Best Beaches In Maui For Swimming

Maui is one of the most popular destinations in the world with more than 30 miles of wonderful coastline. Thousands of people visit this location each season to explore this paradise Hawaiian island and enjoy the various water sports activities it offers. When you’re looking for the best beaches in Maui for swimming, here we list 8 top places to include in your itinerary where you will find ideal conditions to take a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Honolua Bay

Located north of Kapalua, Honolua Bay is a popular place to swimming and snorkeling beach in Maui. It is one of the few sheltered bays on the island and allows you to take a quick hike through the forest, making it feel like an escape. Two different trails are present to access the water through a deep green forest, which are both flat.

When you’re looking for the best beaches in Maui for swimming, it’s an ideal spot because the bay is calm and tranquil. With its large place to swim, it easy to have time alone away from the crowds.

Honolua Bay is ideal for those who don’t mind not having facilities like restrooms, restaurants or bars and prefer to spend their time at unspoiled spots with wonderful nature exploring pristine reefs, swimming with turtles and observing colorful fish species.

Napili Bay

Napili Bay is a relaxed low-key resort beach area at the northwest corner of the island. With fewer crowds, shallow, turquoise waters, soft sand and lots of beachfront restaurants around, it is one of the best beaches in Maui for families where both kids and adults can have fun.

The outer reefs are also known to protect the area from swell directions. This allows the water to remain clear and for the waves to be subtle making it one of the best beaches in Maui for swimming. Many people stop by the Sea House Restaurant a few feet away to grab a bite to eat, which offers sweeping oceanfront views. Should you look for a nice family-friendly place to stay here, we recommend The Mauian Hotel.

Kaanapali Beach

Visiting Kaanapali Beach must be on your Maui itinerary! It stretches over three miles and has soft, fluffy sand, making it ideal for swimmers to enjoy. It was once even named America’s Best Beach because of how beautiful the coastline is.

To have a bit of adventure, go to the black rock, known as Puu Kekaa, which is an iconic spot for cliff jumping. If you want to take it easy, the open-air Whalers Village is just a short walk away with many eateries and boutiques to explore some of the local area.

Taking a zipline tour at Kaanapali Skyline Eco Adventures will also give you one of the best views of this spectacular beach. If you decide to spend your Hawaii beach vacation in this area, check the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel!

Kamaole Beach Park

Kamaole Beach Park features three different stretches of beach (named Kamaole Beach Park I, II, and III), making it easy to swim in different spots. Lifeguards that are present on the sand offer peace of mind, especially for newer swimmers. There’s also plenty of parking available, making it easy to quickly hop out of your car and head to the water.

This 1.5 mile long sandy coastline with incredible views of Lanai and Molokini offers a convenient beach experience. Outside showers are available to the public to ensure you can rinse off after spending time in the water or on the sand. Picnic tables are also accommodating to ensure you can have a spot to enjoy a snack or meal. If you bring along your kids, they’ll have fun on the swings.

Keawakapu Beach

Keawakapu has a reputation for being relaxing and famous for its fantastic sunsets. It’s located at the end of South Kihei Road and doesn’t get too crowded, because the entrance is within a residential community so most people miss it, but the beach is public and open to all.

Although there are restaurants and hotels located nearby, they’re still a good distance from the beach to make it feel like you can enjoy a secret hideaway. If you look for a fairly-priced place to stay not so far from the ocean, see the Days Inn by Wyndham Maui.

Many people come to swim here because the surf is calm most of the time. Snorkeling is also popular since there is an artificial reef about 800meters offshore that attracts marine life, including many turtles to the area. At the north end of the beach, you can rent out water equipment like kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. There are even bikes available if you prefer to explore the location.

Makena Beach

As one of the top Maui swimming beaches, Makena Beach offers a nice spot to play in the water, bodysurf, and boogie board. Although high surf occurs from time to time, you can still stay close to the shore and continue swimming. Plenty of coral and fish are also easy to see under the water just a little away from the shore.

The view over the water is breathtaking with lava rocks around, making it a popular place to watch the sunset in the evenings. The ample road parking that is available makes it easy to find a spot to leave your car without waiting for anyone to leave.

Kanaha Beach Park

When you’re looking to spend a relaxing day with your family or friends at one of Maui’s beaches, Kanaha Beach Park is an ideal place to visit. It has a few kite and windsurfing areas, as well as volleyball nets where you can stay active on the sand. The calm waters make this spot one of the best beaches in Maui for swimming for all ages.

Kanaha Beach Park stretches over two miles and will allow you to enjoy the spectacular views of West Maui. It’s even within walking distance of the airport to ensure you can enjoy time at the beach one last time before boarding your flight back home.

Honokalani Black Sand Beach

Honokalani Black Sand Beach is situated three miles north of Hana in Waianapanapa State Park and is recognizable for its black sand, making it one of the most unique and wonderful Maui swimming beaches. It is a smaller beach, which allows you to have a retreat at a quaint spot where you won’t bump into other people on the sand or in the water.

Honokalani even features a cave, blow holes, and stone arches you can explore. Keep in mind that a reservation is required to access this location through the park’s website, making it necessary to plan your visit in advance.

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Best Swimming Beaches In Maui