Water quality ratings and safety for Hāna Highway beaches
📍 Hoʻokipa to Hāna — East Maui Coast
Maui's east side is the wet, lush, and dramatic face of the island — a world away from the sunny resort beaches of west Maui. The Hāna Highway winds through rainforests, past waterfalls, and along rugged black and red sand coastlines. Water quality here is more variable than dry west Maui due to frequent rain and multiple stream inputs.
East Maui receives 200+ inches of rain per year in some areas. After heavy rain, stream mouths at beaches like Waiʻanapanapa and near Hāna town can have dangerously high bacteria levels. Always check conditions and wait 72 hours after significant rain before swimming.
Hoʻokipa Beach Park is world-famous for advanced windsurfing and wave sailing, with regular international competitions. Green sea turtles bask on the beach in the afternoon. Swimming is generally not recommended — the beach gets powerful surf and is reserved for experienced surfers and wind sports athletes. Water quality is relatively good with strong ocean flushing.
Full guide →Waiʻanapanapa's stunning black sand beach is one of Maui's most photographed spots. Swimming is generally not recommended due to strong currents and wave action. The beach is near a stream and in a rainy area, creating moderate bacteria risk especially after rain. Book parking permits in advance — they sell out. Better for photography and exploring the sea caves.
Full guide →Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) is formed by a crumbling red cinder cone — the vivid red-pink sand is unlike anywhere else in the world. A short but steep trail from Hāna town leads to this small cove. The protected rocky reef makes it sometimes swimmable in calm conditions. Nearby streams and rainy Hāna climate create moderate bacteria risk.
Full guide →Hamoa Beach has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This crescent of gray sand backed by sea cliffs is accessible from Hāna town. The beach has strong shore break and rip currents can form — always check conditions. Water quality historically tests within baseline with open ocean flushing, but the nearby environment can affect it after rain.
Full guide →Koki Beach is a small, colorful beach near Hāna with red volcanic soil mixing into the sand. Known for bodysurfing and boogie boarding when conditions are right. The islet of ʻAlau is visible offshore. Nearby stream inputs from Hāna's rainy terrain create moderate bacteria risk, especially after rain.
Full guide →Top-rated experiences near this beach. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.
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Hawaii’s Department of Health monitors approximately 57 beaches statewide through regular bacteria testing. However, with over 300 swimmable beaches across the islands, many popular spots have no regular testing program. Water quality varies significantly based on rainfall, stream proximity, coastal development, and ocean circulation patterns.
After heavy rain, streams and storm drains carry bacteria, sewage, pesticides, and sediment into coastal waters. The DOH recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 48 to 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water appears clear. Brown or murky water is a visible sign of contamination, but bacteria can be present in clear water near stream mouths.
This site aggregates data from six sources — DOH advisories, USGS stream monitoring (25 stations), NOAA tide and temperature data, NDBC wave buoys, NWS weather alerts, and City & County of Honolulu water testing — to provide a more complete picture than any single source.
The 72-hour rule is the standard guideline from the Hawaii Department of Health: avoid swimming for at least 72 hours after heavy rain stops, especially near stream mouths, canal outlets, and areas with brown or discolored water. This applies to all beaches across all islands.
Bacteria from urban runoff, agricultural land, and aging cesspool systems enters the ocean through streams and storm drains. Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools — more than any other state — many of which leak untreated sewage into groundwater that eventually reaches the coast. Beaches near known cesspool contamination areas carry higher risk, particularly after rainfall.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is independent, not affiliated with the Hawaii DOH. Ratings are estimates, not real-time measurements.
Always verify with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch.
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. 🤙