I still distinctly remember my first morning on Maui.
The air, thick with the sweet scent of plumeria and salt, was a welcome embrace.
I kicked off my sandals. The volcanic sand beneath my feet felt like a warm, fine powder.
It was a simple moment. But it captured the island’s magic.
Maui’s coastline is a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. You can find golden sands, black pebbles, and even rust-red coves.
Over the years, I’ve explored them all. I’ve learned which shores are best for a quiet morning swim. I know where to watch the pros catch towering waves.
After cutting through the endless online recommendations, this is my guide to the 10 best beaches in Maui.
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The Sanctuaries: Quiet Maui Beaches for Ultimate Relaxation
My list of the 10 best beaches in Maui begins with the quietest spots.
These are the places I go to escape the crowds. They are perfect for reconnecting with nature and finding peace.
If you seek tranquility, start your journey here.
1. Kapalua Bay (West Maui) – The Perfect Crescent
Kapalua Bay is the definition of a postcard-perfect beach.
It forms a flawless crescent of golden sand. Two rocky arms protect the bay from the open ocean.
This creates incredibly calm, clear water. It’s ideal for swimming and perfect for beginner snorkelers.
It’s no surprise this spot is consistently named one of America’s best beaches.
The gentle slope of the sand makes it easy to wade into the turquoise water. You can often see colorful fish just a few feet from shore!
- Amenities: You’ll find public restrooms and showers here, making it easy to spend the whole day. Equipment rentals are available nearby.
- Insider Tip: The public parking lot is small and fills up fast. I recommend arriving before 9 a.m. to secure a spot and enjoy the morning serenity.
2. Napili Bay (West Maui) – The Turtle Haven
Just south of Kapalua, Napili Bay offers a more relaxed, “old Hawaii” vibe.
Instead of towering hotels, the shore is lined with charming, low-rise condos. This gives the beach a wonderful, community-focused feel.
The bay is famous as a haven for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, or honu. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them grazing peacefully on the reef here.
The bay’s protected waters are usually calm, making it another fantastic spot for families and snorkelers. It’s one of those special, quiet Maui beaches where you can feel a deep connection to the island’s marine life.
- Amenities: There are no public facilities on the beach itself. However, restaurants like the famous Gazebo are just steps from the sand and are accessible to beachgoers.
- Insider Tip: The best snorkeling is along the rocky areas at the north and south ends of the bay. Remember to use reef-safe sunscreen and always give the turtles at least 10 feet of space.
3. Waiʻanapanapa State Park (East Maui) – The Volcanic Wonder
Driving the Road to Hana is an adventure in itself. Waiʻanapanapa State Park is its crown jewel.
The main attraction is Pa’iloa Beach, a stunning black sand beach formed from tiny volcanic pebbles.
The contrast of the jet-black shore against the brilliant turquoise ocean and lush green jungle is simply breathtaking. It’s a photographer’s dream.
But there’s more here than just the beach. You can explore freshwater sea caves, a natural stone arch, and a sea stack that erupts like a blowhole with the tide.
- Amenities: The park is well-equipped with restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, and campsites.
- Insider Tip: A visit here now requires a reservation for both parking and entry. You cannot buy tickets at the park. Book your time slot online well in advance, as they sell out quickly.
4. Hamoa Beach (East Maui) – The Hana Gem
Past Hana town, you’ll find Hamoa Beach. Author James Michener once called it the most beautiful beach in the Pacific. It’s easy to see why.
This crescent of salt-and-pepper sand is nestled below lush, 30-foot sea cliffs. The beach feels remote and pristine, a true reward for those who make the journey.
Historically, this was a favored spot for Hawaiian royalty, known as ali’i. Today, it maintains that regal, untouched quality.
The water is a stunning shade of blue and is great for swimming or bodysurfing, depending on the season. It’s one of the most serene and quiet Maui beaches on the island.
- Amenities: Public restrooms and showers are available, a courtesy of the nearby hotel that maintains the beach access.
- Insider Tip: Parking is limited to the side of the narrow Haneo’o Road. Be patient and respectful of local residents. The surf is calmest in the summer but can be quite powerful in the winter months.
The Playgrounds: Family Fun and Gentle Waves
Maui is a paradise for families. These beaches offer safe swimming, plenty of space to play, and all the amenities you need for a stress-free day.
They are the social hubs of the coastline, buzzing with happy energy. This section of my 10 best beaches in Maui guide is dedicated to them.
5. Kaʻanapali Beach (West Maui) – The Classic Resort Beach
This three-mile stretch of golden sand was Hawaii’s first planned resort area, and it set the standard for all others.
The beach is lined with world-class hotels, condos, and the open-air Whalers Village shopping center.
A paved path runs the entire length, perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll.
The beach’s most iconic feature is the daily cliff diving ceremony at Puʻu Kekaʻa, also known as Black Rock.
Every evening at sunset, a diver lights torches along the cliff before making a spectacular plunge into the ocean. It’s a reenactment of a feat by a revered Maui king, Kahekili.
- Amenities: Full resort amenities are available, including public restrooms, showers, and beach activity rentals. Multiple public access points offer parking.
