Must-see attractions in Kihei & South Maui

From break of day to twilight, this sparkling stretch of sand is a showstopper. Extending from south Kihei to Wailea’s Mokapu Beach, Keawakapu is set back…

Sunbathe like a celebrity at this sparkling strand, which fronts the swish Grand Wailea and ever-posh Four Seasons resorts and offers a full menu of water…

The crowning glory of Makena State Park, this untouched beach is arguably the finest on Maui. In Hawaiian it’s called Oneloa, literally ‘Long Sand.’ And…

Makena State Park should be high on every traveler’s itinerary. Its crowning glory, Big Beach, is the scene that people conjure up when they dream of a…

Although scientists haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact date, Maui’s last lava flow probably spilled down to the sea here between 1480 and 1600 CE,…

Want to kayak along the coast? Then drop into this pretty bay. There’s no better place on Maui for kayaking – as you might surmise from the collection of…

Snorkelers should head straight for Ulua, to the south of the point. The coral at the rocky outcrop on the right side of the beach offers Wailea’s best…

Covered in a blanket of golden sand, Kamaʻole Beach Park III has full facilities and lifeguards, plus a playground and parking lot. Great spot for a beach…

Dubbed ‘Turtle Beach,’ this golden swath of sand behind the closed Makena Beach & Golf Resort is popular with snorkelers and kayakers hoping to glimpse…

On a side street, out of view of busy S Kihei Rd, this neighborhood beach is the least touristed strand in Kihei. It’s a real jewel in the rough: broad…

A pretty, golden-sand beach with full facilities and lifeguards, plus a volleyball court and a parking lot. Travelers with disabilities can access the…

With the opening of the Andaz Maui resort, the scene has gotten busier at these two beaches, which are a few steps away from the resort. The lovely Mokapu…

The lovely Mokapu Beach is behind the Andaz Maui resort, on the northern side of a small point.

The oceanfront deck at the marine sanctuary headquarters is an ideal spot for viewing the humpback whales that frequent the bay during winter. Free scopes…

Those folks with the coolers and umbrellas, walking north from the sandy entrance to Big Beach? They’re heading to Little Beach, which is part of Makena…

Philosopher David Malo, who built this church in 1852, was the first Hawaiian ordained to the Christian ministry. He was also co-author of Hawaii’s first…

In ancient Hawaii, coastal fishponds were built to provide a ready source of fish for royal families. The most intact fishpond remaining on Maui is the 3…

Athletes, skateboarders and toddlers who need to roam will appreciate this expansive seaside park. Sports facilities include tennis and basketball courts,…

In front of the Fairmont Kea Lani resort, Polo Beach is seldom crowded. When there’s wave action, boogie boarders and bodysurfers usually find good…

This long and lovely crescent-shaped beach, south of the resorts, is a favorite of local families on weekends. It's rarely crowded though, and the shallow…