Wailea offers a bevy of beautiful beaches. This entire coastline is known for calm waters, making it an excellent place to snorkel, SUP and swim. There are various rental companies along the beach offering snorkels, boards, kayaks and chairs. And lunch can be found at various food stands along the path. Starting from north to south here are the most popular choices.
Keawakapu Beach: This beach is less commercial and more quiet than the other three, more accessible beaches, in Wailea. There are some resorts nearby, however, development is limited resulting in this beach being less visited and touristy. This 0.7-mile-long beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. An artificial reef made out of 150 antique car bodies lies 400 yards offshore and creates a unique snorkeling experience. The cars were dumped from a barge in 1962. Snorkel, boogie boards, and other water activity rental gear is available through the Mana Kai Hotel, at the north end of the beach. Click here for more water gear rental information.
o Rental Address: 2960 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, HI 96753.
o Beach Parking: Free public parking.
o Beach Facilities: Showers, bathrooms, convenience store, hotel and restaurant.
*There are no lifeguards on duty.
Mokapu/Ulua Beach Parks: Fronting the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Wailea Elua Village, adjacent Mokapu and Ulua beach parks are each about a quarter mile long and separated by a rocky outcrop. The small rocky outcrop is perfect for snorkeling and makes this area popular with dive instructors and Andaz Maui guests. As a result, both the Mokapu and Ulua parking lots fill up quickly. Getting to the beach before early afternoon is a good idea in order to grab parking and a spot or chaise on the white sand. These beaches are good for boogie boarding and whale watching, during the season. Snorkel, boogie boards and other water activity rental gear is available through nearby Snorkel Bob’s.
o Rental Address: 100 Wailea Ike Dr., Kihei, HI 96753.
o Beach Parking: Free public parking.
o Beach Facilities: Bathrooms and showers.
*There are no lifeguards on duty.
Wailea Beach: Consistently rated one of the world’s best beaches, this half-mile long white sand beach fronts several resorts, such as the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons Maui and Wailea Beach Villas. It gets quite busy with resort guests, so it’s a good idea to arrive early in the morning to grab a spot with an umbrella or beach cabana. When whales are nearby during whale season, snorkelers and divers can often times hear them singing when underwater. The small waves of Wailea Beach make it a good place to boogie board and body surf. Snorkel, boogie boards and other water activity rental gear is available through the nearby Snorkel Bob’s.
o Rental Address: 100 Wailea Ike Dr., Kihei, HI 96753.
o Beach Parking: Free public parking.
o Beach Facilities: Bathrooms and showers.
*There are no lifeguards on duty.
Polo Beach: This half-mile long, crescent shaped beach fronts the Polo Beach Club and the north side of the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel. The beach, with its gradual underwater slope, is ideal for families with younger children. The lush gardens of the Fairmont Kea Lani front the beach and are open to all beach goers. The south end of the beach is less crowded. Water activity rental gear is available along the beach path
o Rental Address: 1215 S Kihei Rd., Kihei, HI 96753.
o Beach Parking: Free public parking.
o Beach Facilities: Showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, and barbecues.
*There are no lifeguards on duty.
Katherine Minkiewicz
