Live DOH advisories, bacteria test results, and brown water status for all Maui beaches — updated every 15 minutes
It depends which coast. South Maui (Wailea, Makena, Keawakapu) sits in Haleakala’s rain shadow and tests at the cleanest end of the Hawaii DOH statewide ranking — historically 70-85% of days advisory-free. West Maui (Ka’anapali, Napili) runs intermediate. North Shore (Ho’okipa, Kahului) absorbs most of Maui’s rainfall and has the highest advisory frequency. Live DOH status for every tracked Maui beach is in the module directly below.
Maui's water quality varies dramatically between the south and west coasts. South Maui (Wailea, Makena) is the driest part of the island, with minimal stream outlets and less development near the shoreline. These beaches consistently have the cleanest water on Maui and tend to have the best water quality during and after rain events.
West Maui (Ka'anapali, Lahaina) receives significantly more rainfall. Multiple streams discharge into the nearshore waters after storms, carrying sediment, sewage from cesspools, and agricultural runoff into the ocean. The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire added another layer of concern — fire debris, ash, and contaminated soil remain in the west Maui watershed and can wash into the ocean during rain events.
In February 2026, Hanakaoo Beach Park recorded enterococci bacteria levels exceeding 10 times the DOH bacteria threshold — linked to Wahikuli discharge and cesspool contamination in the area. This is not an isolated event; west Maui beaches near stream mouths regularly show elevated bacteria after rain.
Exploring Maui? These top-rated tours and activities pair perfectly with a beach day. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.
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Beach water quality reports for popular Maui hotels — check conditions at your resort.
DOH only tests roughly 47 stations across the four main islands. Surfrider Foundation’s volunteer Blue Water Task Force adds 100+ community-tested sites on Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi. Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi still have no routine bacteria-testing program, so we separate that gap clearly.
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Page last updated April 29, 2026. Live advisory data refreshes from the Hawaii DOH feed every 15 minutes.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. 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. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.
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 is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn't working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.
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. 🤙