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Maui
Surfing beaches
Here are some beaches that we visited in our time in
Maui. There are many beautiful beaches and parks, usually
within a short drive of any accommodations either for
swimming or surfing. I have tried to group the beaches
into those best for swimming or surfing. Areas that
are best for snorkeling
on Maui are listed separately. A few of these parks
are near large hotels and parking is limited. Also,
certain things offered at the beach (lounge chairs,
etc.) may be only available for hotel guests. We probably
enjoyed Wailea beach the most and went there a few times
during our stay. Please remember that offshore winds
and currents can be powerful and they can change suddenly,
especially if a storm is approaching or offshore.
Maui Surfing beaches
Ka‘anapali
Black Rock - northernmost section of Ka‘anapali Beach.
Easy access to beachfront hotels, shopping and restaurants
via a walkway. As is typical with the beaches around
hotels, parking for beach access is minimal but is available.
We once had to pay for valet parking to get to the beach.
There can sometimes be strong currents around the rock
itself. Amenities: none.
Kahului
Kanaha Beach Park - close to the largest city on Maui,
this beach offers excellent windsurfing conditions offshore
and decent swimming. Amenities: picnic area, BBQ grills,
volleyball courts (bring your own net and balls), restrooms,
showers, phones.
Kapalua
D. T. Fleming Beach Park- primarily for body and board
surfing. Amenities: picnic tables (12), BBQ grills (6),
restrooms, phone.
Kehei
Mai Poina ‘Oe Ia‘u Beach Park - excellent place for
sunbathing or swimming. Good windsurfing at the south
end of the beach. If the wind is up and you want to
get away from the crowd go to the north end of the beach.
Amenities: picnic area, restrooms, showers (south end
of beach).
Hana
Hamoa beach - adjacent to the Hotel Hana Maui. Nice
beach surrounded by vegetation, but a bit of a hike
from parking on the road (none near the beach). One
caution is that there are NO protecting reefs here and
the surf can get pretty high. Caution is advised. Amenities:
restrooms, picnic facilities.
Lahaina.
Puamana Beach County Park - Besides swimming the waves
are excellent for beginning and intermediate surfers.
Waves here are very regular and consistant, making it
great for someone just learning. Amenities: picnic tables,
BBQ grills (2), portable toilets, showers (outdoor).
Wahikuli State Park - calm water conditions for swimming,
snorkeling and boogie boarding (but not enough for surfing).
Amenities: restrooms, phones, picnic tables, BBQ grills.
Makena
Little Beach - adjacent to big beach is an informal
(and nominally illegal) clothing optional beach. Decent
body surfing or boogie boarding. Amenities: portable
toilets, picnic tables, hiking trails
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Paia
H. A. Baldwin Beach Park Paia - features a "baby
beach" with a protected lagoon. Outside of this
surf can get pretty rough. Decent body surfing
or boogie boarding for the brave. Not as rough
surf as at Ho‘okipa Beach. Amenities: restrooms,
showers, sports fields, picnic areas and pavilion.
Ho‘okipa Beach Park - world-famous venue for
windsurfing and board surfing as the wind is compressed
by Maui's volcanic formations. Excellent place
to picnic and watch the wind surfers if you can
take the buffeting. See picture right. Amenities:
restrooms, picnic facilities, showers.
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Waihe‘e
Waihe‘e Beach - a popular surfing spot with the locals.
Amenities: none.
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