North Shore and East Maui Beaches
Pa'ia and the Road to Hana have rugged and beautiful beaches.
Baldwin Beach Park including Baby Beach & Baldwin Cove
Baldwin Beach Park is a 1 mile long stretch of white sand just outside of Paia. Gorgeous shades of blue water and beautiful views of the East Maui mountains. Turtles swim by and nap on the South end of the beach. Even when busy you can find a quiet stretch of sand to call your own. This beach has lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, and a picnic facility.
The far East end of the beach is known as Baldwin Cove; a protected sandy cove great for swimming when the tide is in. When the tide is in there is very little sand to enjoy and you'll see exposed rocks and fallen trees. This is a partially nude beach.
The far West end of Baldwin Beach Park is known as Baby Beach (not to be confused with Baby Beach in Lahaina), where an exposed stretch of reef creates a lagoon for the little ones to play in. A large sand dune separates this beach from the Maui Country Club. Get here early as there are strong winds in the afternoon; if you need more beach time then move up to Baldwin Cove.
To get to Baldwin Beach Park & Baldwin Cove, take Hwy 36 aka Hana Highway to mile marker 6, for Baby Beach go to mile marker 5 . There is a large size parking lot that fills up quickly on the weekends with locals. There have been car break-ins here, so don't leave valuables in your car.
The far East end of the beach is known as Baldwin Cove; a protected sandy cove great for swimming when the tide is in. When the tide is in there is very little sand to enjoy and you'll see exposed rocks and fallen trees. This is a partially nude beach.
The far West end of Baldwin Beach Park is known as Baby Beach (not to be confused with Baby Beach in Lahaina), where an exposed stretch of reef creates a lagoon for the little ones to play in. A large sand dune separates this beach from the Maui Country Club. Get here early as there are strong winds in the afternoon; if you need more beach time then move up to Baldwin Cove.
To get to Baldwin Beach Park & Baldwin Cove, take Hwy 36 aka Hana Highway to mile marker 6, for Baby Beach go to mile marker 5 . There is a large size parking lot that fills up quickly on the weekends with locals. There have been car break-ins here, so don't leave valuables in your car.
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Ho'okipa Beach is a world-renowned windsurfing destination and you can find pros here nearly every day. A busy beach with a very busy parking lot, you can overlook the entire beach from above or take the stairs down to the beach. There are small pools for the kids to play in, but otherwise the water can be rough with strong currents so unless you are experienced in windsurfing or snorkeling it's best just to watch from shore. Check with lifeguards for the rules on where you can enter the water and when you can windsurf or surf. An exposed reef runs along the length of the beach and you can see turtles swimming by, or better yet head to the far south end of the beach in the afternoon where you can find many turtles napping on the sand. Do not go past the rope to get closer to the turtles, they are a protected species and you must keep your distance from them.
Ho'okipa in Hawaiian means hospitality. While this beach is great for a visit to the turtles or to find a spot on the sand to watch the ocean, the picnic tables above are known to be for the locals and the parking lot can be a bit stressful with locals trying to find a spot to park. Sadly, Ho'okipa doesn't always apply here.
There is also a Lookout where you can park and watch the surfers from the cliff above at the end of the parking lot.
To get here take Hwy 36 aka Hana Highway to mile marker 8.8. You'll pass the one-way exit first, then turn right into the entrance.
Ho'okipa in Hawaiian means hospitality. While this beach is great for a visit to the turtles or to find a spot on the sand to watch the ocean, the picnic tables above are known to be for the locals and the parking lot can be a bit stressful with locals trying to find a spot to park. Sadly, Ho'okipa doesn't always apply here.
There is also a Lookout where you can park and watch the surfers from the cliff above at the end of the parking lot.
To get here take Hwy 36 aka Hana Highway to mile marker 8.8. You'll pass the one-way exit first, then turn right into the entrance.
Black Sand Beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park
There are two black sand beaches, one in Makena and this one along the Road to Hana at Wai'anapanapa State Park. After turning into the park you'll find a large parking lot. Since most people don't spend too long here it should be easy to find a spot quickly. There are picnic tables and restrooms nearby. To get the beach, head towards the ocean and take the path to your left. This black sand is actually small rocks so sunbathing on the beach isn't the best. In addition, the water here can be rough with strong surf, and jellyfish and Portuguese man-o-war frequent the waters. No lifeguards here so enter the water at your own risk. There is lots more to explore in the area if your hike to the beach is quick.
To get here take the Hana Highway to mile marker 32 and turn left if coming from Pa'ia.
To get here take the Hana Highway to mile marker 32 and turn left if coming from Pa'ia.
Red Sand Beach
Red Sand Beach is a beautiful hidden cove with gorgeous blue water and of course, red sand! The hike to get to this beach is hazardous; a section of the trail was washed away by a landslide some time ago and if you are at all afraid of heights then this trail is not for you. Not to mention the No Trespassing and the 'People die here, Beware' signs which everyone seems to ignore. The first part of the trail is nice with views of ocean waves and pretty flowers on the hillside. After that the trail drops off sharply. There are pine needles on the trail which can make it slippery in both dry and wet weather. There are no lifeguards, no facilities and take plenty of water with you for the hike.
To get here park on the side of the road next to the Travasa Hotel parking lot in Hana, there is a very short dead end road right in front of the community center as well, and walk across the field looking for a trail on the right. The blue No Trespassing sign and red Beware sign will tell you that you are on the trail. Take extreme caution on this trail as many rescues have had to take place over the years, if you decide to take the trail please don't take small children.
To get here park on the side of the road next to the Travasa Hotel parking lot in Hana, there is a very short dead end road right in front of the community center as well, and walk across the field looking for a trail on the right. The blue No Trespassing sign and red Beware sign will tell you that you are on the trail. Take extreme caution on this trail as many rescues have had to take place over the years, if you decide to take the trail please don't take small children.
Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach has cliffs on both sides with a nice walkway down from the road. The Hotel Hana shuttles guests to the beach and provides them with beach umbrellas and chairs. There are two public access points to the beach from the road above. Parallel parking is along a narrow road, please don't park in front of the houses with No Parking signs. There are bathrooms available. Snorkeling is possible here but only on calm weather days.
To get here take Hana Highway to mile marker 49 or 50, turn left toward the ocean to Haneo'o Rd.
To get here take Hana Highway to mile marker 49 or 50, turn left toward the ocean to Haneo'o Rd.