Budget-friendly Kihei to luxury Wailea — South Maui’s dry coast has consistently clean water.
The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. South Maui is the dry side of the island, receiving only 10-15 inches of rain per year. Water quality here is consistently among the best in Hawaiʻi.
South Maui runs for about 10 miles along the island’s dry, sun-drenched southwestern coast, from the town of Kihei in the north through the Wailea resort corridor to wild Makena in the south. The region sits in the rain shadow of Haleakalā, Maui’s 10,023-foot dormant volcano, which blocks the moisture-carrying trade winds.
The area attracts two very different visitor profiles. Kihei draws budget-conscious travelers and families who prefer condo-style accommodations with kitchens. Wailea draws luxury travelers, honeymooners, and golf enthusiasts who want white-glove resort service. Makena attracts those seeking a less developed, more natural Hawaiʻi experience.
From a water quality perspective, South Maui is one of the best areas in all of Hawaiʻi. The minimal rainfall (10-15 inches per year) means very few stormwater-driven bacteria events. The Hui O Ka Wai Ola community monitoring program has documented consistently excellent water quality here.
South Maui runs from the town of Kihei in the north to Makena in the south. Kihei is the budget-friendly base — condos, local restaurants, and three great beach parks. Wailea is the luxury zone — five crescent beaches fronted by the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Andaz Maui.
The unifying factor: South Maui is the dry side. It sits in the rain shadow of Haleakalā, receiving only 10-15 inches of rainfall per year. That means fewer storm-driven bacteria events, less runoff, and consistently excellent water quality compared to the rest of the island.
Kamaole I: Largest of the three parks. Lifeguard, restrooms, showers, parking. Wide sandy beach.
Kamaole II: Smallest and quietest. Same facilities. Rocky point on the south side has tidepools.
Kamaole III: Best for families. Has a playground, large grassy park, and gentle entry. Popular with locals.
Keawakapu Beach: Between Kihei and Wailea. Uncrowded, no high-rises, beautiful sunsets.
1. Mokapu Beach: Fronts the Andaz Maui. Smaller, rocky entry on the sides but sandy center.
2. Ulua Beach: Best snorkeling in Wailea. Rocky reef on both sides creates a marine habitat.
3. Wailea Beach: The main resort beach. Fronts the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons. Wide, sandy, calm.
4. Polo Beach: Fronts the Fairmont Kea Lani. Smaller, less crowded, popular with boogie boarders.
5. Makena (Oneloa/Big Beach): South of the resorts. Large, undeveloped, strong shorebreak. Not for casual swimmers.
Hui O Ka Wai Ola, Maui’s community-based water monitoring program, regularly tests South Maui beaches. Their data consistently shows Enterococcus bacteria counts well below the 130 CFU/100mL advisory threshold. The reasons: minimal rainfall means minimal runoff, few stream outlets along the coast, lower cesspool density than windward areas, and strong ocean circulation.
The main exception is after rare Kona storms (southerly weather systems) that bring heavy rain directly to the south coast. These are uncommon but can temporarily elevate bacteria levels at any beach.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort — Maui’s largest luxury resort on Wailea Beach. Elaborate pool complex, spa, and multiple restaurants.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea — Adjacent to the Grand Wailea. Adults-only serenity pool. Consistently ranked among Hawaiʻi’s top luxury properties.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort — Boutique luxury hotel on Mokapu Beach at the north end of Wailea. Modern design.
Fairmont Kea Lani — All-suite and villa resort on Polo Beach. Quieter south end of Wailea.
Kamaole I, II & III — Three adjacent beach parks in Kihei with lifeguards, restrooms, and easy access. Kamaole III has the best playground.
Keawakapu Beach — Between Kihei and Wailea. Uncrowded, no high-rises, gorgeous sunset views.
Wailea Beach — The main resort beach fronting the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons.
Ulua Beach — Small beach with the best snorkeling in Wailea. Rocky reef on both sides.
