Maui is known for being a luxury travel destination, and with that comes a range of incredible five-star resorts. While in many tropical destinations the best hotels are hidden away, this island does things differently! The Wailea Beach Walkway takes you on a coastal stroll from beach to beach to walk by some of the most prestigious hotels in Maui.
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Wailea Beach Walkway Guide
The Wailea Beach Walk is roughly 1.6 miles (3.2 round trip) that will take you past some of Maui’s most luxurious hotels. You’ll be walking by famous resorts such as Grand Wailea, the Four Seasons, Andaz Maui, and the Fairmont Kea Lani. This path is perfect at all times of day and easy for all ages.
Wailea Beach Parking: We parked at Ulua Beach Public Parking and did the entire coastal walk down to Polo Beach. You can also park at Polo Beach to do the Wailea Beach Walkway reverse.
5 Tips for the Wailea Beach Walk in Maui
Walking Shoes: We did the walk-in proper shoes, but it can easily be done in flip-flops.
Sun Safety: There is limited shade on the Wailea Beach Walk so make sure to bring extra sunblock and a hat.
Pack a Picnic: From stunning beaches to beautiful coastal viewpoints, this is a great stroll to come prepared with a picnic. Bring enough water as well as there is nowhere to purchase it besides at the luxury resorts.
Ready to Swim & Snorkle: We cover all the best swimming spots below, but plan to go swimming! Also, while visiting some of the best beaches in Maui you should always have your snorkel and flippers handy.
Time: You can quickly finish the Wailea Beach Walkway in Maui in a little over an hour. However, there are enough beaches to spend a whole afternoon.
Strolling Along the Oceanside Resorts
A palm tree-lined path snakes its way down the coast from beach to beach. Yes, the luxury hotels are amazing to see and a great draw to this walk. Nevertheless, the ocean views and soft sands are what make it one of a kind.
The Wailea Beach Walkway is often packed in the early morning hours with crowds dispersing with the afternoon heat. When we experienced the Wailea Beach Walk in the early afternoon we had it mostly to ourselves.
→ The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a similar hotel walk on the west side of the island. If you’re looking for more hikes and walks on Maui check out the Pipiwai Trail & Waihee Ridge Trail!
Where to Swim on the Wailea Beach Walk
There are four main beaches that you will pass on the Wailea Beach Walk. Even though these are public beaches, since they are in front of the resorts they’re kept clean and groomed to perfection. They’re all equally stunning and unique in their own special way. Yet, when you find your favorite one it will be tough to leave!
Mōkapu Beach: This is a gorgeous golden sand beach directly in front of the Andaz Maui Resort. It’s located at the end of the official Wailea Beach Walkway.
Ulua Beach: Popular with both swimming and snorkeling, this was our favorite beach along the path. Here we noticed there were fewer resort chairs and more space to spread out and lay. We even saw a giant sea turtle swimming in the water!
Wailea Beach: While on the Wailea Beach Walk it only makes sense to stop and take a swim at Wailea Beach in Maui! This is the largest beach on the path and spans both Wailea Beach Resort and the luxury Four Seasons Resort Maui. Due to the location of the two hotels, this is one of the most popular beaches in the area.
Polo Beach: Polo is the official beach of the Fairmont Kea Lani and another white stretch of sand to be in awe of. It’s known for its rocky appearance and great snorkeling spot. You’ll also find it’s a little less crowded than the nearby Wailea Beach in Maui.
Have any questions on Wailea Beach in Maui or want to share your pick for the best beaches on 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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Explore Maui
Best Of Maui: 20 Fun Facts – Must Try Food – 25 Things to Do – Farmers Markets – Road to Hana Stops – Road to Hana Tips
Maui Hikes & Walk: Kapalua Coastal Trail – Bamboo Forest – Waihee Ridge Trail – Maui Lava Field –11 Best Hikes
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Hawaii Travel Planning
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!
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.
