The 15 Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii [2023]

Many people dream of taking a trip to Hawaii. After all, Maui is the closest to heaven on Earth that you can get. The entire island is beautiful, so it can be hard to figure out where you should head for your beach days.

Whether you love to relax on the shore or you want to head to the water, there’s a beach for you in Maui. To help you figure out which spot will make your trip to the island the vacation of your dreams, we’ve put together this list of the best beaches in Maui.

Map of the 15 Best Beaches in Maui

Hot Tip: Learn more about where to stay, where to eat, and what to see on the island in our ultimate Hawaii travel guide to Maui.

The 8 Best Beaches in West Maui

1. D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Surfers who flock to Maui rave about D.T. Fleming Beach. The waves are consistent, and the water isn’t too cold, so you can get out on your board for hours. However, even if you’re not a surfer, you’ll still enjoy yourself on this stretch of the coast.

Maui is known for its gorgeous water, and this beach park is perhaps the best example of that. The water is clear and so blue you’ll think you’re in a photograph. Visitors also love the sandy beach. It’s soft and welcoming, so you can lounge on the shore or go for nice long walks.

The beach is well-known, so it’s not a secret spot you’ll have all to yourself, but you’ll still have plenty of room to stretch out. You shouldn’t have to worry about feeling overcrowded or like you’re fighting for a spot while you’re visiting, even during the island’s busiest seasons.

2. Honokowai Beach Park

Maui can be an exciting place, so if you’re looking for a place where you can spend a beach day just relaxing by the water, Honokowai is the place for you. This beach park is extremely family-friendly, and it’s great for people who get overwhelmed by crowds.

The beach is very pretty, natural, and well-maintained with soft sand that’s easy to walk on and lots of shade on the shore. The only downside is this isn’t the most swimmable beach. Swimming is restricted to the most shallow areas of the beach to keep visitors safe.

However, if going for a dip isn’t your top concern, and you’d rather just sit and watch the waves, then this is about as close to perfect as you can get.

3. Ka’anapali Beach

Ka’anapali Beach has gained so much popularity over the years that it’s actually earned the unofficial title of “best beach on Maui.” It’s a fitting name. When you visit Ka’anapali, you’re treated to miles of pristine sand you won’t find anywhere else in Hawaii or the world.

The beach isn’t just popular among tourists, though. It’s an important part of local culture as well. The beach is lined with cliffs, and every day a cliff-jumping ceremony takes place at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. At sunset, a designated cliff diver lights the path up the cliff to honor King Kahekili before jumping into the water below.

The ceremony is truly breathtaking, and if you’re lucky enough to see it, it’s an event you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Even if you don’t see this piece of local heritage, you’ll still feel as though you’ve entered another world.

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4. Kamehameha Iki Beach Park

Kamehameha Iki Beach Park is the perfect place to spend a Maui beach day if you’re looking for a way to get a little culture and history into your trip.

Kamehameha Iki Beach Park was once used to store the nearly 1,000 war canoes of Kamehameha I, after whom the beach is named. Over the years, the purpose of the beach shifted until it eventually became the beach spot that people know and love today.

However, the park’s original history isn’t forgotten. You’ll be able to read about the cultural and historical significance of this stretch of the Maui coastline on numerous information signs around the beach.

When you’re ready to head to the water, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the gentle current and waves that seem like they’re made to lull you into a state of total relaxation. You’ll easily spend hours unwinding on the sand.

5. Kapalua Bay

Adventurous Maui travelers who want to get in the water should head to Kapalua Bay. While the shoreline is gorgeous and pristine with its soft sand and natural shade from the surrounding trees, the water is what makes this beach special.

Under the water’s surface, you’ll find a colorful world of fish and other sea creatures, even in shallow waters. This beach is particularly popular among those who want to try their hand at snorkeling or diving.

Even if you just want to splash around in the water, the ocean on this part of the island’s coast is perfect. It’s not too strong or too deep to be dangerous, so as long as you’re careful, you shouldn’t have any problems. Just make sure to bring an underwater camera so you can take lots of pictures.

6. Oneloa Beach

If you’ve booked your Maui vacation at the luxurious The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, make sure to set aside a day to visit Oneloa Beach. This beach isn’t quite as expansive as some of the others on the island, measuring just a quarter mile in length, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in seclusion.

Since this beach is so close to resort accommodations, typically only resort guests visit. You won’t have to worry about crowds at this beach, so it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind on the tan sand.

The water is also gentle and safe to splash around in, even if there’s no lifeguard on duty during your visit. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of currents, it’s greatly decreased, so you can even let young swimmers run around and have fun.

7. Puunoa Beach (Baby Beach)

Puunoa Beach is also known as Baby Beach, and for a good reason. It’s one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. With calm, gentle waters that stay shallow for quite a distance, kids can run in the waves around virtually risk-free. Unlike some ocean beaches, you don’t have to be a strong swimmer to get in the water here.

This is also a great beach if you want to introduce your kids to the world of snorkeling. The water is safe enough to let your young swimmers snorkel and get a glimpse at the colorful world under the surface.

If your kids prefer sticking around on the beach, that’s okay, too. The sand is soft, level, and comfortable to walk and play on.

Bottom Line: Even though the beach is a popular one, it also never feels too overcrowded, making it practically perfect in every way.

8. Slaughterhouse Beach

The name may seem off-putting, but don’t let it deter you from visiting Slaughterhouse Beach, also called Mokuleʻia Beach. The name comes from the leather tanning and butcher sheds that were once on the cliffs overlooking this stretch of coast.

