This is a collection of islands and contains a plethora of amazing beaches that, if you’re in Hawaii, you’d be a fool not to visit.
There are so many different types of beaches in Maui: ones situated in rolling green valleys, ones that are covered in hot, glowing sand and ones that aren’t too far away from a plush holiday resort.
But which ones are the best ones to visit?
Well, we’ve compiled a list of 23 of the best beaches that you can find in Maui, ranging from cute little coves to beaches that stretch for miles and miles.
You’ll find something for all the family on this list.
So, grab a beach towel and a pina colada and get in the mood for some of the world’s most luxurious beaches.
This first beach has everything that you could want from a beach – seclusion, secrecy, and sandy shores.
This is a crescent-shaped alcove that you have to hike to get to, but once you get there, you’ll have a relatively tourist-free place to lounge or play games on.
One of the great things about this beach is the fact that driving there is amazing, giving you incredible views of the Hawaiian coast.
Pile all the family into the station wagon and get on down to this child-friendly beach for some good times.
This beach comes with plenty of greenery and sandy coastlines.
However, one thing you’ll need to be mindful of is that there aren’t any lifeguards on the beach, so if the weather does take a turn for the worst and you are out in the water, then you might find yourself in a dangerous situation.
This has been rated as one of the best beaches in Hawaii, with sandy coastlines that stretch far into the horizon.
If you want to find a beach with your own little spot away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, then there’s plenty of space on this beach.
There is so much to do on this beach. You have world-class golf courses, spectacular 5-star hotels, an open-air shopping center and a condominium village.
You can even book yourself a zip-lining session, which is great if you want action and adventure rather than just lazing around on the beach.
This also has a cliff-diving event that occurs during the sunset hours of the beach at a place called Black Rock.
Complete with flaming torches, this will have all the vibes of a sacrifice, but we can assure you that it is 100% safe and you’ll have plenty of fun doing it.
This next beach once has the privilege of being claimed one of the best beaches in America, and you really can see why.
With clear blue waters and golden sand, just looking at this site will be enough to relax you and cause all your stresses to melt away.
If you are asked to picture a Hawaiian beach in your head, then this one will probably come to mind, even if you have never set foot in Hawaii before.
Kapalua is warm with plenty of wind coverage, allowing you to relax in complete solitude with a good book.
However, if you are searching for something with a little more adventure, then you can always bring your snorkel and go exploring in the deep blue yonder.
You can go searching for all sorts of colorful fish or even sea turtles. This beach is teeming with unique flora and fauna.
Now we have a phenomenon that you will only find in Hawaii: black sand.
That’s right, if you want a beach that looks utterly unlike anything else you have ever seen before, then we would certainly recommend this one.
But don’t worry, it doesn’t all look like an alien landscape. This comes nestled in between blue waters and lush green vegetation.
This beach has plenty you can marvel at, whether it is lava caves, blow holes or solid marble arches, there’s plenty to keep your mind occupied.
This also comes with its fair share of palm trees dotted across the landscape.
If you are wanting a postcard-perfect seaside resort, then you can’t go wrong with this beach.
Whether you want a scenic stroll, take in some local ruins or just somewhere you can lay back and work on your tan without being bothered, Honokalani is ideal.
This next beach is one that is famous for being one of the best spots to go windsurfing. It is known for attracting some serious waves and equally serious wave surfers.
There have been some waves that have been said to reach more than 35 feet!
There is also something for wildlife fans here, with plenty of coral fish and sea turtles, some of whom you can see lounging on the beach during the mating season.
This place also has some very friendly residents, always willing to help you out if you are lost or looking for a prime beach relaxation spot.
When it comes to incredible views, then you can’t go wrong with this one.
Just gazing over this beach, you have a jaw-dropping view of cloud-topped mountains, which will really hammer home the true beauty of Hawaiian life.
This is as far as you can get from a crowded, stressful city!
Napili Bay is one of the most tranquil spots that you can find on the Hawaiian map, with luscious blue ocean and sparkling beaches, you can be sure of having a place to lie back and relax with a good book and work on your tan.
This beach has got plenty to observe, a calming backdrop against which you can project relaxing thoughts.
