Maui GUIDE · 2026

Best Beach Near Kahului Airport

Quick Beach Stops on Maui

Checking live advisories…

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If It Looks Brown, Donʻt Swim

Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours and until the water clears before swimming.

Learn more about brown water advisories →

Question 1

What is the closest beach to Kahului Airport?

Kanaha Beach Park is only 5 minutes from OGG and is popular for windsurfing and kiteboarding. For better swimming, Baldwin Beach Park is about 10 minutes east with low bacteria risk.

Question 2

How far is Kaanapali from the Maui airport?

Ka'anapali Beach is about 45-60 minutes from OGG depending on traffic. For a quicker beach stop, try Kanaha Beach (5 min), Baldwin Beach (10 min), or Paia Bay (10 min).

Question 3

Is Kanaha Beach good for swimming?

Kanaha Beach has moderate water quality and is better known for wind sports. The swimming area is acceptable on calm days. For better swimming water quality, drive 10 minutes to Baldwin Beach.

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water looks clear. Bacteria and pollutants from runoff can linger in the water longer than the brown color does.

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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, Maui beaches, or any government agency or hotel brand. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.

Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.

This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn’t working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.

When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