When you go to Maui, you’ve got to enjoy the stunning beaches that, time and time again, are rated among the top beaches in the world! We love to snorkel and enjoy the sand and sea, and Maui has some great spots. Also, all beaches in Maui are public access. Some will charge a fee to park, but all beaches are free of charge!
Here are our top 5 beaches!
1. Kāʻanapali Beach
Truly cannot describe how nice Kaanapali Beach is for lounging or snorkeling. This area is touristy, which is a plus and minus. The plus is there are many hotel options that allow you to easily walk right onto the beach, but it also can get crowded from time to time. Also, Black Rock is located on Kaanapali Beach.
2. Makena State Park (Big Beach)
The surf was a bit rough the day we went, but what is great about this beach is that it has a lifeguard on duty! We loved that you had to walk through some forest before you get to the beach. It really made you feel like you were in a tropical setting! This beach was large, and it was great to walk along the shoreline. When we went, it wasn’t terribly crowded, but it is at a state park. You do have to pay for parking. When we went, parking cost $10 per vehicle for non-residents. There were restrooms too if you needed them!
3. Hamoa Beach
We stumbled upon Hamoa beach after a long day on the road to Hana. We had no intentions of getting in the water, but it was almost like a mirage or that we found paradise and we had to get in! It truly seemed like the water was the clearest water we had ever seen, and it seemed sparkled! This is the best beach we have ever been too.
4. Wai’ānapanapa (Black Beach)
If you are traveling the Road to Hana, this is a must-stop. You do need a reservation, so we advise you to plan all the rest of your stops around this one. The beach has black sand thanks to lava rock! It is a fun and picturesque place to cool off and enjoy the beach for a little while. We found it a little uncomfy to walk on the lava rocks on that beach and recommend water shoes. Also, right beside the beach is a lava tube to explore! We loved being able to check that out and cool off. I feel like some of the best photos I have taken in Maui are landscapes from this beach and right above it!
5. Airport Beach
Airport Beach is just north of Kaanapali. We loved this beach because it was huge and not crowded. It was also a great place to snorkel but less crowded compared to Black Rock! We were able to see some turtles and Hawaiian fish. What was also cool about this beach was that while we were sunbathing, we kept seeing butterflies! We wish we would have gone to this beach sooner.
6. Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay is rocky, but it is a great spot for snorkeling. It also did not have high waves on a day when we couldn’t really snorkel anywhere else. Since it is a bay, it is a little more protected from the high surf. This was the most crowded beach we visited during our trip.
At this beach, we even got to watch a sea turtle that had been rehabilitated go back out into the ocean! So cool to watch! There is some paid parking close to this spot, but if you are willing to walk, you can find free parking a little further down. Along Kapalua Bay, there is the Kapalua Trail, which is worth the hike—then head back to the bay and check out some cool marine life!
What is your favorite beach on Maui? Is it the same spot you enjoy snorkeling too?
Wx Shield 
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