When you are meditating, they say to think of your happy place, well, this beach could certainly be a contender!
If you are looking for something a little different, then why not try this ‘red beach’.
That’s right, this one isn’t filled with golden sand, rather it is made from red lava.
This might not be a place for relaxation, but it is certainly a place that you can explore to find some unique flora and fauna.
The other major plus point of this beach is the fact that it doesn’t get many visitors, so if you are looking for a place where you can kick back and avoid the scrum of tourists, then this is a great place to be.
Next up, we have another dark sands beach that is amazing to look at from every conceivable angle.
It has a unique feel to it, covered in volcanic ash which certainly gives it a more dramatic quality.
This is a great beach to snorkel at during the summer and winter months.
This beach also has plenty of room, so if you are traveling with a large entourage of people, then you will more than likely find a spot that will comfortably house you all.
This beach also does not get many visitors, which is great if you don’t like a touristy destination.
Palauea beach is great if you want to get away from the tourist experience, as it is populated more by locals than people from other parts of the world.
This is one of the best beaches for swimming and snorkeling, as it comes with very calm waters and interesting rocky outcrops.
But if you like to feel civilization nearby, there are plenty of homes, hotels and stores in the nearby vicinity.
This is also one of the best beaches in Hawaii to take the kids to.
Next up, we have a beach that looks just like the ones you might see on a postcard. White sands, shimmering blue waters and palm trees fluttering on the breeze.
There are a lot of people who like to visit this beach, but thankfully there is so much room that you probably won’t find an issue with locating a quiet spot.
This is one of the best beaches in Maui where you can take your children, as it comes with a protected pool where you can take your children and even babies swimming.
This next beach is not exactly commercial, but it does have some amenities in the vicinity such as a bar, some stores, and a hotel.
If you are a fan of wildlife spotting when you go and visit a beach, then this is a great place where you can go and explore the reefs and rock pools.
If you are lucky, then you might even spot some whales on the coastline of Kahekili Beach Park, so make sure that you take your binoculars if you want to see them in all their barnacled glory.
This is another beach where you won’t have to worry about finding bathrooms or a place to get a drink, as there are plenty of facilities near this beach.
This is a wonderful beachfront location if you have accessibility issues, as wheelchair users can travel down walkways to get to the shore itself.
With long coastal walks and boogie-board hotspots, there is plenty here that will keep you entertained, whether you enjoy an action-packed holiday or a relaxing getaway.
Aside from that, this has all the great trappings of a standard Hawaiian beach: golden coasts, blue ocean, and exotic palm trees swaying in the breeze.
This next beach comes with two miles of coast, which is great if you like to walk and walk as the rays beat down on your skin.
This has some great views of the nearby Maui Mountain range.
However, if it is the peace and quiet that you want from your beach, then you might want to find somewhere else, as this is suited next to an airport.
Other than that, there is plenty of wildlife that you can witness here, whether it is sea turtles, colorful reef fish or the occasional exotic bird of paradise.
This beach is great if you are looking for somewhere authentic that is frequented by mainly locals.
This next beach is a great place to relax, being one of the quieter venues on this list. It is also one of the best places to go scuba diving, as they offer free lessons for newbies.
This is a great beach to visit during the morning when the waters are at their calmest and the light is radiant orange.
Like a lot of our Maui islands, this is a great place to find a lot of wildlife.
Turtles, fish, birds and, if you’re lucky, whales are visible across all parts of this beach. This beach is also near some great local amenities.
This is a great beach if you are looking for that authentic Hawaiian experience, as a lot of the coastlines in the Hana area are very unspoiled and untouched by human hands.
If you are looking for a quiet place to eat a picnic with your family, then Hana is a great spot.
This beach is surrounded by high cliffs, which means that it is a good shelter against the wind.
If you are looking for a place of tranquility, where you can get back to some semblance of nature, even if it is only for a few hours, then this beach is one of the best.
If you like a place that is near a Hawaiian town, with plenty of coconut trees and waves gently lapping against the ocean, then we would certainly recommend this beach park.
This is a place where the sand is soft, and the rocks are full of fish, crabs and birds the likes of which you will never have seen before.
