Category: 'Beaches | South Maui' by rating
South Maui – Quick Summary
Last updated 01. May, 2012 by Mark.
General Geographic Area: South Maui
In a nutshell: South Maui is home to the spectacular world-class beaches of Kihei, Wailea and Makena. Wailea, to the south of this region, boasts exclusive resorts and golf, while Kihei to the north is where you’ll find more affordable hotels, condos and vacation rentals.
Minuses: Once off the beach, the Kihei part of South Maui has lots of shops and food, but some places feel more like California than Hawaii.
Sound-bite: “How many new beaches should we explore today?”
The area called “South …
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Makena Big Beach (aka Oneloa)
Last updated 11. Nov, 2012 by lilikoi.
Big Beach is long, wide, beautiful, and extreme.
Rating: 
In a nutshell: Big Beach is a beautiful, long, wide, undeveloped sandy beach. Impressive, with huge views and a large shore-break. Big Beach is a must-see.
Minuses: A wicked shore-break exists here when the surf is up that can be dangerous for the inexperienced.
Sound-bite: [monster crashing wave]
DETAILS:
One of the most outstanding beaches in Maui. Big Beach is well over a half a mile long, and is also uncharacteristically wide by Maui standards. That means loads of real estate …
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Wailea Beach
Last updated 25. Sep, 2010 by Walker.
Wailea Beach
Rating: 
In a nutshell: Consistently rated one of the world’s best beaches.
Minuses: Crowded with resort guests and their accouterments.
Sound-bite: “Hey, is that Paris Hilton?”
DETAILS:
Wailea Beach is unquestionably a study in beach perfection, and if you don’t mind a resort vibe (and a crowd to go with it) this is a truly outstanding beach.
The beach is wide, the sand perfect, and the ocean inviting. Views of Kaho’olawe, Molokini, Lana’i and the sights (and sounds) of whales are common in winter.
When the ocean is …
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Palauea Beach (aka White Rock)
Last updated 12. Nov, 2012 by Mark.
Palauea Beach
Rating:
In a nutshell: A long, beautiful sandy crescent set back from the wind.
Minuses: Development.
Sound-bite: “Is that Paul Blart?”
Details:
This is a nice, wide, uncrowded and lesser-known beach. You won’t see very many tourists here – mostly populated by a few local folks and fishermen, on weekends family and friends join in on the fun. What’s left of the small kiawe forest is cut up into private lots which have been seeing high-end vacation home development over recent years. The neighborhood has hired a security …
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Po’olenalena Beach
Last updated 01. Nov, 2012 by Mark.
Po’olenalena Beach
Rating:
In a nutshell: A long, often uncrowded sandy beach.
Minuses: Has become more popular in recent years.
Sound-bite: “You may now kiss the bride!”
Details:
Po’olenalena is a nice, long sandy beach, that until recent years was mostly known only by locals. Because it has spectacular sunset views, and often becomes uncrowded late in the day, it is a favorite location for wedding photographers and ceremonies.
Po’olenalena means “yellow head” and is said to refer to a longtime landmark, a yellow-streaked rock on the golf course mauka…
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Ocean Conditions
Last updated 04. Aug, 2010 by Mark.
In normal conditions, on beaches where there are lifeguards, the ocean is relatively safe to play. But conditions can change, and the surf can get big, rip currents form, and swimming can become dangerous at even what appear to be the tamest of beaches.
At beaches with lifeguards, look out for orange high-surf flags in the sand. If they are present, visit the lifeguard stand to read or talk to a lifeguard about the conditions.
Keep in mind that the county almost never closes beaches during dangerous conditions. Flags and …
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Kama’ole Beach Park (I, II, III & Charley Young)
Last updated 11. Jun, 2009 by Mark.
Kama'ole Beach views are outstanding
Rating: 
In a nutshell: Kama’ole is a very popular set of beaches for locals and visitors. Beautiful, long, 1.5 mile sandy beaches with incredible views of Molokini, Kaho’olawe and Lana’i islands. Kam III has one of the most regular South Maui shorebreaks for boogie-boarding. Snorkeling opportunities are plentiful. Full facilities and family friendly.
Minuses: Kam III is crowded on weekends and holidays and sometimes less-than-desirable types make the grassy areas a drinking hangout.
Sound-bite: “The best beaches in Kihei, hands-down.”
DETAILS:
Kama’ole Beach Park is …
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‘Ahihi Bay & Waiala Cove
Last updated 20. Jul, 2010 by Mark.
‘Ahihi Bay meets the road
Rating:
In a nutshell: ‘Ahihi Bay’s Waiala Cove is an excellent place for beginner to intermediate snorkelers, SCUBA and kayaking.
Minuses: Rocky & no sand.
Sound-bite: “Please don’t stand up!”
DETAILS:
Typically called ‘Ahihi Bay (or even Ahi Bay by mistaken visitors), Waiala Cove is a small semi-protected cove of the overall much larger ‘Ahihi Bay. It is popular since it’s a convenient place for snorkelers to get in the water without hiking or swimming. For folks venturing away from the immediate entry area of …
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Makena Little Beach
Last updated 20. Nov, 2012 by lilikoi.
Little Beach
Rating:
In a nutshell: Little Beach is where you go if you want to get nude with a bunch of other people. A beautiful beach, but gets crowded.
Minuses: Gawkers and creepy perverts are also attracted to this beach.
Sound-bite: “oowwwww…I forgot to apply sunscreen there!”
DETAILS:
The draw for most visitors here is nudity. While public nudity is technically illegal in Hawaii, it has been generally accepted that this is a nude beach, and the law is not enforced here.
There is also a drum-circle and …
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