Aloha! You finally made it to Maui, ready to kick off the best island vacation. Now, all that’s left to do is decide which beach to visit. There are 100+ miles of shoreline to discover, and south Maui beaches feature many of the most beautiful beaches on the island. South and West Maui have the best water conditions compared to the north and east.
Staying at our one-of-a-kind Maui Getaway in Kihei puts you one step closer to experiencing the island’s best beaches. You’ll have easy access to the three main areas in South Maui: Kihei, Wailea, and Makena.
See which of these areas has the best beach in South Maui!
Best Beaches in Kihei
1. Keawakapu Beach
- Best for: Ocean views
- South Kihei Road & Kilohana Dr, Kihei, HI
Sitting on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean can make you feel like you’re in an isolated paradise. Sitting on the shores of Keawakapu Beach shows you’re not too lonely after all!
This beach offers a breathtaking view of neighboring Hawaiian islands. On a clear day, you can see Molokini, Kaho’olawe, and Lanai just offshore. Take in the views while swimming and boogie boarding. On the north end of the beach, near the Mana Kai Maui Resort Hotel, is the best snorkeling spot, where your underwater vistas are just as stunning as those above the surface.
2. Kamaole Beach I
- Best for: Beach recreation
- 75 Alanui Ke’ali’i, Kihei, HI
Get ready for fun inside and out of the water. Nicknamed Kam I, it’s the introduction to Kamaole Beach Park, which offers tons of activities for beachgoers of all ages.
Kamaole I is one of the best South Maui beaches for swimming. It has gentler waves than other beaches, and there is also a lifeguard. Dry off from the ocean with recreation on the beach. It’s the only one of the Kamaole beaches with a beach volleyball net. Nearby is also a kid’s playground and picnic tables. It has restroom and outdoor shower facilities.
3. Kamaole Beach II
- Best for: Family-friendly swimming
- Kamaole Beach Park II, S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
Splash around and make friends at the Kam II Beach. It’s a family-friendly beach where kids can enjoy the water with peace of mind. Swimming conditions are always favorable in these calm waters. And there’s also a lifeguard on duty.
This beach stays busy all day, welcoming morning walkers at dawn, beachcombers during the day, and sunsets for golden hour gazers. It is a popular beach within walking distance of restaurants for a post-beach meal.
4. Kamaole Beach III
- Best for: Boogie-boarding
- S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
Boogie on down to Kam III for boogie-boarding thrills. Its shore breaks provide perfect boarding conditions after every wave. Ready your board and make a dash for the water when you spot the next wave rolling into shore.
Kam III is the smallest of the Kamaole Beach Parks. Forget about lounging in the sand because the water sports will keep you submerged in aquatic fun. Boogie boarding and bodyboarding are just the beginning. Later, head over to the rocky walls on the south end of the beach for a great snorkeling spot.
This beach has a free car park.
5. Charley Young Beach
- Best for: Spotting sea turtles
- 2259 South Kihei Road, Kihei HI
If you’re lucky, Hawaii’s charming residents will join you for a swim at Charles Young Beach. It’s common to spot sea turtles on the beach and in the water, but make sure to keep your distance from them.
Sea Turtles are treated like royalty in Hawaii, and there are penalties for interfering with them. Instead, enjoy this picturesque beach in harmony with the sea turtles. It’s a small beach popular for walks and a small snorkeling area on the south end.
6. Sugar Beach
- Best for: Longest Maui beach
- 145 N Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI
Sweeten your vacation with a day at Sugar Beach. Unlike the island’s smaller beaches, this sandy shore extends six miles uninterrupted. So, whether you enjoy long walks on the beach or want to get away from crowds, this is the beach for you.
Sugar Beach is on the north side of Kihei. Step into the powdery sands and admire the palm trees lining the coast. Tradewinds pick up during the late morning and early afternoon, making it ideal for windsurfing. With a beach this long, there’s something everyone will enjoy—swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and sunbathing.
Best Beaches in Wailea
7. Wailea Beach
- Best for: Luxurious beach setting
- Between Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons Hotel Kihei, Maui, HI
You’ll be keeping up with the Joneses at one of the most popular South Maui beaches. Wailea Beach is centrally located in a resort area that draws waves of tourists to experience an idyllic Maui beach.
Wailea Beach is only a half-mile long but goes the extra mile with its beach experience. Umbrellas and sun loungers are available for rent right on the beach. The beach crowd will be a mix of families splashing around in the water and stylish beachgoers showing off their designer swimsuits from the nearby luxury stores.
8. Ulua Beach
- Best for: Scuba diving
- Haleali’i Place, Kihei, Maui, HI
An entire world of underwater wonders awaits at Ulua Beach. It’s one of the top South Maui beaches for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Insider tip: Arrive in the morning! The beach is less crowded, and the water has higher visibility for viewing the abundance of marine life. There’s a reef located just offshore. It’s easy to reach and excellent for beginner divers and snorkelers to get their first experience in the water. Take a guided dive tour to find the best spots to see fish, octopuses, turtles, and vibrant coral.
