Maʻalaea Bay is fronted by a 3-mile stretch of sand running from Maʻalaea Harbor south to Kihei. Access is from several places along N Kihei Rd, including Kealia Beach, which parallels the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk. Parking is limited, but the beach is mostly deserted.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Piʻilanihale Heiau & Kahanu Garden
28.76 MILES
Probably the most significant stop on the entire Road to Hana, this site combines a 294-acre ethnobotanical garden with the magnificent Piʻilanihale Heiau…
6.62 MILES
From break of day to twilight, this sparkling stretch of sand is a showstopper. Extending from south Kihei to Wailea’s Mokapu Beach, Keawakapu is set back…
18.47 MILES
For a long day on the beach, it’s hard to beat this crescent-shaped strip at the southwestern tip of Kapalua. Snorkel in the morning, grab lunch at the…
8.07 MILES
Sunbathe like a celebrity at this sparkling strand, which fronts the swish Grand Wailea and ever-posh Four Seasons resorts and offers a full menu of water…
22.4 MILES
Got your camera? This beauty takes its name from the triple cascade that flows down a steep rock face on the inland side of the road, 0.5 miles past the…
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11.44 MILES
The crowning glory of Makena State Park, this untouched beach is arguably the finest on Maui. In Hawaiian it’s called Oneloa, literally ‘Long Sand.’ And…
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Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Overlook
15.96 MILES
You may find yourself standing above the clouds while exploring Puʻuʻulaʻula (10,023ft), Maui’s highest point. The summit building provides a top-of-the…
7.24 MILES
If you’ve seen just one photograph of Maui's lush interior, odds are it was of the magnificently phallic 2250ft ʻIao Needle, the green pinnacle that…
Nearby attractions
1. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
0.75 MILES
A bird-watcher's oasis, this refuge harbors native waterbirds year-round, and hosts migratory ducks (October to April) and hawksbill and Hawaiian sea…
1.94 MILES
This midsize aquarium showcases Hawaii’s dazzling marine life, including species found nowhere else. The floor plan takes you on an ocean journey,…
3. Mai Poina ʻOe Iaʻu Beach Park
1.99 MILES
This long sandy beach at the northern end of Kihei is a popular morning launch for outrigger canoes and kayaks. After the wind picks up in the afternoon,…
2.43 MILES
In ancient Hawaii, coastal fishponds were built to provide a ready source of fish for royal families. The most intact fishpond remaining on Maui is the 3…
2.46 MILES
This compact park beside the headquarters for the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a nice spot for families with younger kids. A grassy lawn is…
6. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Headquarters
2.54 MILES
The oceanfront deck at the marine sanctuary headquarters is an ideal spot for viewing the humpback whales that frequent the bay during winter. Free scopes…
2.83 MILES
This cliffside perch overlooks Maʻalaea Bay, which is a favored nursing ground for humpback whales. Pull over in winter to watch their annual time here…
2.86 MILES
Philosopher David Malo, who built this church in 1852, was the first Hawaiian ordained to the Christian ministry. He was also co-author of Hawaii’s first…