Data-driven beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | Weekend |
| Island | Maui |
| Beaches | 3 beaches covered |
| Best For | All experience levels |
West Maui’s premier resort beach runs 3 miles with clear water and sandy bottom. The best snorkeling is at Black Rock (Puʻu Kekaʻa) at the north end, where sea turtles feed along the lava rock wall. Morning is best for snorkeling before trade winds create afternoon chop. The cliff jump at Black Rock draws crowds around sunset — a local tradition with a torch-lighting ceremony most evenings.
South Maui’s Wailea Beach is sheltered between two lava rock points, creating calm conditions even when Kaʻanapali has chop. The sand is golden and fine, and the water clarity is outstanding. Walk the paved Wailea Beach Path to explore adjacent beaches (Polo Beach and Ulua Beach are within a 10-minute stroll). Green sea turtles are frequently seen in the shallow water near the rocks at the south end.
Water quality note: Check the Kaʻanapali and Wailea pages for current advisory status. Both beaches generally have excellent water quality, but verify after any rain event.
| Kaʻanapali parking | Free public parking at the north end near Black Rock or at Whalers Village ($3/hr garage). Resort lots: $25–$45/day |
| Kaʻanapali to Wailea | 45 min via HI-30 through Lahaina and Maʻalaea |
| Wailea parking | Free public access parking along the Wailea Beach Path (look for small blue beach access signs). Fills by 9–10 AM |
| From airport (OGG) | 50 min to Kaʻanapali, 30 min to Wailea |
| Best schedule | Day 1: Kaʻanapali by 8 AM, snorkel Black Rock, explore Lahaina town for lunch. Day 2: Wailea by 8 AM, beach walk, lunch at The Shops at Wailea |
Snorkel gear: Black Rock at Kaʻanapali and the reef points along the Wailea Beach Path both offer excellent snorkeling. Having your own mask that fits well makes a big difference in comfort and visibility.
Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guard: Both coasts are sunny. A rash guard provides sun protection while snorkeling, reducing the need for constant sunscreen reapplication (better for you and for the reef).
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. 🤙