Keawakapu Beach

This beach was recommended by several staff from our hotel. The beach is beautiful with its very smooth sand. It’s a little tricky navigating from the parking lot while carrying beach chairs and umbrellas. The place was crowded when we visited, I can see why there why the place is popular with swimmers.

It's a good beach, but with caveats. Parking is challenging unless you get there early. If the lot by Days Inn is full, you can drive a bit farther south and park at the next lot or on the street. There's an entrance right to the beach there. There are no good toilet options, despite the resort being right there. That's a bummer. There's one porta potty that my child refused to use. I don't blame her. The rocky north side of the beach has fun little ride pools when the tide goes out. It's also fun to go shelling there, since there are some rocky bits when you can dig up little treasures. The southern end of the beach is a good swimming back and is also family friendly, as the water seems OK and the entrance from the shore seemed easy and sandy. If you forget food and drinks, you can buy them at the resort, which is convenient. All in all, it's not my favourite beach and also not my least favorite. It's a good basic Maui beach. Note: I don't believe I've ever tried snorkeling from the shore here, so can't speak to that.

Nice beach but I read it has bathrooms. One poorly maintained outhouse in the parking lot for that big of a beach doesn't count (it was disgusting and no TP). Instead, they had a shower? We were there on New Years day- it was crowded and winds came up immediately. We never got in the water so couldn't speak for that. There are 2 parking lots and we found parking pretty easily.

Smooth sand (virtually no rocks). Grassy area next to the sand for even more comfortable seating. Beautiful water, great temperature. Waves were pleasant. Free parking/access. This beach was "just right" for us.

Easy to find because its on a dead end street. Very small parking lot, and only 1 porta potty that was due for cleaning and emptying. The beach was chill, a reef right at sand level for easy snorkeling. You can get in and out without issue. I recommend going in the morning for more fish and turtle viewing. We went in the afternoon and saw fish and a baby octopus but no turtles. A guy said he was there early morning and saw multiple turtles and small spotted eagle ray.

Keawakapu Beach is a gem with soft sand, clear waters, and fewer crowds than other Maui beaches. It’s great for swimming, snorkeling near the rocky outcrops, and long walks along the shore. Sunsets here are stunning, and morning visits offer calm waters. Limited parking means arriving early is best. There are showers but no public restrooms. It’s a peaceful, scenic spot perfect for a relaxed beach day.

Great beach for exploring. The day we went, the surf was pretty rough so we just explored around the rocks. Easy parking and lots of shade.

Great beach, kid friendly place and easy access to parking

Beautiful and really nice. The waves are crashing and fun!! Totally recommend. Sometimes really busy and sometimes empty!!

Small parking lot but we got a spot. About 15 stairs down from the parking lot. One porta potty no changing rooms. Very nice quiet beach. We saw a giant turtle! Great beach for kids there's a rocky area to try and catch things with a bucket and snorkeling.

Beach Slap Beautiful white sand beach that runs for nearly .75 miles and is located Kihei near the Mana Kai Maui Resort. The Good: *Like all Maui beaches, there's no charge to visit or park. *So big that it has two parking lots: one at the south end of Kihei Rd (put in 3274 Kihei Rd in your GPS) and another lesser-known parking lot at the Mana Kai Maui Resort (look for the dirt lot and that's the beach parking). *Water is great for swimming and very calm *Great place for tidepooling (check your tide charts) *I would imagine it's a good place for snorkeling but we didn't here so can't really comment. The Meh: *No normal restrooms like other Maui beaches, but they do have port-o-potties at the Mana Kai Resort parking lot. The Ugly: *Lots of snooty resort-goers lounging around giving dirty looks. TLDR: Great beach with not very many amenities.

This was a pretty amazing beach. We came here in the late afternoon when the weather was starting to cool down after a hot day in the 80s. It's a pretty long beach so there was plenty of space and it didn't feel crowded. My kid had a nice time splashing around. It's a great place for families

This beach is great for swimming; the waves weren't harsh and weren't cold either. The sand was very fine and soft both on the beach and in the water. It wasn't windy even in the evening. Sunsets are beautiful here, as they are on most beaches. The only downside is that the beach is connected to Days Inn, so there's not much privacy for either public beach goers or local residents. However, I'd recommend Keawakapu beach for large families, dog owners, or even lovers, since this huge beach is perfect for long, romantic walks. You could even sit at the grassy area if you loves the beach but don't want sand up your butt.

