Wailea / Mākena

Wailea Beach Path

Championship Golf

Luxury Resorts

Wild Mākena Coastline

Private Club Living

Established Residential Communities

Choose Wailea if you prioritize:

Convenience, walkability, golf, resorts, shopping, and established communities.

Choose Mākena if you prioritize:

Privacy, natural coastline, space, exclusivity, and a quieter daily rhythm.

Keawakapu Beach offers a long, walkable shoreline connecting South Kihei and Wailea. It is a favorite among early risers for morning swimming, paddleboarding, and coastal walking. While the sandy stretch is expansive, you can find good snorkeling around the rocky ends under appropriate conditions. Be aware that the afternoon trade winds can pick up, changing the water dynamics.

Mokapu Beach provides a beautiful connection to the Wailea Beach Path. It fronts the Andaz Maui resort and offers excellent swimming and rocky-edge snorkeling in the morning hours before the wind builds. It features moderate resort activity and a vibrant, well-maintained setting.

Ulua Beach is one of the district’s strongest accessible snorkel and shore-dive locations. It features a beginner-friendly shore entry when calm, making it a popular spot for dive classes and independent snorkelers. The reef structure between Ulua and Mokapu is teeming with marine life. Parking fills up quickly, so arriving early is essential.

Wailea Beach is the central resort beach fronting the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea. It boasts excellent swimming and paddleboarding conditions with a wide, golden sandy shore. While public parking is limited and the beach sees high resort activity, the sunset views here are iconic and not to be missed.

Situated at the southern end of the Wailea Beach Path near the Fairmont Kea Lani, Polo Beach offers a slightly quieter feel than Wailea Beach. It provides good swimming and occasional bodyboarding when the south swell rises. The beach is known for its darker sand and excellent sunset vantage points.

Palauea, often referred to locally as White Rock, has a more local and less resort-oriented feel. Tucked away behind residential neighborhoods, it offers good swimming and snorkeling around the rocky edges. Facilities and parking are limited, making it a more secluded option for those looking to escape the resort crowds.

Poʻolenalena Beach features a long, expansive sandy shoreline with plenty of space to spread out. It is great for walking and swimming under suitable conditions. Because of its scenic beauty and less-developed atmosphere, it is often used as a backdrop for sunset weddings and photography.

Mākena Landing is a protected launch and cove setting, ideal for ocean activities rather than lounging on the sand. It is a premier spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and shore diving, known for its frequent turtle sightings. Boat traffic and tour groups are common, so arrive early for parking.

Maluaka Beach is a beautiful sandy stretch with favorable morning water conditions. It is widely known for turtle snorkeling and is great for families. The beach fronts the Mākena Golf & Beach Club area, though the beach itself remains fully public and accessible.

Paʻako, commonly known as Secret Cove, is a small, incredibly scenic cove tucked behind a rock wall in Mākena. It sees heavy wedding and photography use due to its dramatic beauty. Parking is extremely limited and the beach area is small, making it better for a quick visit or photo rather than a long beach day.

Big Beach is a large, undeveloped expanse of sand with a powerful shorebreak and strong currents. It is visually stunning with its scenic scale and turquoise water, but it is often not a beginner swimming beach. The shorebreak can be dangerous, so exercise caution. There is limited shade, so come prepared for the sun.

The ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve offers marine and natural-area protections. Snorkeling is permitted only in legally designated areas, and visitors must not step on the fragile coral. The landscape is dominated by rough lava rock, offering strong sun and no shade. Always verify current closures before visiting.

La Perouse Bay provides an 'end-of-the-road' feeling with historic lava fields stretching to the ocean. It features advanced ocean conditions and is primarily a destination for hiking the King's Highway and experiencing the rugged, untouched beauty of South Maui. Respect the cultural resources and leave no trace.

More Accessible Morning Snorkeling
Mornings are commonly calmer. Great spots include Ulua Beach, Mokapu rocky edges, Palauea, Maluaka, and Mākena Landing. Entry and exit matter, and reef should never be stood on. Afternoon wind can reduce visibility and increase chop.

Shore Diving
Ulua and Mākena Landing offer accessible shore diving. Five Caves/Five Graves and Oneʻuli require careful safety framing and advanced awareness. Guided local instruction is highly recommended for unfamiliar locations.

Boat-Based Diving & Snorkeling
Trips to Molokini and South Maui reef sites (often broadly called Turtle Town) typically depart from Kihei or Māʻalaea rather than Wailea directly.

Safety Note:

Ocean conditions change quickly. Use lifeguarded beaches when available, follow official warnings, and use qualified local operators for unfamiliar or advanced locations.

Wailea Golf Club

Features three distinct public resort courses: Gold, Emerald, and Blue. Known for pristine conditions, ocean views, and varying levels of challenge. Offers practice facilities and early tee times to beat the wind and heat.

Mākena Golf & Beach Club

A highly exclusive, members-only residential club featuring a private 18-hole course set in a native dryland landscape. Focuses on family programming, wellness, and private club access. Not open to the general public.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Modern, chic, adults & couples focus

Wailea Beach Resort

Family-friendly, expansive pools

Grand Wailea

Iconic, maximalist, huge water park

Four Seasons Resort Maui

Ultra-luxury, refined service

Fairmont Kea Lani

All-suite, elegant, quieter south end

Hotel Wailea

Adults-only, hillside luxury, intimate

Resort Dining

Four Seasons: Spago Maui, Ferraro’s, DUO.
Grand Wailea: Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, Botero Lounge.
Andaz: Morimoto Maui, Ka‘ana Kitchen.
Fairmont Kea Lani: Kō, Nick’s Fishmarket.
Hotel Wailea: The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea.

Shopping Centers

The Shops at Wailea: Major luxury and resort retail, designer brands, local boutiques, and dining.
Wailea Village: Locally oriented, independent businesses, coffee, and casual dining.
Wailea Gateway Center: Convenient entry point with restaurants like Monkeypod Kitchen.
Wailea Town Center: Professional services, health, and wellness.

Wellness & Spa

Wailea is home to world-renowned spas including the Grand Wailea's Kilolani Spa, Four Seasons wellness offerings, and the Andaz Awili Spa. For active wellness, the Wailea Beach Path offers miles of scenic walking and running, while private clubs in Mākena offer exclusive wellness facilities.

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