It’s no secret that Maui has some of the best beaches in the world! While there are certainly ones we fell in love with, let’s make something very clear. There are literally ENDLESS amazing beaches to discover in Maui. On a visit to the island, you’ll find entire coastlines of white sand, clear blue water, and countless palm trees. We encourage you to explore and find your own favorite beaches in Maui Hawaii. However, if you need a little help getting started, these are ten beaches that you could easily spend the entire afternoon at.
10 Best Maui Hawaii Beaches
1. Makena Beach State Park
This unique state park is home to one of the biggest beaches in Maui. What makes it so special is that because of its park status, the area remains undeveloped.
This means it’s the perfect place to appreciate the natural beauty of the island. Shade is limited, so bring an umbrella if you plan to stay the day! Also, be extremely careful of the waves and rip tide here.
Little Beach: Don’t miss Little Beach on your visit to Makena! Take a right when you get to the water and head all the way down to the small hill in the distance. There is a view from the top to see before heading to the cove on the other side.
2. Maluaka Beach
When we first landed in Hawaii we dropped our bags, jumped in the car, and headed straight to Maluaka Beach. This is easily one of the best beaches in Maui!
Some days there are rolling waves, while at other times the water is completely calm and translucent. Our favorite part is it’s often less crowded than the Maui beaches that sit in front of the luxury hotels. Yet, just know that Maluaka is every bit as stunning!
3. Ulua Beach & Wailea Beach Walk Beaches
This popular coast is known for having some of Maui’s most high-end hotels. Ulua Beach is one of the first on the gorgeous Wailea Beach Walk.
This walk itself is one of the best things to do on Maui Hawaii. We loved swimming and snorkeling at Ulua, but you will also find Mokapu, Wailea, and Polo Beach along the coastal path.
4. Po‘olenalena Beach
Po’olenalena is one of the best Maui Hawaii beaches for locals and travelers alike. Its location near Wailea and smooth, rolling waves make it an awesome place to catch the sunset.
We loved pulling up some beach chairs with an ice cold drink and watching the colors change behind the ocean!
5. Maalaea Beach
Overlooking the beautiful Maalaea Bay, this long beach is hardly ever crowded. Park at the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk and walk the wooden path through the wildlife refuge before cutting down to the ocean.
Due to limited parking, you should only be sharing the beach with a small group of others.
6. Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali is known for its golden sands and fun waves. Here you can find a ton of activities like windsurfing, jet skiing, and more!
It’s also a great spot to simply grab a boogie board and ride the waves into the beach. If you’re up for a walk, there is a beautiful path that takes you along the hotels.
7. Kapalua Bay Beach
This is what you might have imagined when you dreamed of visiting the best beaches in Maui Hawaii! What makes Kapalua so unique is that it’s inside of a small bay, which protects it from the larger waves.
This creates some crystal clear water that’s great for floating and snorkeling. Soak in the warm Maui water or grab a pair of goggles and flippers to explore the area.
8. Oneloa Beach
For being so close to the resorts and restaurants of West Maui, Oneloa feels like a tropical escape. You can get to it by walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail for a fun afternoon!
Although it’s very close to Kapalua Bay, Oneloa provides a different experience with waves for body surfing and boogie boarding. Also, make sure to check out the nearby rock formations at the Dragon Teeth Trail.
9. Honolua Bay
While Honolua Bay is rocky instead of sandy, it’s still is one of the best Maui beaches. This is because it’s one of the most famous places to snorkel on the island.
Groups of boat tours cruise here just to see the colorful fishes of Maui. Luckily, you can also swim from shore to the right side of the bay! We saw beautiful coral, hundreds of fish, and even sea turtles.
10. Ho’okipa Beach Park
Speaking of sea turtles, Ho’okipa is one of the best beaches in Maui Hawaii to see them! Behind a small barrier on the right side of the sand is where dozens regularly hang out.
Now, this isn’t to say you won’t come across sea turtles at several of the best Maui beaches. Yet, there’s a reason this is nicknamed Turtle Beach!
If you’re not a fan of snorkeling, this is an amazing place to see them up close. Ho’okipa Beach Park is also the go-to spot for more advanced surfers.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of the best Maui Hawaii beaches? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
PIN FOR LATER ↓
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
This is a good example of why tourists shouldn’t give other tourists advice without being fully informed. For example you fail to mention your top beach is also Maui’s most dangerous beach or that Ho’okipa has turtles, but that there’s a barrier because people need to keep their distance from the turtles and the they should not be harassed. People shouldn’t be encouraged to get close like your picture makes it look.
Author
Hi Sandy
We do mention the barrier and there is signs warning of a massive fine all over the place once you get there for going beyond it.
This was very informative information, Thanks
Author
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy Maui (-: