Hawaii is well known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear water. Anywhere you go on Maui, you’re never far from a beach.
Finding any bad Maui beaches would be tough, but with limited time and so many beaches to choose from, finding the perfect beach can be stressful. Here’s one beach from each part of the island that you NEED to check out!
This might be obvious just based on the name, but Big Beach (Makena State Park) is the largest beach on Maui, with some of the clearest water on the island. Big Beach’s name also refers to the waves that so often crash upon its shores.
Despite its beauty, there are some days it’s best to watch the waves from the comfort of your beach chair.
No matter what the day has in store, checking out Big Beach and maybe adventuring further all the way down to La Perouse Bay should be at the top of your list of beaches to visit.
Black Rock may be this blog's most mentioned beach because of all the nearby activities. It might be the only place on the island that offers snorkeling, cliff jumping, shopping (at nearby Whalers Village), golfing, dining, and plenty of space to lounge on the beach, all in the same area.
The beach itself is huge and has consistently calm waters perfect for cooling off. Black Rock is the perfect compromise for any group split on what to do for the day.
Maui’s north shore is well known for having some of the best surf spots in the world. Jaws and Ho’okipa are must-visit sights by themselves, but they don’t offer much for someone hoping to relax at the beach (and we wouldn’t recommend going for a swim as 10 to 30-foot waves break nearby).
However, Baldwin Beach has plenty of open space to set up for the day and much calmer waters. It’s also right next to Paia, perfect for lunch or shopping (we recommend grabbing a slice of pizza from Flat Bread or an iced latte from Better Things).
East Maui- Red Sand Beach (Hana)
Red Sand Beach (also known as Kaihalulu Beach) is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. Due to erosion and crumbling lava rock, this beach, as its name suggests, is a beautiful, surprisingly deep shade of red.
The journey to Hana and the somewhat challenging hike down to the beach keep this location fairly secluded, despite its fame, but witnessing the contrast of bright red sand and the clear blue waters is a surreal experience.
Black Sand Beach at Wainapanapa State Park is another nearby beach worth visiting and is much easier to access. Both are worthwhile stops if you find yourself in East Maui.
