This is our one of 3 best snorkel spots. Both sides of the point are good for sealife and we can usually get shade. Only 15 minutes from our Stay. All Good!! Update : This right side beach is the Resort side and fills up. The water here is sand all the way out and today was very clear, 80 foot visibility. Schools of small fish. Warm Water. Great time. read more

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While n Maui , snorkel for free . Recommended very nice beach with corals, fish , urchins to enjoy. We rented a snorkeling gears and stayed for 2 hours enjoying this activities. The water was warm, increased and has trees for shade. Restrooms and outside showers are available. Parkings are available but difficult. Early bird is the best. Aloha and Mahalo read more

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This was about a 10 minute drive from where we were staying and from all the beaches we went to during our trip this was our favorite. Parking can be kind of tough around 9 o'clock, which where we went, but it's a short walk to the beach and the sand is super soft, clearclear of debris, and the water is super nice and clear. It's not a very big beach so it can't get a little crowded but if you walk down a bit from the entrance to the beach, there's a lot of of those people since they probably don't wanna walk that far. read more

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Great Snorkeling with a sandy entry! Just so beautiful. Water was also super calm that day so we floated around for hours. I'll be back next time I'm in Maui. read more

Ooh, yesYou will always be, My endless love... Great beach for the kids to enjoy running away from waves. There were people snorkeling and scuba diving in the area as well. They have a waking path if you want to see more a Lūʻau or other neighboring beaches. So many Golden Hour photos taken, wedding ceremonies or a simple renewal of wedding vowels at this beach. There are also showers to get that sand out of all the wrong places. Parking is close by, we got there early in the morning thanks to our little ones being early risers. Enjoy the day and stay for the endless sunsets. Mahalo read more

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This beautiful beach offers fabulous beach views, water was crystal clear, snorkelers enjoying the water & underwater beauty! Early birds get parking. We plan to revisit this beach. read more

Ulua Beach Park - Spectacular sand snorkel spot! - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

Out of Beach Named after the powerful jack fish--a fish that only Hawaiian Chiefs were allowed to fish at once time--this gorgeous 1/2-mile stretch of beach is just another one of Maui's amazing shoreline. The Good: *Free parking and admission *Restrooms w/ outdoor showers for washing sandy feet *Trees with shade at the north end of the beach *Nice place for snorkeling as there were plenty of tropical fish in the water. *Not too crowded during the middle of the day during Spring Break. *On our visit, the waters seemed very calm and idyllic. The Meh: *A bit of a schlep from the parking lot to the beach, but nothing terrible. *No picnic tables *No alcohol at beaches(?!) The Ugly: *As with pretty much all Maui beaches, you'll find yourself butting up against a resort of some kind with lots of Richie Riches about. TLDR: Great beach for a day of fun in the sun. read more

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Just had to come back to Ulua Beach again after a year, but I did want to update my review to say that, as with all beaches in Hawaii, it's best to get here before 9am (at the latest). Most parking spaces and beach spots are gone by 8:30am. Secondly, due to the breezy summer in Hawaii, there weren't any fish and the waves were much choppier than last time. Still a beautiful beach, but it wasn't nearly as fun snorkeling this time. read more

Ulua Beach Park - Ulua beach - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

This was such a beautiful beach to watch the sunset. It wasn't that busy and the waves were fun and mildly rough. There was a small parking lot available with a short one minute walk to the beach. Bathrooms are also available too. The tide was getting high when we got there and lots of ants in the sand the closer you sit by the hillside. read more

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I had done a ton of research on beaches that were both kid-friendly and where there was snorkeling. This place was perfect for us for a number of reasons: Parking lots near the beach. Though they can get pretty full. Showering stations and bathrooms at the exit. So key when you're bums are filled with sand. SHADE. not that many beaches have shade, but there are a good amount of trees near the shore. Snorkeling! There are plenty of beautiful fish close to shore. Our kids aren't strong swimmers yet though, so I wouldn't say it's easy to show younger kids fish here. Waves were pretty gentle compared to other beaches we visited that week. Beautiful rocky landscape-- we took some lovely photos along the rocks, which are to the side of the beach, so do not impact playing in the sand. So close to Waimea Shops read more

