Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
This underused but beautiful beach is located on Makena Alanui Road in South Maui right next to Makena Beach.
Oneuli means "dark sands" which aptly describes the beach's salt and pepper mixture of black and white sand. After years of abuse from the ocean waves, the nearby Pu'u Ola'i Cinder Cone's deposits were ground into black sand and washed up on the beach. Combine that with crushed seashells and you have a lovely mixture. One of the highlights of this beach is the snorkeling. A large lava shelf off shore makes swimming conditions not ideal, but the coral-filled bay makes up for it. This is a favorite location for honu (green sea turtles) and occasionally manta rays and small sharks. The best locations for snorkeling and scuba diving are at the north end of the beach following the length of the beach. During calm seas you may be able to snorkel all the way around the cinder cone, but be mindful of currents and come up to check if you are still on track. This is also a good place to launch a kayak.
This beach has no facilities and only a gravel parking lot. The sand can wreak havoc on your feet. The intense rays of the sun and bits of shell require flip flops or reef shoes. If the surf is rough, keep out of the water. Swimming beyond the fringing reef can also be dangerous as the currents are at their strongest. Do not leave valuables in your car or unattended at the beach. Oneuli Beach is located in Makena, after the Maui Prince Hotel, but before you get to Makena Beach. The beach rests at the base of the north side of the cinder cone Pu'u Ola'i. Traveling along Wailea Alanui Road, you pass the Maui Prince and the Old Makena Road on the right. The road makes a sharp bend to the east then continues on to Ahihi Kina'u and La Perouse Bay. Just after the bend, but before you get to the main paved parking lot at Makena Beach there is a dirt road turnoff (through a orange unlocked gate). Take the dirt road and follow it back until you reach the ocean, park where you can.