We love coming here when we are just planning to walk down the beach to The Andaz. There is a great shades parking lot across the street. We see quite a few of the same people walking here everyday. There is a shower to wash off on your way out that is very convenient.

Probably one of my favorite beaches in Kiehi. Its chill, never busy (even though its by a resort) and near a decent chunk of restaurants and bars. I typically come and just lay out here all day. There is plenty of shade so you dont really have to bring an umbrella because its never hard to find a tree. Great for sunsets too!

The beach certainly looks different after a storm, but either way they're good locations along this page to take pictures, as well as catch waves, as well as just play in the water. It's a big enough beach as well that there's room for people to find places to put chairs and everything. The beach DOES have a washing station, which is something you forget about until you go to a beach that doesn't have one. It depends on the day, but there's decently large waves here so it's maybe a little less apt for hound children or babies to play in the waves. I would check online to see the swells before you come, if that's something you're looking for. Additionally, there's beaches around the point of this one that are able to be accessed via road or beach.

Very pleasant beach, good for snorkel or beginner in body board, also good to walk. Kayak for rental.

This beach is beautiful!!! I love watching the sunset on this beach. The water is clear and no strong waves. Pictures do not do justice

Unbelievably beautiful. I enjoy sunny day, cloudy day, raining day, everyday. Seeing the mountain with palm trees and vivid blue ocean and sky with the longest cloud is DOPE! Haven

We love this beach. It does have some rocks, but it is great for snorkeling around the tip. Many turtles go by. Also, you can set up on the sand or the grass.

I've always thought that this was funny, writing reviews for landforms or public spaces-- I mean, what's the beach going to do after I give it feedback? Improve? Respond to criticism? LOL. Regardless, I couldn't help but follow suit & write a review anyways lol. Our experience here was spectacular & is a must-see for anyone who visits Maui! Keawakapu Beach is tucked behind a series of resorts, but free to access by the public. There's a small, free parking lot behind the Days Inn & Hale Hui Kai-- When we arrived around 2PM on a Friday, we found a spot almost immediately :-) This beach appears to be less populated than others, which is perfect for those seeking tranquility. I'd say it's like Wailea but more intimate. On the shore, the trees cast ample shade over a grassy lounging area. Very manicured foliage, probably credited to surrounding resort managers. There's plenty of places to settle in & sunbathe. The waves werent exactly gentle, but subdued enough for the few children around us to be playing in. We spent hours here just swimming and relaxing in the water! I've never been to a beach with sand this soft, or water this warm... I can't say there's anything like this in California. We're currently staying in Lahaina, which has no shortage of beaches to enjoy, but South Maui has an entirely different beach scene that we knew we couldn't miss out on. I highly recommend making the drive!

We love this spot. Nestled in the corner with decent snorkeling and some good swimming- the warning signs may scare some folks off, but the current and riptides were negligible and hubs and I saw a few sea turtles around the rocky parts. As an added bonus I enjoyed floating in the area away from the rocks, where the water was warm and bright blue. There is an outhouse and a small shower area to rinse off before getting packed back into the car.

This is such a nice beach it is next to the Days Inn. There is a small parking lot(read signs some spots for Days Inn some for beach people) there isn't a lifeguard but does have a rotary placed yellow rescue tube at the edge of the sand. The bathroom is a porta potty by the parking lot. There is some shade up on the grassy area. This is a great beach to snorkle/swim/paddleboard/kayak & watch whales from, the beach is long with beautiful white sand great for walking on. It can get crowded in the afternoon & close to sunset.

