Oneuli Beach

(34 reviews)

0.9 mi

This is a great hidden treasure in Maui. Look for the walkway between the rock fences. The beach is…read moresmall but beautiful, and there is a little area that you can wade out into. Walking onto the beach can be a challenge for anyone who isn't too mobile. There are only a few parking places, so you sometimes need to get creative.

The most picturesque beach we went to in Maui. Soft yellow sand, ultra clear blue water, swaying…read morepalm trees, and black lava rocks with tidepools. You won't be the only one here but it's much less crowded than Makena Beach to the North. We went during "peak" time in late afternoon and at 9 am and both times there were other people there. It's very easy to find, google maps will lead to it accurately. You'll be in a residential neighborhood trying to find a break in the black stone wall but most likely you won't be able to spot it because cars will be around the entrance. The cove you walk into is part of the secret, you can go exploring north and south to find more though the only entrance we could find was through the black stone wall.

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Paako Cove aka Secret Cove aka Makena Cove

(33 reviews)

1.0 mi

Gorgeous cove with soft cinnamon sugar sand and trees / bushes for shade. It is also less crowded…read morethan some other beaches adding an element of peace and tranquility sometimes lacking.

IMHO Is it a Secret?…read more No, but it feels like it when you walk through the hidden gap between stone walls that opens to a beautiful little beach cove. Every time we've been, it is never deserted. However, we've always found a place to plant ourselves. It is so picturesque here, that many people come here to wed. Indeed, we were able to witness a lovely, intimate wedding while young men jumped off rocks into the water! This year, we also saw a few turtles in the water! Because the beach is small, I think most people don't spend more than an hour here. Just sit and enjoy the surf crashing, bring a small picnic, take some pictures, then go.

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Little Beach, Maui

(100 reviews)

0.5 mi

Beautiful beach and in my opinion the best one. No clothes is awesome though it's up to you.read more

Been coming here from the 90s and literally grew up with families and locals. MY MY FAV! could…read morehave great surf but beware of the rip.

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Map of area

Makena State Park

(111 reviews)

0.3 mi

Makena State Park was beautiful. We had heard about the beauty of that beach so I wanted to make…read moresure we checked it out. The sand is soft and beautiful, and the water was super clear. The day we visited there were very small waves, but even then, you could feel the oceans power - be aware and cautious! There is a $10 feet to park in the state park - we paid it, I noticed alot of people skipping it.. I cannot say if they ticket or not. At the North end of the beach there is a cove with nude sunbathers - we didnt go that far... but maybe next time...! LOL

Stopped here for a visit. Parking can be pretty tough…read more Spots fill up fast. The sand and beach are perfect. The water aka waves can kick your butt. Be prepared. Good beach

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Ahihi Kina'u Natural Area Reserve

(58 reviews)

2.5 mi

This is actually the best snorkeling we experienced in this part of Maui. It's not necessarily for…read morebeginners but if you enter from the left side it's a pretty sandy launch. Just keep track of where you are and don't go out too far unless you're a very good swimmer. Most of the time all will be well but that one time where the current might be pulling you where you don't want to go you'll be glad you didn't venture way out there. Lots of fish. No turtles or at least we never saw one.

Sounding like a noise Michael Jackson might make, Ahihi cove is a great spot for snorkeling. If…read moreyou're coming from Kihei area, the parking lot is just past the entrance on your right. While we didn't see any turtles or dolphins, there are quite a few neat fish here, and as you go further out, the water gets blue and clearer and the coral gets more colorful (healthier). There aren't many places for lounging or setting up chairs, but you can place belongings alongside the rocky beachhead. The cove itself is very rocky, sandy, and slippery. If you're trying to put on snorkel fins and mask, I'd recommend venturing about 10 feet into the water; there's a large, sturdy flat rock platform two feet deep on which you can stand or sit that seems almost human-made like a dock for this purpose. A few things to note: don't enter the cove from the black rocks, as they're unsafe to climb on and are designated areas where the fish will feed. Because there's coral in the water, don't sit or stand on it, and be careful on which sunscreen you're using.

Didn't stay long enough.

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Big Beach in Makena State Park

4.4

(187 reviews)

0.4 mi

Ah, Makena State Park, treasure of Maui, where the sands are soft, crafted by God's own hand…read more Stepping onto your shores, braddah, it's like sinking into flower, soft and sweet underfoot. The cove, round and inviting, cradles the Pacific's mighty waves, and when the ocean greets you, it washes away all the worries, no ka oi. The air is alive, the trees dance with the wind, and the sun graces your skin time and again. Makena, you're truly a queen among islands, a paradise that captures the heart, no doubt, braddah!

