West Maui Beaches
Slaughterhouse Beach
Also known as Mokule'ia Beach, Slaughterhouse Beach is part of the same preserve as Honolua Bay next door. During the winter this beach can have large waves great for boogie boarding and surfing. In Summer months when the water is calm, you can snorkel around to the North and into Honolua Bay. A few parking spots can be found on the main road (don't leave valuables in your car) and a nice stairway with 87 steps takes you down to a nice stretch of sand with towering cliffs on both sides. There are some trees providing shade throughout the day, but no facilities.
To get here, take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) North past Kapalua. The road will narrow a bit with curves and you will see cars parked at two small parking lots on the ocean side of the road.
To get here, take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) North past Kapalua. The road will narrow a bit with curves and you will see cars parked at two small parking lots on the ocean side of the road.
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Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is part of a Marine Life Conservation District so there is no fishing or taking of any natural resources (corals, rocks, etc). The path down to the bay is a beautiful jungle walk through tall trees and plants. Maybe a five minute walk on a fairly level dirt path, you will see plenty of chickens and signs asking you to stay on the path since there are unmarked graves throughout the area. There is no sandy beach here, instead you'll find large round rocks. The bay can be a great place to snorkel if the water is clear and you will need to swim a ways out for the best coral and fish. Snorkeling is best on the left side of the bay along the rocky shoreline, and scuba diving is best on the deeper East side.
To get here, take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) North past Kapalua. Just a couple minutes after Slaughterhouse beach you will see large jungle trees on the left side of the road, then a sharp left turn - the small dirt parking lot is on the left turn bend. There is usually a smoothie stand on the Right side of the road. If you keep driving and start up a hill with views of the ocean then you've gone too far.
To get here, take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) North past Kapalua. Just a couple minutes after Slaughterhouse beach you will see large jungle trees on the left side of the road, then a sharp left turn - the small dirt parking lot is on the left turn bend. There is usually a smoothie stand on the Right side of the road. If you keep driving and start up a hill with views of the ocean then you've gone too far.
Oneloa Beach
Also known as Ironwoods Beach, Onelea Beach is a quarter mile long sandy stretch of sand near the Kapalua Resort. When the water is calm there can be good snorkeling at both ends of the beach near the rocky points. When the surf is big then strong currents can form - stay out of the water when that happens. The left end of the beach is best for swimming or boogie boarding as it has a sandy bottom. This beach is a great stop if you are walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail, it is near the boardwalk section of the path.
To find this beach, drive along Honoapiilani Hwy towards Kapalua and make a left turn onto Office Rd. Follow it to the end and make a left on Lower Honoapiilani Rd then a Right onto Ironwood Ln where you will see a parking lot with around 20 spaces and a blue beach access sign.
To find this beach, drive along Honoapiilani Hwy towards Kapalua and make a left turn onto Office Rd. Follow it to the end and make a left on Lower Honoapiilani Rd then a Right onto Ironwood Ln where you will see a parking lot with around 20 spaces and a blue beach access sign.
DT Fleming Beach
DT Fleming Beach can be found as the beginning or end of the Kapalua Coastal Trail between the Ritz Carlton and the Kapalua Resort. A long sandy stretch of beach that is usually very crowded on weekends and holidays. Can be very windy making it good for boogie boarding. Facilities nearby. Winter months can bring a powerful shore break with dangerous rip currents, so check with the lifeguards before going in the water.
Take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) and turn onto Lower Honoapiilani Rd, take that to the end where you will find parking.
Take Honoapiilani Hwy (Hwy 30) and turn onto Lower Honoapiilani Rd, take that to the end where you will find parking.
Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay is a sheltered beach than can be the start or end of the Kapalua Coastal Trail. The bay is protected by two reefs that reach out at both ends creating a calm area that is great for first time snorkelers. There is great snorkeling all over the bay but especially around the edges near the rocky areas. There are showers and restrooms, as well as vendors for renting gear and paddleboards, etc. Kapalua Bay is popular with weddings and can get very busy after 10am.
To get here, take Lower Honoapiilani Rd to Bay Club Pl. The parking lot is good sized but fills up early. You may find parking nearby along the road, just pay attention to private property signs and don't block driveways.
To get here, take Lower Honoapiilani Rd to Bay Club Pl. The parking lot is good sized but fills up early. You may find parking nearby along the road, just pay attention to private property signs and don't block driveways.
Napili Bay
Napili Bay is a sandy cove in front of low-rise condos. A beautiful stretch of sand with great snorkeling on calm water days. The sand stretches out into the gorgeous blue water with a somewhat steep incline making it great for wading, with the reef a bit farther out. Sea turtles can be found here frequently. Watch for rip currents that head straight out to the ocean during strong swells. Best to swim and snorkel during calm conditions only. There are showers available but no bathrooms or lifeguards.
To get here take Lower Honoapiilani Dr to Hui Dr and look for parking there. You'll notice cars parked in every nook and cranny possible. You can also park in the Tennis Club parking lot nearby for a minimal fee.
To get here take Lower Honoapiilani Dr to Hui Dr and look for parking there. You'll notice cars parked in every nook and cranny possible. You can also park in the Tennis Club parking lot nearby for a minimal fee.
Ka'anapali Beach
Kaanapali Beach is a long stretch of sand between Black Rock and Canoe Beach. Gorgeous shades of blue water, spinner dolphins out in the ocean, perfect waves for learning to surf, and great snorkeling near Black Rock (watch for strong currents in the deeper areas) makes this beach a great place to spend the day. You can stroll the Kaanapali Beach Path to see all the resorts, vendors, and restaurants this area has to offer.
Five small public parking lots can be found scattered along the Kaanapali Parkway. If not spots are available, you can park at Whalers Village for a small fee or have 3 hours of parking validated with a purchase from the shops.
Five small public parking lots can be found scattered along the Kaanapali Parkway. If not spots are available, you can park at Whalers Village for a small fee or have 3 hours of parking validated with a purchase from the shops.
Lahaina's Baby Beach
*This beach may be inaccessible right now due to the August 2023 fires.
This beach is popular with families who have small children. The beach is protected by an exposed stretch of reef making a calm area for children to swim in. A narrow beach with varying types of sand, most people prefer the beaches farther up the road. There are facilities but no lifeguard.
To get here, take Front St in Lahaina to Pu'unoa Pl.
This beach is popular with families who have small children. The beach is protected by an exposed stretch of reef making a calm area for children to swim in. A narrow beach with varying types of sand, most people prefer the beaches farther up the road. There are facilities but no lifeguard.
To get here, take Front St in Lahaina to Pu'unoa Pl.
Kahekili Beach Park aka Airport Beach
A long beautiful stretch of sand popular with joggers in the mornings, great for paddle boarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling with a reef just offshore. There are lots of facilities including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and bbq's with restaurants nearby. Winds pick up around 11am so get here early. There isn't much shade here so take your beach umbrellas!
To get here, the main parking lot is one stoplight north of the Kaanapali Resort entrance. The cross street is Kai Ala Dr, follow the road down to the bottom of the hill for parking. Or continue driving up the highway to Kai Malina Parkway, make two lefts and go past the valet parking to the 20 spot parking lot.
To get here, the main parking lot is one stoplight north of the Kaanapali Resort entrance. The cross street is Kai Ala Dr, follow the road down to the bottom of the hill for parking. Or continue driving up the highway to Kai Malina Parkway, make two lefts and go past the valet parking to the 20 spot parking lot.