Hookipa Beach Park

(67 reviews)

2.7 mi

We happened upon Baldwin Beach on our second day in Maui. A short drive from the airport, this…read morebeach had it all. It was sparsely populated with almost a mile of sandy beach. There is a lifeguard station and bathroom. Beach goers ranged from locals to tourists, all friendly. The current was a little rough on our first day there, but if you walk about ten minutes along the coast line, there is a lagoon at Baby Beach that was calm, warm, and more populated. Totally worth the stroll.

Expansive beach with plenty of parking. Lifeguards and restrooms. You can see turtles here too. I…read morepreferred the south end with some small cove and shades. Wind is strong and surf can be high at time. Close to Paia to meet your dining or shopping needs. Spectacular views.

Baldwin Beach

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Lifeguard tower

4th Marine Division Memorial Park

4.9

(16 reviews)

4.0 mi

My little fam and I did a day trip to Maui and as we were driving down from Upcountry Maui (after…read morepicking up our yummy yet quick dinner from Pukalani Superette), we stumbled upon a gift of a HUGE park with the most amazing playground. The playground was a dream: tons of activities to choose from and only 1-2 other families. My review is mainly about the playground but the park was gorgeous, tons of space to run and play, covered picnic areas, and tons of parking. (There is a porta potty which was really the only dim spot for me.) The Kalakupua Playground is really well-taken care of by the neighborhood. Hardly any grafitti, only one tiny area is broken (but it's taped off), and it's very safe - as the entire ground is covered in cut up pieces of tires. There are swing sets on both sides of the playground - and safe toddler swing sets, too. Climbing choices galore, many slides to choose from, a great parkour for kids area, and even a tiered sitting area for parents to wait while their children roam free in the safe, fence-surrounded playground. Truly, truly a gem if you are looking for a playground for your kids. I can't believe we stumbled on it. But we all left so happy: as parents it was nice to let them roam free, my 1-year old daughter knocked out for her nap, and our 6-year old yelled as we were leaving, "Mom, that's a 5-star playground!" I totally agree.

I come here because it's close to my mom's house. So I take a stroll every now and then here…read more Big grassy area. They have pavilions for parties here. They have a nice jungle gym for the keiki for all ages. It's nice for them to play on. They have swings and bucket swings for the younger ones. Just a nicer park overall.

Rainbow artwork on the playground

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Another swing set. This side is for the younger kiddies.

Kanaha Beach Park

(60 reviews)

6.0 mi

Love everything about this spot! Whether I'm packing up for a full beach day, hanging out while…read morefishing, or scouting locations for a photo shoot, Kanaha always delivers. It has the perfect mix of park space, shade, and open coast. 10/10 recommend spending an afternoon here. Until next time, XOXO, ChelsieFletcher

Free park with a small parking lot. Just 5 minutes from the…read moreairport. We didnt walk the whole beach, just looked for a place to eat our lunch and came across the perfect picnic table in the shade with view of the ocean. Lots of flies so be aware. We saw some lifeguards on duty. Overall a calm park.

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Makawao Forest Reserve

4.9

(18 reviews)

3.6 mi

Hiking here was one of the highlights of my trip to Maui this summer. It's not a hike with…read morespectacular views but it's a beautiful hike with forest cover and is not strenuous at all. I loved that it was dog friendly and provides plenty of shade on a hot summer day in Maui. It's cooler here as it's upcountry so good to get a jacket. I picked up some food from pukalani Superette, so it made for a perfect picnic! Read the signs carefully as there are some parts that are for bikers only and they come fast and can crash into you. Overall, I loved coming here and exploring upcountry in Maui. If you need sometime away from the sun, come here, you will be in awe of nature and it's a nice contrast to the beaches in wailea (at least to me!).

such a beautiful and peaceful hike, really lets you escape from the heat!…read more the main kahakapao loop trail is about 9 km (5.5 miles), you can find it on alltrails to help guide you. there's a few smaller trails for biking as well. the trail was very clean, some of the paths are confusing though. overall, highly recommend since afterward, you can visit makawao town!

