Black sand, red sand, hidden coves, and Maui’s most beautiful swimming beach — complete guide to every beach worth stopping at
The first major stop after the highway turns to Hana Highway proper. Twin Falls is a private farm open to visitors with a short trail to a pair of freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls. It is one of the most accessible stops on the entire route and extremely popular.
All freshwater swimming in Hawaii carries a risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through animal urine in streams and pools. Risk is highest after heavy rain when runoff increases. Avoid freshwater swimming if you have any open cuts or wounds. Learn more about leptospirosis in Hawaii →
Tip: This area gets extremely crowded by mid-morning. Arrive early or skip it if you’re prioritizing the Hana-area beaches further down the road.
Waiʻanapanapa State Park is home to one of Maui’s most dramatic landscapes: a jet-black volcanic sand beach surrounded by lava rock arches, sea caves, and dense hala forest. The name means “glistening fresh water” in Hawaiian, referencing the freshwater caves on the property that were sacred to ancient Hawaiians.
The black sand itself is made of crushed basalt and olivine, giving it a dark, dramatic appearance unlike any other beach in Maui. The water is a vivid blue-green against the black sand — one of the most photogenic spots in all of Hawaii.
The beach faces exposed ocean with powerful breaking waves, strong shore break, and rocky entry points. The waves here regularly pound the beach with force. Swimming is discouraged by posted signs. People have been seriously injured at this beach. Come for the scenery, not the swim.
Koki Beach is a small, striking beach about 2 miles southeast of Hana Town, featuring reddish-brown sand (from iron-rich volcanic rock), clear blue water, and a dramatic offshore sea stack (ʻAlau Island). It is one of the most visually striking beaches in the Hana area.
Koki is popular with local surfers and bodyboarders when conditions are right. Swimming can be possible on calm days at the calmer left side of the beach, but the beach is subject to rip currents and shore break, particularly when any south or east swell is running. There are no lifeguards. Locals are your best resource for assessing conditions.
Open ocean location with low baseline bacteria risk. Stream runoff after heavy Hana-area rain can temporarily elevate risk near the beach.
Hamoa Beach is the jewel of the Hana coastline — a wide crescent of soft gray-black sand flanked by lush green cliffs, with clear blue water and a natural amphitheater feel that makes you feel completely removed from the rest of the world. James Michener called it “the only beach in the Pacific that looks like the South Pacific should look.”
The Hana-Maui Resort (formerly Hotel Hana-Maui) manages a portion of the beach and provides facilities for its guests, but Hamoa is a public beach. There are restrooms, a rinse shower, and a small area of steps leading down to the sand. The beach is accessible to all.
Swimming at Hamoa is generally the best option in the Hana area, with a more protected setting than Koki or Waiʻanapanapa. That said, Hamoa still has shore break and can be dangerous when south swells are active. Always check conditions on arrival and watch the ocean for several minutes before entering. There is no lifeguard.
Open ocean with low baseline bacteria risk. One of Maui’s cleaner beaches by water quality measures. After heavy Hana rain, give it 48 hours.
Kaihalulu Beach — universally called Red Sand Beach — is one of the most surreal-looking places in all of Hawaii. The beach sits inside a collapsed cinder cone, its walls and sand stained deep red-orange by iron-rich volcanic rock. The entrance to the cove is partially blocked by a natural lava shelf, creating a semi-protected lagoon with bright turquoise water contrasting dramatically against the red cliffs.
The access trail starts from Hana Bay, skirting the edge of a cliff on a narrow, eroding dirt path. The trail is short (10-15 minutes) but can be slippery when wet and crumbles toward the cliff edge in places. The county of Maui has at times closed or discouraged the path due to erosion and private property concerns.
The trail to Kaihalulu crosses private land and an eroding cliff edge. Never attempt it alone, in wet conditions, or in flip-flops. Wear closed-toe shoes. Check locally (ask at the hotel or a Hana resident) about current trail conditions before going. Access may be restricted — respect any posted closures.
Swimming: When conditions are calm, the protected cove at Kaihalulu offers reasonable swimming. The lava shelf reduces wave action inside the cove. However, the entry and exit over rocks can be challenging, and currents can pull toward the open ocean through the gaps in the lava shelf. Always assess before entering.
Low bacteria risk in the protected cove. Open ocean water with no major runoff sources nearby.
Leave Paʻia or Kahului before 7:30am. By 10am the road is significantly more congested and popular parking areas like Waiʻanapanapa fill up fast. Starting early also means you get to major stops before the tour buses.
Waiʻanapanapa State Park now requires advance parking reservations. Book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Walk-in access is nearly impossible on busy days. The $5/person fee is well worth it for this unmissable stop.
Food options become very sparse after Paʻia. There are a few roadside stands, Aunt Sandy’s banana bread at mile 18, and the Hana Ranch Restaurant in Hana Town, but don’t count on stopping for a full meal. Pack snacks, lunch, and plenty of water.
The Hana area receives over 80 inches of rain per year — it can be raining in Hana even when it’s sunny in Lahaina. After heavy rain, freshwater streams and ocean water quality can both be affected. If streams are brown and running fast, skip freshwater swims and be cautious at ocean beaches.
The Hana area is magical in the early morning and evening when day-trippers are gone. Staying at the Hana-Maui Resort or Travaasa Hana lets you visit Hamoa Beach at dawn with virtually no one else there. It’s one of Maui’s best-kept secrets for beach solitude.
Skip the driving stress and let a guide handle the route, stops, and insider knowledge.
Swimming is not recommended at Waiʻanapanapa. The beach has powerful shore break and wave action from the exposed ocean. The water quality is good, but the physical hazards make entry dangerous. Come for the stunning scenery and photography — not to swim.
Yes, with care. A short trail from Hana Bay leads to Kaihalulu Beach, but the path crosses an eroding cliff edge on private land. Wear closed-toe shoes, never go alone, avoid the trail when wet, and check locally about current conditions. The beach inside the cove is beautiful and swimming is possible when calm.
Hamoa Beach is the best option for swimming in the Hana area. It is a wide crescent beach with generally calmer conditions than other Hana-area beaches, low bacteria risk, and one of the most beautiful settings on Maui. Still check conditions on arrival — shore break and currents can be present on south swell days.
Driving time from Kahului to Hana Town is 2-3 hours minimum with no stops. With beach stops, waterfall visits, and food breaks, plan for a full 8-10 hour day. The road has 600+ curves and 54 one-lane bridges. Start before 8am to avoid the worst traffic and find parking at popular stops.
No. Most beach stops are primarily for photography and scenery. Waiʻanapanapa is not safe for swimming. Koki Beach and freshwater pools carry their own hazards. Hamoa Beach is the best swimming option. Always assess conditions in person, read posted signs, and defer to local knowledge before entering the water at any stop.
Get notified when advisories are posted for Maui beaches including the Hana coast.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, Maui County, or any government agency or park system. Water quality ratings are estimates based on publicly available testing data. Ocean and trail conditions described on this page are general — conditions change and this page may not reflect current status. Always assess conditions in person.
Always verify current water quality with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. For park conditions and access status, check Hawaii DLNR Maui State Parks.
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When in doubt, don’t go out.