Maui Beaches

Found on the island's North Shore, Baby Beach is a wonderfully calm lagoon protected by a reef on one end. The peaceful waters here are ideal for swimmers of all ages, but visitors should be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty. When not paddling around in the water, children and adults alike will enjoy relaxing on the beach and exploring the sand dunes that run along the back end of the beach. There are no showers or restrooms here, but visitors are welcome to use the facilities at the neighboring Baldwin Beach Park.

51 Puunoa Pl, Lahaina, HI 96761

One of the most popular beaches on the North Shore, Baldwin Beach Park is a long sandy beach known for its beautiful sunsets. The large waves in the center of the beach make for excellent surfing, especially during the winter months, but the waves are generally too challenging for novice surfers. However, there are also calm, protected swimming areas on either end of the beach that are suitable for swimmers of every age and ability level. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours, and amenities include showers, restrooms, picnic tables, barbecues, and a pavilion that is available on a first-come first-served basis.

Hana Highway, Paia, Maui, HI 96779

Sitting on the eastern end of Baldwin Beach Park, Baldwin Cove is a sandy cove protected by a stretch of offshore reef. The beach is subject to strong sand tides; when the tide is in, there is a large stretch of sand for visitors to enjoy, but most of the sandy area disappears when the tide is out. Swimming is possible no matter what the state of the tide, but not many visitors stick around for long when the sand is gone. Topless sunbathing is permitted on the beach for both women and men, and showers and restrooms are available for visitors to use.

Hana Highway, Paia, Maui, HI 96779

Also known as Pu’u Keka’a, Black Rock is a large, rocky outcropping set on the northernmost end of Ka’anapali Beach. It separates the main beach from a small but beautiful resort, which holds a torch lighting by the rock every evening. The rock is a popular cliff jumping spot, especially with younger visitors, but less experienced swimmers should be wary of the strong currents that sometimes occur in the area. Many people also come here to snorkel and dive, as the waters are home to sea turtles and beautiful tropical fish. Snorkeling gear can be rented from a kiosk near the rock.

Off Hwy 30, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

Named in honor of D.T. Fleming, the man responsible for introducing pineapple cultivation to West Maui, D.T Fleming Beach Park is a crescent-shaped beach covered with pristine white sand. The beach is backed by a stand of ironwood trees that provide welcome shade during the heat of the day, and it features picnic tables and barbecues for visitor use. The beach makes for a pleasant swimming destination when the weather is nice, but the water is sometimes subject to high surf with dangerous waves and strong rip currents. Lifeguards are on duty during the day.

Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761

Tucked under a lush green cliff, Hamoa Beach is a picture-perfect crescent beach that has long been known as one of the island's top surf destinations. A local hotel maintains the beach and provides chairs and other facilities for its guests, but the beach is open to everyone. The beach can only be reached by foot; there are two access points to choose from, one with a set of stairs and another with a footpath. The only place to park is on the street above the beach, and visitors are advised to come early to ensure that they find a parking spot.

Haneo'o Rd, Hana, HI 96713

Best known as the home of a popular restaurant called Mama’s Fish House, Kuau Cove offers soft white sand, a coconut grove backdrop, and plenty of fascinating tide pools to explore. The beach is quite small but not often busy, as most visitors come here primarily to enjoy a meal at the restaurant. However, the tide pools are accessible during most of the day, and they're an excellent place for children to learn how to snorkel. There are no public facilities here, but the restaurant is a convenient place to enjoy a meal and use the restrooms.

799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779

With its large waves and strong winds, Ho'okipa Beach boasts some of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing on Maui. The conditions are best suited to surfers with plenty of experience, but many visitors come here simply to enjoy the scenery and marvel at the impressive antics of the surfers. If you'd like to do this, an excellent lookout point can be found perched on a cliff on one end of the beach. Most of the beach is not suitable for swimming, although there are several sandy areas that make for good swimming under the right conditions.

Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779

Stretching for approximately a mile along Maui's west coast, Ka'anapali Beach is a well-established resort beach with plenty of commercial attractions for visitors to enjoy. A concrete walking path behind the beach provides access to many of the shops and restaurants in the area, and visitors are welcome to make use of the resort-owned showers that can be found along the beach. The biggest attraction here is the shopping, but the water is excellent for swimming when the weather is good. However, there are no lifeguards on duty, and strong currents sometimes occur in the deeper parts of the water.

Off Hwy 30, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761

Kahekili Beach Park is one of the island's best destinations for snorkeling and diving; the reef begins right at the edge of the water, the water is shallow and usually calm, and there are plenty of colorful tropical fish to be found. The waters are also home to sea turtles, and whales can often be seen and heard from under the water during whale season. The beach is less commercialized than many of the others in the area, but there are plenty of amenities for visitors to use, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, barbecues, and a covered pavilion area perfect for groups.

65 Kai Ala Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761