15+ Must Visit Beaches on Maui, Hawaii

Last updated on July 1st, 2026

Heading to Maui soon? We’re sharing the best beaches on Maui, as well as important things to know about each one, to help you plan your beach adventures on the island!

With Maui being the second largest island in Hawaii, there is no shortage of amazing beaches on Maui to choose from. We have now been to Maui three times together and while we aren’t huge lay out on the beach type people, we do love beach hopping. So between both trips, we have explored many of the beaches all around the island. And we have fallen in love with many of them!

Whether you love to relax on the beach all day or prefer visiting multiple beaches in one day, we’re excited to share over 15 of the best beaches on Maui! Plus helpful tips to help you visit them, such as parking information, fees, and important things to know. These beaches are located all around the island, so you’re guaranteed to have one close to where you’ll be! Plus they offer a variety of sand colors and range from great snorkeling spots, surf spots, or just a spot to plop down a towel. 

And if you’re going to the other Hawaiian islands too, be sure to visit the 12 Best Beaches on Kauai and 8 Best Beaches on the Big Island.

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!

These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Map of the best Beaches on Maui

One of the best things about the Hawaiian islands is the diverse scenery across each island. And Maui is no exception! The island is split into the leeward side (South and West), which gets less rain and has drier scenery, and the windward side (North and East), which gets a lot more rain and is more lush. Each area has its own unique vibe and has a variety of different types of beaches!

For the sake of this Maui beaches guide, we’re splitting Maui into four regions. West Maui, South Maui, North Shore, and East Maui. That way, you can easily know which beaches you can combine into one day of your trip. Or which beaches are closest to your accommodations. 

But we’re also including a map of all the best beaches on Maui in this guide above. So you can see where they are on the island and in relation to each other.

Want to learn more as you explore?
We highly suggest downloading the Guide Along – Maui audio tours to navigate you on the road. Even when you don’t have service it knows where you are and provides commentary and history about the area. As well as alerts you when to stop for specific sights. These guides are fun to listen to and the narrator feels like a fun friend in the car with you! They also offer a larger Hawaii Bundle which is great if you’re visiting multiple islands!

West Maui Beaches (Kapalua, Ka’anapali)

If you’re visiting Maui, there is a good chance you’re staying on the west side. This part of the island is home to many resorts, the cool town of Lahaina, and a bunch of the iconic, tan sand and palm tree lined beaches. 

We have stayed in this area during all three trips to Maui. And while these beaches may be busier than some other areas, they are popular for a reason!

1. Ka’anapali Beach

Google Maps
Parking: There are a few small free parking lots, but as you can imagine, they can fill quickly. There is also paid parking at Whalers Village, which can be validated for 3 hours with most purchases. And after the 3 hours it will be $8 per hour.
Facilities: Restrooms and showers 
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Swimming, cliff diving, and snorkeling

Ka’anapali is one of the most popular beaches on Maui! This beach is located in the Ka’anapali resort area. Which was Hawaii’s first planned resort and has been a model for resort areas around the world.

The beach is lined with hotels, shops, and pathways. So if you’re looking for more of a resort beach experience, then this is your beach. Your day can be filled with laying out all day, going for a bite to eat (we highly recommend an Island Latte and acai bowl from Island Vintage Coffee!), strolling along the concrete path, laying out some more, and going shopping to your heart’s content.

The beach is also great for snorkeling. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the more northern end of Ka’anapali Beach to Black Rock Beach. There is a giant rock you can jump off of into the ocean. And if you’re staying until sunset, make sure to see the sunset ceremony at Black Rock! Every night at sunset, since 1963, a cliff diver will light torches along the cliffs and then jump off Black Rock. He’s reenacting a feat by King Kahekili.

Unless you’re staying at one of the resorts here, we’d suggest spending only part of a day at this beach.

2. Kahekili Beach Park (Airport Beach)

Google Maps
Parking: You can find a free parking lot right by the beach.
Facilities: Restrooms and showers 
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, and laying out

Kahekili Beach, also known as Airport Beach, is one of the best places to snorkel in the Ka’anapali area! There is a long stretch of golden sand, plus grassy areas to lay out on. And just a short swim from shore (towards the right side of the beach) will take you to reefs, where you can swim with fish and often sea turtles.

While there are hotels lining the beach, it feels less commercialized than Ka’anapali Beach. So if you want something a bit less busy AND with free parking, head here instead. And if you get hungry, make sure to grab an acai bowl from Maui Fruit Ninja!

