Kapalua Coastal Trail: A Beautiful Beach Walk That’s Fun For All Ages

The Kapalua Coastal Trail is one of Maui’s most beautiful scenic beach walks! Stretching from Kapalua Bay to D.T. Fleming Park, the pathway will take you on a fun and adventurous island stroll. Join us for a leisurely walk along the stunning ocean and West Coast beaches of Maui. 

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Getting to the Kapalua Coastal Trail Maui

One of the best parts about the Kapalua Coastal Trail is that you can start from multiple places. There is parking at several different locations along the pathway at most major beaches. Most people start at Kapalua Beach Maui and walk the trail to the end and back. 

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Kapalua Coastal Trail Parking

In peak season the parking can be tough near Kapalua Beach. We recommend getting there as early as possible to secure a spot. Once you get close to Kapalua Beach you’ll see signs for parking. Most lots charge $10 for the day. However, you have to leave by 2 or 3pm so be sure to double-check the times.

If you can’t find a spot at Kapalua in Maui you can always head out to the free street parking.  You can also park at Kapalua Parking, the Dragon’s Teeth Access Trail, or DT Fleming Park along the trail. 

About the Kapalua Coastal Trail

In total, the Kapalua Coastal Trail is 1.76 miles which makes it around 3.5 miles round trip. The pathway is mostly flat so this will be an easy day of walking. Still, you may want to wear shoes over flip-flops. There are some sections that a paved, rocky, and even a wooden planked boardwalk. 

Also, make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. Especially if you’re doing the walk in the heat of the afternoon! We loved beach hopping all the way down the Kapalua Coastal Trail while checking out some of Maui’s luxurious hotels.

The official trail starts at Kapalua Beach which is one of the islands most famous beaches. Honestly, when we first saw Kapalua in Maui we couldn’t believe our eyes. White sand and crystal clear water was surrounded by gorgeous palm trees. This is the type of beach that you come to Hawaii for!

Kapalua beach Maui was pretty crowded the day we were there. Still, this didn’t bother us much as we spent most of our time in the water anyway. We even saw a sea turtle swimming right next to us near the shore! 

Kapalua Coastal Trail: Oneloa Beach

Once you’ve had your fill of Kapalua in Maui head up the trail to Oneloa Beach. A slight incline takes you past the ultra-luxurious Montage Kapalua Bay hotel and then up and over the rock cliffs. From here, walk out along the large rocks where you’ll get your first view of Oneloa Beach. 

While the Kapalua Beach Maui is very calm, you’ll find Oneloa is the complete opposite! If you love playing in the waves then this will be your favorite beach on the Kapalua Coastal Trail. With limited parking in the area, this also beach feels very remote and secluded. 

Kapalua Coastal Trail: Makaluapuna Point & Dragon Teeth Trail

Just past Oneloa Beach is a short trail that leads out to Makaluapuna Point. The walk down will only take a few minutes. Here the rock formations are jagged and supposedly resemble Dragon Teeth.

I guess you can decide for yourself! There is parking at the Dragon Teeth Trail as well if you want to just a nice view and don’t have time for the entire Kapalua Coastal Trail. 

The final stop on the Kapalua Coastal Trail Maui is D. T. Fleming Beach Park. To get to the beach you’ll stroll through the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Maui. Once you make it to the end the foresty entry leads down to the soft sands.

After we walked almost 2 miles it was so nice to be able to grab a seat in the shade. This is also a great spot to have a picnic or a snack. Much like Oneloa Beach, there are also plenty of waves to splash around in.

Once we had another swim in the ocean we made the walk back to the start of the trail. We loved this trail and it reminded us of the beautiful Wailea Beach Walk on the other side of the island. Both take you along Maui’s luxury hotels and by some of its finest beaches!

More Maui Hikes: Don’t miss these 11 amazing hikes & walks on Maui such as the extreme Waihee Ridge Trail, & Bamboo Forest, or easy Hoapili (Lava Field) Trail!

Have any questions on the Kapalua Coastal Trail or want to share your own experiences from Kapalua Beach Maui? Leave us a comment below!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

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Where to Stay in Maui Hawaii

For a complete look at the island check out Where to Stay in Maui: 4 Top Areas With Hotel Picks

Ultra Luxury – Four Seasons Resort Maui – Wailea – Known as one of the most elite hotels on Maui, the Four Seasons has three swimming pools, 5-star service, and is just steps from the beach. 

Fun Vacation – Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Wailea – This modern, upscale hotel is packed with swimming pools and ocean views. 

Bed & Breakfast –Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast – Wailea – Get all the local charm you can handle at this unique bed and breakfast. Awesome location that will provide a homey welcome to the island. 

Aparthotel – Napili Sunset Beach Front Resort – Lahaina – Great for travelers looking to have a little more space and a kitchen.

Hostel Life – Hakuna Matata Maui Hostel –  Lahaina – Walking distance to the town center, this hostel is set in a beautiful garden. Hakuna Matata also offers free bikes and is close to the beach.

Remote Resort – Hana Maui Resort A Destination by Hyatt – Hana – Located in the far remote part of the island along the road to Hana. Amazing resort by Hyatt offering seclusion and luxury. 

For more places to stay in Maui you can explore the latest prices here!

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Hawaii Travel Planning 

Best Of Maui: Best Beaches – Must Try Food – Road to Hana Stops – 5 Day Maui Itinerary – Planning a Trip – Hawaiian Airlines Review

 Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner. That’s how we got our flight from San Diego to Maui for under $100 USD on Hawaiian Airlines!

 Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also,  Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

 Rental Car: Hands down the best way to explore Maui Hawaii is with a rental car! We used Discover Cars to explore the island. Just make sure to book in advance because there are limited cars on the island in the high season! 

 Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find hundreds of Maui activities. You can book a sunset sail from Lahaina, Road to Hana full day tour, or go wild and take a rainforest helicopter tour! 

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad (if you’re traveling to Hawaii from outside the USA) without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

 Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! 

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