Signs/arrows on the trail, super helpful

Kahakapao loop trail

Trees

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Baby Beach

(40 reviews)

3.5 mi

Pretty nice beach with minimal street parking available so it's tough when it's busy…read more We pulled the wagon and the sand is sloped and very soft so it was very difficult to pull the wagon across the beach. Also, when we went, it was 30 mph wind so Sam pelting us in all over and it was kind of painful. That being said the water is super clear and nice and cool so it's nice on the hot day.

Baby Beach, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo. Baby Beach!…read more Nothing like a beach to yourself. Some were leaving as clouds rolled in prior to the tropical storm. It's nestled in a residential neighborhood, parking along the street just be mindful of the residents. There isn't a bathroom or wash station so we used a bucket of mother natures finest seawater to wash off the sand. We weren't completely alone as we had two turtles swimming nearby, which made our day even better. There are places marked off for turtle eggs, must be a baby beach for tiny humans and tiny turtles. If you're looking for a calm beach for yourself or your little humans this is the place for you. Mahalo

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Secret Garden On Maui

(8 reviews)

5.3 mi

Intersting place to stop. It is free to get in. There is a porta-potty. Limited parking. They…read morehave native plants that you can buy if you live on the island. There's fish tanks to see, a Grey African parrot that can talk to you and a sweet kitty that lives on the grounds (loves to be cuddled). There are some walking paths and 2 labyrinths to walk (not mazes). It's asked that you speak quietly when here because people will come to meditate. Chairs throughout the grounds to sit and relx. Very focused on meditation and Buddah and "energy". It was fun to see the different plants and hear the water features bubbling.

The prettiest bouquets you can ever see on the island are here and you can buy them and the most…read morebeautiful plants in things for the gardener here you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this place. It's so beautiful. Please stop in. Everybody is so sweet and gracious.

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Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary

4.5

(12 reviews)

6.8 mi

Relaxed self paced viewing of bird reserve. Easy parking. Nice covered cabana…read more Great views.

When we have a few extra minutes in Kahului, we like to stop off at Kanaha Pond to enjoy the birds…read more There were mostly ducks and stilts today but we have seen Nenes, or Hawaiian Geese (the state bird). One time, there was a family with several little goslings. We stopped on the path to the shelter and let them decide if they wanted to pass us in the other direction. The male gave me a stink eye as they walked by and started hissing at me after they got a little ways past. It was funny that he became more macho after getting a little distance. Anyway, I always enjoy the Ae'o, or Hawaiian Stilt. They wade through the shallow water with such long legs, in search of food. Their chirps warn others of our presence. There are benches in the small shelter, where you can sit in the shade and watch the birds do their bird things. There also is a gate on the back side of the pond, near the water treatment plant, that lets you in to the dirt roads that were used to access a series of WW2 storage bunkers. There are other ponds back there, too. It's a nice area to walk through.

Free Kanaha pond ... check out the birds

Pond

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Canal along Wakea Avenue by Paradise Mart - VN

Eddie Tam Memorial Park

(6 reviews)

6.3 mi

Great place to cheer on your adult friend's recreational basketball team!!! And a nice picnic spot…read moreWould recommend. 10/10

I love coming to Eddie Tam to exercise and walk my fur kid. This park is kind of huge. With the…read moreupper level that connects to the lower level. They use this park for baseball and soccer. When we come here in the afternoon there are a lot of children practicing and playing in the park. Also a lot of people who exercise.

3/5/23

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3/5/23

Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center & Upcountry Pool Parks

4.8

(4 reviews)

5.9 mi

Huge park and a nice one to take a stroll in. They also have a play structure which they call the…read more"pit" is a fun play area for children to play on. Please if walking your dogs during school hours make sure they're leashed. The country does a nice job at taking care of the place making sure it's clean. Mayor hannibal tavares center has been around for over 10 years. If you have a reception in the community center it could hold a few hundred people. With many parking stalls. Right now it's going they a renovation so I'm excited what it'll look like when it's finished. So be prepared because the hall and the d.m.v. will be closed until next year. So no parties and no renewing your license here until next year.. booooo!

