Check live DOH advisory status — bacteria risk rating, community monitoring data, and 72-hour rain rule for South Maui
📍 On Maui's south shore, between Kihei and Wailea
Keawakapu Beach water quality today: This beach carries a moderate 2/5 historical bacteria risk and is a DOH Tier 2 monitored beach with no history of beach-specific bacteria advisories. Open coast beach at the south end of Kihei transitioning into Wailea — no stream mouth or major runoff sources. Hui O Ka Wai Ola monitors two sites here and results have been consistently good. After rain: DOH recommends waiting at least 72 hours. If the water looks brown, stay out regardless of what any advisory says. Check live advisory status above and make your own judgment.
Keawakapu Beach is a great base for snorkeling, whale watching, and exploring South Maui. When the water is clear, the conditions here are excellent.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Open coast beach at the south end of Kihei transitioning into Wailea. No stream mouth or major runoff sources. DOH Tier 2 beach with no history of beach-specific bacteria advisories. Hui O Ka Wai Ola monitors two sites here and results have been consistently good.
Keawakapu benefits from open ocean exposure and strong nearshore circulation. Unlike beaches with stream outlets, there is no direct drainage path carrying urban runoff onto the sand. After heavy rain, the broader South Maui coast can still see elevated bacteria from nearby sources, but Keawakapu tends to recover faster than beaches with direct runoff inputs.
Based on: DOH Tier 2 beach monitoring, Hui O Ka Wai Ola community testing, geographic risk assessment
Keawakapu Beach stretches along the South Maui coast between Kihei and Wailea. With no stream outlets, water quality is relatively consistent along its length.
The north end of Keawakapu, closer to Kihei and the Kamaole beaches. Street parking is available off South Kihei Road. This section is popular with locals and has a more relaxed atmosphere. Water quality is consistently good with no direct runoff sources.
The south end transitions toward Wailea and the resort area. Parking is available at the south end off the Wailea Ike Drive access point. Slightly less crowded than the north end. Open ocean exposure provides strong water circulation and excellent conditions in dry weather.
Hui O Ka Wai Ola is a community-based water quality monitoring group on Maui. They collect and analyze water samples at dozens of sites around the island, including two monitoring locations at Keawakapu Beach.
Their testing supplements the state DOH monitoring program, which only covers a fraction of Maui's beaches. Hui O Ka Wai Ola provides more frequent, localized data that helps paint a more complete picture of nearshore water quality. Their Keawakapu results have been consistently within acceptable ranges.
The DOH website does not include community monitoring data. This page considers both DOH and Hui O Ka Wai Ola results to give a more informed view of water quality conditions at this beach.
Minimal rainfall in South Maui means excellent water quality. Trade winds keep conditions pleasant. Keawakapu is one of the driest areas on Maui, receiving less than 15 inches of rain annually.
South Maui gets less rain than the windward side, but Kona storms can dump heavy rainfall. Without stream outlets, Keawakapu handles rain better than most beaches. Broader coast advisories may still apply after major storms.
South Maui is in the rain shadow of Haleakalā and receives approximately 10–15 inches of rain annually — among the driest areas in Hawaii.
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. Keawakapu Beach has no direct stream drainage, but after major storms the broader South Maui coastline can see elevated bacteria from runoff entering the ocean at nearby locations. When in doubt, check the water visually and review current DOH advisories.
Free alerts when water quality changes at your beach — brown water advisories, bacteria warnings, and all-clear notices.
No spam. Just safety alerts for your trip.
100+ beaches and 25+ hotels across all 6 islands
⚠️ 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.
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.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