Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach — Attraction in Maui

Not often does a beach receive 5 stars from me. I've heard of this place for several years now and only recently experienced it.

PARKING: This is the biggest challenge to me. There is a short and narrow dead end road near the former Hana School on which to park if you want a close stall. If not, there are grassy shoulders near the Hana Ballpark which is not that much further down the road.

ACCESS: I'm sure you've heard or read stories about the access trail. They are all true. Two signs posted before the start of the trail warns that the landowner will not be responsible for injuries incurred.

The grassy overgrowth leads out to the cliffside. It's a good drop to the water below should you slip, with nothing to grab onto either. While you probably won't die from the fall, I can predict scrapes, cuts and possible severe injuries, along with a very difficult time trying to get back up the steep hill which is laden with loose cinders and impossible-to-gain-traction pine needles.

That said, the foot trail itself is fairly smooth, hilly, very narrow at many points, and hugs the mountain like the Hana Highway you just rode in on. Leave the kids, elderly, and clumsy folks at home.

Once you're near the end of the trail, the views from the top are gorgeous. The ocean is a deep blue, rough, and unforgiving. The cliffs are tall, vertically steep, and prominent. The feeling is almost like stepping foot onto The Beach, in that Leo DiCaprio movie, along with the accompanying hippy revelers.

THE BEACH: It's not sand, but red and black lava cinders. Sitting and laying on a towel was manageable, and on the plus side, you are not a sand magnet after swimming. The beach area is fairly spacious even for its small square footage, mainly due to low foot traffic. Its very private as you're at the bottom of and surrounded by an extinct volcanic cone. There are a few trees that provide shade. Naturally there are zero comfort facilities.

There are two cove-like areas that are great for swimming/dipping that are protected from the extremely rough ocean by an isthmus-like lava rock jetty.

The water... Man, this is the selling point of this place! It was amazingly clean, crisp, and refreshing. I honestly have never swam at a beach with water that felt so pure, it was like I was in the middle of the Pacific, far away from any and all pollutants. The currents are so strong and severe, it constantly pushes and pulls the water from the beach like a natural filter and pumping system. All other beaches pale in comparison, period.

Another plus, I had AT&T reception so I could share my experience immediately.

OVERALL: Dangerous access, killer views, fresh spring-like...

This is not a public beach- ask anyone in town. That’s why there’s no parking, no proper access, and various no trespassing signs. So, people park along the road by the community center and take up all the parking meant for the community center. It makes the locals furious. The trail is a cinder pile, so it slides constantly, with a cliff and sharp rocks at the base. There have been too many injuries and fatalities to count. The local rescue crew has to go in with a helicopter to help people get out alive or with less injuries which puts our friends and family who work with the crew at risk unnecessarily. The sad thing about the people who have lost their lives is that they were going in for an extra adventure to see a beautiful place that others have highly recommended. Yes it’s beautiful. But no… it’s not worth loosing your life for… or loosing a loved one for. If you’re not from hana, I highly recommend you DO NOT ENTER like the signs say. When in hana- just stick to the places that are clearly welcoming- it’s safer and you can be in the place knowing that you’re not impacting the area in a negative way.

One last thing- Saying that all beaches in hawaii are “public” is misleading- all beaches are made accessible because in Hawaiian culture the water should never be inaccessible due to a deep and intergenerational relationship with the ocean that hawaiians have developed for thousands of years. Which means yes- it’s “public” but not for the reasons that visitors...

Really loved this and it was an adventure to get there.

I read a lot of reviews and was almost put off by the warnings about getting parking tickets, the treacherous hike in, and the nudity.

Parking, park in a grassy lot the opposite side of a ball field. Or on street. Walk the rest of the way up the hill. The entrance to the path is on the left. There was a cop ticketing cars when we came back but they didn't ticket ours.

The path in is a gorgeous hike but be aware, path is high up in places and narrow with no railing, you are hugging a ledge in some spots. Afraid of heights? don't do this. You could probably do this in flip flops but it's better with water shoes or regular shoes especially if you are klutzy. I would personally not do it in flip flops because I know my limitations. I saw plenty of younger 20 somethings do it in flip flops though. I had hiking poles to make my way easier, and I'm glad I had them. especially on the way down to the beach.

Yes, it's a nude beach. When we went I saw maybe two topless people. not a big deal. There was one obviously drugged out homeless person under the ledge but he didn't interact with anyone.

The beach is GORGEOUS. the red sand is more like pebbles and you may consider bringing water shoes to better enjoy getting in the water.

Well worth...