Welcome to paradise! This is one of my favorite beaches in Maui. Why? Oh for two reasons: First off, no crowds unlike what you'll find in Kaanapali and Wailea Beach. It almost feels like not everyone knows this beach exists. Secondly, the feel of sand on your feet especially under water is just the most relaxing and soothing feeling, ever. It's silky soft and fine as sugar...simply beautiful. The presence of trees offer some shade for those who don't have beach umbrellas. Careful walking barefoot on dry sand though because it is rather hot; unless your feet is wet then that's ok. We were in the water most of the time as it was a nice respite from the heat. The waves on the other hand were calm to moderate then became stronger later in the afternoon which made for some great body surfing and boogie boarding. Plenty of kids in the water including mine but eventually I had my toddler just play in the sand when the waves started crashing a bit harder. The water was so clear but I suggest coming early in the morning for a good snorkeling experience and for calmer waves. Having not to wait for parking would also be another advantage if you get there by 10am. A porto potty can be found in the parking lot and a shower to rinse off is by the staircase to the beach. This beach is not to be missed. Huge fan!

No lifeguard but it has a nice path to the beach. Parking across the street shower, but no bathroom.

Great beach! Loved the views. Good snorkeling in the area. Plenty of sea turtle sightings. Nice long beach. We spent all day snorkeling, lounging and watching the sunset.

So nice. Lots of trees for shad. Only problem was the edict of other people. Who would come and sit right on top of someone and talk so loud.

I was drawn to this beach during my recent trip to Maui just to kill time and enjoy the beach on my birthday. I haven't been here yet, according to yelp, so I was compelled to do so. I'm grateful that I did. The grateful part was that experience was that of Pokémon Go. Keawakapu beach is one of many beaches that is part of Wailea area stretch of south Maui. Many vacationers and locals alike find solace and solidarity at this particular spot. The sand and surf makes it the perfect spot for just lounging around and provides and escape from the world just beyond the sand. I arrived here around 9:30am and there was plenty of people already lounging on the beach or playing in the surf. It was truly a nice day to hang out on Maui, especially on my birthday. Just being out there help me bring pause to my life. The beach does that on many levels, providing calm and serenity to all parts of my soul. Not sure it's the same for the next person, but the waves and the ocean gives me peace that everything would be alright. Keawakapu beach here on Maui was providing me with that service that moment I walked on its shores. It was genuinely the highlight of my weekend stay, while my true purpose was that of the 2016 Maui marathon the next morning. Still, just being in Maui was as exciting and exotic as the first time. Always nice to discover and rediscover stuff you know time and time again. I have gained a lot of appreciation for it over the years traveling here. Grateful for the past opportunities Looking forward to do so for the next best venue again. Maui no ka oi! I must have spent about 1 1/2 hours overall here at the keawakapu beach park, walking about 1/2 mile round trip. Enjoying the surf and just being on Maui was the intention. However, I took out my iPhone and snapped a few photos here and there while playing Pokémon Go. I guess I got lucky or whatnot, but I found some stuff I needed for the game and that made me happy beyond belief! I guess you can say that was my first of many birthday treats on Maui that weekend. First off, this beach is kind of a hidden gem, since it's probably known to the hotels who are located there, but it's a public access beach, so you just need to be aware of which street to turn off of from the main road connecting Wailea to Kihei town. This beach is located at 2960 S Kihei Road, but I was in the heart of Wailea near the grand Wailea resort and spa. This beach spans miles, so best bet would be to park in Wailea, where the parking is free but the spaces are limited for sure. I guess I got lucky I found a spot. Get there early enough to secure this spot of a gem. Public access beaches are inherently free, so no admission required, which is always always awesome! Always nice to sit here and enjoy the beach. While it's Maui, any beach here on the south side or the west side is very comparable. Be aware of the crowds of tourists though. Even though my time here at keawakapu beach was very limited, I enjoyed my time spent here in south Maui and Wailea. Far from the hustle and bustle of Kahului and Lahaina, Wailea is more subdue and very much relaxing part of the Maui experience. The crashing sound of the waves and the sand in your toes makes the trip well worth the expense getting here. It was nice to see couples and families play in the surf and the beach. Friends hanging out and having a great time. Stuff you don't see on a daily basis, when the work life seems to get in the way of most people. The beach life I love and you would like it too, I'm sure. The overall experience for me, although very brief, was as lovely and amazing at the same time. It's not everyday you can go to a beach, let alone Maui. Best bet is to come happy and leave refreshed and your heart fulfilled. Best way to do it. I love coming to Maui and planning on next year already. If you are trying to plan your next vacation getaway to Maui, make one of your stops here along south Maui and keawakapu beach park. Right between south Kihei and north Makena, in the heart of Wailea. 5 stars no doubt about it. Clean and refreshing. It's paradise at your finger tips. Support local! A+

The beach was spectacular. It's long so you can walk until your hearts content. The parking by the days inn is easy access. There were a few families with young kids playing in the surf.

