Maui’s Best Beaches

Maui boasts 42 miles of beaches along its sunny coastline, more than any of the other Hawaiian islands. As a result, there is no shortage of places to go to stretch out in the sand or to try your luck in the surf. The following is a list of the beaches we believe stand out from all the rest.

Hookipa Park
Hookipa Beach is home to expert surfers, including the best we’ve seen on any of the Hawaiian islands. Its beautiful turquoise waters are also well-known as a windsurfing spot. The ample parking lot is likely to be filled with surfers either just in from riding the waves or watching the surf in preparation for going out. You may also see some people pole fishing or sunbathing on the narrow strip of sand that extends between the grassy cliffs and the ridge of rocks in the water. High surf and strong currents make Hookipa an area for experts – if you are not an experienced swimmer, we recommend that you simply enjoy watching the show.

Amenities include picnic tables, barbecue pits and restroom facilities. Note that although Hookipa Park, located on Route 36 about one mile east of Paia, is THE place to go for board surfing and wind surfing, there are countless other spots between the town of Paia and Hookipa Beach that provide public access and parking facilities for those who wish to surf or watch the surfers at work.

Kamaole Beach Park
Kamaole is the type of beach that keeps us coming back to Maui. Of the three parks here, we recommend Kamaole III because it has the largest beach area as well as the most amenities, including bathrooms, showers, and picnic area. The majestic Maui mountains looming in the background add to the beauty of this beach. The water is relatively calm and is good for swimming. Kamaole III is near Kihei on the leeward side of the island.

Wainapanapa Park
Towards the end of the famed Road to Hana lies our favorite beach in all of Maui. Tucked away in Waianapanapa Park is a lovely black sand beach that looks out onto a serene cove, offering excellent snorkeling, great swimming, and a comfortable place to rest after navigating Hana Highway’s twists and turns all day. The beach parking lot is about a ¼ mile into the park and the beach itself is a short hike away from the parking lot (and is visible from the parking area). Exploring volcanic rock caves, climbing on rock formations, and enjoying the view of an arch over the bay that has been carved out by the eroding forces of water and wind are some of the amenities nature provided. There are several trails that lead from the main beach area. We recommend you take a walk on one of the trails since you do not have to go very far to see more beautiful scenery and to have a beach you can call your own. Waianapanapa Park offers showers, bathrooms, a picnic area, and camping facilities.

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