Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KAMAOLE III BEACH PARK
Three beach parks—Kamaole I, II, and III—stand like golden jewels in the
front yard of the funky seaside town of Kihei, which all of a sudden is sprawling
with suburban blight. The beaches are the best thing about Kihei. These three
are popular with local residents and visitors alike because they're easily accessi-
ble. On weekends, they're jam-packed with fishermen, picnickers, swimmers,
and snorkelers. The most popular is Kamaole III, or “Kam-3.” The biggest of
the three beaches, with wide pockets of gold sand, it's the only one with a chil-
dren's playground and a grassy lawn. Swimming is safe here, but scattered lava
rocks are toe-stubbers at the waterline, and you should make sure your kids don't
venture too far out, because the bottom slopes off quickly. Both the north and
south shores are rocky fingers with a surge big enough to attract fish and
snorkelers; the winter waves appeal to bodysurfers. Kam-3 is also a wonderful
place to watch the sunset. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables,
barbecue grills, and lifeguards. There's plenty of parking on South Kihei Road
across from the Maui Parkshore condos.
WAILEA BEACH
Wailea is the best golden-sand crescent on Maui's sunbaked southwestern coast.
One of five beaches within Wailea Resort, Wailea is big, wide, and protected on
both sides by black-lava points. It's the front yard of the Four Seasons Wailea and
the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa. From the beach, the view out to sea is
magnificent, framed by neighboring Kahoolawe and Lanai and the tiny crescent
of Molokini, probably the most popular snorkel spot in these parts. The clear
waters tumble to shore in waves just the right size for gentle riding, with or with-
out a board. From shore, you can see Pacific humpback whales in season
(Dec-Apr) and unreal sunsets nightly. Facilities include restrooms, outdoor
showers, and limited free parking at the blue
SHORELINE ACCESS
sign, which
points toward Wailea Alanui Drive. No lifeguards.
ULUA BEACH
One of the most popular beaches in Wailea, Ulua is a long, wide, crescent-
shaped gold-sand beach between two rocky points. When the ocean's calm, Ulua
offers Wailea's best snorkeling; when it's rough, the waves are excellent for body-
surfers. The ocean bottom is shallow and gently slopes down to deeper waters,
making swimming generally safe. The beach is usually occupied by guests of
nearby resorts. In high season (Christmas-Mar and June-Aug), it's carpeted
with beach towels and packed with sunbathers like sardines in cocoa butter.
Facilities include showers and restrooms. Beach equipment is available for rent
at the nearby Wailea Ocean Activity Center. Look for the blue
SHORELINE
ACCESS
sign on South Kihei Road; nearby is a tiny parking lot. No lifeguards.
MALUAKA BEACH (MAKENA BEACH)
On the southern end of Maui's resort coast, development falls off dramatically,
leaving a wild, dry countryside of green kiawe trees. The Maui Prince sits in iso-
lated splendor, sharing Makena Resort's 1,800 acres with only a couple of first-
rate golf courses and a necklace of perfect beaches. The strand nearest the hotel
is Maluaka Beach, often called Makena, notable for its beauty and its views of
Molokini Crater, the offshore islet; and Kahoolawe, the so-called “target” island.
(It was used as a bombing target 1945-90.) This is a short, wide, palm-fringed
crescent of golden, grainy sand set between two black-lava points and bounded
by big sand dunes topped by a grassy knoll. The swimming in this mostly calm
bay is considered the best on Makena Bay, which is bordered on the south by
