With its hot summer climate and turquoise waters, Hawaii has some of the best beaches that you can visit.
Kihei, located on the southwest shore of Maui, stretches on for miles along the sunniest side of the island with spectacular views and plenty to do.
The state really only has two seasons: summer (known as kau) and winter (known as hooilo). To make the most of summer weather at the beach, you should visit between May and October.
So, below are the 10 best beaches found in Kihei, Hawaii.
1. Keawakapu Beach
On your visit to Kihei, Keawakapu Beach should be the first beach that you visit. It has beautiful golden sands that stretch on for 7 miles along the shoreline.
There are two separate places where you can go snorkeling, so you’ll be able to enjoy the water and swim past lots of coral and marine life.
This beach is also perfect for taking a long walk and admiring the landscape, especially since you can relax under the shade of palm trees when you reach the grassy area.
Other activities include surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, with all the equipment being available to rent when you arrive.
If you’re looking to try some delicious seafood and still have an amazing view of Keawakapu Beach, you should try 5 Palms Restaurant in the Mana Kai Resort.
And to end your visit on a high note, take a trip to the nearby Bumbye Bar, which is open-air and has some fantastic cocktails.
2. Kalepolepo Beach Park
Located in North Kihei, Kalepolepo Beach Park is small but sublime.
Due to its size, this beach is a lot less crowded than some others, so you’ll be able to relax in peace away from busy city life.
An ancient rock formation keeps the waves at bay, making this the ideal beach to go swimming or kayaking.
You should also be able to spot some turtles in the water because they are often seen at Kalepolepo Beach Park.
The entire site is actually a historical Hawaiian fishpond, which is why the rocks surround a small area of the water.
During your visit, you can learn some more about Hawaii’s native sea life at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
If you don’t decide on a picnic then you can get some food at one of the nearby restaurants, which include Monsoon India and Isana, which serves Japanese cuisine.
You can easily spend the day at Kalepolepo Beach Park because it has public toilets and showers, as well as picnic tables and BBQ areas.
As for the Park’s part of the beach, there is a playground, hiking trails, and a butterfly sanctuary, so you’ll be occupied for hours.
3. Waiohuli Beach
If you enjoy exploring smaller, secluded beaches then you’ll also love a visit to Waiohuli Beach.
There are beachfront vacation condos available for rental, which are perfect if you want to spend your trip to Kihei in front of the ocean.
The beach is fairly slim, but Waiohuli Beach Hale, the place that rents out the condos, has a whole area just behind it for you to enjoy. There is a swimming pool, sunbathing spaces, and spacious grounds.
As for the beach, you can also spend hours out in the sun, whether you choose to swim, sunbathe, or picnic.
The beach is relatively quiet too, so you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy your own activities, which could include ball games or water-based activities.
If you have your own snorkeling gear, you should be able to see fish and coral under the water.
And it’s just a short trip from the beach to nearby shops and eateries, so you’ll have everything you need at hand.
4. Kamaole Beach Park (I, II and III)
Though these are technically three separate beaches, Kamaole Beach I, Kamaole Beach II, and Kamaole Beach III are all a part of the huge stretch of land known as Kamaole Beach Park.
All three individual beaches are signposted and close together, so you’ll be able to experience all three during your trip.
The waters are perfect for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, and snorkeling, though they can become dangerous during storm season when riptides form.
But even during those times, the Kamaole Beaches are perfect for long walks and exploring.
The beaches are all less than a mile apart, giving you ample opportunity to see and do lots along the way.
The Maui Fine Art gallery is located close to Kamaole Beach I and is home to the work of over 25 local artists.
Kamaole Beach III has a huge green park area that is great for both adults and children.
Redline Rafting allows you to rent equipment for a range of activities, as well as offer boat tours.
Keawakapu Beach is located close to Kamaole Beach Park, so you can choose to stay at Days Inn and be close to all four beaches.
The Paia Fish Market South Side is the best place nearby to visit for fresh seafood.
You’ll be able to spend an entire day exploring all three Kamaole beaches and the things to do nearby.
5. Sugar Beach
For amazing views at both sunrise and sunset, you should pay a visit to Sugar Beach.
The Sugar Beach Resort is a great place to stay, with condos to rent and spectacular views of the seafront. There is also a swimming pool and space to enjoy a BBQ.
To stretch your legs, Sugar Beach is perfect because it is flat and has plenty of space.
The Sugar Beach Bake Shop offers some good refreshments, including hot drinks and both sweet and savory baked goods.
It is also a short trip to the nearby dessert restaurant, Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.
During your beach trip, you should go swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and turtle spotting.
One of the most amazing ways to experience Sugar Beach is on the Maui Whale Watching Private Air Tour, which starts out at Maui Plane Rides and flies you over Sugar Beach twice on a once-in-a-lifetime aerial experience.
And to finish off your day at Sugar Beach, you can spend some time at the Kihei Farmer’s Market and pick up a few mementos.
6. Cove Park
Cove Park has been called the best place to learn to surf in South Maui, and it is also a little beach with some lovely views.
As the name suggests, there is a hidden cove to explore on the beach where you can swim away from the rest of the sea.
If you’d like to learn to surf, you can take beginner lessons with surfing instructors any day of the week.
There are rocky outcrops that make decent waves for you to surf on, or boogie board on, if you would prefer.