Really nice and big Community center for the upcountry area of Maui. Easily accessed from the old…read moreHaleakala highway, and right across the street from Pukalani Terrace shopping Center. There's a great big community meeting room, and the kitchen, as well as smaller meeting rooms all on the upper floor. Downstairs are various services including the department of motor vehicles upcountry office. What a great place to have a party for a wedding or graduation and invite everybody you know. There are beautiful views of the ocean and central valley, including Molokai and the west Maui Mountains. Step out on the covered lanai to get some fresh air and enjoy the views. The vast central space has an open beam ceiling making for great acoustics. This is a real highlight of the community in Pukalani.

Wide open spaces down the hill

The dedication sign

Playground

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The Kalakupua Playground

5.0

(2 reviews)

3.9 mi

So unique and a favorite of my son! It's obvious the community takes good care of this playground,…read moreand I'm grateful it's shared with the public. It's a local treasure and a must-see for families with young kids.

What a wonderful playground. Located at Giggle Hill at The 4th Division Memorial Marine Park. Lots…read moreof parking. Pavilion for parties, Huge grass area for play. The playground is imaginative and beautiful.

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Maui Ocean Sports

4.6

(154 reviews)

21.1 mi

Awesome 2 hour paddle off of Lahaina! Booking was easy via TripAdvisor - I did it two days before…read moreour excursion. There was parking across the street, and Maui Ocean Sports was easy to find in the back of the complex. The front desk guy and our guide, Luke, were super friendly. Our group of 4 and the other group of 3 in our time slot had all kayaked before, so we got minimal instruction. We saw so many turtles on our paddle out! It was beautiful on the water and we had the best time! They provide water and you can borrow a dry bag if you don't have one, and leave stuff in a cabinet - we left towels and a change of clothes (restroom on the property and place to rinse right off the beach).

An easy check in and good instructions from our tour operator, Paul. Very informative and helpful…read morefor the 2 hour paddle with an option to snorkel during the paddle session. Dry bags are provided for your belongings as well as water and snacks for the activity. The fun part was learning how to catch a wave for some kayak surfing. Good low key activity, and great workout for your shoulders, arms and core.

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Ryan our guide.

Kona Boys Beach Shack

4.6

(179 reviews)

92.4 mi

Our family of four had an excellent experience working with the Kona Boys Surf Shack, located on…read morethe beach behind the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. We signed up for a private outrigger canoe tour on Kailua Bay. Tommy and JP were fantastic with our kids (even when my son got a little upset mid-way through the tour) and provided a truly fun and memorable experience for all of us. The outrigger canoe tour was part tour and part history lesson of the Kona area, and was very nicely done. As guests at the hotel, we also worked with the Kona Boys to receive the beach gear items we were entitled to with our resort fee. All was great on that front too. Thank you and keep up the great work!

We stumbled on to this place our first day on the island. They are located at a small quiet beach…read morearea they rent everything you could possibly need for the day at a reasonable price. The staff is amazing and went above and beyond making sure we had everything we needed. We rented kayaks 3 times and umbrellas and chairs twice. If your looking for a relaxing day at the beach and or some time on the water give theses guys a shot you won't regret it.

Kona Boys Beach Shack Kailua-Kona, HI

Great beach.

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Such a cute little shack !

Pacific Jet Sports

(287 reviews)

21.9 mi

I've done several catamaran cruises in Maui and wanted to try something different. Jet Ski Maui was…read morethe perfect choice. As a first-time jet skier, the staff made everything easy and fun. The short boat ride to Jet Ski Island was quick, the 45 minutes on the water flew by, and the photos turned out great. The weather was a little rainy and overcast, but I actually appreciated the break from the Maui sun after getting a bit too much of it the day before. There are cubbies available on Jet Ski Island, so feel free to bring along anything you'd like easy access to during your visit. Also, don't forget to bring a credit card, as one is required to be kept on file for the rental.

