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While Maui is called "The Valley Isle," it's best known for it's beautiful, award-winning beaches. Maui has over 30 miles of gorgeous beaches along its 120-mile coastline, and more miles of swimmable shoreline than any other island in Hawaii.
It's safe to say there is a beach (or several) on Maui to match any mood. Whether you're looking for spectacular scenery, great snorkeling, or a peaceful retreat, here are 7 days worth of beaches to enjoy on your Maui vacation.
Big Beach
When You Want to Embrace Nature
Big Beach lives up to its name as one of Maui's largest, with a 100-foot wide ribbon of sand stretching over a mile along the shore. It's also one of the most spectacular, sheltered by low black lava cliffs and favored with glittering emerald waters and ultra-fine silver sand.
Thanks to its tucked-away location in 165-acre Mākena State Park, Big Beach offers a peaceful alternative to Lahaina and Ka'anapali's resort-studded coastlines. Swimmers and sunbathers enjoy the picturesque views.
Big Beach has an inclined shoreline and significant shore break, which can be unsafe for inexperienced swimmers. Snorkeling and surfing are not recommended here.
Access Big Beach at mile marker 4 on Makena Alanui Road and just past mile marker 4 in South Maui.
Ka'anapali Beach
For a Bit of Adventure
Ka'anapali's three miles of powder-white sand and crystalline water make it a top spot in West Maui. Though dotted with resorts, it's one of Hawaii's most picture-perfect beaches, named one of the best in the world by various travel publications.
The waters at Ka'anapali Beach are clear and calm, with a sandy bottom out to 30 feet deep. Black Rock, a 16-foot cliff formed by lava, slices across the north end of the beach. The abundant coral, turtles, and tropical fish make it an ideal site for snorkeling and scuba diving.
A beach walk runs along the entire length of Ka'anapali, providing walking access to hotels, Black Rock, and Whaler's Village, an outdoor mall with 90 restaurants and shops.
Parking can be tricky for visitors to Ka'anapali Beach who are not staying at a nearby resort. Each hotel provides some public parking spaces, with the Hyatt Regency supplying the most at 74. Supply is limited, though, so arrive early to snag one of these spots.
Whaler's Village has over 500 public parking spaces available at a rate of $3 per half hour or up to three hours of free parking with validation from one of the center's shops or restaurants.
Hamoa Beach
When you Want to Feel Like You're on a Movie Set
If you happen to catch sight of Hamoa Beach from the Road to Hana, the crescent slice of golden sand and glittering aquamarine sea will lure you straight to the water's edge.
Shaped like a half-moon, diminutive Hamoa is world-famous for its beauty. The beach is ringed by sea cliffs and dense vegetation, creating a stunning tropical setting.
Hamoa Beach measures 900 feet and is not well-protected by outlying reefs. The surf breaks offshore and rolls in, making this a popular area for bodysurfing, especially during winter. Calmer summer waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Hotel Hana Maui maintains Hamoa Beach, providing shuttle service, beach chairs, and separate facilities for guests. If you are not a guest of the hotel, park on the road above the beach and take the stairs down to the shore.
Napili Beach
For a Romantic Sunset
A crescent of white, sloping sand tumbles into turquoise blue waters at Napili Beach. The bay's outer reefs generally protect it from large swells, creating calm waters ideal for swimming and paddleboarding.
The reefs are home to a variety of fish and a sizeable population of sea turtles, so be sure to bring your snorkel gear. The beach's serene atmosphere also attracts sunbathers and families looking for a quieter spot.
Thanks to its location on the island's northwest shore, Napili Beach is also renowned for spectacular sunsets. Located a few miles south of Kapalua off Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30), parking is limited at Napali Beach, so plan accordingly.
Keawakapu Beach
Feels Like a Spa
Keawakapu is a slightly smaller (just under a mile long), more secluded beach tucked away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Kihei and Wailea.
Private homes, hotels, and restaurants line the shore, but the development sits away from the beachfront, giving it a non-commercialized feel. Beautiful vistas and sunsets create a stunning backdrop for photographs.
Lounge, stroll, or enjoy sunrise yoga on the beach's velvety white sand. Check out the active tide pools on the northern side of the beach and snorkel around the rocky outcroppings on either end of the beach. Swimming is exceptional here, and serious swimmers can do laps along the length of the beach.
Access Keawakapu Beach from one of three entrances along South Kihei Road. The largest parking area is at South Kihei Rd and Kilohana St. Beachgoers will find a smaller parking area and shower at the southernmost entrance and an unpaved lot on the ocean side of the beach's northern end.
Wailea Beach
To See and Be Seen
Wailea Beach offers a bit of everything you could ask for: powdery sand and shimmering waters, breathtaking views over the Molokini Crater and Lanai and Kahoolawe Islands, and access to restaurants and shops.
Spacious and beautiful, Wailea Beach draws everyone from A-listers from the area's most glamorous resorts to bucket listers looking to check this famous box.
The crescent-shaped beach runs a quarter-mile long and its sandy bottom and rocky areas make it great for swimming, snorkeling, and beach activities. The calm, glassy morning waters are ideal for paddleboarding.
Wailea's paved, three-mile-long Beach Walk stretches past the beach and resort areas up to Wailea Point. This coastal walk is one of Hawaii's most beautiful and affords beachgoers the opportunity to easily grab a fabulous meal from one of the nearby hotel's food concessions.
Amenities at Wailea Beach include a parking lot adjacent to the Grand Wailea Resort plus a public restroom and shower.
Kapalua Beach
Snorkeler's Paradise
Kapalua Beach wins accolades for its picturesque views, white-gold sand, palm trees, and turquoise waters. Beautiful and calm, it's also one of the best snorkeling beaches on Maui.
Two reefs extend out on either side of Kapalua Bay to form a protected, C-shaped cove. Kapalua Bay is rich with marine life, particularly around the rocky areas, where snorkeling is excellent.
Visibility is lower in the sandy center of the bay, but the smooth bottom makes the water easy to enter and enjoy for swimming.
Kapalua Beach has a parking lot a short walk from the water. A public restroom and shower is located near the lot, and a second shower is right near the water's edge for those who want a quick rinse after their swim.
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