- Beaches.... as I mentioned Kihei is a very nice beach area... particularly the southern part .... from Kalama Park south.
- The three tried and true spots are:
Kamaole I, II and III all just south of Kalama Park (where Charley Young beach and the surf lessons are), about 1 mile
- The three tried and true spots are:
- a spectacular beach just a bit further south from Kamaole III is Keawakapu Beach (pron: key-ava-kapoo).
- This is the beach that starts immediately south of Kihei Surfside! FYI, there is a public parking lot at the corner of Kilohana and S. Kihei Rd (as you head south towards Wailea from Kalama Park).... walk across the street, down the public pathway and voila you are at a fabulous beach you will love! We'd choose this spot over any one of the Kamaole beaches.
- while the beaches around Lahaina and Kaanapali are also nice they won't be better than south Kihei so not worth the time it will take to drive up there if you don't otherwise go up that way.
- Mokapu Beach. Immediately south and around the beach corner from Wailea Ekahi Village condos. This beach is immediately in front of Andaz Hotel. A beautiful destination and generally fairly quiet.
- Ulua Beach. The next beach / bay south of Mokapu and immediately in front of Wailea Elua condos. There is a fairly large parking lot that is between Mokapu and Ulua which makes access very easy. There is a public washroom between the two beaches and Ulua is a popular scuba diving location, particularly for novices. The shore promenade runs from the front of the Andaz all the way along in front of the various resort hotels ending at Polo Beach.
- Wailea beach at the Grand Wailea. The next beach south that captures the Grand Wailea, the 4 Seasons and the Kea Lani Resort hotels. A stunning and quite large beach location.
- Polo Beach at the very foot of Kaukahi St in Wailea
- Palauea Beach is just south of there, off Makena Rd.
- Po’Olenalena Beach is the next stop going south and is directly well below the Wailea Golf Club Drive…. The driveway into the Emerald and Gold courses.,
- Chang’s Beach is located behind the Makena Surf condos. Past the resort hotels in Wailea (along Wailea Alanui Dr). Wailea Alanui turns into Makena Alanui. Keep an eye out for the public access sign on the right as you approach Makena Surf… hard to see. There you will find a small 8 stall parking lot. Follow the path down to the shore (showers there). This takes you to South Po’Olenalena Beach. You will need to swim around the corner/reef SOUTH to reach Chang’s. Both Po’Olenalena and Chang’s are great for snorkeling (plenty of fish and green sea turtles), swimming and strolling. A few years ago we saw an eagle ray very near the shore of Po’Olenalena
- Makena Landing hidden beach for weddings…you’ll come upon it as you travel south on Makena Rd as you come back to the shore.
- Makena beach..... called BIG Beach is worth a trip too.... its about 15 min south of Keawakapu at the end of the road past Wailea. There is public parking... don't leave valuables in your car (anywhere on Maui for that matter as it can entice vagrants to smash and grab). The surf at Big Beach is terrific so you will have to be VERY watchful and not turn your backs on the surf as it can crash in. The beach is immense and great to walk, play or suntan on. You will love this place but again you have to treat the surf with respect, and it usually pounds in there quite hard. Our advice is look but stay out of the water… generally too risky.
- La Perouse Bay…basically another 5 – 10 minutes beyond Makena, at the end of the road through the lava fields. Quite a spectacular site to visit although the swimming is not the best. A very good spot to see dolphin pods almost any day.