25 Best Beaches in Maui for Swimming
The Hawaiian Island of Maui is well known for having some of the best beaches in the world. Each of these unique beautiful beaches will allow you to view the island and experience the ocean in a different way. All of the beaches listed are all excellent for swimming in calm waters. Make sure to check the ocean conditions before heading out! Always heed the warnings posted and swim at lifeguarded beaches when possible. Have fun and be safe!
Here’s the list, keep scrolling for details about each beach below!
Kamaole 1
Kamaole 2
Kamaole 3
Ulua Beach
Keawakapu Beach
Charley Young Beach
Wailea Beach
Polo Beach
Mokapu Beach
Lahaina Baby Beach
Kalepolepo Beach Park
Kaanapali Beach
Launiupoko Beach Park
Honokōwai Beach Park
Kahekili Beach Park
Hanakaoʻo Park
Napili Bay
Kapalua Bay
DT Fleming Beach
Waianapanapa state park
Hamoa Beach
Olowalu Beach
Maluaka Beach
Paia Baby Beach
Baldwin Beach Park
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Kamaole 1:
Kam 1 is a long golden sand beach with a gradual sloping entry. There is a lifeguard on duty (usually from
8am- 4:45 pm or so, the hours are slightly reduced during the winter months and the sun sets earlier). The waves here tend to be a bit smaller than the other Kamaole beaches (just my personal experience). As you walk west along this beach it turns into Charley-Young Beach. There is a small parking lot on the ocean side, and a large parking lot on the north side of South Kihei Rd, which makes this an easy beach to access. There are public restrooms, showers, and a few picnic tables on the grass before heading down to the beach.
Kamaole 2:
Kam 2 is a beautiful beach with some tide pools in low tide where you can see lots of sea urchins! There is a lifeguard, public restrooms, showers, and a few picnic tables on the grass. It is also across the street from Fred's Mexican Cafe, which is a family favorite for us. Fred's is great for lunch or dinner, with a spectacular sunset view. They have a very kid friendly menu.
Kamaole 3:
Kam 3 is a smaller beach with two sandy areas separated by a rocky point. There is a big parking lot with plenty of parking. This is my favorite spot in the afternoons for boogie boarding. Unless there is crystal clear water, I find the waves here to be more powerful than on the other Kamaole beaches. If the surf is small it is still a good swimming place once you get out past the shore break. There is a lifeguard tower, public restrooms, a swing set, and a HUGE grassy area with lots of picnic tables and an open grassy field that is perfect for lawn games, setting up a picnic blanket, whale watching in the winter, practicing yoga, or just a great spot for the kids to run free! Kam 3 is also a very popular place to view the sunset. It's a nightly ritual to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the sunset. Every night is different and I always feel like I'm watching a painting in the making. The kids usually make friends with the other little ones at the park. If you have glowsticks, bring them because once the sun sets it's harder to keep track of the kids! It gets dark fast. Glow sticks are fun for the kids and a perfect parent hack to increase their visibility and safety crossing the road.
Ulua Beach:
Ulua Beach is located at the end of the Wailea Beach Walk beside the Andaz resort. It's is in the Wailea resort area. It's a lovely beach that is more protected from the waves due to a rocky outcropping on the north end. It's a great place to be able to snorkel from the beach, and it's also fun for boogie boarding and swimming. There is public parking, restrooms, showers, but NO LIFEGUARD at this beach.
Keawakapu Beach:
Keawakapu Beach is a long white sand beach the runs in front of a residential area, rather than hotels. There is a hotel on the north end of the beach where you can rent snorkel equipment and kayaks and SUPs (Stand Up Paddleboards). There is also a restaurant at the hotel if that appeals to your beach day planning! To park near the hotel, there is a public lot on the ocean side, or if you drive into the hotel entrance there are also small signs for public beach access and a gravel lot designated for beach goers. If you prefer to be farther from the hotel there is a parking lot on the mountain side of the road and a walkway to access to the beach. If you drive all the way to the end of South Kihei Rd, there is another large parking lot. It's a big beach so there is lots of room to spread out. Many local families love this beach, and if you are going for a less touristy feel, this is a great place for self-guided water activities or just a relaxing day at the beach and swimming in the ocean.
