Maui's Beaches - Top Picks
Maui's beaches are some of the best in the world. It is true that the majority of them border on some of island's most affluent resorts, but don't let this put you off. Hawaiian law requires all resorts / hotels to offer "right-of-way access" to the beach, they therefore cannot be wholly privately owned. When setting foot on any beach it is important to take heed of any red flags, these are used to demarcate areas that are unsafe for swimming.
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This page outlines a few of Maui's best beaches, though it does not list every single one, it pinpoints ones that visitors to the island have found particularly pleasurable.
The Beaches of West Maui
Two of the islands greatest beaches are Kaanapali and Napili Bay. Seperate sections have been dedicated to these two popular attractions.
Honolua is a beautiful cove that has a crescent shaped beach that is lapped at by clear waters and smooth surf. The waters around Honolua have been designated a marine conservation district, so as can be expected swimmers and divers alike can expect to find magnificent coral spectacles populated by numerous tropical fish. The waters become a lot rougher in winter and the area usually experiences an influx of surfers during this season. The downside to this beach is its lack of facilities on hand, but venture a little further down and you will come to the D.T. Fleming Beach that comes fully equipped with restrooms, showers, and bbq and picnic facilities.
Kapalua is the gem of the west side of the islands. This crescent stretch of white sand is bordered by elegant palm trees and it naturally protected from currents and ill tempered winds. The end result is a beach that is perfect for swimming and relaxing sun bathes. Kapalua does have a few rocky points that offer fine fishing and snorkeling opportunities. Come winter time, the beach offers the perfect vantage point from which to watch the humpback whales that frequent these waters. This beach has facilities.
Kahekili Beach Park is a real treat! - offering a number of facilities, including picnic tables, toilets, showers, a lawn area and a large parking lot; all of which is shielded from winds by a northward running wind break. Snuba Diving is the sport of choice at this Maui beach, and as result it is home to several companies offering dive courses that use Kahekili as their base of operation. The beach is also a snorkeling haven with some of the best spots just beyond the pavilion. Be sure to look to the horizon for glimpses of Lanai and Molokai.
The Beaches of South Maui
Two of the areas greatest beaches are Makena/Oneloa/Big Beach or Wailea Beach . Click on their names to find out further details.
Kamaole I, II, and III, located close to Kihei are three of Maui's most frequented beaches. The largest of the three is Kamaole III and it surpasses the other two in that it has a playground for the kids and a area of soft green lawn that provides a sometimes needed break from the fine golden beach sand. Perfect for swimming these beaches also have a few rocky outcrops that also appeal to snorkelers. Magnificent sunsets dress the west-facing beach making it the ideal spot to wind down at the end of the day.
Mokapu and Ulua, sister beaches, can be found on the northern end of Wailea. The waters here are very shallow, and only deepen gradually making it a safe place to swim. The pretty scenery - golden sands, green patches of lawn and clear waters - make it a perfect family picnic spot. The added attraction of this beach is that it has restrooms and other convenience facilities.
Keawakapu is one of the longest beaches in this region. Located in quite an affluent area - resorts to the north and expensive holiday houses running all the way along it - one would expect it to be overcrowded. On the contrary, Keawakapu is if anything underrated. Boasting mounds and mounds of sand there is little chance that you could ever stub your toe on this beach. With the winds picking up in the afternoons, this is definitely a morning beach - that is unless you want to be sandblasted.
Central and East Maui Beaches
Hamoa is the beach that captivated Pulitzer Prize winner James Michener. This crescent shaped gem can be found at the end of the Hana Road. Maintained by the adjoining Hotel Hana-Maui the surf is the perfect color of turquoise, golden-white sand, and lavish green hills serving as the postcard-perfect backdrop. The waters are however not protected so swimmers should keep their wits about them. Swimming in winter is definitely not advised.
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