The coral reef of Olowalu Beach, which is popular with snorkelers, is shallow and silty. There was a reported minor shark attach near Olowalu in March 2016.
Olowalu Beach
West Maui
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
13.78 MILES
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…
13.17 MILES
For a long day on the beach, it’s hard to beat this crescent-shaped strip at the southwestern tip of Kapalua. Snorkel in the morning, grab lunch at the…
14.79 MILES
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…
17.02 MILES
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…
Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Overlook
25.14 MILES
You may find yourself standing above the clouds while exploring Puʻuʻulaʻula (10,023ft), Maui’s highest point. The summit building provides a top-of-the…
7.03 MILES
If you’ve seen just one photograph of Maui's lush interior, odds are it was of the magnificently phallic 2250ft ʻIao Needle, the green pinnacle that…
8.62 MILES
Home to West Maui’s liveliest beach scene, this gorgeous stretch unfurls alongside Kaʻanapali’s resort hotels, linking the Hyatt Regency Maui with the…
18.02 MILES
The island's main beach is kept looking beautiful, with manicured lawns and clean restrooms, thanks to Pulama Lana‘i‘s legion of groundskeepers…
Nearby West Maui attractions
0.7 MILES
A short walk behind Olowalu general store leads to 200–300-year-old petroglyphs (ancient Hawaiian stone carvings). Park just beyond the water tower at the…
2.76 MILES
Beginner and intermediate surfers head to this beach park, a popular wayside 3 miles south of Lahaina. The park is an ideal spot for families; na keiki …
3.07 MILES
Home to the Thousand Peaks surf spot, toward Ukumehame's western end, this uncrowded break is a good option for long-boarders and beginner surfers wanting…
3.3 MILES
This shady beach park, 1.5 miles south of Lahaina, is rocky but sometimes has good conditions for beginner surfers – otherwise it’s mostly a quick stop…
5. Pāpalaua State Wayside Park
4.56 MILES
This beachside county park isn't as stunning its neighbors, but you will find picnic tables, barbecue grills and portable toilets here. It also has a…
4.98 MILES
Adjacent to the Waiola Church, this cemetery holds several notables, including Governor Hoapili, who ordered the original church to be built; Reverend…
5 MILES
The first stone church in Hawaii, Waineʻe Church was built in 1832 then hit with a run of bad luck. In 1858 the belfry collapsed. In 1894 royalists,…
8. Moku‘ula Island & Mokuhinia Pond Site
5.02 MILES
Until the 20th century, one of the most sacred sites in Hawaii was located on what now is a grassy field. Much of this land was wetlands, which included…