7 Best Beaches for Kids in Maui: Top Family-Friendly Spots

Maui, the second-largest Hawaiian island, is a great destination for a family vacation. But, finding beaches that are safe to take for children to is not the easiest thing. While the island has countless beautiful stretches of sand, many of them come with dangerous rip currents, surf breaks, or undertows. The coastline is wildly varied, making the beaches not of the one-stop variety for all little beachgoers. To help you plan a perfect getaway, our team has researched and listed seven best beaches for kids in Maui. First, let’s see a list and quick guide to these spots, followed by a more detailed description of each one.

7 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Maui:

Baby Beach (Lahaina): Perfect for young children with shallow, calm waters and a protective reef. Great for wading and teaching kids to snorkel. The water remains shallow, making it ideal for families with toddlers.
Kapalua Bay: Known for its gentle slope and calm waters, Kapalua Bay is great for toddlers and offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Families can see fish and sea turtles, and there are restrooms and showers available.
Kuau Cove (North Shore): A quiet cove with calm waters, perfect for snorkeling and sea turtle sightings. Families can enjoy the beach and nearby Mama’s Fish House for a meal. Sunset views make it a relaxing spot for families.
Napili Bay Beach: A calm, crescent-shaped bay great for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Families can enjoy seeing sea turtles and whales in the winter. Nearby restaurants like Gazebo Restaurant offer convenient dining options.
Wailea Beach: Ideal for younger children with shallow waters and a scenic paved pathway. The beach offers amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, and nearby dining and shopping at the Shops at Wailea.
Maluaka Beach (Turtle Town): Calm waters and soft sandy shores make this beach great for kids. It’s also a fantastic snorkeling spot, with many fish and sea turtles. It’s a peaceful spot, but be sure to bring snacks, as there are no amenities.
Launiupoko Beach Park: Features a dark sand beach and a natural wading pool for younger children. Ideal for swimming and beginner surfing. It offers picnic areas but no lifeguards, so caution is needed, and it’s best to bring your own food.

family of five walking on the beach in Hawaii

Baby Beach

Many claim that the Baby Beach in Lahaina is hands down one of the best beaches for kids in Maui, especially for those with very young children. The beach is well-sheltered thanks to the bordering reef close to the shore that stops the big waves from hitting the shoreline, ensuring the water remains calm.

Also, the water is super shallow, never more than two to three feet in depth; you can safely walk out a way, and the depth does not change. It looks like an enormous tide pool and is ideal for wading.

The beach is also a wonderful place to show older kids the basics of snorkeling, so make sure your packing list includes snorkel gear. You can get near the coral reef by walking, where you can observe cute sea creatures.

Kapalua Bay

Kapalua Bay, a stunning golden sandy, tranquil coastal region on Maui’s northwestern shore, enjoys the honor of being counted not only as among the best Hawaii beaches but also as one of the best beaches on earth. It was named “America’s Best Beach” in 2018!

All age groups will enjoy Kapalua Bay, whether swimming, paddling, or simply walking on the sands. The slope to the sea is gentle, perfect for toddlers too. The bay enjoys extremely calm water much of the year, making it a top pick for a family snorkeling expedition. The area is teeming with fish, eels, and sea turtles swimming among coral reefs. But, even those who don’t snorkel will see creatures here, as often numerous honus (green sea turtles) enjoying the soft and white powdery sand here.

The beach provides restrooms and showers for visitors. There is no lifeguard on duty, but the water is generally calm and safe for swimming. We recommend coming early and securing your spot, as the nearby parking fills up quickly. Also, pack snacks and drinks because there is no snack bar or restaurant directly on the beach meal (there are a few options nearby, especially within the Kapalua Resort area.

Kuau Cove

The North Shore of Maui has earned its reputation for high wave surfing thanks to the walloping trade winds that make this locale an international hit with the devoted windsurfing set. Not many know that the shore has a small cove, Kuau Cove, located just past Paia on Maui’s North Shore, which is an excellent spot to visit with kids.

