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MAUI · WATER QUALITY RANKINGS

Safest Beaches on Maui for Water Quality

Data-driven rankings based on DOH bacteria testing, contamination sources, and ocean flushing patterns.

⚠ Important — Rankings based on historical data, not real-time testing. Always check current advisories and avoid swimming after rain or in brown/murky water.

Top-Ranked Maui Beaches for Clean Water

1
Kapalua Bay
West Maui. Sheltered bay with excellent water clarity. Minimal stream input, well-maintained resort area. Consistently clean results.
Low Risk — 1/5
2
Wailea Beach
South Maui. Dry leeward coast, resort infrastructure, good ocean circulation. Low rainfall reduces runoff risk.
Low Risk — 1/5
3
Ulua Beach
South Maui. Protected cove near Wailea. Good snorkeling conditions, minimal contamination sources.
Low-Moderate Risk — 1.5/5
4
Polo Beach
South Maui. Dry coast, resort area, good flushing. Slightly more enclosed than Wailea but still tests well.
Moderate-Low Risk — 2/5
5
Kaʻanapali Beach
West Maui. Open ocean exposure, resort-maintained. Northern end near Kahana can be affected by stream runoff after rain.
Moderate-Low Risk — 2/5
6
Makena Beach (Big Beach)
South Maui. Remote, undeveloped, excellent ocean exposure. Powerful shorebreak is the main risk, not bacteria.
Moderate-Low Risk — 2/5
7
D.T. Fleming Beach
West Maui. Good ocean flushing but some stream influence. Generally tests well in dry conditions.
Moderate-Low Risk — 2/5
8
Kamaole Beaches (I, II, III)
South Maui, Kīhei. Residential area with cesspool density. Generally acceptable but can spike after rain.
Moderate Risk — 2.5/5
9
Baldwin Beach
North Shore. Stream mouth influence, agricultural runoff. Wetter side of island means more frequent rain impact.
Moderate Risk — 3/5
10
Hoʻokipa Beach
North Shore. Stream influence, agricultural watershed. Popular for windsurfing but water quality can be variable, especially after rain.
Moderate Risk — 3/5
⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

After heavy rain, avoid swimming at all Maui beaches for at least 72 hours. Maui's agricultural land and cesspool-dense residential areas produce significant runoff that affects even normally clean beaches.

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⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project. Rankings are estimates based on publicly available data, not real-time measurements.

Always verify conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch.

When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙

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