This is probably the best snorkeling beach on Maui (Apart from the hard-to-access ones in the south). The coral stretches out quite a ways, and there are many friendly, colourful fish swimming around the area. You may see giant sea turtles, eels, or even a baby shark! The beach is quite long, with soft sand and plenty of space for sunbathing, walking, and picnicking. Your best bet is to get there early (9am or earlier) before the crowds start packing in.

This is a great beach in south Maui. Located between Kihei and Wailea with great views of Kahoolawe and Lana'i. The beach is big with lots of room to spread out. The water is clear and great for snorkeling in the morning and body boarding/wave riding in the afternoon. A few of my favorite things about this beach: there's a large parking area just off south Kihei road. I've never had troubles finding a place to park when I come here. There's an outdoor bathroom facility for use along with a shower. Those are nice to have and I wish they were at all beaches here on Maui. This is a great beach for walking, people watching and finding beach treasures along the shore. There are grassy areas located in front of 5 palms--and they're meant for the hotel guests, but I've parked in a spot in the shade before and I've had no issues in the past. Looking for a fun, clean, beautiful beach on the south side? This one has you covered. See ya there!!

What a great little beach! We stayed most of the day and snorkeled. I swam out to far and the bf had to call me to come back. You can get carried away literally because it's so beautiful and you have to be careful not to go out to darn far like I did. But if I would have drowned, I would have died happy. One other thing, for cripes sakes, wear something to protect your feet and watch for coral! I saw a LOT of people get torn up from coral cuts. No shoes, swimming without masks. One lady looked like she needed to get to the hospital. Always watch where you are going under the water.

This is the closest beach to where we live. There is always parking, there are showers and we sit in the shade of the palms at Mana Kai. There are two places for Happy Hour within a stones throw. The water is clear and we often see turtles. The surf varies so sometimes I can hit the water with sunglasses and a hat and others, I am frolicking in the waves, Due to all of the above, it gets the five star review!

Fabulous beach that connects the south end of Kihei to Wailea. Long sandy beach with great swimming & snorkelling, & 3 public access points. Windy in the afternoon in the non-winter months, but the north end is somewhat wind-protected (locals tell me this is a good beach to come swimming on rougher days) & there is excellent snorkelling very close to the shore, with tons of turtles. A friend of mine calls it Turtle Highway! Just head out along the lava/reef & turn north - if you hang out long enough, turtles will wander through & say hi. Turtles also sometimes come through the swimming area & up onto the shore. A good selection of fish, although not as varied as some of the harder-to-access snorkel areas. I even saw a manta ray one year, a bit further out. North end also has 2 restaurants/bars, plus a general store & equipment rental in the Mana Kai Resort. Large public parking lot plus a shower. If you want a slightly quieter area, just walk south, where there are no public access points for a good distance, & privately owned homes instead of condos & hotels, so far fewer people on the beach. During high surf times you can see people surfing here, although the break is (usually) not large. When the water is calmer, this beach has mostly sandy bottoms & easy access to the water. This is a surprisingly underused Maui beach area, considering how lovely it is.

The view and snorkeling dont get much better than this in Kihei. Close to a great restaurant and a fantastic beach. Next to Big Beach its my favorite.

The county dumps sewage in the waters off south Maui, the currents carry it everywhere. If you see scum in the water, that's human shit. If it's white, that's toilet paper. Environmental groups can't get them to stop. Maybe if tourists complain about swimming in a toilet something will change. I love this beach, but it can be pretty shitty sometimes.

Our wonderful beach just across the road, plenty of space, great view on Molokini, you can snorkel around the little cliff, see sea turtles and all other kind of colorful fish, beach ist super clean as all of Maui , really impecable! Water shower to clean off the sand of your shoes. AND you may here the whales sing under water-what an out of space experience!!!!