3. Kapalua Bay Beach

Google Maps
Parking: There is free street parking, as well as paid parking lots. The parking lots are pretty expensive at about $30 for the day, which you can pay on your phone. We suggest spending a whole day in this area to get your money’s worth!
Facilities: Restrooms and showers
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Snorkeling, swimming, and laying out

Kapalua Bay Beach was America’s “Best Beach” in 1991 and once you get there you will understand why! It is absolutely gorgeous! 

With beautiful sand, palm trees, and some of the clearest and bluest water we have seen on the island, this beach has been one of our favorites during every trip we have taken to Maui. While the Kapalua area has resorts, it feels a bit less commercialized than Ka’anapali. It’s one of the more relaxing beaches on Maui, at least on this side of the island!

And because it’s located in a bay, the water is calmer here, so it’s great for families, plus for swimming and snorkeling. And if you need a break from the beach and water, there is the 2.5 mile long Kapalua Coastal Trail you can enjoy too! This trail was one of our favorite things we did on Maui. We saw 6 sea turtles along the way, stunning cliffs, and crashing waves. Make sure to check out Dragon’s Teeth as well!

The biggest downside of Kapalua Bay is that it can get crowded. And similar to many beaches on the island, parking can be tough. We suggest arriving before 9 AM to snag a parking spot and a spot to lay out.

4. Napili Bay Beach

Google Maps 
Parking: There is free street parking, but you can also park in the paid Kapalua parking lots and walk over.
Facilities: Restrooms at the resort
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, and laying out

With a very similar vibe to Kapalua, and just down up street, Napili Bay Beach is a great alternative to Kapalua. The beach has a coral reef about 100 feet out from the shore, which makes this beach great for swimming and snorkeling. And since you’re facing west, you’ll have gorgeous sunsets!

One of our favorite things about this beach though is the Gazebo Restaurant. This tiny spot whips up a mean breakfast (get the pancakes and coconut syrup!) with a killer view. It can have a bit of a wait, so we suggest arriving early and then enjoying the beach afterwards!

Napili Bay is home to various condo complexes, but no major resorts, so it has a bit of a calmer vibe and is a little less busy than neighboring beaches.

5. Oneloa Beach

Google Maps 
Parking: There is free street parking, but you can also park in one of the paid Kapalua parking lots.
Facilities: Restrooms at the resorts nearby
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Surfing and laying out

Want a quieter beach experience? Head to Oneloa Beach! We discovered this beach while walking along the Kapalua Coastal Trail and it truly is a hidden gem. With no big resorts located right on it, it attracts a much smaller crowd. Here you’ll find a pristine stretch of golden sand, with rugged coastline and small cliffs surrounding it. During our visit, the waves were pretty crazy and people were surfing. So it may not be the best swimming beach, but if you want a less popular spot to sit and relax, plus watch surfers, this is a great spot!

To get here you can either walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail or just park in the lot we linked above. We highly recommend walking the trail!

6. Honolua Bay

Google Maps
Parking: There is free parking at Honolua Bay.
Facilities: Porta potties
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Snorkeling, swimming, and surfing

While not a sandy beach, the rocky Honolua Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii. It is part of a Marine Life Conservation District. Which means fishing or taking any resources from the area is not allowed. Leaving it in a more pristine condition and one of the best beaches on Maui.

While there isn’t sand to lay out on, there are plenty of fish, turtles, and coral to explore! The water can be murky near the beach. So you’ll have the best luck to see wildlife if you swim out a bit away from shore. We hear if you visit between May and September you’re almost guaranteed to see a turtle! In the winter months, the surf can be a bit larger, which is great if you want to surf. But can make snorkeling in the bay a bit harder.

Getting to Honolua Bay requires parking along the road (it fills up fast, so go early!) and walking 0.3 miles down a beautiful trail to the beach. We do hear there have been break-ins in the parking area, so make sure to bring valuables with you. 

South Maui Beaches (Kihei, Wailea)

With a mix of condo complexes and high end resorts, tons of shops and restaurants, and many beaches on Maui to choose from, the South Maui area is not only a great place to homebase while in Maui, but fun to go beach hopping! Compared to Ka’anapali, portions of this region, specifically Kihei, have a more local vibe, which we loved.

7. Makena “Big” Beach

Google Maps
Parking: This beach is located in Makena Beach State Park, which is free to enter. But it does have a parking fee for non-residents, which is $10 per vehicle. There are parking kiosks where you can pay, or you can pay online beforehand.
Facilities: Restrooms and picnic tables
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Surfing, bodyboarding, and laying out

Big Beach, also known as Makena Beach or Oneloa Beach, is one of the biggest beaches on Maui. At over a half mile long and much wider than most Maui beaches, there is a lot of room to spread out and it never feels too crowded. 

