Wailea Beach

This stretch of powdery sand is part of an upscale resort community and is an ideal place to sunbathe, snorkel, and dive with Hawaiian green turtles and manta rays.

The luxury Wailea resort community occupies 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of land. The area is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Wailea Beach is a wide stretch of sand, perfect for an afternoon of sunbathing or building sandcastles. It’s surrounded by four smaller beaches and has a broad range of shops. Rent a kayak or snorkeling gear, or book a guided scuba dive to see the green turtles up-close. This popular, family-friendly beach has many facilities.

Relax and read a book on the wide beach with its powdery, golden sand. Dip in for a swim to cool off or put on a snorkel, mask and fins if you want to see some more of the underwater world. Scuba diving is another way to see the Hawaiian green turtles that often visit the bay. Another way to see more of the wildlife is by kayak. Book one of the kayak eco-tours departing from Wailea Beach. The journey of about three hours along the coastline includes snorkeling at a secluded beach.

A short stroll north gets you to the smaller Ulua Beach Park. This hidden gem offers a serene beach and excellent snorkeling opportunities, with reefs almost reaching the boardwalk. See if you can spot some of the manta rays which frequent the area.

Wailea Beach is home to three championship golf courses. The Wailea Tennis Club is another prime example of the resort’s quality sporting facilities. Floodlights are in place, so you can play in the evenings when it is cooler.

Wailea Beach is one of the most visited beaches in southwest Maui. This is partly due to the high-end hotels located nearby in Wailea and the oceanfront resorts and spas, which offer luxury accommodation and pampering options. Each hotel offers exclusive activities, such as beach clubs and snorkeling programs. Rent a beach villa if you prefer self-contained accommodation. If you are just spending the day, come here before the afternoon winds pick up and the waves become higher.