Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 Kapalua, West Maui, about 15 min north of Kaʻanapali
D.T. Fleming Beach has excellent water quality. No streams or drainage outlets feed into this beach. Open ocean exposure on Maui's west coast creates strong water circulation that naturally flushes contaminants. This beach has won multiple national awards partly for its consistently clean water.
DOH monitoring consistently shows clean results. The main safety concern at Fleming Beach is surf and shore break, not bacteria — winter swells can create powerful conditions. Lifeguards are on duty. Water quality risk is very low year-round.
Based on: DOH beach monitoring, open coast exposure, no stream discharge, award-winning water quality
Even at low-risk beaches like D.T. Fleming Beach, the Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Fleming Beach has no stream discharge and is well-protected from runoff, but island-wide storms can temporarily affect any coastal area. West Maui generally receives less rainfall than the east side, keeping this beach clean most of the time.
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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 or any government agency. 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.
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When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