Charley Young Beach:
Charley Young Beach is walking distance from the Maui Vista condos, and is a local favorite. It is in a bit of a cove so the trade winds tend to affect this beach a bit less than some of the other beaches in the afternoon. It has soft sand like most of the south maui beaches with a gradual entry. There is no dedicated parking lot for this beach so it tends to be less crowded.
Wailea Beach:
Wailea Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with lots of food and shopping options nearby. This beach is surrounded by 5 star resorts, but it is open to the public. There is free parking about a 3 minute walk from the beach with public restrooms and showers. There is a nice gradual entry that makes this a very popular spot. There is also a cafe that serves coffee and snacks.
Polo Beach:
Polo Beach is a little beach with lots of parking. It is located on the far south end of the Wailea resort area. The picnic tables are not right on the beach, but you will see them on your walk from the parking lot to the beach. Since this beach has access to the Wailea Beach Walk, it's nice for a stroll and there are food options available nearby.
Mokapu Beach:
Mokapu Beach is on the other side of Ulua Beach in front of the Andaz resort. It has shallow water with sand bars for a ways out. I always see the resort crowd holding their drinks while standing in the water at this beach. There are is also a small cove farther along the beach that have some good boogie boarding waves, depending on the day.
Lahaina Baby Beach:
Lahaina Baby Beach is the perfect place for young children. The shallow water protected by the reef wall means no strong currents or big waves to worry about with your little ones. This makes it one of the most popular beaches for families with small children. My family and I always seen Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) at this beach. It is ideal for swimming and having a relaxing family beach day. This is also a great place for snorkeling with kids.
Kalepolepo Beach Park:
Also known as the "fish pond" is a shallow sandy area that is the ideal spot for very small children. There are often Hawaiian green sea turtles resting here early in the morning. The waves are almost non-existent due to the breaker wall. Older kids may get bored here, but it is a lovely little beach with picnic tables and a shower to rinse off. There is often a portable toilet available.
Kaanapali Beach:
Ka'anapali beach is amazing, but parking is horrendous! Kaanapali beach is a long white sand beach. It's a lovely swimming beach, and I love being able to snorkel right from the beach and see an abundance of marine life and coral reefs without having to venture out to far, or too deep with the kids. That's just my personal preference. When you get farther north on the beach towards black rock, in front of the Sheraton, you have to swim out a bit farther to view the coral reef. The entry is more steep on the west side of the island so as soon as you get in the water you are swimming (vs. the south side that offers a more gradual entry and the ability to wade in the ocean).
Launiupoko Beach Park:
Launiupoko Beach Park has something for everyone! There is a tide pool that the little ones can play in, it's ideal for beginner surfers, it has restrooms and picnic tables and it offers shade and a grassy area. There is free parking, and you'll see lots of local families here on the weekends. This is not the best swimming beach, unless you are in the small cove (i.e. the kiddie pool)
Honokōwai Beach Park:
Honokowai Beach Park is a fun place for the family. Stay in front of the rock wall and you will be able to play in the water while being protected by the big waves. The kids enjoy this location because there is a playground and a restaurant across the street where you can get take out and eat at the picnic tables. It's not usually busy here, so you can spread out with your sand toys in the shade and enjoy the view. One of the few places where the grassy area extends nearly to the water. There is a parking lot, but no lifeguard at this beach.
Hanakaoʻo Park:
Hanakaoʻo Beach Park is a local favorite for paddling. There is a lifeguard, restrooms, and shower. It can be accessed by walking along the Kaanapali beach walk. There is also a public parking lot. There are shady picnic areas, snorkeling (great spot to see Turtles), and swimming when the ocean conditions permit.
Kahekili Beach Park:
Kahekili Beach Park is one of our favorite family beaches. It has great parking and excellent swimming and snorkeling from the beach. It is deep and clear with beautiful palm trees and clear waters. This beach is just north of Black Rock and Ka'anapali Beach. It is a short walk from the resort areas of Kaanapali and the paved beach path will bring you to Kahekili. There are restrooms and outdoor showers, shady areas and picnic areas. There are not many food options near by so make sure to pack a picnic. This beach has a steep entry, like most of the west side beaches, but it's a fun place for the kids to play in the waves.