Fun family time!!!. great staff. amazing photos too! Maui's water so warm and clear with the back…read moredrop of the west Maui mountains - spectacular all around. Went with my two daughters and son while my husband golfed - we had waaay more fun!!!

Grandkids having a blast

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Makena Beach

4.9

(25 reviews)

21.7 mi

Absolutely beautiful beach with soft cushiony sand made out of broken sea shells. The water…read moremovement was too strong when we visited, so we didn't attempt to swim, but it was still worthwhile visiting to check out this beautiful spot. Note that this is a state park, so parking is paid, plus there is a per-person fee to pay upon entry. Cash not accepted, have to use a smart phone to pay, which would be a challenge if you've got no reception.

Makena Beach is truly a beautiful hidden gem. It's a bit more isolated compared to other beaches,…read morebut that's part of what makes it so special. The sand is incredibly soft and smooth, making it perfect for relaxing or long beach walks. There are quite a few birds around, and they aren't afraid of humans, which adds to the charm and makes the experience feel more connected to nature. The views are absolutely spectacular, with stunning scenery that makes the trip more than worth it. Parking is available but does require a fee of about $16, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. The beach can get windy, and there may be sporadic rain, so it's best to plan ahead and check the weather. Overall I'd love to come back to visit again!

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Ka'anapali Beach

4.5

(203 reviews)

21.9 mi

One of my favorite beaches in the whole wide world ! Always love coming here because it's so…read morepeaceful and feels less touristy !! Highly recommend!!

OMG! The sand was so soft and smooth that I was surprised when my feet touched the sand. Totally…read moreloved this beach and went back to this beach for 3 days! Hungry? There are various food options nearby for dine in or take outs. Thirsty? Same, various places to get drinks but any alcohol ordered in restaurants CANNOT be brought off premises to enjoy. Shopping? Lots of options if someone doesn't want to go to the beach and wanted to shop instead. Most stores do validation for parking but it's only for two hours. You could trouble yourself to move your car in and out every two hours, pay for the additional few hours after the two hours, or if you have insider scoop, you can find some secret parking (sorry my lips or closed on this).

Kā'anapali Beach 4/11/2023

Sunsets on the beach

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Kā'anapali Beach 4/11/2023

Honolua Bay

(206 reviews)

19.0 mi

Bring bug spray! The trail is nicely shaded with lush green tree, ground coverage, and softened…read moredirt path. Although, that meant lots of mosquitos for the 5 min walk from the trail head to the stream. The stream during this season is dry and zero water. There were plenty of chicken and roosters running around. The sunlight peaking through the trees and branches created nice backdrop for pictures. Definitely would explore more if we ever come back.

The best place to snorkel at…read more There were so many fishes and different kinds also! It was my first official time snorkeling so it was a little spooky but man oh man, I had a blast. Didn't see ant sea turtles but did see a variety of fishes.

Not a beach for sitting around at, covered in stones, best for scuba diving/snorkeling

Stay on the path

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Don't be that guy

Anaehoomalu Bay

(101 reviews)

76.7 mi

Our oceanfront two bedroom suite faced Anaehoomalu Bay aka A-Bay. We woke up each morning to a…read moreserene view of A-Bay. Wind surfing, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, turtle spotting, sunbathing, etc. A-Bay has it all including sunset watching on its salt and pepper sand. Surrounded by ancient Hawaiian ponds that you can walk along. We spent a good portion of our time glazing out each morning, afternoon, and especially the evening watching the sun go down. This by far was one of our favorite activities while staying in Waikoloa. The only thing I can't speak to is parking although Hawaii law states every beach must have public access.

This is a very calm harbor bay. A couple of sailboats anchored , a lot of shade , restrooms and…read moreshowers. White sand beach with palm trees. marked parking in lave field. A long walk with gear to the Water. No surf, done Snorklers in the Water. .