Best Beaches for Digital Nomads: Maui Island

Top 5 Best Beaches for Digital Nomads: Maui

1. Makena Beach State Park

Lifeguards are stationed at Big Beach at Makena State Park. Towers are located at the Big Beach I entrance and the Big Beach II entrance. The posted hours of operation are 8 am to 4:30 daily. Location: South Kihei Road, Makena.

Makena State Park has two famous beaches: Big Beach and Little Beach. Big Beach, a white sand beach approximately 3,300 feet long and 100 feet wide, is bordered by fingers of lava to the southeast and by Puʻu OlaʻI, a volcanic cinder cone, to the northwest. Big Beach has a steep foreshore from high surf that periodically strikes the beach.

Little Beach is a small cove with a wide, white sand beach between two lava points on the seaward side of Puʻu Olaʻi. Meanwhile, the ocean bottom fronting the beach is a shallow sandbar with a usually gentle shore break. A short foot trail leads over the lava point that separates the two coasts. The lone amenity in the 160-acre park is a paved parking lot open only during daylight hours.

Activities At Makena Beach State Park

• Swimming – this time, both beaches boast exceptional swimming and are famous for inclined shorelines. This develops a significant shore break, making it perfect for skimboarding, bodyboarding, and body browsing. That being stated, ensure to take care when swimming here, as the ocean is very effective. Focus on published indications about sea conditions when you see them.
• Snorkeling & Diving – so far, there are plenty of snorkel places on the edges of the coastlines. La Perouse Bay is a three-mile drive down the shore and one of our Top 4 South Maui Diving Areas. You’ll likely see numerous variants of tropical fish, turtles, and, if you’re fortunate, dolphins.
• Hiking – The major treking route in Makena Coastline State Park revolves around the Pu’u Olai Volcano Cinder Cone. Attempt the Pu’u Olai Cinder Cone Route for a two-mile trip to the top.

Tip: On the positive side park has a snack bar but no drinking fountains, so bring mineral water and treats.

2. Ho’okipa Beach Park

This legendary spot is best for water activities like windsurfing, kite surfing, surfing, and many more. It’s also a great place to snorkel, as you would see sea turtles. The current can be a bit strong, so always be careful swimming or doing activities. You could still enjoy the beach by walking at the tide pools, sunbathing, or just people-watching. Ho’okipa Beach is one of the best beaches in Maui; you would love this beach park.

Overview of Ho’okipa Beach Park

Together with Hookipa and the Windsurfing Capital of the World, it hosts a large surfing community where you can find sand dotted with black rocks. The beach boasts unsurpassed views of Maui’s craggy central coastline and lush West Maui Mountains. Sunbathing, beach walking, picnicking, turtle watching, and surfing are popular activities at Hookipa.

Moreover, Hookipa Beach’s mornings are the optimal time to enjoy its beauty. If you come in December, you can watch surfers doing tricks on big waves and enjoy some breathtaking sunsets. Also, keep an eye out for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles that often bask in the sun on the shoreline. Hence, so many see it as a turtle beach park.

Getting There- Ho’okipa Beach Park

Take Highway 36 for about six miles from Kahului, and turn left when you approach the sign. You will find the beach on your left. You will soon come across the Lookout, which will take you to the beach. For parking, continue up the road and make a left into the parking lot from the park.

Essential Tips for a Ho’okipa Beach Park Visit

Ho’okipa means “hospitality,” but large waves, dangerous rip currents, and crowds of strong surfers make this beach a challenge for most. We recommend paddling out with a local to ease your way into this break. If you wish to venture out on some of the world’s largest waves, ensure you have the experience and know-how for paddling. If you don’t know where the waves break, ask a local or the on-duty lifeguard about the rip tides.

3. La Perouse Bay

Hike on the Hoapili trail and discover La Perouse Bay, one of the best Maui beaches filled with basaltic lava and archaeological sites and is home to many endemic marine creatures. Since you can see tide pools where you can see tiny creatures. It’s also a great place to snorkel; however, ask the lifeguard if there are shark sightings. It’s a bit of a challenge to come here with lava rocks, but the scenic beauty of this place will make your adventure worth it.

Haleakala’s last display can be seen on Maui’s southeast shore at La Perouse Bay. Scientists estimate that in 1790 Haleakala erupted to form the jagged lava rock coastline. There is a monument and ruins of Hawaiian natives who made their home on the sharp a’a lava rock. La Perouse is the end of the road in south Maui. It is located at mile marker seven at the very end of Makena Alanui Road. From Kihei, take Piilani Hwy south to Wailea. Turn right on Wailea Iki road and bear left onto Wailea Alanui Road, which turns into Makena Alanui. Look carefully around you as you drive between mile markers 5.5 and 7. On either side, you should see fields of a’a littering the landscape.