Polo Beach — Fronts the Fairmont Kea Lani. Smaller and less crowded.
Makena (Big Beach) — Large, undeveloped beach south of the resorts. Strong shorebreak.
From Kahului Airport (OGG): Kihei is about 12 miles south, a 20-30 minute drive via Mokulele Highway. Wailea is about 20 miles, adding another 10-15 minutes.
Parking: Kamaole Beach Parks have large free lots. Wailea resort beaches have small public parking lots at each access point — arrive before 9am on weekends. Makena State Park has a large paid lot ($10).
Restrooms: All three Kamaole parks have restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. The Wailea Beach Walk connects the resort beaches (about 1.6 miles from Ulua to Polo Beach).
South Maui has year-round excellent conditions, averaging 300+ sunny days per year. The driest months are April through October. Water temperatures range from 75°F in February to 80°F in late summer. Whale watching from December-April is spectacular from shore. For the best value, visit in September or October.
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Every beach page on this site includes a historical bacteria risk rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high), based on DOH testing data, Surfrider Foundation monitoring, geographic factors like stream proximity and cesspool contamination areas, and historical advisory frequency. These ratings reflect long-term patterns — not current conditions. Always check the live advisory status at the top of each beach page before swimming.
The Hawaii Department of Health monitors approximately 57 beaches statewide through its Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing programs. Many popular beaches have no regular testing. This site aggregates data from DOH, USGS stream monitoring, NOAA ocean conditions, and NWS weather alerts to provide broader coverage.
After heavy rain, streams carry bacteria, sewage, pesticides, and sediment into the ocean. Bacteria levels can be dangerously high even when the water appears clear. The DOH recommends waiting at least 72 hours after heavy rain before swimming, especially near stream mouths and canal outlets.
Beaches on dry, leeward coasts typically recover faster than beaches near major stream outlets. Open ocean beaches with strong wave action flush contamination more quickly than sheltered bays and lagoons.
100+ beaches across all islands
Safe to Swim Hawaii aggregates water quality data from six independent sources to provide broader coverage than any single agency. Our sources include the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch (beach advisories and bacteria testing), USGS National Water Information System (25 stream monitoring stations across all islands), NOAA CO-OPS (tide levels and water temperature), NDBC (wave buoys and ocean conditions), NWS Honolulu (weather and marine alerts), and City & County of Honolulu Environmental Services (Kailua Bay water testing and spill reports).
Historical bacteria risk ratings on this site are based on DOH testing data, Surfrider Foundation monitoring, geographic analysis (stream proximity, cesspool contamination areas, coastal development), and advisory frequency. These are historical assessments, not live measurements. Always check the live advisory status at the top of each page and verify conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
Less rainfall means less runoff and generally cleaner ocean water across all islands. Stream flows drop, reducing bacteria transport to coastal areas. This is typically the best time for ocean water quality, though localized contamination from cesspools and urban runoff can still occur.
Frequent heavy rain events cause stream flooding, sewage overflows, and brown water advisories. Windward and north-facing coasts receive more rain. The DOH issues the most advisories during this period. Leeward coasts (west-facing) generally stay drier and cleaner year-round.
Water quality patterns vary significantly by location. Beaches near stream mouths and urban areas show the most dramatic seasonal variation. Open ocean beaches with strong wave action maintain better water quality year-round. Check individual beach pages for location-specific seasonal data.
Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools — more than any other U.S. state. These underground chambers collect untreated household sewage and allow it to leach into the surrounding soil and groundwater. In coastal areas, this contaminated groundwater eventually reaches the ocean through submarine groundwater discharge, contributing to elevated bacteria levels at nearby beaches.
Hawaii Act 125 (2017) requires all cesspools to be upgraded or converted to approved septic systems by 2050. Priority areas near the coast and drinking water sources are being addressed first, but progress has been slow. Beaches in known cesspool contamination zones carry elevated bacteria risk even during dry weather. For more information, see our comprehensive cesspool guide.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings 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 DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
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