This was the first beach we came to on our trip and it was perfect! It was a short distance from our condo and there was actually more parking available than I thought. The road off the main road is short and we pulled up all the way to drop off people and chairs. There is a shower and bathroom right there as well that were clean. I then went and parked about 50 yards away and walked back. From there, it was another 50 yards or so to get to the sand. There wasn't a ton of shade, but we found some and had our umbrella, so were all set. The rock jetty was great as it created a natural barrier and boundary for our kids. We could see them from our spot and they loved playing there. On the other side of the jetty is another beach. There is also a public walkway up above the beach that goes in front of many of the luxury resorts. The grounds are so well kept and the views are spectacular. Every angle gives you a different perspective on this unique and beautiful landscape. We went for a short walk on this path and were amazed at the sights! read more

Beautiful spot to snorkel safely! Turtles, octopus and tons of fish. Loved this beach

This nearby beach was recommended by our hotel. We came in the morning and the weather was perfect. It's a little cove so the waves aren't too big and the current not too strong for swimming. Public parking is plenty and they have restrooms and outdoor showers. And what a view! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Favorite beach in Maui so far. - clean shower and foot washes - easy walk to beautiful sand - gorgeous views - a few rocks that created tide pools for my kid to explore - relatively clean beach with few sticks and rocks - some shaded area - had it been less windy, I bet the snorkeling would have phenomenal - sunsets that make for picturesque postcards (And if you come at the right time. Perhaps you can catch a backstage view of the luau at Andaz) - clean bathrooms not too far from the beach Main con is the limited parking. But there is some shaded parking which was nice. We went here 3x in 2 days! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Small shaded area - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Ulua Beach Park is super clean. Once you turn in, there is a parking lot that can probably hold about 50 cars. Beach goers are in and out so it should be easy to find a spot. There are on-site restrooms, and a rinse station. I had a good time relaxing under one of shaded trees while my nieces fought the waves with their paddle boards. Gorgeous views, beautiful water, and good beach vibes. I would recommend this one to all those visiting Maui. read more

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We spent an entire day here enjoying the beach and it was fantastic. Arrived mid-morning and get a parking spot in the main lot. It's a short walk to the beach, which had plenty of room to spread out. Lots of soft sand out in the water and some nice waves that were fun to ride. Kids had a blast. My only complaint is that we stayed so long and had so much fun that two of us got burned! We'd definitely come back here again. read more

This is a great beach to go to for families and snorkelers alike. The waves are big enough to do pretty much anything, and there are not any big currents which could be dangerous for kids. The snorkeling is great, and there are quite a few fish and turtles to see depending on the time of day or year that you go. We saw a turtle about 30 feet in, where everyone was swimming. The beach is big, and the slope into the water is gradual. There's plenty of room to sit and enjoy the waves and sunshine. The beach is positioned right on the trail that connects a variety of condos and hotels. It is also next to a washing station and a large parking lot just up from the beach. It has a very nice and central location that gets sunshine all day long. It's one of the best beaches we've been to, just for the all around benefit of being able to do pretty much anything! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

Good beach not too crazy tourist place its mix with little locals. Clean low tide beach. Did see couple of turtles.

