Water quality status and bacteria risk rating for White Rock
📍 South Maui, south of Wailea
Palauea Beach (White Rock) has low bacteria risk and is one of the cleaner beaches on Maui's South Shore. The beach benefits from open ocean exposure, low foot traffic, and minimal adjacent development. No streams or major runoff sources feed directly into the beach area.
This hidden gem sits just south of the Wailea resort area but sees a fraction of the visitors. The low traffic and lack of resort infrastructure translate to better water quality overall. The South Shore of Maui is also one of the drier areas of the island, reducing runoff frequency.
Based on: Open ocean exposure, low foot traffic, minimal development, South Maui dry climate, no major stream inputs
The Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. While Palauea Beach is in a dry area with minimal runoff, nearby construction or development activity can create temporary runoff paths. Always check the water visually before entering.
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⚠️ 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.
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.
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