Beaches: Ma’alaea to Lahaina

A cliff-side and shoreline drive to Lahaina passes along a spectacularly scenic shoreline with many beaches.

The Honoapiilani Highway hugs the coastline, passing cliffs, ocean lookouts and beaches. Parts of this drive are so close, that the beach is quite literally the shoulder. Most of the beaches are not visitor go-to places for sunning and playing, but they sure are nice to drive by. Learning to surf is one of the most popular reasons visitors end up in the water here – and if you just can’t resist a spontaneous dunk, you can just pull over and jump right on in!

Notable Beaches between Ma’alaea & Lahaina
(None of these beaches have lifeguards.)

Papalaua Wayside Park mm11 | GPS: 20.793039,-156.570957
Right on the road. Narrow strip of sandy beach with kiawe trees and the ocean right there. You can camp here (except Thursdays) with advance permit from county (be sure to call well ahead of your visit: 808-661-4685) & paid fees – but it can get crazy windy later in the day and overnight! Some fair snorkeling. Surfing. Picnic tables, BBQs, no potable water, Port-a-potties.