Once at the beach, you may notice a large shore break (the waves break right near the shore), so be aware that the waves can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers and most times are not safe for children. Don’t let the rough surf warning keep you from this beach. It is a must-visit!

During our visit, we loved not only laying out on this beach, but also hiking up the lava rocks to see the beach from above! To get to this overlook, head to the northern side of the beach and make the quick hike up the rocks. It requires a bit of climbing, but isn’t too hard and the view is AMAZING!

8. Secret Cove (Pa’ako Cove)

Google Maps
Parking: To find Secret Beach, you’ll drive past Makena “Big” Beach and then park on the side of this stone wall. Just at the end of this stone wall is the entrance to the beach! 
Facilities: None
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Photography and relaxing

We try to visit new beaches everyday while in Hawaii, so that we can see as many as possible, but we loved Secret Cove so much that we went back twice! This tiny beach is a bit hidden from many on the island and in our opinion, is one of the most scenic!

With gorgeous water, large rocks on the beach, and soft sand, all framed by beautiful palm trees, this beach looks like it’s from a postcard. And despite its name, it’s not really a secret and is actually one of the most photographed beaches on Maui, especially for elopements!

During our visits to the beach, it was never that busy and we didn’t have an issue finding parking or a spot on the sand. But it is pretty small, so be prepared to not have a ton of space. It is very worth the visit though!

9. Wailea Beach

Google Maps 
Parking: Despite being home to high end resorts, there is a free parking lot here!
Facilities: Restrooms and showers
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Laying out, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

Wailea Beach, which is located in front of the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea resorts, is a favorite among those visiting South Maui. Since the beach is shared by two large resorts, some of the beach is reserved for the resort’s guests. So while it will definitely not be empty, there is still space for the public to enjoy!

The beach is definitely more of a tourist spot and has more of a resort vibe then some of the other beaches on Maui, but it still is a beautiful place to lay out for the day, with views of several islands visible in the distance (Molokini and Lanai).

And if you get sick of the beach, take a stroll along the Wailea Beach Path, which will take you along the ocean and to other beaches!

10. Kamaole Beach Parks

Google Maps
Parking: All of the Kam beaches have free parking! The lots aren’t huge, but we had no issue getting a spot at Kam I on a Saturday afternoon.
Facilities: All 3 have showers and restrooms 
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Swimming, laying out, bodyboarding, and snorkeling

This beach park is a set of 3 beautiful beaches on Maui near Kihei. They’re referred to as “Kam I, II, and III.” They are a popular beach with both tourists and locals because of their facilities, proximity to town, and the how beautiful they are!

Kam I is the largest of the three beaches and is great for swimming! On the far north end of this beach is Charley Young Beach. Which is named after Charley Young, a military reporter who came during WWII and wanted to build a house on the beach. However, he had one big problem: these beaches were used as training grounds for the military to simulate beach landings. But after the war, Charley Young was finally able to build his house!

The Charley Young portion of Kam I is less busy and more tucked away from the road. Although, it does not have lifeguards.

Kam II is very similar to Kam I, just a little bit smaller, while Kam III is a bit different from the others, as it’s the smallest and has more rocks. However, it does have a large grassy area for picnics and games. 

All of the beaches have pretty good parking, either on the street or in parking lots, as well as are close to tons of great restaurants. We highly recommend grabbing lunch from Kinaole Grill Food Truck (the coconut shrimp and ahi bombs are AWESOME!) and shave ice from Gus’ Hawaiian Shave Ice if you’re hanging out at Kam I.

11. Keawakapu Beach

Google Maps
Parking: There are two free parking lots for Keawakapu Beach, so you should have pretty good luck getting a spot!
Facilities: Restrooms and showers on either end 
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Swimming, laying out, bodyboarding, and snorkeling

Keawakapu Beach is definitely one of our favorite beaches on Maui in the Kihei area! The beach is nice and long, so it doesn’t get too crowded. Especially as you go south on the beach.

The beach is great for almost any activity you can think of and you can rent stand up paddle boards, kayaks, and snorkel gear from the Mana Kai hotel. But what we have loved doing at the beach is watching the sunset! You have an amazing view of Lanai as the sun goes down and on the northern corner there is a super picturesque palm tree for sunset photos.

