The scintillating sands of Wailea & Makena!

KEAWAKAPU BEACH: One of the largest beaches on Maui, near the north end of Wailea, a half-mile long and nearly a hundred yards deep, providing ample room to stretch out in the sun or shade, picnic, swim, skimboard or snorkel.  Stunning views of Pu'u Ola'i cinder cone, the uninhabited island of Kaho'olawe, and the West Maui Mountains.  Three entrances: north at the Mana Kai Resort, the dead end of South Kihei Road, and the best one is accessible from the huge, free, shady parking lot at the corner of Kilohana Drive and South Kihei Road (walk across the street towards the ocean and look for a blue "Shoreline Access" sign.

ULUA & MOKAPU BEACHES: Fronting the Wailea Elua Village condos and the chic Andaz Resort, with showers, restrooms and plenty of free parking.  There's even a drop-off zone close to the beach so you don't have to lug your gear so far.  These two beaches mark the northernmost point of the Oceanfront Courtesy Path (a.k.a. Wailea coastal walkway).  Great snorkeling and a popular scuba diving area, this spot is best early in the morning when the water is calm.  Mokapu Beach is the least crowded of the two.

WAILEA BEACH: Located between the grand Wailea and the Four Seasons, this see-and-be-seen beach is Wailea's hub for ocean activities.  Protected by natural lava formations, this popular beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing.  A large grassy mound at the entrance to Wailea Beach is a perfect spot for sunset watching.  Toward the end of the beach, you'll see a little coffee shack on the coastal walkway where you can get your morning cuppa joe or a fresh fruit smoothie!

POLO BEACH: This lovely beach is at the southern end of the coastal walkway.  A secluded beach fronting the Fairmont Kea Lani and Polo Beach Resorts, with a huge, shady parking lot offering picnic tables, barbecues, and showers.  You can lounge on the beach and see the islands of Lana'i, Molokini, and Kaho'olawe.  This delightful spot is great for swimming, snorkeling, body surfing and, possibly the best of all, a romantic evening picnic on the beach.  Many Wailea restaurants will happily prepare portable feasts.  Excellent whale watching too (in season).

PO'OLENALENA BEACH: Leaving Wailea Resort, heading towards Makena on Makena Alanui Rd, look for a tiny parking lot on the right just next to the Makena Surf Condos sign.  This is the best access to this quiet, more secluded beach, popular with local families.  Go through the unlocked gate at Makena Surf, but stay on the sidewalk or else you are trespassing.  The sidewalk makes this beach a good bet for handicapped access.  Although there are no facilities to speak of, there are showers, a porta-potty, and some welcome shade.

MALUAKA BEACH: Countinuing south on Makena Alanui Rd, turn right onton Keonoio St and go all the way to the end, where you'll find a parking lot.  Follow the sidewalk (try to ignore the abandoned cement structure), hand a left, and you'll find yourself at Maluaka Beach.  This beach has a sand-bottom entry, making it great for swimming, but be careful not to stub your toe on the submerged boulders.  Snorkeling is also good here, as there are plenty of coral formations and rocks that provide a good habitat for fish and marine life.

NAUPAKA BEACH: At the northernmost entrance to Makena State Park, down a long, dirt road full of potholes, lies the only black-sand beach on this side of Maui.  If you're brave enough to trust your car on this road, your reward is a secluded strop of soot-colored sand popular with locals.  Although not a good place for swimming due to the lack of sand entry, it's a good spot to snorkel and you may even find yourself accompanied by a sea turtle or two.  This beach is part of the Maluaka Wetlands, where a restoration project is taking place on a nearby historic fishpond.  Signs at the entrance describe the work being done.

MAKENA BEACH STATE PARK: The crown jewel of Makena is surely the main beach, also known as Big Beach.  And big it is, tawny sand stretching 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide.  Its Hawaiian name is Oneloa, meaning long sand.  In the 1980s, this gorgeous natural wonder seemed destined for development until a group of young activists successfully persuaded lawmakers to preserve the area as a state park.  Today it's a quiet, seemingly endless expanse of sand nestled between two black lava outcroppings, which provide protection from the trade winds.  Go early as the parking lot fills up quickly, and watch out for kiawe (mesquite) thorns.  Wear your slippers.