I went to Maui with a carry-on, a reef-safe sunscreen stick, and way too much hope. I came home with salt in my hair, a goofy grin, and a list of beaches I still dream about. You want the real ones? The spots where I swam, bobbed, face-planted, and ate snacks on a sandy towel? Here’s what I loved, what I didn’t, and a few tiny things I learned the hard way.
If you want a blow-by-blow account beyond this recap, I put every sandy detail into this full trip journal on Maui’s best beaches.
By the way, mornings win. Wind shows up later. Water gets cloudy. Go early. Thank me later.
Quick beach sense before we start
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. I like Raw Elements and Kokua Sun Care.
- Don’t step on coral. It’s alive.
- Give turtles and monk seals space. Like, big space.
- Watch the flags. Shorebreak means “sit down and think.”
- New to island surf? Maui Health’s ocean safety guidelines spell out rip-current basics and respectful wildlife distance.
- Small parking lots fill fast. I’d roll up by 8 a.m.
Kapalua Bay — My “happy place” cup of calm
Kapalua Bay is a sweet, crescent cove with soft sand and clear water. (find it on the map) I slid in by the rocky edges with my Cressi mask and saw bright fish right away—yellow tang, Moorish idols, even a sleepy turtle cruising like it owned the place. The water felt silky. Shade sits under the palms, so I could linger.
Downside? It gets tight by mid-morning. The lot is small. On a west swell, the surge picks up and the sand gets stirred. Still, I keep going back. It’s like a warm hello.
Napili Bay — Pancakes and boogie boards
Napili feels like a cozy neighborhood beach. Families, sand castles, boogie boards, then pancakes at The Gazebo next door if you don’t mind a line. I went in with a foam board and got a few clean rides. The water here glows.
But here’s the twist. When north swell hits, the shorebreak bites. It looks tame, then slams. Also, parking is a puzzle. I parked on the street and walked in with my fins under my arm like a pack mule. Before you set out, the Park Maui website lays out which lots allow beach access and what time restrictions apply, so you can dodge a ticket and save the march.
Ka’anapali Beach + Black Rock — Big, sunny, and a tiny bit showy
Long, golden, easy. I walked forever. Swam. Watched folks leap off Black Rock at sunset—cheers and all. I snorkeled along the rock wall and saw schools of fish shooting past like confetti. In winter, I even saw whales in the distance. Magic.
But. Resorts line the sand, so it’s busy. Drinks cost an arm and a leg. If you snag parking at Whalers Village and get your ticket validated, it helps. Current near the tip of Black Rock can pull, so I respected it and hugged the wall.
Solo travelers who’d rather not narrate to a GoPro all day can line up a real human to share those Black Rock leaps—browse LocalSex ahead of time to swap flirty messages with Maui locals and fellow visitors, then meet up for fish tacos or a sunset swim once you vibe; the site keeps things casual and location-based so you spend less time scrolling and more time splashing.
Speaking of stopovers, my red-eye home routed through DFW, and a six-hour layover can feel longer than the Road to Hana. If you ever find yourself killing time in the Mid-Cities, hop over to Backpage Euless for up-to-the-minute local listings—handy filters let you zero in on coffee companions, dinner dates, or a quick hang so you turn a boring airport pause into a fun detour before your next flight.
Honolua Bay — Summer glass, winter show
In summer, this bay is a dream for snorkeling. You walk through a lush, shady forest, step over round rocks (wear booties), and float above coral heads as parrotfish chomp like they paid the bill. The light under there? Soft and blue, like a secret. I left with pruny fingers and no regrets.
In winter, it turns into a surf stage. Not for swimming. After rain, the water goes murky. Also, the “beach” is rocks, not sand. I tossed my towel on a flat spot and called it good. Keep your car clear of valuables.
Big Beach (Makena) — Pretty and powerful
Big Beach is huge and wild, with soft sand and a bold shorebreak. I loved the wide open feel and the way the cinder cone glows at sunset. But I got humbled here. A set rolled in, and I ate sand like it was lunch. Lifeguards post warnings for a reason. If they say it’s heavy, it’s heavy.
No shade. I brought a cheap umbrella and a Hydro Flask stuffed with ice. There’s often a taco truck out by the lot—I grabbed a fish taco and a Jarritos and felt like a champion.
Maluaka (Turtle Town) — Quiet morning, slow floats
I came early, parked in the little south lot, and walked to the sand with my short fins. The water near the rocks was calm. I saw two turtles rise, breathe, and dip again, slow as Sunday. I kept my distance and just floated.
By noon, the wind kicked up and the water clouded. Morning is the move here. Restrooms are clean, and families spread out in a chill way.
Keawakapu — Gentle steps and long walks
Keawakapu feels like a big, mellow hug. I walked the shoreline with coffee and watched early paddle boards slide by. Entry is easy for kids. Sand is soft. I used a rash guard and never felt cooked by the sun.
When the trade winds arrive, it gets choppy. I liked the north end for fish, but I stayed mindful near the reef.
Hamoa Beach (Hana) — Soft curve, strong pull
Hamoa sits under tall green cliffs. The sand is fine and gray, and the waves roll with muscle. I swam only when it was small and stayed inside. When it stood up, I sat down and watched. No shame in being smart.
The drive is long and lush. I grabbed banana bread from a roadside stand and sang along to old songs like I was in a movie. Plan for rain showers, then sun, then both.
Baldwin Beach + Baby Beach (Paia) — Wind, color, and calm pockets
Baldwin is a morning gem—blue water, bright sky, long sand for a run. When the wind cranks, kites dance in the distance. For little kids, Baby Beach is the calm spot tucked behind a reef wall. My friend’s toddler splashed like a pro in ankle-deep water.
Hookipa, just up the road, is great for watching turtles and windsurf pros. I don’t swim there much. The ocean here has teeth.
Secret Cove (Pa’ako) — The postcard stop
Tiny cove, lava rock gate, bright blue water. I saw two wedding shoots in 30 minutes. It’s lovely for a short swim when it’s mellow, but it’s more of a photo stop. Parking is tight, so be kind and don’t block driveways.
Kamaole I, II, III (Kihei) — Easygoing and handy
These are the “grab snacks and go” beaches. Lifeguards, showers, and lots of families. I swam laps along the shore at Kam I, watched a bright sunset at Kam II, and sat on the grassy hill at Kam III while kids chased bubbles. Simple and sweet.
Crowds show up, sure. But it’s easy, and easy counts.
What I actually packed (and used)
- Reef-safe sunscreen stick and a long-sleeve rash guard
- Cressi mask, short fins, water shoes for rocky entries
- GoPro on a floating grip, because I drop things
- Hydro Flask, sarong, and baby powder for sand (works like a charm)
- Light umbrella and a hat with a strap
When each beach shines (my quick picks)
- Best snorkeling: Kapalua, Honolua (summer), Maluaka
- Best long walk: Ka’anapali, Keawakapu
- Best for kids: Napili, Kam I or III, Baby Beach (Paia)
- Best “whoa” waves to watch, not play: Big Beach, Hamoa, Hookipa
Little notes I’d tell a friend
Check the surf and wind before you go. For a deeper dive into local insights and updated safety links, I like to skim 5 Star Share before I grab my keys. I use the Hawaii beach safety site and the Windy app.
Planning a different coastline escape? I leaned on this handy guide to [the best time to visit Cancun](https://www.5starshare.com/best-time-to-visit-cancun-what-worked-for-me-month-by