*COVID Update* According to a Fodor's book, this beach has great snorkeling. I stopped by because it was only 10-15 minutes from Kihei. It was easy to find because the sign points "Ulua Beach". There is free parking in the medium-sized parking lot. You have to walk past the bathrooms and showers before getting to the beach. I never worried about wearing my mask here. I think there is a resort nearby, so I can see it getting crowded. On my visit, it wasn't as bad as what I experienced at Black Rock Beach further north. The sand was soft but hot. There is plenty of shade, but it might depend on time of day. Bring a sun umbrella for the mornings. I would say this is my favorite beach in Maui because access was easy peasy. The current isn't as bad as other beaches. I think it gets windier in the afternoon though. Snorkeling was great. I saw lots of fish, but I can't remember if I saw turtles. I did see my first starfish here! I feel like you have to go further out to see more; it's just that coming back can be more strenuous. I appreciate the signs that warn about coral reef. read more

Beautiful Beach offering some of the best sunset views in Maui! Great for swimming, snorkeling and all out fun. Conveniently located next to several hotels and resorts in Wailea! read more

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This is the destination of choice in Maui. Sixth straight year I've gone to Maui, always when kids are still in school. Kids and me are like my ex and myself -we don't mix! The wife and I pack our snorkel gear in our carry-on gear on the airplane. Our fins are 24" in length, just can fit in our 22" length carry-on with the fins sticking out near the top handle. I also pack snorkel mask, tube, and water shoes. 10 minute drive from where we are staying, the Maui Banyan Vacation Club in Kihei. When we stayed at the Wailea Eula Village, we could walk out the door of our condominium directly to the beach. I've snorkeled at Wailea Beach, Kamaole Beach 2, Kamaole Beach 3, Black Beach Rock, Honokowai Beach, and Kapalua Bay all in Maui, and Ulua beach is the best. Molokini a half sunken volcano crater 30 miles off the coast is prettier with more fish, but now as full of boats as the Spanish Armada! Besides why pay $100 to go on a snorkel tour, when you can snorkel right out the door of your hotel!? We always snorkel on sunny days in the morning, as the currents build up and muddy the water with sand particles in the afternoon. The roadway entry from Wailea Alanui Drive, between entrances to the Wailea Elua Village luxury suite complex, and the 8 story Andaz hotel, goes to the public parking lot adjacent to the beach . Drove here on a Friday at 8:05am and had no problem finding a parking space, with half of the spots open. Came here on a Tuesday at 8:30am, and every parking spot was taken, with no sign of anyone leaving anytime soon. You're going to have to wake up the wife early, robbing her of her beauty rest, to get a parking spot. No on street parking. You know its going to be crowded, with all the hotels connected by the Wailea Beach Pathway, to The 4 Seasons, Grand Wailea Waldorf Astoria, the Fairmont, and other posh hotels. My wife wears a 0.5 mil light weight wet suit mainly for body warmth, and prescription goggles -that's why she can't rent out snorkel outfits for $10 a week from snorkel bob's!. She's also wearing my fins, as hers are too long for the carry on luggage. I'm wearing water shoes, good for snorkeling in calm waters. In rough waters, I'm counting on the wife pulling me out, like a sack of potatoes! We go get on our snorkel mask and breathing tube, wet the mask to seal it, and go in -me forward, and she with the fins backward. We float on top of the water a good 100 feet, past brown, gray coral, dead from countless tourists stepping on them, and poisoned from the sun block of swimmers, snorkelers and divers. About 150 feet out, we see bunches of tropical fish in all colors and types, including rainbow, butterfish, eels, but no turtles. 40 minutes later, I'm out of there, with another memorable stay at Ulua beach. Use the outdoor showers to rinse out my gear and swim suit -I'm still in my swim suit, and sit on a spare towel on the car seat. As we get ready to leave the parking lot at 8;55am, circling cars gather like vultures, to grab the only available parking spot vacated by me! read more