4. Keawakapu Beach

Want to spend time on a beach that’s not overcrowded, and you could swim and snorkel? Well, Keawakapu Beach is one of the best beaches in Maui and has all three. There are public showers but no restrooms. When you come here, you might want to bring your snorkel gear as there are many corals, and you might see turtles, too! Enjoy the perfect combination of sand, sea, sun, and shade.

Keawakapu Beach is located in South Maui, between Kihei and Wailea, at the end of South Kihei Road. This beautiful white sand beach, which runs along a fully developed coastline, is approximately 0.7 miles long and offers opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, boogie boarding, or just catching some sun on the shore.

Above all, snorkeling is best on the right-hand side of the beach. This beach is often less crowded than its nearby counterparts because so much of the shoreline is developed as a large residential community. That development obscures the presence of the beach – keeping it a secret from most visitors.

While the beach typically offers excellent opportunities for swimming (no lifeguard is present, however), during times of large swells or high surf – we’d advise staying out of the water. If the wind picks up along the shoreline, you can occasionally get sandblasted, so be aware of the weather if you’re planning a visit.

5. Kaanapali Beach

Spectacularly beautiful and only a mile long, Ka’anapali Beach commands everyone’s attention. This beach hosts the most luxurious hotels in town. Additionally, the beach serves a plateful full of activities such as hiking, sailing, swimming, and sunbathing, making it one of Hawai’i’s top beaches.

Overview of Kaanapali Beach

Ka’anapali Beach includes soft, golden sand and gorgeous water. Along this stretch of coast, you find many hotels flanking the beach. Ka’anapali Beach harbors endless opportunities for water sports lovers. Black Rock slices across the beach and is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers to earn their certification. Other options for water play include parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skis.

Head to Black Rock, at the north end of the beach, for a boat tour of the marine life in this area. Plus, visit the booths on Kaanapali Beach, where you can sign up for snorkeling, boat excursions, kayaking, sailing, the Sheraton Luau, surfing lessons, and water equipment rentals.

Essential Tips for a Great Kaanapali Beach Visit

During the high tourist season, public beach access is difficult. Tourists must pay to park in a secure lot. The best time to find a parking spot is early in the morning. Furthermore, leave your valuables at your hotel, not your car, when visiting the beach. Thieves gravitate to these tourist spots for easy picking.  The surf can sometimes get rough in the winter, and lifeguards will post red flags if the water is too dangerous to enter.

Have Fun at Kaanapali Beach

Family Activities at Kaanapali Beach, spend your time relaxing on Ka’anapali Beach. Named “America’s Best Beach,” this popular destination has something for everyone. Enjoy snorkeling at first, scuba diving, relaxing on the sand, or taking a stroll along the beach walkway.

Kaanapali Beach Activities

• Snorkeling:  Places to snorkel around the island include Ka’anapali and Black Rock.
• Cliff jumping: Ka’anapali Beach is a favorite cliff-jumping site for locals and visitors alike! Head to Black Rock cliff.
• Catamaran tours for whale-watching: Whales in winter flock to the shallow waters around Ka’anapali, making it one of the best places in Maui to whale watch. Catamaran tours launched from Ka’anapali Beach will take you up close to whales in the winter months.
• Sunset:  At Ka’anapali Beach, you can watch the sun settle behind Lanai, with views of the green flash visible in clear skies.
• Shopping: If you want to shop in Maui, don’t miss Whalers Village mall. This shopping center features Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, several jewelry stores, an ABC Store, kiosks, and specialty stores!
• Play Golf & Tennis: Golf enthusiasts will want to swing away at the Royal Ka’anapali and Ka’anapali Kai courses, which offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch provides an unforgettable experience for tennis enthusiasts.
• Nightlife: In the evening, Ka’anapali features a range of dining and shopping options. Whether you want to hear some live entertainment or buy souvenirs from Whalers Village, the choices are endless. Nearby Attractions and Sights
• Honolua Ridgeline Hike: You will undoubtedly enjoy this trek for all hikers! This easy-to-moderate hike offers excellent overlooks of the area’s stunning terrain. On tour, you will discover Maui’s ecology and culture. The trailhead departs out of Napili,  a quick time away from Kaanapali. The trek leads to Honolua —a region famous for its waves and rich Hawaiian history.