Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 Wailea, South Maui, between Wailea Beach and Mokapu Beach
Ulua Beach has excellent water quality. This small cove in Maui’s Wailea resort area is one of the cleanest snorkeling spots on the island. No streams or drainage outlets feed into the beach. The dry south shore climate means minimal rainfall and virtually no runoff. Open ocean exposure provides strong water circulation.
The rocky points on either side of the cove make this an excellent snorkeling destination with tropical fish and sea turtles. Early morning offers the best visibility before trade winds pick up. Water quality risk is consistently very low year-round thanks to Wailea’s dry climate and lack of freshwater input.
Based on: DOH monitoring data, no stream discharge, dry south shore climate, open ocean exposure
Even at low-risk beaches like Ulua Beach, the Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Ulua Beach is very well-protected from runoff — Wailea is one of the driest areas on Maui with no stream discharge. Significant rain events are rare here, but island-wide storms can temporarily affect any coastal area.
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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.
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