Mākena Beach, Maui
Discover Maui's wildest stretch of coast.
Just 10 minutes south of Wailea's manicured resort corridor, the condos thin out and the road leads to one of Maui's largest undeveloped stretches of coastline.
Mākena State Park spans 165 acres along Maui's southwestern coast and contains three beaches that are all connected into essentially one enormous beach. There are three entrances along Makena Alanui Road. The first entrance leads to Puʻu Ōlaʻi Beach (Little Beach). Entrances two and three access Oneloa (Big Beach) directly. Three Jaws Fish Taco trucks are stationed near the first entrance, with one inside the parking lot and two on the street near the turnoff.
Puʻu Ōlaʻi Beach (Little Beach)
The first entrance to Mākena State Park is the entrance to Little Beach. Park and follow the 5-minute dirt path to the beach. Little Beach is one of the few Hawaiian beaches where local authorities tolerate nude sunbathing, making it Maui's unofficial clothing-optional beach. It draws a free-spirited, welcoming crowd and, on Sunday evenings, an informal gathering of drummers and fire dancers that has become a Maui institution. The snorkeling at Little Beach is good, with coral and marine life close to shore. However proceed with caution, Mākena Beach overall has strong currents and a powerful shore break.
Restrooms: port-a-potties near parking lot only, no showers
Lifeguards on duty
Fees: $5 per person + $10 per vehicle (for non-Hawaiʻi residents)
Oneloa (Big Beach)
Oneloa, meaning "long sand" in Hawaiian, is popularly known as Big Beach. At 1.5 miles long and more than 100 feet wide, it’s one of the longest and widest beaches on the island. The sand is golden, grainy and soft-packed making your feet sink in the sand when you walk along the shore. With very little development nearby, minimal runoff keeps the water exceptionally clear and clean. On clear days, the offshore islands of Molokini and Kahoʻolawe are visible in the distance.
More people tend to swim at the far south end near the third entrance, where conditions are often slightly calmer. That said, Big Beach has a powerful, steep shore break that has injured countless visitors over the years. Even a slight to moderate swell can produce dangerous conditions — waves can knock you off your feet in ankle-deep water. Be sure to heed all posted warning signs. Watch the water before you enter it, and when in doubt, stay on the sand. Big Beach handles crowds well — the sheer size of it means you can almost always find your own stretch of sand, even on a busy day.
The shore walk from Little Beach to Big Beach takes about 10 minutes.
Lifeguard on duty
No restrooms
Oneuli Beach (Black Sand Beach)
Before you reach the main Mākena State Park entrances, a gravel turnoff on the right leads to Oneuli — a secluded black sand beach at the base of the Puʻu Ōlaʻi cinder cone, largely unknown to tourists and rarely crowded. Oneuli means "dark sands" in Hawaiian, and the beach's salt-and-pepper mixture of black, white and red sand was ground from the volcanic cone by centuries of wave action. The beach is better for snorkeling than swimming, although the water is challenging to enter. If you want solitude and don't mind a rugged setting, this is a great snorkeling spot where you can often spot manta rays and sea turtles.
No restrooms
Free parking
Maluaka Beach and Mākena Landing (Turtle Town)
Just north of Mākena State Park is Maluaka Beach and Mākena Landing. These protected coves boast calm, clear conditions ideal for snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Known as "Turtle Town," it's a place where Hawaiian green sea turtles live in underwater lava caves, surfacing regularly to breathe. You can take a kayak tour or snorkel tour from Mākena Landing, to cruise the rocky coastline and see the turtles.
Public restrooms available
Free parking
Mākena Beach At-a-Glance
- Getting there: Head south from Wailea on Mākena Alanui Road. The park entrances are well-signed. The drive from Wailea is about 10 minutes and about 15 minutes from Kīhei.
- Fees: $5 per person, $10 per vehicle at each of the three Mākena State Park entrances. Kamaʻāina with valid Hawaiʻi ID enter free. The beaches outside the park are free.
- Food: Three Jaws Fish Taco trucks near the first (Little Beach) entrance — one in the parking lot, two on the street. No other food vendors on-site. Pack water and snacks if you're heading to entrances two or three.
- Facilities: Port-a-potties at the first and second entrances. No showers. Lifeguards on duty at Big Beach and Little Beach.
- Best for: Families, boogie boarders and experienced swimmers comfortable with a strong shore break (use the third entrance and the south end of Big Beach for best swimming conditions). Nude sunbathers and snorkelers (Little Beach). Geology enthusiasts and turtle seekers (Oneuli). Kayakers and snorkelers (Mākena Landing and Turtle Town). Anyone who wants Maui the way it looked before the resorts arrived (all of the above).
- Best time to visit: The ocean is relatively calmer in the summer. Winter brings big surf. The weather mostly stays sunny year round.