A picturesque strip of white sand, Maui Beach gets packed and noisy on weekends, but is peaceful during the week. It’s right on the road but has shallow swimming, perfect for children, as well as deeper swimming and snorkelling off the reef.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tahiti attractions

1. Marae Nuutere

1.08 MILES

A signposted turn-off at PK9.5 leads a short distance inland to the rarely visited remains of Marae Nuutere, restored in 1994. There are three paved yards…

2. Taravao Lookout

3.29 MILES

View over the bucolic plateaus of Taravao to the blue coastlines and towering Tahiti Nui.

3. Musée Gauguin

4.45 MILES

This museum has been closed for years but hopefully it will reopen during the life of this book. The airy site surrounded by lush foliage is lovely, and…

4. Jardins Botaniques

5.17 MILES

The 137-hectare Jardins Botaniques has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms, a massive banyan tree and a superb mape…

5. Teahupoo

5.71 MILES

Teahupoo is world famous among surfing circles for its monster wave. Until the early 2000s, the Teahupoo wave was only known to local surfers. It now…

7. Mataiea

7.77 MILES

Between 1891 and 1893, Paul Gauguin lived in Mataiea where he produced works including Two Women on the Beach, Woman with a Mango and Ia Orana Maria –…

8. Vaipoiri Cave

9.6 MILES

Popular day trip from Teahupoo. Walk into blackness till your eyes adjust then swim to the back through the icy waters.