Water quality & best spots ranked for swimming, snorkeling & families
Small, protected cove at the very north end of Kihei. Extremely calm, consistent small waves make it Mauiʻs most popular beginner surf spot. Great for wading and gentle ocean introduction for nervous swimmers.
The northernmost of the Kamaole trio. Good swimming beach with lifeguards and facilities. Gets busy on weekends. Consistent gentle surf.
A small, quiet beach tucked between the Kamaole parks. Far less crowded than the main parks. Access via a narrow path between beachfront condos. Rocky edges offer good snorkeling with sea turtles.
The gold standard of Kihei beaches. Best combination of facilities, swimming conditions, and access. Lifeguards on duty. Playground for kids. The widest, most open stretch of the Kamaole parks.
The southernmost Kamaole park has the best snorkeling thanks to rocky reefs on the south end. Sea turtles are frequently spotted. Larger park with BBQ facilities, popular for sunset picnics.
A long, beautiful beach connecting Kihei to Wailea. Much less crowded than the Kamaoles despite being just as good. Three public access points. No lifeguards but generally gentle surf. Spectacular sunset views.
Even in dry Kihei, wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain before swimming. Occasional storms can bring runoff from the inland watershed. Check the water visually — if it looks brown, donʻt go in.
Free alerts when water quality changes at Kihei and South Maui beaches.
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health. Always verify with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
When in doubt, donʻt go out. 🤙