Kalama Park is immediately adjacent to Cove Park and has more facilities available for you to use throughout your visit, including tennis courts, skate park, and picnic areas.
There are condos right by Cove Park that you can rent for accommodation, putting you in a prime position to visit several of the other Kihei beaches on this list.
Some great places to eat near Cove Park beach include Kihei Caffe, Horhitos Taqueria, and ami ami Bar & Grill.
7. Mai Poina Oe Ia’u Beach
If you’re looking for the ideal place for a picturesque walk at any time of day, Mai Poina Oe Ia’u Beach is just the place.
It is located in North Kihei and is perfect for those who prefer their beaches to be a bit less crowded.
You’ll find plenty of space to have a picnic or engage in games and other activities with family and friends.
The water is calm enough for stand-up paddleboarding and swimming, with soft sands for sunbathing all day. When the winds pick up, the beach is ideal for windsurfing.
Mai Poina also has a lovely grassy park for walking and exploring.
There aren’t a lot of options for food within walking distance of Mai Poina Oe Ia’u Beach, so it is best to bring a picnic with you and watch paddleboarders and windsurfers in the sea while you eat.
Sugar Beach is super close by, so you can do both beaches in one day and also stay at the Sugar Beach Resort if you choose.
Mai Poina is a hidden gem when it comes to beaches in Kihei and definitely one that you won’t regret visiting.
8. Polo Beach
This beach is technically not located in Kihei, but you can find it in Wailea, which is just an 11-minute drive away.
Visiting a beach just outside of Kihei will allow you to see more of the area as you drive and appreciate just how stunning Maui really is.
Polo Beach is formed of two sandy crescents and a gentle, lapping tide.
At the north of the beach is the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, where you can stay if you’d like to be close to the beach during your Kihei trip.
Polo Beach Club, another beachfront resort, can be found to the south.
The north end of the beach also has some fabulous rocky areas for snorkeling, so long as the water is calm.
Polo Beach has its own green park as well, with full facilities that include showers, toilets, and picnic tables.
The Wailea Beach Path is ideal for jogging and walking to admire the landscape.
You’ll be able to sample some amazing food really close by too at Nick’s Fishmarket Maui and the Lobby Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Maui.
9. Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is another beach that is well worth visiting for its snorkeling opportunities alone.
You can go on a snorkeling tour and explore all the underwater wonders of this beautiful area.
Like Polo Beach, Honolua Bay is also located just outside of Kihei, but you’ll be able to take in more of Kihei and Maui while you drive to it.
The walk to get to the beach is quite magical as it takes you through green woods and under massive hanging vines.
You’ll be able to see the purest shade of blue up ahead to signal that you’ve reached the sea.
This beach is rocky, so it isn’t the best choice if you’re looking to settle down for a picnic, but it is one of the best places to take a boat trip, swim, and snorkel.
Close by, you can sample some tasty cuisine at Honolua Farms Kitchen or The Plantation House and then pick up a dessert from Coconut Caboose.
A geologic formation called Dragon’s Teeth is located 1.9km away from Honolua Bay and can be accessed after an easy walk.
For those who enjoy rock jumping, it is perfect, but it is also a great spot to look out over the water and take in the natural environment.
You might even be able to see some sea turtles. If you choose to return to Honolua Bay afterward, it will look even more beautiful at sunset.
10. Charley Young Beach
Topping off this list is Charley Young Beach, a smaller beach at the end of Kamaole Beach I.
Unlike several other beaches mentioned above, you’ll get a greater feeling of privacy because it is further away from South Kihei Road.
The waters are crystal clear and fairly shallow, so they are great for snorkeling, swimming, boogie boarding, and paddling.
The beach area is fairly small, but still great for sunbathing and picnicking.
For some delicious seafood, pay a visit to the nearby Kinaole Grill Food Truck, which serves Polynesian cuisine, or the Aloha Thai Fusion restaurant.
Maui Gelato is the place to go for dessert near Charley Young Beach as well.
Another thing to do close by is to go shopping at Kihei Kalama Village and pick up some souvenirs.
You can relax with a cold drink on the sands while the sun goes down and make the most of Charley Young Beach from morning to evening.
Ways To Get To Kihei
If you are looking to reach Kihei by plane then you’ll need to get a flight from the mainland to Maui.
Maui’s main airport is Kahului Airport, but there are also two smaller commuter airports called Hana Airport on the east side and Kapalua Airport on the west side.
On the other hand, Hawaii’s three international airports are Honolulu International Airport, Hilo International Airport, and Kona International Airport.
Once you’re in Kihei, you’ll be able to get around by car or on foot, though some places may be a bit far to reach if you are just walking.
Accommodations In Kihei
Most of the beaches on this list have seafront condos or hotels available, but other great places to stay include the Maui Coast Hotel, Maui Beachfront Townhouse, and the Maui Vista Resort.
Kihei is well known for its beaches, so you should book ahead to ensure that your accommodation is secured if you are planning to visit soon.
Conclusion
With all these beaches on this list in mind, you should absolutely plan a trip to Kihei, Hawaii.
During the summer season, it is one of the most beautiful places to spend time and will feel as though it consists purely of sand and sea.
You’ll be able to try some delicious food, spend hours partaking in water-based activities, and explore the island day and night. So, bon voyage!
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