Big Beach

Lonely Planet review

The Hawaiian name for Big Beach is Oneloa, literally 'Long Sand.' And indeed the golden sands stretch for the better part of a mile and are as broad as they come. The waters are a beautiful turquoise. When they're calm you'll find kids bodyboarding here, but at other times the breaks belong to experienced bodysurfers, who get tossed wildly in the transparent waves.

In the late 1960s this was the site of an alternative-lifestyle encampment that took on the nickname 'Hippie Beach.' The tent city lasted until 1972, when police finally evicted everyone. More than a few of Maui's now-graying residents can trace their roots on the island to those days. The turnoff to the main parking area is a mile past the Maui Prince Hotel. A second parking area lies a quarter of a mile to the south. You can also park alongside the road and walk in; watch for kiawe thorns in the woods behind the beach. Thefts and broken windshields are unfortunately commonplace; don't leave anything valuable in your car.