Maui has 120 miles of coastline and 30 miles of beaches. There are a variety of beaches suitable to a range of activities. The following is a general guide to some of the most popular beaches. Always follow the directives of the lifeguards and use common sense. Beach conditions change daily.

Canoe (Hanaka'o'o) Beach: Actually the south end of Ka'anapali Beach fronting the Hyatt Regency, this is where the outrigger canoe teams practice; great photo ops! Picnicking; showers;restrooms;phones; lifeguard. A large sandy area perfect for volleyball. Used as the launching site for numerous canoe clubs, this beach is also the beginning of a huge stretch of shoreline which extends all the through Kaanapali and on to Honokowai.

Honolua Bay: Take Highway 30 north past Kapalua until about mile marker 33. There is a dirt road that goes to the left beside a pineapple field. In summer the Bay has great diving and snorkeling conditions. In winter the Bay can produce world class surfing waves for experienced board riders. The wave is a long right handed journey as it goes through some amazing transformations. There are great views from the headlands and pineapple fields overlooking the break. Respect the land owners and don't steal pineapples or drive over them. FYI. Stealing pineapples carries a $5000.00 fine.

Sand piles: Should be called wave piles. It can get big out there. and be prepared to do a lot of paddling against the strong currents. the huge volume of water dumping onto the reef creates a river like current that constantly wants to pull you away from the takeoff zone (when its big). It often gets blown out here, but if you're there at the right time, it's pretty sweet.

Waihe'e Beach: This beach is narrow and relatively free of crowds. Mostly local families and fishermen who sometimes camp here. The beach faces east and is a popular fishing spot with surfing on the surrounding reef. The water here is mostly shallow with channels through the reef. Beware of shallow water and coral heads.

Camp One: at the end of the Kauhului Airport from Stable Road. Is mostly a fishing area. A tidal pool enclosed by a rocky reef in used by net fishermen and is a favorite place for families to put their keiki while they are at the beach fishing. This area is off limits to windsurfers. There is only one place to launch a windsurfer at camp one, and that is the most downwind (western end) of the beach where the inshore reef reef ends. There is a small dirt parking area. There are a few tree stumps in the water here and when you get offshore, there are numerous reef break waves to ride.

There is no kiteboarding allowed at Camp One because it is right under the runway. That is the law! You could get a $1100.fine and get arrested if you kite here. And that would also make the rest of the Maui kiteboarding community angry because you make them look irresponsible in the eyes of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the ATC (Air Traffic Controller). See Kite Zone Maps.

Baldwin Beach:

A good place for boogie boarding, and some bodysurfing, water gets deep quickly and the surf can get strong here, especially in winter. The surf here is shore pound, and can kick up chunks of coral that can smash into your ankles. Some days it is better to just sit here and watch the surf breaking on the outer reef. There are lifeguards here, so always check with them about the water conditions. Baldwin is a nice long sandy beach. Good for strolling or jogging. Do not leave any valuables at the beach. I would not recommend staying around here after sunset. There are a few thug types that hang out there that will take advantage of isolated or solitary people. Numerous assaults have happened here to unsuspecting tourists. Even if a local appears friendly and offers to sell you some "weed" (Called "pakalolo" in Hawaiian) in the privacy of the bushes, Don't go with them.

the "baby" beach: Located at the western end of Baldwin Beach park. The baby beach is a good natural ocean pool for babies and timid swimmers. The waves break over the rocky reef. Do not walk on the reef here, the waves breaking onto the rock ledge can be very dangerous at times. The rocks protect the pool from the wave action creating a calm zone. The water current flows along the shoreline and flows seaward at the eastern end.

Paia Bay: Some shore breaks and a few reef breaks. This park has a skateboard ramp and a basketball court. Permanent washrooms. and a cafe built into the old surf club. Parking can get busy on weekends. This beach fill up with a lot of casual and semi serious surfers. Watch your bags.

Peahi (Jaws): Ten times a year or so you can hear a faint rumbling that gets steadily louder over a few days, and builds to a crescendo the night before a big wave day at Jaws. It is the rumor of swell and the gossip and predictions theories and formulas of storm tracking and swell modeling, that surfers will translate into wave predictions. As the day dawns the tow-in crews are already prepared and are launching their skis over heaving seas. Peahi dubbed "Jaws" has the reputation of being the biggest "ride able" wave in the world, and has definitely captured the attention of the expert watermen who ride it. The wave at Peahi is too big and fast to be ridden by conventional paddle-in surfing. So the teams use the skis to get the surfer up to speed on the massive waves that travel up to thirty miles per hour. The wave slows as it hits the reef and lifts the riders skyward. As fast as the surfer descends the wave the wave lifts itself up. The surfer has to out run the wave to escape the wave. There is nothing to see there when the wave isn't breaking. But when it is on, there is a scramble to get a good vantage point on the cliffs overlooking the break. In the excitement some thoughtless spectators drive over the landowners pineapples to find a parking space. For the next few hours the crowd watches in admiration and amazement as the world's top big wave surfers perform amazing feats of bravery and athleticism.

Pa'iloa. Hana Hwy. at mile marker 32 N. of Hana. Picnic area.

Cove Park: Good beginner wave for long boarding and Keiki. The gentle waves make this a favorite place for local families to take their children surfing. The water can get very shallow in the cove, it varies from chest deep to ankle deep close to shore in places. Take extra care at low tide, and wear booties. Never dive headfirst from your board here!! 

Palauea Beach. Wailea Alanui to road along the shoreline from Polo Beach. Swimming. No beach facilities.

Makena Beach (Maluaka Beach): Next to the Maui Prince Hotel, this beach has excellent swimming and snorkeling.  This is our favorite spot for watching the green sea turtles which are abundant here. Located directly in front of the Westin Maui Prince Resort. There are two public parking lots one for each end of this beach both of which are really hidden. On the main parking lot at the South end there is not even a sign, except something like dead end. I get the feeling no one what's any body to know about this place. The turnoff for the parking lot is just before the Maui Fish Tacos Stand. There are picnic tables, beautiful grassy area, public restrooms and showers. There is even a concession stand right off the beach run by the Westin Maui Prince Resort where you can get a cold drink or rent all sorts of beach equipment. This beach is absolutely beautiful has incredible sand just asking to be walked in bare foot and it is a fantastic place to bring the family for the day for all beach activities and also to enjoy watching the beautiful Maui Sunsets.

Some aerial photos on this page taken by Kim and Forest Starr