Ulua Beach Park - 8:15am Friday - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Ulua beach is yet another beautiful beach here on Maui. This beach is a good beach for boogie boarding, body surfing, snorkeling etc. The north end of it by the little cove looking area is the best side for snorkeling. The middle to south end of it is better for boogie boarding and body surfing. Pros: -The North side of it has a lot of shade and if it's windy, the trees usually block the wind -It is the north end of the Wailea beach path and it is such a beautiful path to walk/run -Clean restrooms -Lots of showers -Nice grassy areas above the beach area for picnics and such -There is usually security present watching the parking lot area and driving around but you should still always lock up your stuff like anywhere you go -There is a loading/unloading area down by the bathrooms -When it is low tide, the north reef area is good for the kiddos and family to explore the tide pools. Just make sure to wear reef shoes. Cons: -Parking can be very limited especially during the weekends and on holiday weekends as well. -It can get very crowded at this beach but you have a lot of other options being here on beautiful Maui :) A few important tips: -Bring an umbrella just in case you can't find a shady area. -Don't forget to use sunscreen. If you are visiting from a cooler region and are not used to being out in the sun that much, this is a must. Use 30+ SPF or you will get sunburnt and sunburns are not fun at all. -There are no lifeguards at this beach so keep a close eye on your children and those who are not good swimmers. The waves can get really big so be very careful. The following link is helpful too on Ocean Safety. https://www.mauicounty.gov/463/Ocean-Safety Check it out. read more

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One of my favorite spots on Maui. The beach is nice and secluded. Not busy. Beautiful paved walking paths along the coast line, and awesome snorkeling. Many of us saw turtles and an array of tropical fish. Such a relaxing afternoon! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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This is a fabulous beach for snorkeling and even just getting into the water. We have gone two days and seen turtles both times, schools of fish, wide variety of fish, that hang out by the reef to the right. Had a great time boogie boarding after the snorkel this morning. If u snorkel go early, early is best! We went between 7-8 and had great experiences. Have a bathroom there and a shower area that is really nice too. read more

It is a scenic beach, but it's quite small and busy, and the available sand depth really shrinks at high tide. Not much room to set up in general With the hotel condos in the background, it also feels very established and resorty -- whereas I'd prefer to be in something a bit more natural feeling/ The steep slope of the beach means that the waves can be very unpredictable and can slam you dangerously against the shore. We were there on a day with a moderate surf -- no warnings or anything -- and half my family got tossed by a very dangerous wave. My father in law sustained a very serious and life threatening neck injury and a couple others nearby were injured and sore as well. Be very careful. I thought Big Beach was dangerous but this was not expected so even more dangerous. read more

Parking is a little far but this is a hidden gem from every day life. Great beach for family hang out and snorkel near the public bathroom. We totally love it! read more

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From N-S, the 2nd of the 4 coves along the WAILEA BEACH WALK. Good swim waters. Sandy footing everywhere. Rocky heads at either end for snorkeling. Free parking lot, and foot/body showers. Three and 1/2 stars, because of medium-sized waves, and stronger afternoon winds. read more

This beach was excellent! It's small and does get crowded but it wasn't too hard to find a spot. I like how the reef is right there and the waters are calm. It's great for young kids as my 2 yr old had a blast. I liked how they had a couple showers and there was grassy areas. The snorkeling is good and I was saddened to see a lot of dead coral that was closer to shore and had to swim all the way out to the end of the reef to see some healthy corals. I saw a school of fish, some beautiful angels, Picasso trigger, as well as the usual wrasses and unicorn fish. It was not hard to see them. No honu today. Def recommend this beach! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

Our 2016 Christmas card photo shoot brought me to Ulua Beach for the first time. I've always heard of it but never bothered to check it out because I have other favorite spots on the rock. PARKING: Look for the tiny Ulua Beach signs between the Wailea Elua Village condos and Andaz Maui. The paved drive and parking lot sports a limited amount of stalls, which is the biggest downfall of this beach. The main parking area can be quite a walk to the beach especially if you have a lot of gear, so before parking, drive down to the dead-end traffic circle which has a small shoulder for loading/unloading. Security personnel was parked and visible, and kept a look out for thieves who love to prey on tourist vehicles. THE BEACH: A small grassy knoll greets you, and is great for picnicking or for those who don't want to get sandy yet still want to see the ocean. The beach fronts the Wailea Elua Village condos, and is a short stretch of yellow sand with very few shady spots. Being on Maui's south side, the views of Molokini Crater, Kaho'olawe, and Lanai are simply gorgeous. A fairly large reef sits at the north end, and separates this beach and neighboring Mokapu Beach. The water is usually calm, so snorkeling is good here. FACILITIES: Restrooms and showers are available near the entrance. OVERALL: Tourist-infested, limited parking, gorgeous views and water. read more