Technically, this beach is a huge natural tidepool, perfect for practicing snorkeling! It is also a good spot to see sea turtles that used to sun themselves on the nearby rocks. Kuau Cove also hides another Maui gem in the form of the Mama’s Fish House restaurant right across from the beach; don’t miss out on trying their seafood specialties! Plus, the beach offers stunning sunset views, making it an ideal location for evening relaxation; what else could you wish for a family-friendly Maui beach?!

Napili Bay Beach

Napili Bay Beach, located on Maui’s northwest coast, is a picturesque crescent-shaped cove renowned for its golden sands, gentle surf, and clear waters. The area is well-developed with shops, accommodation, and accessory rentals. Despite this, the bay remains secluded and bounded by verdant tropical vegetation.

The big appeal for families here is that the bay remains pretty calm throughout the year, thanks to a few underwater lines of coral reef barriers that emerge around 100 feet from the shoreline. There are showers and restrooms, but no lifeguard.

Napili Bay is an ideal beach for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and surfing. Families can allow the toddlers to happily play atop the sand or even in the waves without fear. Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles often frequent this bay and will swim as close as 10 feet to the shore. During the winter months, even whales can be seen swimming near the bay. Dolphins sometimes drop in unannounced, adding to the area’s natural charm.

You won’t find a snack bar or restaurant directly on the beach, but several dining options are within walking distance. A highly recommended spot is the Gazebo Restaurant, a popular place known for its breakfast and lunch offerings, including pancakes, omelets, and seafood dishes.

Wailea Beach

Located on Maui’s beautiful southern coast, Wailea Beach is the perfect spot for families looking for a relaxing and fun beach day in a safe and picturesque setting: it is often referred to as one of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. Its calm, shallow waters make it perfect for young children to swim and play, while the scenic paved pathway that runs along the beach offers an easy way for families to explore the surrounding areas.

The beach is well-equipped with amenities, including picnic tables, restrooms, and showers, ensuring comfort for all visitors. Families can also enjoy nearby attractions like luxury resorts, diverse dining options, and the Shops at Wailea, which offer shopping, galleries, and cafes. With ample parking and a peaceful atmosphere, Wailea Beach provides a wonderful combination of natural beauty and convenience, making it a top choice for families visiting Maui.

Maluaka Beach

Maluaka Beach, often referred to as “Turtle Town,” is a picturesque destination located in South Maui, near the Makena area. Renowned for its calm waters, soft golden sands, and vibrant marine life, it offers an ideal setting for families and beach enthusiasts seeking to spend a relaxing day by the sea.

This is ideal for families with kids primarily because it does not feature any steeper drop-offs. The ocean here comes ashore in the form of soft waves. Kids will enjoy the safe feeling of being gently knocked down by the light shore breaks. When there is a south swell, you can bring out the bodyboard and help them learn a fun sport.

Maluaka is not only one of the best beaches for kids in Maui but also an excellent spot for snorkeling. A reef break that keeps the waters relatively calm, making it suitable for snorkelers of all experience levels. The rocky outcroppings and coral reefs serve as habitats for a variety of fish and sea turtles, providing an opportunity to observe marine life in its natural environment, something you have to do on a Hawaii trip! Experienced snorkelers can swim out to the rocky point to the beach’s south end; this delivers an even better underwater viewing experience!

Launiupoko Beach Park

In Hawaii, you simply can’t miss out on visiting some of the islands’ unique black-sand beaches! In Maui, when coming with kids, you’ll find a perfect one in Launiupoko Beach Park! Located just south of Lahaina along Honoapi’ilani Highway in West Maui, this family-friendly park features a unique dark sand beach with gentle waves, making it perfect for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and relaxing by the shore. Another highlight is the natural wading pool, providing a safe, shallow area for younger children to play and splash around.

Families can take advantage of the park’s amenities, including picnic tables, barbecue grills, and spacious grassy areas, great for a family picnic or enjoying the outdoors. The park also offers convenient restrooms and showers for visitors.

While Launiupoko is excellent for swimming and beginner surfing, it’s important to note that there are no lifeguards on duty, so extra caution should be taken, especially with children in the water. The beach is not the best for snorkeling, so you may want to explore other nearby options if that’s your focus. Parking is available, but it can fill up quickly, especially during peak hours, so arriving early is recommended. Additionally, there are no nearby restaurants, so bringing your own snacks and drinks is a good idea.

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