D.T. Fleming Beach Park

D.T. Fleming Park — Beaches | Condé Nast Traveler

"Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about? It's adjacent to the Ritz Carlton and Kapalua resorts, so while this is definitely not one of Maui's more remote beaches, it more than delivers with all the essentials: enjoyable (and safe) waves, clean sand, and all the amenities you need for a perfect Hawaiian beach day. How accessible is it? Hours-long drives and lengthy hikes not quite your thing? Look no further—this family-friendly beach is super easy to access. There's a main parking lot with about two dozen spaces, and a much larger lot on the other side of the access road. ADA accessible restrooms and a wheelchair ramp down to the beach make this an accessible experience for everyone. Decent services and facilities, would you say? Everything you need is here, from restrooms complete with outdoor rinse showers, a burger shack for a snack, plenty of knowledgable lifeguards, barbecue grills, picnic tables, a payphone (hey, you might need it), and ironwood trees in case you need a bit of shade. How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf? The waves can be aggressive on occasion, but generally this is a safe beach. Go for a swim, bring the kids, float around, and let loose. This is carefree Hawaii at its best. Can we go barefoot? It's an expansive white sand beach, at over 1,500 feet long and 150 feet wide. Leave your water shoes at home. Anything special we should look for Don't skip the Burger Shack, which offers refined takes on classic beach grub. Crispy calamari with a horseradish-citrus sauce, and the Bikini Burger made with smoked tofu and jicama slaw are highlights. If you're not worried about your bikini bod, indulge in one of the shack's rich (and Instagram-worthy) ice cream shakes. If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for? With food, amenities, soft sand, and approachable waves, this is the perfect beach for families. Thanks to the location and convenience, it's really hard to go wrong." - Todd Plummer