- Insider Tip: Public parking can be tricky. Look for the small “Beach Access” signs between the resorts. You can also park at Whalers Village for three free hours with a purchase from one of the stores.
6. Wailea Beach (South Maui) – The Golden Standard
Wailea Beach is this wide, golden-sand beach that fronts some of Maui’s most exclusive resorts, like the Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons.
The beach is perfectly manicured, and the water is typically calm and crystal clear. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and celebrity spotting.
A paved path winds along the coast, connecting Wailea to other nearby beaches. It’s perfect for a family walk with stunning views of Molokini and Kahoʻolawe.
This beach consistently ranks among the world’s best.
- Amenities: You’ll find excellent public facilities, including restrooms, showers, and a large, free parking lot.
- Insider Tip: The beach itself is public, but the lounge chairs and umbrellas are for resort guests only. Bring your own towel and enjoy the same five-star view for free.
7. Kamaʻole Beach Parks I, II, & III (South Maui) – The Local Favorites
In the heart of Kihei, you’ll find three of the most popular and family-friendly beaches on Maui.
Known locally as Kam I, Kam II, and Kam III, these parks are local favorites for good reason. They offer everything a family needs for a perfect beach day.
It’s always a tough choice, but these three have a firm spot on my list of the 10 best beaches in Maui.
Kam I is the largest, with a long stretch of soft sand perfect for swimming. Kam II is a bit smaller and great for a relaxing day.
Kam III has a wonderful, large grassy park with a playground, making it a hub for local families and weekend barbecues. Its shore break is also perfect for boogie boarding.
- Amenities: All three parks have lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and ample parking.
- Insider Tip: Kam III gets very lively on weekends with local families. For a more peaceful experience, visit on a weekday. The northern end of Kam I, known as Charley Young Beach, is also typically less crowded.
The Strongholds: Maui Surfing Spots for the Adventurous
No list of the 10 best beaches in Maui would be complete without some world-class surf.
The island’s North Shore is legendary for its powerful winter swells. It attracts the best watermen and women from around the globe.
These Maui surfing spots are for the brave and experienced. But they also offer incredible spectating for the rest of us.
8. Hoʻokipa Beach Park (North Shore) – The Windsurfing Capital
Hoʻokipa is, simply put, the windsurfing capital of the world.
Located on the North Shore just past the town of Pa’ia, its consistent winds and large, clean waves make it a playground for professionals.
In the winter, the waves can be massive, and watching the surfers and windsurfers here is a thrilling spectacle.
But Hoʻokipa has a gentler side, too. At the eastern end of the beach, a protected reef allows Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles to come ashore and rest. Every evening around sunset, dozens of honu can be seen basking on the sand.
It is one of the most reliable and famous Maui surfing spots.
- Amenities: The park has lifeguards, pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.
- Insider Tip: The surf here is for experts only. For visitors, the best plan is to arrive in the late afternoon. You can watch the incredible water sports from the lookout point above the beach. Then, head down to the sand to see the turtles come ashore for the night.
9. D.T. Fleming Beach Park (West Maui) – The Bodysurfer’s Choice
Named for the man who brought pineapple cultivation to West Maui, D.T. Fleming Beach is a beautiful, long, sandy beach in Kapalua. It’s best known for its consistent and often powerful shore break.
This makes it a top destination for experienced bodysurfers and boogie boarders.
Unlike many other surf spots, D.T. Fleming is a full-service park with lifeguards on duty. This makes it a relatively safer place to enjoy the power of the ocean.
The large ironwood trees lining the beach also provide ample shade for a perfect family picnic!
- Amenities: The park offers lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a large parking lot.
- Insider Tip: Conditions here can change quickly. Always check with the lifeguards about currents and wave conditions before entering the water. The northern end can sometimes be calmer for snorkeling when the surf is down.
10. Makena Beach (Big Beach) (South Maui) – The Untamed Giant
Rounding out our list of the 10 best beaches in Maui is this untamed giant.
Makena Beach, or “Big Beach,” is stunningly beautiful and impressively large. It’s over half a mile long and more than 100 feet wide, with pristine white sand and undeveloped surroundings.
However, its beauty comes with a serious warning. Big Beach is infamous for its brutal shore break. The waves crash directly on the steep slope of the sand with incredible force. They can cause serious injuries, even on days that look calm.
This beach is absolutely not for inexperienced swimmers or children. It is one of the most beautiful, but potentially dangerous, Maui surfing spots.
- Amenities: Lifeguards are on duty, and there are picnic tables and portable toilets. The large parking lot requires a fee for non-residents.
- Insider Tip: At the north end of the beach, a rocky path over a lava outcropping leads to “Little Beach.” This is Maui’s unofficial and well-known clothing-optional beach.
Find Your Footprints in the Sand
From the tranquil shores of Hana to the powerful waves of the North Shore, Maui offers a beach for every mood and every dream.
I hope this guide to the 10 best beaches in Maui serves as your starting point.
Find the shore that speaks to your soul, and leave only your footprints behind. Your perfect Maui day is waiting.