunbathers. This beach's gate closes during the evening.

Ka'anapali Beach

Lahaina & Kaanapali Region
#2 Rated Beach on Maui

Nearly all of the seaside resorts in the Kaanapali area back up to Ka'anapali Beach, a three-mile stretch of sand suitable for frolicking with a sidewalk that runs the entire length by the hotels to Black Rock.

Black Rock slices across the beach and is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers. Those in search of their scuba certification on this part of the island will likely do your first dive at Black Rock.

There are also plenty more opportunities to whet your appetite for water sports such as parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skis.

Napili Bay Beach

West Maui Region
#3 Rated Beach on Maui

Located in northwest Maui, between Kapalua and Honokowai, is Napili Bay and Beach, a beautiful, scenic, and famous beach along this stretch of coastline on Maui. The white sloping sand and turquoise waters of Napili Bay and Beach make it one of the most popular beaches on Maui and for a good reason.

You can access the beach and bay from the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30). Typically, Napili Bay has crowded parking along the road, but the beach itself is less frequented by beachgoers than some other famous beaches on the Northwest coastline of Maui. Napili is regarded as a less crowded and quieter resort-front beach suitable for families. We recommend visiting early in the day for the best opportunities for suitable parking.

Hamoa Beach

Hana Highway Region
#4 Rated Beach on Maui

Hamoa Beach is located about 2.5 miles outside of Hana town traveling south. The access road is located just south of a large cinder cone. There is a small white sign pointing to the beaches along this section of the road.

There are several beaches in the area, Hamoa being the safest and most beautiful. Turn down the access road and follow it around until you reach the shores about 1.5 miles down the road. A bus pulls off on the seaward side of the road. The beach is just below the overlook.

There is no parking next to the beach. Park on the road above, and then take the stairs down to the shore. Proceed down the walkway steps to the beach.

Waianapanapa State Park & Beach

Hana Highway Region
#5 Rated Beach on Maui

As the visitor draws ever closer to Hana Town,  get ready for an excellent stop at mile marker 32 on the Road to Hana. On the makai side of the highway, you should see a gravel road leading down to Wai'anapanapa (Why-Ah-naa-paa-naa-paa) State Park. 

Head down the road and look for the main parking area (to the left). From here, a trail will lead you down to Honokalani black sand beach, located in Pa'iloa Bay. The black sand beach isn't the only attraction at Wai'anapanapa, though. Wai'anapanapa also features sculpted lava rocks, wind twisted foliage, a sea arch, lava caves and tubes, and even a blowhole in the lava rocks near the shoreline.

As of March 1, 2021, reservations (up to two weeks in advance) for all visiting tourists and commercial vehicles will be required to enter Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park. No same-day reservations will be accepted. Parking for out-of-state visitors will be $10.

Palauea 'White Rocks' Beach

Kihei & Wailea (South Maui) Region
#6 Rated Beach on Maui

Palauea means 'lazy,' which exactly fits the vibes of this beach. People come here to relax with their loved ones at this lovely south Maui beach. Located off Makena Road, this medium-sized beach remains underused.

Many enjoy the excellent snorkeling and scuba here. Head to the rock formations found on either side of the beach for the best snorkeling spots. Head to the south end of the beach, with all its rock formations, for the best diving.

Palauea Beach is located just south of the Kea Lani Beach Hotel and the Polo Beach Club. Travel along Wailea Alanui Drive and take a right turn at the intersection after the Kea Lani Beach Hotel. Travel the length of this paved access road and turn left down an unimproved dirt and asphalt road—Park along the route. The beach is located about 100 feet from the access road.

Kamaole Beach Park(s)

Kihei & Wailea (South Maui) Region
#7 Rated Beach on Maui

Kama'ole Park is located in the town of Kihei and is divided into three distinct beach areas.