9. Mokapu Beach
- Best for: Accessing the Wailea Beach Path
- Haleali’i Place, Kihei, Maui, HI
Since it can be hard to settle on one beach during your stay in Maui, why not experience a few of the best? The Wailea Beach Path is a three-mile coastal route past the best beaches in Wailea. Kickstart your exploration at Mokapu Beach.
Located on the northern end, Mokapu is a small beach that gives visitors a tease of what to expect at other South Maui beaches. It’s only a quarter mile long for a small dose of fun. Swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding are just a preview before taking your talents to a more popular beach.
Ulua Beach and Mokapu Beach share a parking lot.
Best Beaches in Makena
10. Makena Beach (Big Beach)
- Best for: Large undeveloped beach
- 6600 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI
Makena Beach is one scenic location where you won’t find any resorts in Maui lining the sandy beach. While resorts occupy the shores of many of the island’s best beaches, Makena Beach is a true getaway.
Nicknamed Big Beach, this beach gives visitors a taste of the natural side of Maui. It sits at the foot of the Pu’u Ōla’i volcanic cone inside the Makena State Park. Finding 1.5 miles of undisturbed golden sand shoreline is rare, making this beach one-of-a-kind.
11. Little Beach
- Best for: Nude beach
- 4670 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI
While most people stop at Big Beach, curious beachgoers will explore beyond the ledge and discover one of Maui’s best-kept secrets: Little Beach.
Heads up! Don’t be surprised to see nude beachgoers combing these secluded shores. Although nude beaches are technically illegal in Maui, the brave-hearted still find a way to bare it all on the beach. Naked swimmers aren’t the only alternative to this beach. Listen up for the sound of music when approaching it. It hosts the Maui Drum Circle, which brings an eclectic crowd to the sandy shores.
12. Polo Beach
- Best for: Beach gear rentals
- 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, HI
Thanks to tourists staying in nearby resorts, there are lots of places to rent beach gear near Polo Beach. You’ll have everything you need for play, relaxing, and exploring.
This beautiful crescent-shaped beach sits in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort and is open to the public. Boss Frog (bossfrog.com) and Auntie Snorkel (auntiesnorkel.com) have all the gear you need. Rent snorkeling gear to spot marine life. Rent paddle boards to enjoy views of the waterfront. Or rent cruiser bikes to peddle the Wailea Coastal Walk.
13. One’uli Beach
- Best for: Black sand beach
- 5550 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI
Did you know that Maui has a black sand beach? Black sand beaches are a rare natural occurrence, and Maui is home to two of them, one in South Maui.
One’uli is a Hawaiian word for ‘dark sand.’ Unlike white sand beaches, this phenomenon is caused by ground lava from the Pu’u Ōla’i cinder cone. You won’t need a camera filter to see how unique this beach is. Seeing the smooth black sand slope gently into the turquoise water is quite the sight. After you snap a few pictures of the views, get in for swimming and snorkeling!
14. Maluaka Beach
- Best for: Snorkeling
- 5400 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI
Take a detour to Turtle Town! Maluaka Beach is where sea turtles enjoy the beach as much as humans do. Snorkeling is one of the top activities at this beach to witness turtles and other marine life in their natural habitat.
Dip your head below the surface, and you’ll spot reef fish swimming nearby. The southern end of the beach has shallower water for spotting sea life closer to shore. It’s always exciting to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle swimming majestically nearby. Just remember to avoid disturbing them.
15. Po’olenalena Beach
- Best for: Sunsets on the beach
- 96 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI
Bring your camera because there are tons of moments to catch when visiting Po’olenalena Beach. It’s a photographer’s paradise with its idyllic beach setting, low crowds, and one of the best sunset spots on Maui.
Weekdays are the best days to get your photo fix at the beach. You may find yourself with this golden sand shore (almost) all to yourself to be the backdrop of your pictures. It’s a popular wedding photography location and also hosts ceremonies. Underwater photographers can explore the offshore lava reef to capture photos of native Hawaiian fish. Be sure to leave room in your camera roll for sunset pics.
16. Palauea Beach
- Best for: Beachcombing with the locals
- Makena Rd. Kihei, HI
Clear your schedule for the day because Palauea Beach is your excuse to be lazy. Palauea is the Hawaiian word for ‘lazy,’ and this beach knows how to get visitors to relax.
Palauea, aka White Rocks Beach, is a laid-back beach in a residential area free from heavy tourist traffic. Fit in with the locals with boogie boarding. Take advantage of the clear water for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Stay Near the Best South Maui Beaches
Choose our Maui Getaway vacation rental, conveniently located in Kihei and a short drive to several beaches on this list. We’re sure you’ll get to check out several of them and decide for yourself which is the best South Maui beach by the end of your trip!
