Oneuli Beach — Attraction in Maui

Awesome black sand beach! It’s the northern most beach of the Makena Beach park- but it’s separated from the other beaches in the park (Big and Little) by the tall cinder point so this beach was less populated. Unlike its sister beaches, this one has a rocky entry rather than a pure and soft sand entry. It looks daunting at first, but we watched some locals entering to spearfish and followed their lead: there is a mostly smooth and sandy channel if you head straight in from the parking lot. Once the water is above your knees, put on your mask and fins and simply float/swim out.

This was the best snorkeling we had on Maui. The corals start about 10 yards from shore and reach farther out than we went. They are quite shallow in many places so the marine life is easy to see. The highlight of our trip were the six Honu or sea turtles that were about 150 yards out in about 20 feet of water. They were quite distracted by our presence and went about their feeding and would sometimes surface only a few feet from us to grab a few breaths. Had to keep reminding myself that it’s a $10,000 fine for touching or disturbing a turtle since they were so close.

Facilities - there’s not a lot of parking spaces and there is a modest $5 per day cost. There is a Porta-Potty but no running water for showers etc. I’ve seen others complain about the parking fee, but it’s the same as the fee for the rest of Makena park and it does take money to maintain the bumpy road in (imagine how bumpy it would be if not maintained!). I for one was happy to pay to be able to...

Very secluded beach tucked away north of the main Makena State Park area. The turn off to the dirt access road is a little hidden. We called this "The Other Black Beach" without the drive around to the other side of Maui near Hana. There is limited parking in the lot near the beach, but you can park on the sides of the dirt road, but watch out for thorns. There was a port-a-potty near the signage at the parking lot, but it didn't look like it was cleaned in a long time. You can actually camp here too, providing proper fees are paid. If you go early, there is enough shade under the cliff to stay out of the sun, but by 10:30 or so, depending on your time of year visit, that shade disappears. The only downside to this beach is that it is very rocky all the way out beginning at the shore line break. No turtles, but plenty of fish. We did see some of the locals here spear fishing a little further out than where we...

Oneuli Beach is a hidden gem just a short drive from Kihei, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The sand isn’t as dark as Waianapanapa, but it still has that unique black-sand charm, making it a beautiful spot to explore without the longer drive. There’s a great hike right next to the beach that offers stunning views and a chance to enjoy Maui’s landscape from a different angle.

We loved the quieter vibe here – it felt like a peaceful retreat. It’s a bit of an adventure to find, with a short drive down a dirt road and through an unmarked gate, but that just adds to its charm. If you’re looking for a mix of scenery, solitude, and a nearby hiking option, Oneuli is a fantastic spot to...