With over 30 miles of sandy beaches spread across the island’s 120-mile coastline, Maui is one of the world’s leading destinations for visitors seeking a sunny getaway.
The island offers something for every type of traveler, from calm, shallow coves perfect for snorkeling with sea turtles to wild, windswept shores where the surf rolls in thick and fast. If you’re already dreaming about the best beaches in Hawaii, Maui deserves its own deep dive.
Here are the 12 most beautiful beaches in Maui, covering every corner of the island so you can plan your time by the water exactly right.
1. Kaanapali Beach
- Location: West Maui
- Visit for: One of the most swimmable stretches on the island, with calm water year-round
Kaanapali is the postcard version of Maui. This three-mile stretch of white sand runs along the island’s western coast, backed by a string of resorts and lined with gentle, clear water that is calm enough for young kids most of the year. The north end near Black Rock is a particularly good snorkeling spot where cliff divers leap at sunset in a nightly tradition that has been happening for decades.
Paid parking is available in resort lots along the strip, and limited free parking is available in beach access lots. Arriving before 9 am makes a real difference in securing a good spot on the sand.
2. Kapalua Bay
- Location: West Maui
- Visit for: Swimming and snorkeling in some of the best conditions in all of Hawaii
Kapalua Bay is a crescent-shaped cove nestled between two lava rock points that shield it from wind and waves, making it one of the calmest and clearest stretches of water on the island.
Coral formations at both ends of the bay support a healthy fish population, and sea turtles make regular appearances near the rocks. The surrounding hills are lush and green, and the water often shimmers a vivid turquoise that photographs almost too well to believe.
Some free street parking is available, and a public, paid parking lot is located just above the beach. Spaces fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so plan to arrive early: by 8 am if possible.
3. Napili Bay
- Location: Northwest Maui, just south of Kapalua
- Visit for: Family days out and one of the best chances on the island to see green sea turtles
Napili Bay is a small, sheltered cove that feels tucked away from the rest of the island. The water is shallow and clear near the shoreline, making it a great option for families with young children, and the rocky edges of the bay are reliable spots for finding sea turtles grazing on algae.
The beach itself is soft and wide, lined with low-key condos rather than high-rise resorts, which gives it a more relaxed, neighborhood feel. Street parking and small lots are available nearby, but spots are extremely limited, so it’s worth visiting on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds that form during peak season.
4. Honolua Bay
- Location: Northwest Maui, beyond Kapalua
- Visit for: A marine preserve with world-class snorkeling and surfing
Honolua Bay sits inside a protected marine reserve and, depending on the season, it’s a must-visit for snorkelers and surfers.
During the summer months, the underwater visibility here can reach around 20 meters on a clear day, with coral arches, schools of tropical fish, and occasional spinner dolphins moving through the bay. In winter, the bay transforms into one of the premier surf breaks in Hawaii, drawing professionals from around the world for its powerful, perfectly shaped right-hand waves.
Visitors park along the road and walk a short trail through a forested gulch down to the water’s edge. There are no on-site facilities, so bring everything you need.
5. Wailea Beach
- Location: Southwest Maui
- Visit for: Excellent snorkeling at the rocky points on both ends of the beach
Wailea Beach is the anchor of Southwest Maui’s resort corridor, flanked by the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea resorts.
The water is calm and warm, the sand is golden and well maintained, and the rocky points at each end of the beach offer some of the best accessible snorkeling in the area. Whale watching from the shoreline here is exceptional between November and May, when humpbacks breach just offshore with impressive regularity.
Despite the upscale surroundings, all beaches in Hawaii are public, and there’s a dedicated public access path and parking area just off Wailea Alanui Drive.
6. Makena Beach (Big Beach)
- Location: Southwest Maui, just past Wailea
- Visit for: Bodysurfing, sunbathing, and dramatic volcano views
Makena Beach, known locally as Big Beach, is one of the largest and most visually striking stretches of sand in Hawaii.
The beach is around 1.5 miles long with nothing but open ocean in front of it and the slopes of Haleakala volcano rising behind. The waves here are powerful, and the shore break can be surprisingly intense, making it a favorite among bodysurfers but a spot that demands caution from casual swimmers.
Visiting this beach requires paid entry and parking fees for Makena State Park. Spaces fill fast on weekends, so it’s recommended to arrive before 8 am or after 3 pm for the best chance of finding a space. Check gate opening and closing times before you visit, as they tend to change seasonally.