Ulua Beach Park - Sunset 11.20.16 - VN - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Hawaii is pretty in its own way. Most people back in the day never took a flight to go on vacation. But I feel this generation has been more adventurous than fewer generations before. I'm glad to be able to see the world and even the states. This is my second time to Hawaii but my first time to this island. Spent some time on the beach of course and just went into the ocean. It was so wavy and windy that the sand really hits hard on the body and every part of the body. That was on one of the days and the other day it was nice and calm. So I think depending on what day you decide to go to the beach could make you really love it or you might hate it. Sat on beach towels in the sand and spend a lot of hours in the sun. Got a pretty nice tan from Hawaii and it is all due to this place. Loved every minute of it! It's close to the hotel so we just walked right over! A pretty safe place since we actually left all our belongings ok the sand and dipped into the ocean. Enjoy and have a good time here as I did! read more

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Nice little beach located not far from the resort areas in Wailea. During the week parking was not a problem-but we also went later in the day. There are some shaded spots on the north end of the beach and we fortunately snagged one. Sand is super soft and it has some great views of Makena Point as well as West to the hills with the turbines. It seems to be a great snorkeling spot-the majority of beach goers there seemed to have goggles and fins. As for me, I just relaxed on the peaceful quiet stretch of sand and took a dip in the ocean to swim. On the particular day I went, the water was calm and clear-perfect for just floating and a casual swim. There is also a grassy area above the beach with showers and a clean restroom. read more

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Asking around for what is a good beach to snorkel, Ulua comes up often with the locals as the numero uno choice. Asking further, I get the general directions how to get there. And it's fairly easy but don't ask me for directions. I get it, I use it, I forget it. Anyways, parking can get congested as it did. We had to wait for a little while for one to become available. Saw a diver cleaning her gear. I approached her to get the info on what we can expect to see and where to go, what currents are there and possible areas to stay away from. With that said, she also warns about the sharks and to be alert. That I already know especially this being an El Nino year where the water is lots warmer than it should. In fact, it's been too hot for me I'd like to turn it down please. Seriously. Finally, a spot opens up and everyone is excited to get into the water except G who is not feeling well. Stop to use the restroom and thankful it is cleaned and well supplied. The area is well maintained, grass is trim, sidewalk looks almost new. I tell the girls to follow the rock formation to our right to see the fish and do not go beyond. There is lots of fish; weke, manini, butterfly fish, several tangs and even a few snappers to name a few. What was intriguing was the large red urchin that are larger than my fist. They are a beautiful red with the sunlight dancing on them. Scary but so gorgeous. Overall this is a nice beach to come to but the word has gotten out beyond the locals and is getting crowded. Still, I would definitely come back here. Could even bring a small hibachi to kick back a little more after snorkeling to enjoy the view, family and friends. read more

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Ok beach. It's so over crowed with the resorts near by. It's public and a nice sandy bottom ocean. Big waves the kids enjoyed paying in. Not as windy as other beaches. Just lots and lots of kids and people really close to you. Get there early! We got a good parking spot and arrived by 9am read more

We loved this beach! It wasn't too crowded and there was just enough space in the shade to enjoy the views and relax on the sand. Lovely spot for snorkeling in the mornings. We saw plenty of honu and colorful fish. Please don't touch the turtles! I had to yell at some girl who reached out to touch one of them in the ocean. Respect the sea creatures and reefs. read more

Great sandy bottom beach with turquoise waters and we were lucky to hang with honu (sea turtles) near the rocks on the left of beach read more

