Beaches are everywhere, and people from all around love to visit them. Sometimes people even make their entire vacation beach-based.
Whether you want a simple day trip, a relaxing beach vacation, or are just looking for new places to explore, the beaches in Kihei are worth checking out.
From Kalepolepo Beach Parkbeaches to the ever-popular Kamaole, you’re sure to find a spot in Kihei that’s perfect for your needs.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the ocean, swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
Here are our picks of the best beaches in Kihei.
Best Beaches in Kihei
1. Kalepolepo Beach Park
At the Waianuenue Saddle’s foot, Kalepolepo Beach Park is the spot to be on Maui. It’s known for its large palm grove, perfect for lounging and snaking your way through. The large beach is ideal for volleyball while others take to the waters below.
Explore its surrounding trails that lead up to Waiopae Mountain, a great trail to take if you’re looking to get a good workout while experiencing the mountain views of Maui’s southern coast.
2. Kamaole Beach Park I
Kamaole Beach is located right on the town of Kihei’s easternmost beach. It’s an excellent choice for snorkeling, with a calm ocean and plenty of deep-rimmed beaches to explore. On the north side of the beach, you’ll find a reef and excellent snorkeling around it.
This area is also home to a pretty reef park where you can put in from shore or rent out one of the small boathouses on the southern side of the beach, perfect for kayaks.
3. Charley Young Beach Park
Also known as the Elderly Beach, this park is located near the town of Kihei’s easternmost beach. It’s a popular spot for those looking to fish and swim. Open from 6 AM to 6 PM daily; this beach is perfect for snorkeling during low tide.
4. Kamaole III Beach Park
Kamaole Beach’s southern sister is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Its calm ocean makes it an excellent spot for water activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing.
Bring along your snorkel gear to look at the soft coral and fish within the reef that lines Kamaole Beach III’s southern side.
5. Mai Poina’ Oe la’u Beach Park
This beach is known for its calm ocean and small sandy cove area. The beach is protected from more giant waves that come from the South or North by nearby headlands. Visitors to Maui often snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and otherwise enjoy themselves at this spot.
6. Waiohuli Beach
This is the most popular beach in Kihei. It’s one of the most extensive beaches on Maui, stretching across the town of Kihei and Maalaea.
The wide beach is home to many people who love lounging, swimming, snorkeling, and chasing after their little ones around the shallow waves near its seawall.
7. Sugar Beach Resort
This beach is known for its calm and shallow waters and sea turtles. The beach is perfect for water activities like swimming and snorkeling while exploring the sandy shores below. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors to Kihei looking for a quiet day out enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian waters.
8. Chang’s Beach Park
This beautiful beach is perfect for snorkeling and swimming. The beach is home to a reef, perfect for kids and beginners to get their feet wet. This park features the sugar cane fields of the neighboring town of Makawao, just beyond the surf line.
9. Cove Park
Cove Park is the easternmost beach in Kihei. The two beaches this park is composed of are often described as the perfect “starter beach.” They’re small and shallow, but you can still enjoy yourself here.
10. Kamaole Beach Park II
Kamaole Beach is right on the town of Kihei’s northernmost beach. With a calm and sandy ocean, it’s perfect for picnics and families looking to spend some time hanging out or chasing after little ones in the waters below.
If you’re looking for a laid-back day, spend some time at the sandbar that’s just offshore.
Kihei is a town located on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. It is known for its beaches, which are popular with tourists and locals alike. There are many different beaches to choose from in Kihei, each with its own unique character.
Some of the most popular beaches in Kihei include Sugar Beach, Kalama Beach Park, and Keawakapu Beach. Sugar Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun, while Kalama Beach Park is perfect for those who want to spend a day swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. Keawakapu Beach is ideal for surfing and bodyboarding.
My own visit
I had always wanted to visit Hawaii. The sun, the sand, the waves – it all sounded so perfect. And finally, I was able to make it happen. I flew into the airport in Honolulu and rented a car, then drove to the island of Maui.
My first stop was the town of Kihei. Kihei is located on the south side of Maui and is known for its beautiful beaches. There are many different beaches to choose from, each with its own unique character. What I loved most about Kihei was that it was much less crowded than Honolulu. I was able to find a spot on the beach and just relax without having to worry about getting sand in my towel or somebody stealing my spot.
I spent most of my time in Kihei just relaxing on the beach, but I also made sure to check out some of the other attractions. Maui Ocean Center is a must-see for any ocean lover, while Wailea Beach offers a glimpse into the luxury lifestyle of Maui’s wealthiest residents. I also took a hike through Iao Valley State Monument, which was just as beautiful as I had hoped it would be.
In terms of eating, Kihei has plenty of options to choose from. I had some of the best sushi I’ve ever had at a restaurant called Matsumoto’s, and the Mai Tai I had at Duke’s Beach House was also delicious.
Overall, I absolutely loved my time in Kihei. The beaches are beautiful, the food is great, and there’s just something about the laid-back atmosphere that I really enjoyed. If you’re ever thinking about visiting Hawaii, Kihei is definitely a place you should consider. You won’t be disappointed!
Other tourist attractions in Kihei:
- Maui Ocean Center: One of the largest aquariums in the United States, and home to over 250 different species of fish and other marine life.
- Maui Arts and Cultural Center: A world-class arts and culture center that hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year.
- Kihei Regional Park: A large park that offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, picnicking, and bird watching.
- Wailea Beach: A popular beach with golden sand and clear blue waters. It is also home to a number of luxury resorts.
- Makena Beach: A beautiful black sand beach that is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
- Iao Valley State Monument: This valley is home to a number of hiking trails, as well as the popular Iao Needle.
There’s much more to Kihei than just its beaches. In addition to the many outdoor activities available, Kihei is also home to a number of cultural and historical attractions. Maui Ocean Center is a must-see for any ocean lover, while Wailea Beach offers a glimpse into the luxury lifestyle of Maui’s wealthiest residents.
For those interested in the arts, the Maui Arts and Cultural Center is a great place to start. This center houses a variety of galleries, performance spaces, and classrooms, making it the perfect place to learn about Hawaiian culture. And no visit to Kihei would be complete without a trip to Haleakala National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations on Maui.
Conclusion
There are more beaches in Kihei than we can name, but these are some tried and true favorites. Kihei is Maui’s town that never sleeps. Restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars are open throughout the town from daybreak till well past twilight.
If you’re looking to take the whole family to Kihei, you can’t go wrong with these ten beaches that make for a great day on the island!
Hi, I’m Ryan Nelson! I live in the Hamptons, out on Long Island, near Ponquogue Beach. The beach is a place where I can find peace and serenity. It’s a place where I can sit and clear my head. The waves crashing on the shore somehow helps me to relax, while also reminding me that I am far from the stressors of daily life.