7. Puʻu Olai (Little Beach)
- Location: Southwest Maui, adjacent to Makena Beach
- Visit for: Secluded sunbathing and calm swimming in summer
Just over the lava rock headland at the north end of Big Beach lies Little Beach, a small and naturally sheltered cove that has been a gathering spot for locals for generations.
The cove is protected from the full force of the ocean, so the water tends to be calmer than at Big Beach on most days. The surrounding lava formations and the curve of the bay make it one of the island’s more dramatic settings.
Although public nudity is technically illegal in Hawaii, this beach is known for being clothing-optional, so bear in mind that there will likely be nude sunbathers when you visit. The trail over the rocks takes about five minutes and is manageable for most adults, but it requires a bit of scrambling over uneven terrain.
8. Hoʻokipa Beach
- Location: North Maui, near Paia
- Visit for: Watching world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding
Hoʻokipa is one of the most famous windsurfing beaches in the world, and on a trade wind day, the bay fills with colorful sails and airborne athletes.
Even if you have no interest in watersports, the beach is worth a visit for its raw scenery alone. Expect crashing waves, a rugged coastline, and sea turtles that typically begin arriving on the sand in the late afternoon.
Rangers occasionally monitor the area to ensure visitors keep a respectful distance. The overlook above the beach is a great vantage point for watching the action without getting in the way of the turtles (or the surfers).
9. Baldwin Beach
- Location: North Maui, between Paia and Haiku
- Visit for: Bodysurfing, a local beach experience, and easy access to family-friendly facilities
Baldwin Beach Park is a long, wide stretch of sand that draws far fewer tourists than the resort beaches to the south, giving it a relaxed, local atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere on Maui.
The beach is wide enough that even on a busy day you can find a quiet patch of sand. The park facilities include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables, which make it popular with families and groups. A small, protected cove at the eastern end called Baby Beach offers a waveless lagoon for younger kids to splash around safely in.
10. Hamoa Beach
- Location: East Maui, near Hana
- Visit for: Scenery and bodysurfing at one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii
Hamoa Beach sits at the base of towering green cliffs about two miles past Hana town, and it’s so spectacular that it’s known to stop first-time visitors mid-sentence.
Renowned for its natural beauty, the crescent-shaped bay features coarser sand formed by black lava and white coral. The sea cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop, and swaying palm trees complete the tropical setting that draws large numbers of tourists here during the high season.
The Travaasa Hana resort maintains a section of the beach, but public access is available. Parking is limited, so visiting outside peak midday hours helps considerably.
11. Paʻiloa Beach (Waiʻanapanapa State Park)
- Location: East Maui, on the Road to Hana
- Visit for: Dramatic scenery, photography, exploring sea caves, and those happy not to swim (not advised due to unsafe conditions)
Paʻiloa Beach at Waiʻanapanapa State Park is one of the most visually striking beaches in Hawaii.
The sand is jet-black, formed from ancient lava that has been tumbled smooth by the sea, and it contrasts sharply with the dark cliffs, turquoise water, and thick coastal vegetation that surround it. Lava tubes, sea arches, and a small freshwater cave system lie just beyond the beach, making the state park one of the most distinctive natural areas on the island.
Swimming isn’t recommended here due to powerful surf and rip currents, but the scenery alone makes it one of the most worthwhile stops on the Road to Hana. Parking on the highway isn’t permitted, and the official parking lot requires an advanced reservation. Book your spot via the Hawaii State Parks reservation system.
12. Polo Beach
- Location: Southwest Maui, southern end of Wailea
- Visit for: Snorkeling, quieter beach days, and sunset views on a calmer, less-visited alternative to the main Wailea beaches
Polo Beach sits at the southern end of the Wailea resort area, just far enough from the main strip that it sees a fraction of the foot traffic.
The water is calm and clear, the snorkeling along the rocky edges is excellent, and the views of the island of Kahoʻolawe on the horizon make the late-afternoon light here especially worth lingering over.
The Fairmont Kea Lani sits just above the beach, but the public access path and small parking lot off Kaukahi Street are easy to find.
Which Maui Beach Will You Visit First?
From the turquoise calm of Kapalua Bay to the volcanic drama of Paʻiloa’s black sand shore, the best beaches in Maui cover every mood and every kind of traveler.
If your Hawaii trip is still taking shape, it is worth comparing the islands before you book. The best beaches in Oahu and the best beaches in Kauai each offer a completely different experience from Maui, and more than a few visitors end up extending their trip to explore all three.