  • Kama'ole I - The most significant and most excellent beach of the three because of its fine white sand and great swimming conditions. This is the magical point where Maui's southern coast starts to really throw out all the stops, so to speak, as the sand here is impressive- similar to that found further south in Wailea and Makena.
  • Kama'ole II - This beach is similar to Kamaole I, but it is a tad smaller, at just under a third of a mile long from end to end. In contrast, swimmers should enjoy the entire length of its nice sandy bottom. Snorkeling is pretty good here at the ends of the beach. 
  • Kama'ole III -The beach is simply beautiful, but it is quite different from I and II. First, it is much smaller. Second, it has rocky areas along with several parts of the beach. Waves crash onto the rocks, sending vast splashes of water into the air, making for an impressive show. While the beach area may be smaller than the other two beaches here, the grassy area is significantly larger and makes the perfect spot for picnics, kite flying, or simply relaxing.

H.A. Baldwin Park & Beach

Hana Highway / Central Region
#8 Rated Beach on Maui

H. A. Baldwin Park, a tribute to Harry A. Baldwin for his contributions to Maui, is more than just a beach. There are fields for soccer and softball and several picnic pavilions and barbecues.

The beach is lovely for swimming but can get a bit windy in the afternoons for sunbathers. Baldwin provides restrooms, showers, drinking water, payphones, and an on-duty lifeguard. This is a family beach popular with the locals in Paia, so try to steer clear on the weekends.

Head east on highway 36 through Pa'ia along the coast. The beach is located just past the golf course on the north side of the road.

Ho'okipa Beach

Hana Highway Region
#9 Rated Beach on Maui

Ho'okipa Beach Park is located right beyond Pa'ia and Ka'au town makai (toward the ocean) on the Hana Highway.

Ho'okipa Lookout is a lovely spot to get a good view over parts of coastal northwest Maui (to your left) and the Pacific Ocean stretching to the north in front of you.

It's also a great place to watch surfers and windsurfers catch the waves below you on Ho'okipa Beach. World-class windsurfing events are held here annually.

Charley Young Beach

Kihei & Wailea (South Maui) Region
#10 Rated Beach on Maui

Charley Young Beach is a sheltered 3-mile park at the north end of Kamaole I Beach in Kihei.

The beach is best in the morning when conditions are at their calmest. You can dig your toes into the abundance of soft sand at this beach and enjoy the protection from the wind. There is no lifeguard on duty, but portable toilets and showers are available. Parking can be difficult, but the great swimming and surfing are worth the extra effort.

Located at the north end of Kamaole I Beach on South Kihei Road.

La Perouse Bay

Kihei & Wailea (South Maui) Region
Honorable Mention on Maui

It might be a stretch to include this on a 'beaches' list, but it's a tremendous coastal stop for visitors, so we had to include it here as an honorable mention on Maui.

La Perouse is the end of the road in south Maui. It is located at mile marker seven at the very end of Makena Alanui Road. Several areas provide access to the water, and there are trails for exploring.

Here you can walk through the lava and explore the sea estuaries. This is a favorite place for dolphins and local anglers. Make sure to wear sunscreen and be prepared for a lot of wind. 

 Interactive Maui Beaches Map

Click the button below to display an interactive Maui Beaches map. We've included each of the most popular beaches on Maui.

View Interactive Maui Beaches Map

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All Top 25+ Maui Beaches

Categorized by Region

Need Help? Check out our Maui Regions Guide →

West Maui Beaches

West Maui Beaches

West Maui Beaches

Kihei & Wailea Beaches

Kihei & Wailea Beaches

Kihei & Wailea Beaches

South Maui
Lahaina & Ka'anapali Beaches

Lahaina & Ka'anapali Beaches

Lahaina & Ka'anapali Beaches

Hana Highway Beaches

Hana Highway Beaches

Hana Highway Beaches

Central Maui Beaches

Central Maui Beaches

Central Maui Beaches

Maui Water Activities

You cannot miss the opportunity to explore and play in the waters off Maui, as each excursion truly is a bucket-list adventure. Catch that perfect wave (or even your very first one), reel in “the big one” on a Maui fishing charter, or paddle into the sunset. And speaking of sunsets, how about a cocktail cruise as the sun melts into the horizon? See what makes these Maui ocean adventures so unique.

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