If you’re going to Maui, you will undoubtedly spend some time on the beach. And on Maui it is an easy thing to do. The island boasts over 80 beaches easily accessible to the public. Some have soft golden sand, others are rocky with black sand. Some are wonderful for swimming and snorkeling, others are great for surfing. They are all charming, though, and you won’t have to look far to find a perfect beach for you. Here is a list of beautiful beaches on Maui you should visit.
Beautiful beaches on Maui you should visit
Big Beach
Big Beach is often considered the most beautiful beach on Maui. It is located within Makena Beach State Park on the southern side of the island, a few miles past Wailea. This spectacular beach stretches for 2/3 of a mile and the soft golden sand and turquoise waters attract visitors from all over the island. The beach is wonderful for swimming and snorkeling on calm days and great for watching big surf when it’s windy. Make sure to climb to the top of the lava cliff on the north side of the beach for amazing views of Big Beach. They are absolutely stunning.
Charley Young
Charley Young is a lovely beach in Kihei. It offers great snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. The black lava outcroppings on the north side of the beach provide a nice contrast to the golden sand and turquoise water. This beach extends into Kam I if you walk south but the northern edge is more secluded. We absolutely enjoyed spending a few hours here during our stay on Maui. Don’t miss this picturesque beach!
Kamaole Beach Park I, II, III
These 3 beaches in Kihei are great for swimming, snorkeling, and lounging. They are popular with both locals and tourists, and are perfect for a morning walk or watching a sunset. Parking is plentiful as well, which certainly makes it convenient. There was a shipwrecked boat on Kam I during our last visit, in April 2022, which was somewhat interesting (but could also be considered an eyesore by some).
Ahihi Kinau Underwater Preserve
This little black beach entirely covered with lava rocks offers incredible snorkeling. There are lots of colorful fish, coral, and turtles right off the shore. We actually came here twice as it was a bit cloudy on our first visit and my husband wanted to enjoy the lovely coral gardens on a clear, sunny day. Optimal weather conditions will enhance your snorkeling experience, so sunny days are best. To get here, drive towards the end of Makena Road, past Makena State Park until you come to a big paved parking lot within the Ahihi Kina’u Underwater Preserve. There is a $5 parking fee but the parking lot is large and you should have no problem finding a spot.
Ka'anapali Beach
Ka’anapali Beach is one of the most popular areas to stay on Maui as the big resorts are situated here. The beach is long with golden sands, lovely water, and lots of people. I am not a big fan of beach fronts lined with resorts, so this wouldn’t be a beach of my choosing, although I admit I am in the minority. Nevertheless, Ka’anapali is a beautiful beach which offers wonderful swimming, snorkeling and opportunities for other water sports.
Napili Beach
Located a few miles north of the Kanapali resort area, Napili Beach is simply stunning! If you’re in west Maui, you just have to go see it. Trust me, you’re going to love this beach. The crescent shaped bay will charm you with its turquoise water, white sand, and swaying palm trees. We saw several huge turtles swimming and grazing around the lava rocks, which was a nice treat. Both swimming and snorkeling are great at Napili as well.
Kapalua Beach
Kapalua Beach is another beautiful beach on Maui you should visit. It is just north of Napili Bay. It is a great beach for swimming as it is largely protected from the wind. Kapalua Beach was declared the Best Beach in America in 1991 and again in 2018.
Honokalani Beach
Honokalani Beach is the most famous and most frequently photographed black sand beach on Maui. Its stunning landscape of lush tropical forests, turquoise waters, and charcoal black sand makes Honokalani Beach one of the most beautiful beaches on Maui. The beach is located within Wai’anapanapa State Park 3 miles past Hana at mile marker 32. The state park requires parking reservations, so make sure you have a spot if you want to hike down to the beach.
Most beautiful beaches on Maui you should visit
There are many other lovely beaches on Maui. You simply can’t go wrong. Enjoy the scenery, the gentle breeze, and if you’re lucky, the company of the turtles. Aloha!
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