Awesome beach. We stayed at the Mana Kai Maui which looks down on this little slice of heaven. Basically it has everything you need and isn't nearly as crowded as other beaches on the island. There is a shop where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, etc. A rocky area where you can snorkel around and check out some fish. A nice sandy area with great areas for small children to play along where the waves crash pretty lightly. You have a wonderful view of Molokini and Lanai. Also they have a grassy area with lounge chairs (perfect for relaxing without all the sandy mess!) If you get a chance, catch a sunset here! Also you get hit up the bar at the 5 Palms for some cocktails. I recommend having an early breakfast at Sarento's next door for an awesome morning view (they seem pricey and pretentious for dinner, but breakfast was perfect!) There is even a small market in the Mana Kai Maui resort. Pick up some coffee in the morning or a 6 pack of Maui Brew Co. beer then head to the beach!

After a long week I just wanna go to the beach. Just getting there is a pain in the tuchus. So I get on the beach and sit down. This kid next to me is gnawing on a popsicle so I asked him "What up with the popsicle?" and this clown gives me guff. I didn't ask him for the freakin' thing I just asked about it and he blows a cap. Who even eats popsicles on the beach. Makes no sense. I mean, it's gonna melt. Anyway, I get fed up with this nonsense and I'm outta there. That place sux.

My family and I spend a lot of time here. We love to be at the beginning of Keawakapu in front of mana Kai and sarentos. It's perfect with little kids. We have a 4 yr old who loves the tide pools. It's clean and pretty good mix of friendly local and tourist families. It's so convenient with two restaurants and Zach's deli right there,as well as a kayak and sup rental on the beach.

Beautiful beach-- but definitely WINDY. So windy that the dry sand whips up and feels like it's cutting your skin....and some crazy waves if you go in May. Great for boogie boarding, but I don't see how people snorkel in those conditions. Or even sitting can be a bit painful if the wind picks up. If you're going in the water- be careful of rocks-- some stick out close to shore. Saw a sea turtle. Hubby saw 2. Best part: showers nearby.

Absolutely an amazing beach. I was there just two weeks ago with two college friends (from over 30 years ago). Mild waves, soft sandy areas for swimming, and rocky areas for scuba diving and snorkeling. Restaurants and bars right next to the beach. In other words a perfect place to spend all day on the beach. Oh, make sure you stay for the sunset!

Looking at these reviews after visiting, I'm surprised it's ranked so high. I went with friends and we all did not like this beach. The vibe of the people was very off, it was right next to Days Inn. There was homeless people walking around. One even commented on my friends choice of hat and her towel. Another had binoculars and was looking at my friend in the water with them. Creep. A group of elderly were playing some music in a category I don't even think exists. And the people next us were smoking pot if that bothers you at all. Will forever be perplexed and astounded by the amount of good reviews this beach has.

Keawakapu and the general Kihei area quickly became one of my favorite areas during our trip, so much so that we came here a total of 2-3 times from upcountry! 1. Parking is super easy, and it's free! Make sure to park in the lots around the hotel - fortunately, the beach parking lots are big and we never had an issue with finding a spot quickly. Also, it's right next to the beach so bring your inner tubes, floaties, food, etc. because it's a short and easy walk! 2. The beach itself is well-maintained and was never overly crowded. We never had an issue with the crowds, and though you'll see a few people walking their dogs it seems they are all very respectful and watchful over their pups. 3. Grass. You don't realize how much you appreciate beaches with grassy areas until you walk in the sand, lay in the sand, absorb all the sand, and go home with all the sand. The grass was a really nice option to lay out on and still catch some sun. A lot of other people have the same idea but again it was never overly crowded and we always found a spot for our things. 4. Amenities. There's one shower that I saw which is towards the hotel pool, but I never had a problem getting in to wash off. There is also one bathroom, a port-o-potty, but I guess the pro (if you can say some port-o-potties have a bright side) is that it's super spacious. It's located between the parking lot and the beach. 5. Sunset. It's a beautiful place to watch the sun set. Of course, it's Hawaii. But there's a lot of space to walk around and take some pictures without everyone crowding up in one area.