Today, the entire area is picturesque and offers dramatic scenic views that look like they belong in a movie. The beach is an island paradise in the summer with beautiful sand and crystal-clear waters.

You can also enjoy some calm snorkeling and gentle waters that are welcoming to people of all ages and swimming levels. However, during the winter, the beach can become dangerous. The tide on this side of the island rises, which can cause the beach to disappear.

During this time, the currents also become stronger, which can be dangerous to people who aren’t extremely strong swimmers. Even locals tend to avoid the beach during the winter months.

The 5 Best Beaches in North Maui

1. Baldwin Beach Park

If you’d prefer to spend your vacation on the northern side of Maui, you should plan a day at Baldwin Beach Park. With picnic areas and long stretches of sand, this park is one of the best places for families coming to the island.

The beach has soft, white sand that is surprisingly quiet despite being close to the airport. However, this beach often goes unnoticed by vacationers who prefer putting a little more distance between themselves and the runway.

That means you won’t have to contend with many crowds and will instead get to relax with local families who take advantage of the lack of tourists to fully relax.

If you plan to swim here, though, keep an eye out. There are designated swimming zones that are protected from pollution and strong currents. For your safety, stick to these spots.

2. Ho’okipa Beach Park

Ho’okipa Beach Park isn’t exactly a secret beach spot, but it’s deserving of its hype. Surfers love Ho’okipa because it’s a reliable place to catch some waves. However, even if you’re not a surfer, you’ll still love the beach.

You can relax on the soft sand and get some sun while you people watch, or you can splash around in the water for hours. If you stick around the whole day, you might even catch a glimpse of the sea turtles that call the beach home. They tend to come out around sunset, and seeing them is a truly memorable experience.

However, while the beach is usually pretty perfect, it can have a few drawbacks. Part of why this stretch of the coast is so great for surfing is because it can get quite windy. That wind can make the beach chilly during the fall and winter!

3. Kanaha Beach Park

If you like long walks on the beach, make sure you see Kanaha Beach Park while you’re on Maui.

At 2 miles long, the beach is perfect for meandering at all hours of the day. However, if you want an extra special view, head out at sunrise so you can watch the sun come up over the horizon. Even if you’re not an early riser, this beach has plenty to love.

There typically aren’t many crowds, and the beach is usually pretty quiet. There’s space to play beach volleyball, fly kites, or have a picnic if you prefer staying dry.

However, if you don’t think a beach trip would be complete without going in the water, you’re in luck. You can swim for hours in the calm, clear waters along the beachfront.

4. Kaulahao Beach

Travelers who love finding secret spots to spend their vacation will love Kaulahao Beach on Maui’s northern coast. While this beach is absolutely gorgeous, it’s remained virtually unknown to tourists. Of course, locals love that it’s stayed their little secret, but they don’t mind sharing it with the occasional visitor.

What Kaulahao Beach is best known for is its wildlife. The area is a sea turtle sanctuary of sorts. Thanks to the deep water and soft sand that’s easy to dig, it’s the perfect place for green sea turtles native to the area to nest and lay their eggs.

The land is protected so the sea turtles can live in peace. The water isn’t very shallow, so you have to be careful if you decide to go for a swim. However, If you’re feeling up to it, you can go snorkeling to explore the colorful underwater world off the coast.

5. Spreckelsville Beach

Spreckelsville Beach, also known as Sprecks Beach, may be a slightly temperamental beach, but it’s well worth visiting. On calm days, the beach is a perfect paradise. In fact, it’s North Maui’s “Baby Beach.”

It’s a generally family-friendly beach spot where you can let your young travelers run around safely. The water is pretty shallow, and the currents aren’t typically too strong when the weather is calm, so you can relax and enjoy yourself knowing you’re safe and sound. However, make sure you pay attention to the wind levels.

Spreckelsville Beach can get pretty gusty at times, which can affect your visit. High winds can cause the currents to become stronger, which can make it a little more dangerous to let kids play around too far in the water. But even on windy days, the beach is still perfect for taking long walks to enjoy the views.

The 2 Best Beaches in East Maui

1. Hamoa Beach

This crescent-shaped beach has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Hamoa Beach is surrounded by rich, vibrant greenery that adds to the beach’s natural look.

The tide naturally maintains the shoreline, so it’s easy to walk on the sand. The sand has a distinct salt-and-pepper appearance, with grains in multiple shades of brown, gray, and white.

The sand isn’t just unique looking, it also has a smooth and cushioned feeling that makes walking along the shore feel like walking on a cloud. Not only that, but the water is worth admiring as well. It’s so blue it almost looks unreal.

The water is also considered calm and safe, making it the perfect place for swimming and bodyboarding. However, surfers might find themselves frustrated by the lack of strong waves.

2. Waianapanapa Beach State Park

Waianapanapa means “glistening waters,” which is one of the best selling points for this beach park. Since it’s a state park, the area is protected and maintained by the state of Hawaii to ensure it remains pristine for years to come. The park spans over 120 acres, but its focal point is the coastline.

Waianapanapa is known for its black sand that gives the beach a dramatic look that will take your breath away and look cinematic in all your vacation photos.  However, the sand doesn’t just look good, it also feels good to walk on. It has a soft and luxurious feeling.

The sand also contrasts perfectly against the clear blue water, making it seem even brighter in comparison.

Hot Tip: If you stick around the beach when the sun goes down, you’ll get to see just how much the water glitters.

Final Thoughts

Maui is full of island paradises. No matter what part of the island you’re on, you’ll find a pristine coastline to spend endless days in the sun. We hope that our list has helped you figure out which beaches to visit on your trip. You won’t go wrong with any of our choices.