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord Well, I've been waiting for this wave for all my…read morelife, oh Lord (after the wave came crushing down)... You can hear Crush from Finding Nemo saying "Righteous! Righteous!" as the waves came crashing in. So many good waves, knocking over so many people along the way. From grown women and men to teenagers flopping like fish with these powerful waves. There's a cost to park in the parking lots. You'll find plenty of parking along the road passing the lots. Big Beach is in between Little Beach and Secret Cove in the Mākena State Park area. There are porta potty's. Lifeguards gave warnings as the tide was pretty rough, advising people to be careful and go under the waves (lot of people didn't get the memo but got a lot of sand in their swim suits). Lady lost her cell phone in the ocean when she got knocked over trying to take a selfie (more like an ouchie). Kids enjoyed making sand castles but the waves were a bit too much for this Dad to carry them in. This was a great places to collect little shells for the kids, look at some lava rocks, watch some big waves on Big Beach. Mahalo

Activities at the beach

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Palauea Beach/White Rock

(17 reviews)

0.5 mi

My brother got married on this beach. This beach is spectacular. It is secluded as most of the…read morebeach is in front of beautiful million dollar homes. You kinda walk through trees from the road out to paradise. We didn't go into the water or spend a lot of time doing recreational stuff here, so I can't really speak to that. But I can say it is gorgeous, clean and has the good Maui spirit. Not very far from Polo Beach and I recommend this beach over Polo from my experience.

I hesitate to post a review because it may become overcrowded. What a gem. Quiet with families,…read morecalm surf and good snorkeling.

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Lava Fields

(38 reviews)

3.3 mi

Lava Fields is more of a scenic beach walk than a traditional hike, and it's such a beautiful way…read moreto spend time outdoors. You're walking alongside the water with nonstop ocean views, and the contrast of the lava rock and blue water is stunning the entire way. What's great about this walk is how flexible it is. You can go for miles or turn around whenever you want, which makes it accessible for all levels. It's very close to Wailea and some gorgeous beaches, so it's easy to fit into your day. Be sure to wear good footwear since the lava rock can be uneven and unstable in areas. Seeing the wild goats along the way was an added bonus and made the experience feel extra special. Peaceful, scenic, and a must-do if you're in the area.

Once you come to the Bay you can walk an established trail along the lava fields…read more There are remnants of lava rock houses from long ago. Now you see wild goats.

Ocean

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The Dumps

5.0

(4 reviews)

1.8 mi

A little bit out of the way from the Wailea area but 100% worth it to go snorkeling! Went out two…read moretimes and it was absolutely amazing both times. Ended up seeing a turtle, a few schools of fish, awesome coral, and more! Would highly recommend but remember it's a rocky beach.

Excellent snorkeling spot if you appreciate seeing corral. We saw lots of fish as well and enjoyed…read morethe beautiful Bay.

The endless summer

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Stone Temple

Big Beach in Makena State Park

4.4

(187 reviews)

0.4 mi

Ah, Makena State Park, treasure of Maui, where the sands are soft, crafted by God's own hand…read more Stepping onto your shores, braddah, it's like sinking into flower, soft and sweet underfoot. The cove, round and inviting, cradles the Pacific's mighty waves, and when the ocean greets you, it washes away all the worries, no ka oi. The air is alive, the trees dance with the wind, and the sun graces your skin time and again. Makena, you're truly a queen among islands, a paradise that captures the heart, no doubt, braddah!

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord Well, I've been waiting for this wave for all my…read morelife, oh Lord (after the wave came crushing down)... You can hear Crush from Finding Nemo saying "Righteous! Righteous!" as the waves came crashing in. So many good waves, knocking over so many people along the way. From grown women and men to teenagers flopping like fish with these powerful waves. There's a cost to park in the parking lots. You'll find plenty of parking along the road passing the lots. Big Beach is in between Little Beach and Secret Cove in the Mākena State Park area. There are porta potty's. Lifeguards gave warnings as the tide was pretty rough, advising people to be careful and go under the waves (lot of people didn't get the memo but got a lot of sand in their swim suits). Lady lost her cell phone in the ocean when she got knocked over trying to take a selfie (more like an ouchie). Kids enjoyed making sand castles but the waves were a bit too much for this Dad to carry them in. This was a great places to collect little shells for the kids, look at some lava rocks, watch some big waves on Big Beach. Mahalo

Activities at the beach

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Makena State Park

(111 reviews)

0.3 mi

Makena State Park was beautiful. We had heard about the beauty of that beach so I wanted to make…read moresure we checked it out. The sand is soft and beautiful, and the water was super clear. The day we visited there were very small waves, but even then, you could feel the oceans power - be aware and cautious! There is a $10 feet to park in the state park - we paid it, I noticed alot of people skipping it.. I cannot say if they ticket or not. At the North end of the beach there is a cove with nude sunbathers - we didnt go that far... but maybe next time...! LOL

Stopped here for a visit. Parking can be pretty tough…read more Spots fill up fast. The sand and beach are perfect. The water aka waves can kick your butt. Be prepared. Good beach

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Makena Beach

4.9

(25 reviews)

0.6 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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The Dumps

5.0

(4 reviews)

1.8 mi

A little bit out of the way from the Wailea area but 100% worth it to go snorkeling! Went out two…read moretimes and it was absolutely amazing both times. Ended up seeing a turtle, a few schools of fish, awesome coral, and more! Would highly recommend but remember it's a rocky beach.

Excellent snorkeling spot if you appreciate seeing corral. We saw lots of fish as well and enjoyed…read morethe beautiful Bay.