This is also a place that is famous for longboard surfers, who queue up to get their fill of the fat waves that often hit these shores during the winter season.
This is one of the best beaches that you can find for seclusion against the elements.
This beach is a few miles long, so if you want to whisk away your partner to Hawaii for long, romantic strolls on the beach, we can recommend no better place than Keawakapu.
Whether it is sunbathing, boogie-boarding or surfing, this beach has something to offer for everyone, from the laziest beach bum to the more active sea surfer.
This is also a great place for you to sample some authentic Hawaiian cuisine.
There are plenty of restaurants in this area and we would certainly recommend that you visit at least one of them while you are at this beach.
This beach is also famous for snorkeling.
You can dive under the clear blue waters and spend some quality time with some of those unique Hawaiian fish and turtles.
This is the perfect beach if you want to get your dose of nature.
This next beach is another picture-perfect location, with shining sands and crystal-clear blue waters.
If you are looking for a place to relax on the beach with your whole family, then there is plenty of space to do it on Koki Beach.
This is a beach that is steeped in Hawaiian culture and myth, said to be the place where the goddess Pele waged her last battle against the Hawaiian goddess of the ocean.
If you want to delve deeper into this story, then get yourself to Koki beach.
There is also an island close by that you can view from this beach that is home to unique breeds of Hawaiian birds.
If you really want to get up close and personal, then you can charter a boat and sail up right next to this rare birdwatching location.
This area of Maui is known for its beach-combing, coming with over 6 miles of fine golden sand that you can walk up and down for hours.
This beach is so luxurious, that it was a frequent visiting spot for the Hawaiian royal family. So why not take some champagne and take it to the beach as the royals once used to?
This beach resort also has lawns and courts that you can use for any number of activities, from volleyball, basketball, baseball, surfing, picnic or tennis.
If you are a fan of fishing, then you can take marine expeditions where you can either catch or just watch fish. You can also boat out into the deep water for snorkeling.
There are plenty of accommodation options in this part of Maui, most of which are affordable.
Why not book a room and wake up every morning to enjoy a coffee while gazing out at the rolling sunny beaches?
Finally, we have a beach that is in the most famous city in Hawaii: Honolulu.
If you want to be amongst the vibrant nightlife of the city, then we would definitely recommend that you take a moonlit stroll down this clean and well-kept beach.
This is the number one spot in Hawaii for surfing, with Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku training people to surf here.
He is often labeled the Godfather of surfing, promoting the sport around the globe.
If you want a little slice of surfing history, then you should surf the same waves that Duke surfed on Waikiki beach.
This is also the home to a strip of bars and shopping malls that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
You can visit the Royal Hawaiian Center or indulge in some retail therapy at the International Market Place.
Reasons To Visit Hawaii For Your Vacation
There are one-hundred-and-one reasons why you’ll want to take in the Hawaiian environment for your vacation.
In fact, we probably can’t list all the amazing attractions and landscapes that this place has to offer, but here are just a few:
Lots Of Islands
Hawaii is made up of 9 different islands altogether, each one offering its own distinctive character and culture.
There is Hawaiian Island, which is known for its volcanoes, which is a great place to go for those who like a little bit of danger and spectacle in their holiday.
There is also Kauai, which is a place known for its amazingly lush vegetation and great hiking spots.
Or you can try Oahu, which has both busy shopping capitals and quiet places for relaxation and reflection. Whatever you are looking for in a vacation, you can probably find it in Hawaii.
Ethnically Diverse
If you are leaving your home country, the chances are that you will want to sample a culture that is different from your own.
Well, one of the best things about Hawaii is that it is a melting pot for a lot of different cultures, not just Hawaiian ones!
Whether it is Japan, Korea, Portugal, Spain or Samoa, there are many countries and cultures that have left their stamp on Hawaii and you will find traces of them everywhere.
Beautiful Locations
The best thing about Hawaii is probably the scenery.
This place has been relatively untouched by human hands, which cannot be said for a lot of holiday hotspots.
There’s a reason why so many tourists describe Hawaii as ‘heaven on Earth’.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to Maui beaches has helped you to decide which ones you’ll want to visit on your trip to this paradise island.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
