Maui’s shoreline stretches for more than 30 miles, offering a stunning range of beaches from soft white sands to dramatic black and red shores. With some of the most swimmable waters in Hawai‘i, each day invites a new way to experience the coast—whether surfing, snorkeling, or simply unwinding along the water’s edge.
Beaches of Wailea
Keawakapu Beach
A long sandy beach at the boundary of Kihei and Wailea, there are exceptionally alive tidepools and good snorkeling around the outcropping on the north end. On the southern end, there are also pockets for snorkeling and avid swimmers enjoy doing laps along the entire length of the beach
Polo Beach
A pair of beautiful sandy crescents join to form Ke One o Polo, also known as Polo Beach. Snorkeling is excellent during calm seas around the rocky point to the north end of the beach. Boogie boarding is good when a south swell comes in. Sandy entry and gentle slope makes swimming and playing in the water a pleasure.
Ulua Beach
Fronting the Wailea Elua Village and named after one of the most popular Hawaiian game fish, Ulua Beach is a quarter-mile beach perfect for beginner level dives just at the outer reef. Enjoy swimming, boogie boarding and excellent beginner to intermediate snorkeling around the rocky outcrop on the north end of the beach.
Wailea Beach
Consistently rated one of the world’s best beaches, Wailea is beach perfection with views of Kaho’olawe, Molokini and Lana’i. Snorkeling is very good around the rocky outcroppings that define both ends of the beach. Boogie boarding and body surfing are also fun in the regularly formed, small waves and gentle slope.
La Perouse Bay
Located at the most southern point you can travel by car on this coastline, the area around La Perouse Bay Area was formed during a 1790 volcanic eruption on Maui that created its signature lava rock shoreline. Protected from strong currents, the small coves along the northern end of the bay in the nature reserve are great for snorkeling.
Makena Bay/Landing
Scenic with a gentle sandy entry into the bay, Makena Bay/Landing is a well-used cove and landing for kayaking, fishing, snorkeling and shore dives. With an abundance of sea turtles and other marine life on the northern side (Nahuna Point), this large bay is a wonderful place to learn to snorkel and explore shallow reefs.
Makena Beach
A beautiful and uncharacteristically wide sandy beach, Makena Beach is popular among extreme athletes for the big and powerful waves that break right at the water’s edge. Known as Big Beach or Oneloa Beach, this beach is your front row ticket to some of the most thrilling boogie boarding you’re likely to see during your visit.
Maluaka Beach
Just south of Wailea in famed Turtle Town, Maluaka Beach teems with fish and marine life, including its high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. Hidden behind the mountain of Haleakala and protected from Hawaii’s trade winds, the beach’s calm waters make for great swimming, boating, fishing and snorkeling.
Po’olenalena Beach
Also known as Paipu Beach, Po’olenalena Beach is a beautiful beach with a sandy bottom entry sloped gently for pleasant swimming and playing. Snorkeling is excellent around the rocky outcroppings at the south end of the beach. Boogie boarding is good during south swells and perfect for kiddies or beginners when seas are calm.