East Maui Beaches (Hana Highway)

With lush rainforests, cliffs, cool roadside stands, and the famous Road to Hana, East Maui is one of the most beautiful parts of the island of Maui. And it has some pretty unique beaches on Maui!

Unlike the majority of the beaches on this guide, which have a golden sand and lots of palm trees, the beaches on the East side of Maui are all very unique, with epic mountain backdrops and different colored sand!

12. Pa‘iola Black Sand Beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park

13. Koki Beach Park (red Sand Beach)

Google Maps 
Parking: Free street parking
Facilities: No facilities (please pack out what you pack in!)
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Laying out

Koki Beach Park is home to one of the few red sand beaches on Maui and in the world! The beach was formed from the erosion of the Ka Iwi O Pele cinder cone, which gives some parts of the sand a unique, deep crimson color. This cinder cone is a significant site in Hawaiian mythology, as it is where Pele (fire goddess) battled her older sister Nāmakaokahaʻi (sea goddess) and lost. In fact, Ka Iwi O Pele means “the bones of Pele.”

This beach isn’t huge, but during our visit it was pretty empty, giving us lots of space to hang out. There are many trees that offer shade, which we very much appreciated on a sunny day. Just be careful getting near the water here, there are signs warning you not to swim, as the waves can be pretty gnarly.

If you get hungry while here, grab a bite to eat at Huli Huli Chicken. Or head up the road to Órale Tacos!

Note: If you have seen photos of a red sand beach on the Road to Hana, it was likely not this one. There is a more famous one nearby that we have visited in the past, but the legality of visiting is confusing and we found the trail to be a bit dangerous. So we would recommend visiting this one instead!

14. Hamoa Beach

Google Maps
Parking: You will park on Haneoo Road and then take the stairs down to the beach. It does get busy though, so parking can be a bit tricky. 
Facilities: Restrooms and showers 
Lifeguards: No
Activities: Surfing and boogie boarding

Located in Hana town, along the Hana Highway, is the gorgeous 100 feet x 1000 feet long crescent shaped beach known as Hamoa Beach. It is known as one of the best beaches on Maui. But unlike some of the beaches on the tourist-filled west side of the island, Hamoa Beach is in a very undeveloped area. Giving it a remote and local feel, with tons of natural beauty surrounding it.

The waves at Hamoa Beach can be a bit larger, so if you love to surf or boogie board, you’ll have a blast! But the nice sand and large beach also makes for a great place to lay out if you want to avoid the harsher waters.

When we visited, it was rainy out, so the beach was a bit dark, but from the photos we have seen online, it looks gorgeous on a sunny day!

North Shore Maui Beaches (Pa’ia)

We LOVE the north shore and it has some of the best beaches on Maui! It is free of big resorts and has a much more laid back, local vibe. From the amazing town of Paia to the crazy waves, we’d highly suggest dedicating a full day in this area!

15. Ho’okipa Beach Park

Google Maps 
Parking: Free parking in both the upper and lower lot. The lower lot fills fast with surfers, so we suggest parking up high and walking down.
Facilities: Pavilion area, restrooms, and showers
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Surfing and windsurfing

Ho’okipa Beach Park is located at the beginning of the Road to Hana and is a MUST visit spot! This beach is home to some big waves and is all about the action sports like windsurfing and surfing. It’s such a big deal that a professional windsurfing competition, called the Aloha Classic, is held here! It definitely has the best surfing than the other beaches on Maui.

Besides the waves, you may see wildlife! There is an exposed reef along much of the beach where Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) like to hang out. If you don’t see them there, you might get lucky and see them hanging out on the sand toward the overlook end. We saw about 6 on our most recent visit, including one scooting its way back into the ocean.

We haven’t actually laid out at this beach, but we love coming here every single trip to watch the surfers and see the amazing views of the island from the parking area.

16. Baldwin Beach Park

Google Maps 
Parking: There is a free parking lot, but it can fill up!
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, BBQs, and a covered pavilion
Lifeguards: Yes
Activities: Swimming, surfing, laying out, and body surfing/boarding

Located near the charming town of Paia is Baldwin Beach Park, which is a popular spot for locals. This beach has some gorgeous water and a mile long white sand beach. Plus it’s undeveloped, so it feels a bit more local!

The waves at this beach can be pretty large, making it great for surfing. Protected swimming areas are on both ends of the beach. These areas are perfect for all ages. And despite being popular, you can typically find plenty of room to lay out.

Things to know before visiting Maui Beaches

Ready to hit the beach?

Pin this blog with the best beaches on the Maui to plan your beach days!