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Was a little rough when we went. Plenty of shade, a grassy area by the neighboring condos. Lots of Sandy beach, plus little tide pools. A group of men came behind us and were singing and playing music. read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beach and tide pool area. - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii

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Great beach for snorkeling. Nice variety of tropical fish less than a 5-minute swim from shore. We also saw 3 turtles this morning. Waves are calm and warm most of the time so perfect for kids. I recommend this beach for snorkeling over Maluaka which had more choppy waves. read more

This is such a beautiful place to beach and catch the sunset... let me tell you why: The beach is beautiful, long and clean. Plenty of room to play. There is a beach walk that goes for a quite a while. It's nice to park and just cruise the seaside from Kihei to Wailea. The sun sets just across the way and most of the year it is visible... Sometimes it dips behind Lana'i. There's lots of parking and it's just a quick walk to the beach. There are showers available to rinse off the sand. Bathroom facilities available but I think they lock them up at night. We've had bible study gatherings on the grassy area just above the beach. Really quite perfect! It's a nice mix of locals and visitors alike. read more

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Any beach is a "good beach" so I always rate beaches on five things that make up a perfect beach for me. 1. Parking/Walking Distance-There is a dedicated gated parking lot for both Ulua and Mokapu. The lot is not overly large but you are generally able to eventually find a spot at most any time of day, even if that means waiting for someone else to leave. Some days the wait may take a while longer and you may abandon hope. If this is the case, the Shops at Wailea is within walking distance and you can park there if needed. Note this is a paid lot though. The walk down to the beach is easy and there are multiple points to choose from. (.5 point) 2. The Beach-To be a smaller beach, there is plenty of area to set up on the sand. With palm trees lining the sidewalk above, it isn't hard to find some shade if you don't have an umbrella with you. The beach is generally flat without any drastic incline. This can however, create the perfect situation for wash-outs, which has happened to me more times than I'd like to remember. There is also an area to the north end of the beach that tends not to be washed out and sits under the trees providing ample shade for multiple groups. If you're more of a grass person, grab a spot at the top of hill and overlook the beach below. (.5 point) 3. Shoreline Entry/Exit-One of my favorite things about Ulua and what makes it great beach for all ages, is how easy and effortlessly getting in the water can be. The shoreline, while it can have it's not great days, is usually even-tempered. There aren't any drop off's once you enter the water as the bottom slowly and smoothly gains depth, allowing for a controlled entry or shallow depths to wade/play. (1 point) 4. Activities-Show up to Ulua any day of the week and you'll see some variation of snorkelers, divers, and stand-up-paddleboarders. Because of the typically excellent conditions at this beach, many of the local dive shops use it for beach dives and classes. There is also a bench for divers to get their gear setup on. The active reef is a well-known popular spot that any website or snorkel shop will direct snorkelers to, and the flat conditions make it a great spot for those who are SUP to put in. (1 point) 5. Amenities-Are there restrooms and showers? Ulua and Mokapu next door share these area. There are county managed bathrooms that are generally clean and two shower areas. The showers have excellent drainage and good pressure. What more do you need? (1 point) Overall, Ulua is a classic and well-known south side beach. It's a beautiful area and provides beautiful scenery. But it can get crowded as it fronts a couple resort and hotels and that's where it downfall lies. Earlier is better at Ulua before most of the tourists get of bed, but if you're looking for a lesser-known, less crowded beach, you'll need to try somewhere else. read more

When you park here, you have a choice. Right, or left. Left takes you to the more popular beach. It's a little wider, I guess that's why most people go there. But don't follow the crowds. Go right, to Ulua. It's a stunning beach, wonderful views of Kaho'olawe, Lanai, West Maui and, most days, a little bit of Molokai. There's a condo complex built behind, but from most of the beach you can't see it, so you get that secluded, undeveloped beach vibe. Great scuba diving right off shore, walk right in. Sunsets here are AMAZING. Twice, we were the only people there. Shh...don't tell anyone! read more

Ulua Beach Park - Beaches Near Me - Wailea, Hawaii