Beaches Near Andaz Maui

About the Wailea Resort Area

The Andaz Maui at Wailea occupies a prime position along South Maui's gold coast, a stretch of five crescent beaches connected by a paved beachfront walking path. Wailea is the drier, sunnier side of the island, sitting in the rain shadow of Haleakalā, which means cloud-free beach days are the norm rather than the exception.

The Wailea coast is built on ancient lava flows that created natural rocky points separating each beach into its own cove. This geography keeps the water quality among the best on Maui — there are no major streams emptying onto the Wailea shoreline, so bacteria levels remain consistently low. The resort area is well-maintained, with showers, restrooms, and public access paths at each beach.

The five main Wailea beaches are all connected by the Wailea Beach Path, a 1.5-mile paved walkway that makes it easy to stroll from beach to beach without a car. Mokapu and Wailea Beach are steps from the Andaz. Ulua Beach is a five-minute walk north. Polo Beach is a five-minute walk south. For Makena (Big Beach), drive south on Wailea Alanui Road and Makena Road for about 10 minutes — parking fills early on weekends.

Best water quality: Wailea Beach (no stream influence, consistently low bacteria). Best for snorkeling: Ulua Beach (reef, turtles, calm morning conditions). Most peaceful: Polo Beach (fewer crowds). Most dramatic scenery: Makena Big Beach (massive sand, powerful waves).

After heavy rain, bacteria levels spike at beaches near streams and river mouths. If a brown water advisory is active near Andaz Maui at Wailea:

• Wait 72 hours after rain stops before entering the water
• Avoid brown or murky water regardless of whether an advisory is posted
• Best rain-resistant option: Wailea Beach (North) — generally clearer after rain due to geography
• Check the Maui live advisories page for current conditions