Data-driven beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 2 week |
| Island | Maui |
| Beaches | 10 beaches covered |
| Best For | All experience levels |
Two weeks lets you experience Kaʻanapali’s different moods — glassy mornings for snorkeling at Black Rock, afternoon trade wind sessions for body surfing the south end. The beachfront path connects all resort sections across three miles. Sunset cliff jumping at Black Rock is a daily tradition worth seeing at least once.
The south shore’s golden crescent. With two weeks, walk the entire Beach Path from Wailea to Ulua to Polo Beach. Each has a distinct character. Ulua has the best reef snorkeling. Polo Beach at the south end is more secluded. Wailea’s arid setting means rain advisories are rare.
Two sheltered bays at the north end of west Maui, close enough to combine. Kapalua is calmer with better snorkeling; Napili has more sea turtle encounters. With a longer trip, visit each on separate mornings for the best experience. Kapalua’s lot (20 spaces) fills earliest.
Marine conservation area with Maui’s healthiest coral. Summer snorkeling is outstanding. Winter brings serious surf. Two weeks means you can watch forecasts and pick the flattest day. Trail access from the road, no facilities. Bring your own snorkel gear for the best experience.
Iconic north shore spot famous for windsurfing and sea turtle haul-outs. Swimming is only for expert ocean users. Watch from the bluff overlook — the action is spectacular. Turtles arrive on the east sand around 3–4 PM. Free parking. Easy to combine with a Road to Hana day trip.
| Rental car tip | For 2 weeks, weekly rental rates are significantly cheaper than daily. Book early — Maui car rentals sell out in peak season |
| Kaʻanapali parking | Whaler’s Village garage ($3/hr). Free public access points at the north end |
| Wailea parking | Beach Path parking lot is free but small. Overflow at Shops at Wailea ($10) |
| Kapalua | Tiny lot fills before 9 AM. With 2 weeks, try weekdays for easier access |
| Hoʻokipa | 30 min east of Kaʻanapali on Hana Hwy. Free lot. Best turtle viewing around 3–4 PM |
After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours before entering the ocean. Check each beach’s water quality page for live advisory status.
5-7 days to see west and south Maui plus Road to Hana
Start in West Maui (Kaʻanapali/Kapalua), then South Maui (Wailea/Makena), save Road to Hana for a full day
Rain alternatives on Maui: Maui Ocean Center, Lahaina shops, Iao Valley (rain makes the waterfall better), upcountry farms. Also check our brown water advisory guide — avoid the ocean for 72 hours after heavy rain.
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Free alerts when advisories change at your beach.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, any entity mentioned on this page, 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.
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 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, donʻt go out. 🤙