Napili Bay:
Napili Bay is a beautiful beach that is a bit more protected from the open ocean given that it's in a bay. It is in front of some nice resorts and there is a paved beach path that goes along it. It's a good place for swimming with the family when ocean conditions permit. Snorkeling is also excellent in this bay when there are calmer waters.
Kapalua Bay:
Kapalua Beach is a smaller beach that is known for some of the best snorkeling and swimming conditions. Parking can be difficult at this beach, so make sure to arrive early or be prepared to patiently wait for a spot to open up!
DT Fleming Beach:
DT Fleming Beach may not be your first choice for a swimming beach. It's located on the North West side of Maui, and although it has lifeguards and restrooms, it also has a strong shore break and is not good place to swim with kids. This beach is located at the end of the Kapalua Coastal Trail.
Waianapanapa state park
Waianapanapa state park is home of the black sand beach on the Hana highway. Water shoes are recommended since the black sand is made of broken lava rocks. Swimming is only possible here when the ocean is calm. Otherwise rip currents can form in the bay.
Hamoa Beach:
This beach is located in the town of Hana and is a local favorite. The surf is often too big for swimming, but the salt and pepper sand and beautiful scenery makes it a lovely place nonetheless. There is no lifeguard at this beach, portable toilets and outdoor showers to rinse.
Olowalu Beach:
Olowalu Beach is located at Mile Marker 14 doesn't have a formal parking lot, you just park on the side of the road. There is lots of shade, but no lifeguards or facilities. There is amazing snorkeling in one of the oldest reefs on the island.
Maluaka Beach:
This beach is located just past the Wailea resort area. It is a bit of a longer walk from the parking lot, so it tends to be less crowded. It's a lovely beach for swimming and allows for wading and a gradual entry when ocean conditions are good.
Paia Baby Beach:
Paia Baby Beach might be the only place I would let my kids get in the water to swim on the north shore of Maui. There is a rock wall that protects a small area from the waves and creates a lovely shallow kiddie pool. People come here to swim laps like they would in a pool. There is not much to see when snorkeling, but we have encountered Turtles in the swimming area. The view of the big waves beyond is breathtaking. You can also watch the kitesurfers. Parking is on a dead end residential street without a dedicated parking lot. There are no restrooms or showers, and no lifeguard. You can walk along the sand for quite a ways as it connects to Baldwin Beach Park.
Baldwin Beach Park:
Baldwin Beach has a lifeguard on duty. Friday nights there are drummers on the beach and a fire show. This beach isn't ideal for swimming due to a large shore break and undertow, but you can watch the surfers and enjoy the spectacular scenery!
BONUS: Makena Beach AKA Big Beach:
I left Makena Beach (Big Beach) off this list of best swimming beaches, well, because it is not a swimming beach. This is just my opinion, but the shore break is so strong. Even when the ocean is pretty calm and the surf is small, I find the waves at Big Beach to be more powerful than other places on the south side of Maui. It’s a beautiful beach to build sandcastles and enjoy the view, but don’t take your kids swimming here. There is a lifeguard here and it’s always fun to watch locals boogie board at this beach.
You could spend a whole year in Maui just going to the different beaches! There are so many options, and each beach offers a slightly unique flavor of Hawaii. My personal favorites with kids are Lahaina Baby Beach, Paia Baby Beach, Ulua Beach and Kahekili Beach....although everyone you ask in Maui will have their own favorite. The experience you have at a particular beach depends a lot on the current ocean conditions, and the weather.
It is usually sunny in Maui, especially on the south and west side, but it can also get really windy. A really windy day does not make a good beach day! Think blowing sand, flapping towels, inability to use your beach umbrella and a choppier ocean surface.
When you are planning your Maui vacation, try to build in some flexibility to move your beach day if the conditions aren't aligned with your plan. Go hiking, do a self-guided scenic drive like the Road to Hana or Haleakala National Park to the crater summit, visit the Maui Ocean Centre.
Enjoy the Maui Beaches!
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