Maui Best Beaches

Driving down Haneo'o Road, the rugged cliffs give way to a beautiful coastal view. As you continue down towards the shore you?ll notice ?Alau Island offshore. From this vantage point it looks like a rather small island with a few trees perched on top. You'll pass by Koki Beach on your left, and it's worth a stop if you have the time. Heading farther down the road beyond Koki Beach you?ll discover one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawai?i - the world famous Hamoa Beach. After parking in the lot at the beach, proceed down the stairs to the shoreline. The surrounding grounds are nearly as captivating as the beach itself. Hamoa is about 1,000 feet long and about 100 feet wide with sea cliffs surrounding it. Lush vegetation cradles the beach in stunning beauty. Off shore there is decent snorkeling and scuba diving, good swimming, and just as in ancient times, excellent body surfing too (mostly in the winter). If you can wrestle a kayak down to the beach, launching is relatively easy when the surf is down. Hamoa is unprotected by fringing reefs, so big surf hits the beach unimpeded in the winter months. The beach is surrounded by private property owned by the Hotel Hana Maui. Most of the facilities are for the guests of the resort, but the Hotel Hana Maui is gracious enough to allow the use of some of the facilities. There are rest rooms, showers, and picnic tables available. Visit Hamoa Beach.

Nearly all of the seaside resorts in this 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 wet your appetite for water sports such as para-sailing, wind surfing and jet skis. Visit Kaanapali Beach.

Also known as Oneloa Beach (its true Hawaiian name) or Makena Beach, Big Beach is probably one of the prettiest beaches on Maui, certainly south Maui. It is nearly 2/3 mile long and over 100 feet wide. The gorgeous sand and pristine waters attract snorkelers, swimmers and sunbathers. You can also get great views of Molokini and Kahoolawe. Visit Big Beach.

Kama'ole Park is located in the town of Kihei and is divided into three distinct beach areas. Kama'ole I has the largest and nicest beach of the three with fine white sand and great swimming conditions. There's also a grassy area at the south end for picnics and playing. Visit Kamaole Beach.

At the end of our best beaches list is the beautiful black sand beach of Wai`anapanapa State Wayside Park. From the parking lot a trail will lead you down to Honokalani black sand beach, located in Pailoa Bay. Swimming is dangerous and should be avoided here, as the beach is open to the ocean with no outside reef to break the force of the waves and current. Once youre on the beach, you might be interested in exploring the cave opening off to your right. Though narrow at the entrance, it widens inside and takes you an open view of the ocean at the other end. Visit Honokalani Black Sand Beach.