The Prettiest Beaches in Maui – your summer vacation beach guide
Maui has the most stunning coastlines on Earth and I can ensure you will come across some of the prettiest beaches along its shores. During my visit to Hawaii, I spent everyday visiting the ocean. The calming ocean breeze, the crashing waves along the golden sand and radiant ocean blues were some of my favourite highlights of visiting Maui.
From the sun-kissed shores of Honolua Bay to the hidden coves of Makena, Maui truly has some of the worlds prettiest beaches. If you’re looking for the best beach to soak in the radiant sunny days and gorgeous ocean blues – here are 8 of the prettiest beaches to visit in Maui.
8 Prettiest Beaches in Maui
- DT Fleming Beach
- Ka’anapali Beach
- Black Sand Beach
- Honolua Bay
- Makena Beach/Little Beach
- Makena Cove
- Napili Bay
- Ho’okipa Beach
Reminders as a visitor to Maui:
Beach and water safety: Depending on the season you visit and day to day changes in weather, the currents of the tides can change quickly. Be sure to check the latest conditions prior to entering the waters.
Visiting the Island of Maui: Please always be respectful to the island of Maui and treat it like your home. Consider donating to one of the local organizations to help Maui recover from the recent wildfires in 2023.
Leave no trace: As with all visits into nature, pick up your garbage and do not disturb the natural wild life including animals, coral reefs and plants. This will allow the beautiful beaches of our planet to be preserved for future generations to come.
1. DT Fleming Beach
Nestled on the northwest coast of Maui, DT Fleming Beach is one of my favourites for playful waves and scenic views. You can expect soft golden sands and crystal-clear waters here, which is why DT Fleming Beach makes for a picturesque beach day.
What’s nice is that there are also areas of shade from the ironwood trees, giving you a break from the bright hot sun. This is also quieter beach compared to some of the others in Maui, which makes it a great beach for lounging around.
When I visited DT Fleming Beach in May, the waves were just right for floating in the water and boogie boarding. During my swim, there was even a little turtle that swam along side with us! It was so cute how the turtle was just as playful as the waves, gliding along and moving where the current takes it.
2. Ka’anapali Beach
Ka’anapali beach is definitely on the list for prettiest beaches in Maui. Stretching along Maui’s western shore, Ka’anapali Beach is renowned for its powdery white sands and bright blue waters.
Here, you can unwind beneath the swaying palm trees or sip on tropical cocktails at the beachfront bars. I really enjoyed taking a leisurely stroll along the oceanfront promenade to do some shopping.
This is a lively and popular beach, so you can expect some good energy here with lots of people. If you’re looking for an active day at the beach, Ka’anapali Beach is for you. This is where you’ll also find Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock), a 16 foot cliff where you can watch people go cliff jumping or participate in it yourself!
3. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
The Black Sand Beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park is one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever stumbled upon. The sand here is unique because this is a volcanic shoreline. Jet-black sands, sea caves, and rugged sea cliffs are what you can find here at Punalu’u Beach.
If you have an afternoon, explore the nearby tide pools, hike the coastal trails, or simply just spend time taking it all in. The ocean waves are powerful here, with a brilliant blue hue that so perfectly compliments the jet-black sand.
Be cautious when entering the waters as they are strong here. And as a reminder, as pretty as the sand is, do not take any with you, as it is considered bad luck.
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4. Honolua Bay
Located on Maui’s northwestern coast, Honolua Bay is a destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Its’ crystal-clear waters lives vibrant coral reefs and marine life, which is why this is one of the best snorkelling areas in Maui.
This beach has a rocky shoreline, so be prepared for this by bringing water shoes. The panoramic views from the parking lot along the cliffside is also a great sightseeing vantage point.
Lastly, when it comes to Honolua Bay, I do have to mention the dreamy rain forest that you take when entering the bay. This rainforest was just a magical as the waters. Hanging vines, tall trees and how the sunlight peaked into the woods. It was incredible and almost didn’t feel real. What was also really interesting were the chickens that wandered the forest. When walking through, I did my best not to disturb their afternoon snooze in the bushes!
5. Makena Beach/Little Beach
Nestled between two volcanic outcroppings, Makena Beach (also known as Big Beach) is one of Maui’s largest and prettiest beaches. I would rate this as my favourite beach in Maui and a must go. Makena beach with its golden sands and gentle waves is perfect for sun tanning and swimming.
A short hike over the lava rocks will lead you to Little Beach, a secluded nude beach, where you can soak up the sun. In the distance, you can enjoy views of the Molokini Crater, which you can actually take a boat to. It’s a volcanic atoll for an adventurous day snorkelling and scuba diving.
6. Makena Cove (Secret Beach)
The sunsets at Makena Cove are absolutely beautiful. This is a great beach to come to do some golden hour snorkelling. I’d say it’s more of a snorkelling destination rather than a sit down beach, as the cove is small with just a small area of sand to sit.
During my swim, we saw a huge sea turtle lounging along the cliffside! Make sure you bring water shoes, as the foot path is a bit jagged coming in. Sea urchins are also snuggled on the ocean floor so you’ll also have to be a proficient swimmer to avoid them at the bottom.
Overall, an absolute dream here on Makena Cove, some of the prettiest golden hour views can be found here in this quiet, tucked away cove.
7. Napili Bay
With its calm waters and family-friendly atmosphere, Napili Bay is another gem. The glowing bright blue water seems to span forever into the distance. You can spend all day swimming, snorkelling, or simply lounging on the soft sands. The winds here are gentle and the waters really calm.
During my trip to Maui, I stayed in various areas on the island. Napili was by far my favourite and I would highly recommend staying in this area. This is a very peaceful and quiet part of the island with incredible restaurants and sceneries.
Pst! walking along the Kapalua Coastal Trail from here is absolutely incredible. I probably stopped every 10 steps to take in the ocean views.
Napili has less of a touristy feel, compared to the Ka’anapali area. If you’re looking to take it slow in Maui, Napili Bay is for you.
8. Ho’okipa Beach
Ho’okipa Beach Park is one of the first stops along the Road to Hana journey near Paia town. This is an iconic place for world surfing competitions. Not ideal for swimming, but is a surfer’s dream. I was in awe of everyone out in the ocean mastering their craft.
Up at the parking lot viewpoint, we even spotted two sea turtles riding the waves near the reef! There is lots of parking at the lookout point, and was a great spot to start off the day along the Road to Hana drive.
