Maluaka Beach — Attraction in Hawaii

Maluaka Beach is an intimate sliver of golden sand beach that parallels the former Maui Prince Resort in Makena along Makena Road.

Views of Kahoolawe, Molokini, Lanai, west Maui and Molokai are drop-dead gorgeous, along with the ocean’s hues of blues and greens. There are no facilities here sans for a lifesaving float belt posted near the beach’s entrance.

As long as there’s no south swells, the water is very calm; good for swimming/floating and snorkeling with a small reef close to shore. A convenient loading zone is available near the beach allowing you to load/unload your gear.

A lack of parking is the only downfall as Makena Road is a residential street with just a few spots along the shoulders. There is a small park and parking lot just north of the beach that also sports restrooms.

OVERALL: The “baby...

The south end of this smallish beach filled steadily with resort guests but the north end was lightly populated on a Saturday morning. The best snorkeling though is on the south end, not right along the rocks, but further out above the coral. The visibility was decent and while there weren't great numbers, there was a wide variety of fish. There is a fair amount of shade available all morning, and there was a nice breeze while we were there. The waves picked up several times but then always calmed down again.

Unless you're just one person, plan to drop a person and gear at the drive-through for the beach park, then park back up the road across from the church, where there's nice shade, bathrooms and...

This little beach is great to hang out... featuring soft sand, grass (for those that don’t want sandy bums), and shade. There is also restroom facilities and showers.

TRULY... the most amazing part is the morning snorkel with turtles. Sure you can go up north of Lahaina for turtles too... but here there are so few people you feel like you are alone with Honu! My new...