Best beach camping on Maui — permits, water quality, and ocean safety for Waianapanapa, Kanaha, Baldwin, and more
Maui offers beach camping experiences ranging from the dramatic black-sand cliffs of Waianapanapa to the laid-back windsurfing vibe at Kanaha Beach Park. Whether you’re planning a luxury glamping setup or a minimalist tent on the sand, this guide covers the best spots, how to get permits, and the water safety basics you need before your trip.
For Kanaha Beach Park, Baldwin Beach Park, and other county parks, apply at the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation. Permits can be obtained in person at War Memorial Gym in Wailuku or online at mauicounty.gov. Fees are modest (a few dollars per person per night). Maximum 3–5 consecutive nights at most parks.
Waianapanapa State Park requires a DLNR permit from camping.ehawaii.gov. Both cabin and tent sites sell out fast. Non-Hawaii residents pay higher fees. A separate day-use reservation is required just to drive through the park, so book both together.
Arguably the most dramatic camping spot in all of Hawaii. Waianapanapa features a black lava sand beach, blowholes, sea arches, and freshwater sea caves. The park sits on Maui’s remote east coast along the Road to Hāna. Note: the black sand beach has powerful wave action and the water here is not considered suitable for swimming due to surge and currents. The camping experience is about the scenery, not the swimming.
Kanaha is a long, flat beach park near Kahului Airport that serves as the central hub for Maui’s world-famous windsurfing and kitesurfing community. Camping here puts you right in the action. Water quality at Kanaha can be affected by nearby stream mouths — check DOH advisories, particularly after rain. The beach is wide and open with consistent trade winds.
Baldwin Beach is a beloved local beach in Paʻia with a large grassy camping area shaded by ironwood trees. The beach has decent swimming in the calmer end near the pavilion, though the North Shore can have strong shore break and current. Volleyball courts are popular. The nearby Paʻia town is excellent for supplies and food before setting up camp.
Hookipa is one of the world’s most famous windsurfing and big-wave surfing sites. Camping here is an incredible experience for spectating elite water sports, but the waves and currents make it unsuitable for casual swimming. Best visited for the show — and sunsets over the North Shore break are stunning. Turtles rest on the beach in the evenings.
Little Beach (the nudist beach behind Big Beach at Makena State Park) has a history of informal camping, but it is not an official campsite and overnight stays require a permit that is not issued here. We mention it because visitors frequently ask — but camping without a permit is illegal in Hawaii. See our Big Beach guide for water safety info at this area.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality information is not real-time. Always verify with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
When in doubt, don’t go out.