Honolua Bay State Park  This bay is just north of Fleming Beach on Highway 30. It is a part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Reserve which means you can take nothing from the water, such as coral and fish. The only parking is along the side of the road and then there is about a 100-yard walk to the beach. There are rocks instead of sand on the beach, but It is well known for excellent snorkeling.  You will often see catamarans anchored there, which is a solution to the parking problem.  Summer is the best time for snorkeling because the ocean is calmest and heavy rain is less likely.  During rainy periods runoff can cause the water to be murky and interfere with snorkeling.

Mokuleia Beach  This relatively small beach is adjacent to Honolua Bay and is also part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Reserve. Access to the beach is by a steep concrete stairway and parking here is limited to what is available beside the road. Some people don’t like to carry their belongings down the 87 steps of the stairway to the beach and so go elsewhere.

Fleming Beach Park   This sandy cove provides a white sand beach that is excellent for sunbathing but swimming can be dangerous when the current is strong.  There are many ironwood trees providing a shaded grassy area for picnics.  You get a great view of Molokai just across the channel.   It is on Highway 30 just past the Ritz Carlton Kapalua

Kapalua Bay Beach   This rather small beach is located on the north side of Napili Bay.  It is sheltered from the wind and waves and is quite popular for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.  Contributing to the crowds are guests from the Kapalua Bay Hotel which is adjacent.  Beach rentals are available.  The paved parking lot holds only 30-40 cars and fills up quickly.

Napili Bay  This is a very good beach but it can get crowded.  The slope of the beach is rather steep and an undertow can develop.  Many of the beaches on west Maui can get very windy in the afternoons, but this one tends to be more calm.

Kaanapali Beach Looking Toward Black Rock

Kaanapali Beach   This wide, golden sand beach fronts many of the finest hotels on Maui.  Unless you are staying at one of the hotels, parking is very limited.  If you're looking for a peaceful beach, look elsewhere because many activities leave from here; cruises, parasailers, etc.  The beach is very long and a paved sidewalk runs the entire length from Black Rock at the north to the Hyatt on the south.  The best place to snorkel is around Black Rock which is in front of the Sheraton Hotel on the north.

Olowalu Beach    Located approximately five miles south of Lahaina, you will find no paved parking lot.  However, large fields of coral reef blanket the ocean just off-shore.   The water is normally calm here making good conditions for snorkeling.  The beach here is not white sand, but it is clean and you will normally find many swimmers and sunbathers.  The times we have stopped here to snorkel we were disappointed because the visibility was fairly limited.

Ma'alaea Bay  Stretching three miles, from Ma'alaea Harbor to north Kihei, this beach is near the road much of the distance.  You can pick a spot to swim and sunbathe without a crowd.

Kamaole Beach I, II, III  This beach is broken into three parts.  Kamaole I is the longest.  It has fine golden sand with good swimming and good snorkeling around the rocks at either end.  Kamaole III has good boogie boarding and good snorkeling at the north end.

Keawakapu Beach Park  This is a very long sandy beach.  There is parking at the end of South Kihei Road and the beach is usually not too crowded.

Wailea Beach    This beach is located between the Four Seasons Hotel and the Grand Wailea Hotel and has been ranked as one of the best beaches in America.  It is great for sunbathing and swimming and you can see the island of Kaho'olawe to the west.  Snorkeling is pretty good at either end of the beach.  There is a fairly large public parking lot, but most of the people on the beach are hotel guests.  Rest rooms and showers are available.

Big Beach at Makena This beach is also called Oneloa. It has good swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing and many consider it to be one of the best beaches on Maui. It is a wide golden sand beach that is almost two-thirds of a mile long. It is a very popular beach, but one you will want to visit.

Ho'okipa Beach Park    This is not a good swimming beach because the waves can get as high as 15 feet.  However, it's worth the trip if you want to see some of the world's finest windsurfers in action.  You will also see surfers riding the waves.  There are picnic tables and barbecue grills available while you watch the action and there is plenty of room for sunbathing too.

Kanaha Beach  This beach is near the Kahului airport.  The park is fine, but there are better beaches on the island.  However this is where you will find beginning windsurfers and windsurfing lessons are available.