Beautiful beach. Soft sand. Warm water. No undertow. Mini-Market at Mana Kai (sells Club Drinks). Happy hour at Five Palms. Sunset.

17 years and still coming back! We discovered Keawakapu Beach in 1998 when we first stayed at the Mana Kai. Every time we stay in Maui since, this is our goto beach. I agree with all the other reviews. It is a beautiful mile long white sand beach that never gets too crowded, has good snorkeling at the north end and it great for boogie boarding, swimming and just playing in the water. We walk the beach every morning we are in Maui and it never gets boring. It is true that the wind can pick up in the afternoon - that occurs across the whole island. The sand can be blown around because there is so much of it and it is so beautiful white that it is easy to get up in the air. The solution? Get to the beach earlier or go to the bar when the wind comes up! I'll be back on the beach in 4 days. Can't wait!

Good beach for swimming and some close to shore snorkeling. Just take few steps from the beach and you can already see at least 5 different king of fish. Waves tend to get bigger after noon.

#1 MAUI BEACH! We just returned and stayed on a condo looking down at Keawakapu Beach and it was the best ever. We had a toddler with us that loved walking the beach in the morning and at sunset-he ran free on the soft-silky sand and happy as a clam (great for families). The beach offered great shady spots, fun safe snorkling area, restaurants to get drinks on the beach or bring your own wine bottle or beer at sunset, not crowded, safe, very friendly nice people, and peaceful with natural vistas (no high rises-only one). We never saw anything like it except Makenna State Park Beach-Big Beach.

Calm waters... I've walked this beach every morning and it never gets old! There's always a beautiful sight to see that was missed the day before. Great for a morning run or walk with a vanilla macadamia nut flavored coffee at hand! Now that I'm done writing this review its time for a good book on the beach!

Best beach ever with white soft sand, 13 miles to walk and the Maui Yoga Path. They offer daily Iyengar Yoga classes for beginners to advanced. The Mana Kai Maui is located on the beach. A true treasure.

Visited this beach last week, what a gem. It's long (great for walking and sunsets), sandy, with gentle waves. Very calm. Great for snorkeling, swimming, and has little waves for boogie boarding. This long sandy beach connects to Mokapu and Ulua beaches. It's just as pretty as Wailea beach, a lot calmer and much less crowded. Safe for kids.... The best beach in the Wailea/ Kihei area.

This is a nice stretch of beach if you came our to shop at Wailea. Nice sand, sandy ocean floor, not rocky, gradual slant, no big sudden drop. Water is calm, not rough like big beach, so not ideal for surfing but great for swimming or boogie boarding. Depending on the time of day it can get windy and parking lot is not that large. They do have public restroom. Ideal spot for a family jaunt or swim. 4 stars.

We returned to Maui for our 10 year anniversary. A local friend of ours helped recommend beaches where we could hold our vow renewal ceremony. We checked out Keawakapu and just loved it. The distance from the entrance to the water is super manageable for my arthritic legs. The view is just breathtaking. It has become one of our favorites.

Beautiful beach. We loved seeing the dogs since we were missing ours. We went for a sunset canoe ride with our friends and the water was amazing. We could see the reef under the water even after we were far from shore. Great beach at sunset!

During my stay on Maui, I went to a different beach every day. Keawakapu was my favorite - a good size, not too crowded, and a small-to-medium surf. There are a few oceanfront hotels, but not enough to fill the beach - I came here to get AWAY from the crush of people! At the same time, the deserted beaches often have trade-offs in terms of water conditions or difficulty to get to. I am mostly a beach-walker/sunbather/splasher, so I like easy conditions that offer small waves but nothing too crazy. This beach is ideal for paddleboarders and beginning surfers - even though I'm not a watersports person I wish I could have stayed longer to give it a try!

This is my favorite beach on Maui. The sand is soft as silk and there is plenty of room to spread out on the sand or in the grassy areas at the north end. The water is calm and there are good areas for snorkeling or you can just be content to jump gentle waves. Great beach for families with little ones since there is a long, gentle slope and young kids can splash and play.

Favorite beach during my stay in Maui. Quiet long beach that you can walk along while enjoying the sun.