Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
water isn't as murky as spots closer to town. This is a good spot for eating a plate lunch
beneath the shade of a tropical palm or taking a quick dip to cool off from the island heat.
Waialua Beach
Waialua Beach is a narrow ribbon of sand 18.5 miles east of Kaunakakai with some
the island's best swimming, snorkeling, and small waves for learning to surf. As at other
beaches in the area, the wind gains in strength throughout the day, and at high tide the
sand almost disappears completely. This is a great spot for taking a dip, although when you
jump in the water, watch out for coral heads that are exposed during low tide.
Murphy's Beach
Known as “Twenty Mile Beach” to locals, Murphy's Beach is by the 20-mile marker of
Highway 450 and the last stretch of sand before the road narrows to one lane. While the
swimming here isn't as nice as at Waialua, the beach is a little larger, making it a good
option for laying a blanket down. In the afternoon hours you might see kitesurfers run-
ning laps down the coast. From this vantage point the views of West Maui provide a scenic
backdrop for the most popular beach on the island's east end.
Sandy Beach
Although parking can be an issue, Sandy Beach is a simple cove tucked into a bend in
the road on the drive to Halawa. The beach is protected from the trade winds and, most
of the time, from the surf. Although the beach is small, there's just enough room to lay a
towel down. You might also share space with kids wading in the shallows or locals selling
bananas out of the back of a truck.
Halawa Bay
After weaving your way 10 miles over the rocky coastline and down through the lush east-
ern valleys, the two beaches which form Halawa Bay appear like the gold at the end of
a rainbow. At the terminus of Highway 450, Kama'alaea Bay is the more protected beach
on the far side of the stream. This is the best option for swimming and escaping the wind.
Kawili Beach at the bottom of the cliff is more exposed to the currents and trade winds.
The surf here can get rough in winter; never attempt to swim outside of the bay. The sand
here is darker than the white sand of Waialua, and it's a surreal feeling to hang out on the
shores of a place considered to be one of the oldest settlements in the state of Hawai'i.
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