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MAUI · SOUTH SHORE (WAILEA)

Polo Beach

Water quality status and bacteria risk rating

📍 South end of Wailea, Maui (below Fairmont Kea Lani)

Checking live advisories…
⚠
If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours and until the water clears before swimming.
Learn more about brown water advisories →
Historical Bacteria Risk
⚠ Historical rating — this is based on long-term testing data, not current conditions. The state of Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories. Always check the water yourself and avoid brown or murky water.
Low Risk 1 / 5

Polo Beach has excellent water quality. Located in the Wailea resort area on Maui's dry south shore, there are no streams or drainage outlets anywhere near this beach. South Maui receives very little rainfall, which means minimal runoff reaches the ocean.

The open coast provides good water circulation. The Fairmont Kea Lani resort sits directly above the beach. Water quality is consistently excellent and bacteria risk is very low year-round. South Maui's dry climate makes this one of the most reliably clean swimming areas in Hawaii.

Based on: DOH beach monitoring, open coast exposure, no stream discharge, dry South Maui climate

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

Even at low-risk beaches like Polo Beach, the Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Polo Beach has no stream discharge and South Maui's dry climate makes rain events uncommon, but when storms do hit, any coastal area can be temporarily affected. Wait for the water to clear before swimming.

Polo Beach Area Hotels — Historical Beach Water Quality
🏨 Fairmont Kea Lani
Directly above Polo Beach
Low
🏨 Four Seasons Resort Maui
Wailea Beach, short walk north
Low
Things to Do Nearby
Molokini Snorkeling
Snorkel the volcanic crater reef at Molokini
Book →
Wailea Kayak Tour
Kayak and snorkel along Wailea's south shore
Book →
Maui Sunset Cruise
Evening cruise with sunset views off south Maui
Book →
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Hawaii Jellyfish Calendar & Forecast
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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. “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.

When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙

© 2026 Safe to Swim Hawaii · Independent passion project · safetoswimhawaii@gmail.com