South Maui

If you are looking to explore South Maui, we have put together a small list of the many highlights the area has to offer. Click the links for more information. 

Breakfast: Get up early and beat the lines at Kihei Cafe. Not an early bird? Try Nalu's in North Kihei or South Maui Gardens which has several great breakfast spots and is the perfect place for a light morning stroll through their beautiful gardens.

Food to Go: If you will be driving south to Makena for the day, there aren't many food choices besides a couple of food trucks and some vendors selling coconut water and fruits down there so your best bet is to pack a cooler and grab some snacks and sandwiches from 808 Deli or Island Gourmet Market at the Shops of Wailea.

Surf at the Cove: Take surf lessons at the best beginner surf spot in Maui. Maui Wave Riders offers group lessons is located right across the street from the Cove.

If you want a more personalized experience while helping give back to the local community, check out Surf Clinics of Maui (808) 250-2828. Surf Instructor Josh Batis is an awesome guy who helps the special needs children of Kihei. Your support goes towards helping him to continue to provide healing through surfing.

Morning Beach Walk: Keawakapu Beach is a beautiful long sandy stretch of beach that is perfect for a morning beach walk. The north side by the Mana Kai Resort has a nice large grassy area, tidepools, and a deli. If you are in North Kihei, most of the beaches are nice long stretches and great for morning walks before the wind picks up.

Morning Coastal Walk:  Take a morning stroll on the Wailea Beach Path. This beautiful 1.8 mile paved path takes you along the Wailea coastline passing beautiful beaches and several of Wailea's luxury resorts where can stop for breakfast. The Whale’s Tail at the Wailea Beach Resort is the perfect spot to take a break and grab a drink or snack and soak up the views. Start at the Elua & Mokapu Parking Lot and go left (south) or park at the Polo Beach Parking Lot and head north. 

Palauea Beach (aka White Rock Beach): A beautiful hidden cove with a soft white sandy beach tucked between luxury oceanfront estates. Great snorkeling on the left side of the beach. DO NOT snorkel alone here (or anywhere)! No showers. You will see cars parked on the side of the road and an opening through the trees to the beach. Enter at the opening near the porta-potty. 

Makena Landing: Picturesque cove that is very popular snorkeling and scuba spot. Plan ahead and book one of the popular kayaking and snorkeling tours that launch from here.

Keawala'i Congregational Church: A beautiful old oceanfront church founded in 1832. Open for service on Sunday at 10:00 am.

Maluaka Beach: You can either park at the north end or the south end. Both require a little walk from the parking lot.

You will pass by the beautiful the beautiful Keawala'i Congregational Church on the north side and the parking lot will be on your left. You will have to walk down the road south to access the beach.

The south end entrance is a little tricky to find but it's worth it. You will have to park at the lot at the top and walk down a paved path to the beautiful overlook and beach. This side has a nice shaded grassy area that is great for picnics.

Both sides have good snorkeling.

Oneuli Beach (Black Sand Beach): Right before you get to the large cone shaped hill that sticks out in Makena, you will see a small dirt road on the right side that leads to this beach. Not much of a beach and not really good for swimming but its worth a stop to take some pictures and wiggle your toes in the black sand.
 
Makena State Park (Big Beach): One of Maui’s most famous beaches. Pictured in every Hawaii calendar. This is a long white beautiful sandy beach.

The waters are very rough with very strong rip currents and extremely hard shore break. Although beautiful to hang out at, DO NOT let your kids or anyone who is not a very strong swimmer, go in the ocean here.

Once you walk down the trail to the beach, you will see a steep trail leading up the side of the hill on the right that offers a great view/photo of Big Beach below it. This trail leads to clothing optional Little Beach which is a beautiful little cove with great bodyboarding but definitely not suitable for children! Port-o-potty, no showers. 

There is also a second parking lot passed the first one that tends to be less crowded. Please be aware that Makena State Park is now subject to paid-parking. Park visitors can pay for parking upon arrival at the parking kiosks, or online. 

If you don't want to pay for parking you can pass this lot and you will see cars parked on the side of the road at what locals call Thirds (the third entrance to Big Beach). This beach is mostly used by locals.
 
Helpful Tip: On the way road to Big Beach, you will pass several coconut & fresh fruit stands. Always ask how much something costs BEFORE you buy it. We have seen the vendors charge tourists as much $32 for a couple of coconuts and cut up mango, while locals pay much less. 
 
Pa’ako Beach (Aka Makena Cove, Secret Cove, Wedding Beach): This is a MUST SEE but it's very easy to miss. There is a small entry way in a large lava rock wall that leads to this beautiful little beach and cove. It’s featured in Hawaii calendars and many of the photographs you will see in galleries throughout the island. There are no facilities and the water is usually rough but it’s a great place to hang out for a little while and take some beautiful pictures. The sunlight in the morning is best. In the late afternoon you might catch the start of a sunset wedding.

Ahihi-Kinau Marine Reserve: This protected natural area reserve makes it a haven for fish of all kinds and an excellent spot for snorkeling. The best and safest entry spot is Anihi Cove. To access the Cove, you will have to pass it and go up a hill to a large parking lot on your right side. Please note there is a visitor's fee for parking. After you park, walk back down the road to Anihi Cove. For a map and more information about the reserve, visit the DLNR website.
 
Lava Fields to La Perouse Bay: If you continue on the road south past the Ahihi-Kinau Marine Reserve, you will will drive right through a lava field to what seems like the end of the world – or at least the end of the road in South Maui.

Please be aware that the road is a bit rocky and can be rough on small compact cars. When you get to the end of the road turn right to the shoreline to the parking lot that leads to beautiful Le Perouse Bay.

There is a shoreline hiking trail you can hike that passes a small blowhole and leads to a small sandy beach but there are sharp lava rocks along the trail and it can get very hot and windy. Bring lots of water and sunblock. Not great for small children. 

Please note: The main road from Wailea to Makena is Wailea Alanui which turns into Makena Alanui once you are in Makena. You will be traveling on the same road to and from Wailea to Makena so you can choose which stops to make on the way there and the way back since you will be on the same road almost the entire time.