Long stretch of sandy, family friendly beach for snorkeling, boogie boarding, or paddle boarding.
Keawakapu Beach
Keawakapu Beach is a stunning and popular beach located on the southern coast of Maui, Hawaii. It is known for its long, golden shoreline, pristine waters, and beautiful views, making it a favorite destination for those seeking a classic Maui beach experience.
Keawakapu Beach is just a 5-10 minute drive south from Auntie Snorkel Kihei, in South Maui. It’s conveniently accessible and is relatively close to various accommodations, restaurants, and shops in the area.
Parking and Access
There are 3 parking lots for this long stretch of beach. For north end parking, head south on South Kihei Road, turn right at the sign for the Mana Kai Maui. Take the first left into the gravel public parking lot. To reach the beach, walk south towards the Mana Kai and follow the easy beach access path.
To park at the middle section of Keawakapu, head south on South Kihei Road, turn left at Kilohana Drive and take the first right into the paved, shaded lot. To reach the beach, use the crosswalk to walk back across South Kihei Road, turn right and follow the beach access path at the little blue Beach Access signs.
To park at the south end of Keawakapu, head south on South Kihei Road, and bear right to stay on South Kihei Road where the road otherwise bends up to the left and becomes Okolani Drive. Drive to the end of the road where there is a parking lot on the right for Keawakapu Beach. This lot can get full early. Beach access here is via a couple of flights of stairs.
Facilities and Amenities
While Keawakapu Beach is relatively undeveloped, it provides basic amenities such as portable toilets and outdoor showers. There are shaded, grassy areas for picnicking and relaxation at the north end.
Check a live webcam at the north end of Keawakapu here.
While Keawakapu Beach itself does not have extensive coral formations, there are some rocky areas near the northern end where you can observe beautiful marine life, including colorful fish and some sea turtles. Dive under water during peak whale season to listen for whale songs!
The beach’s gently sloping shoreline and calm waters make it a great location for swimming. The waves are generally mild, especially during the summer months, and the beach is suitable for families with children.
Summer south swells can bring some shore break to this beach, making for fun boogie boarding or body surfing. Please always exercise extra caution with waves, and if in doubt, don’t go out!
On calm mornings, stand-up paddle boarding is a great option at Keawakapu. Easiest access for your board is at the north end. The long stretch of beach makes for a beautiful paddle. Just be aware that the wind can pick up strongly and quickly from late morning through the day, so the earlier you go out the better.
Keawakapu Beach from the south end.
Environment and Seasonal Variation
Keawakapu is calm and beautiful most mornings year round. It is common for the wind to become strong and gusty from the middle of the day, so this beach is best early.
Summer south swells are most likely to bring waves. Winter will have more flat, calm water days.
It’s important for visitors to respect the local rules and regulations, including not touching or damaging the coral, not collecting or harassing marine life, and not disturbing the natural habitat.
Remember to respect the natural beauty and environment of Keawakapu Beach by leaving no trace and following any posted rules and regulations. Whether you’re looking to snorkel, swim, paddleboard, enjoy a beachfront picnic, or simply relax and watch the sunset, Keawakapu Beach offers a fun and relaxing beach experience on Maui’s southern coast.
About
Auntie Snorkel
Auntie Snorkel shop has been serving Maui’s fun seekers since 1985. We're the original South Maui Snorkel Shop. When I bought the shop 10 years ago from Auntie, we decided to keep the name. The name "Auntie" is a term of respect here in Hawaii. I'm living my dream. I get to meet awesome people from all over the world and share with them my love and knowledge of this magical island that I get to call home. We know all the spots. I have lived here since 2001. We're the true definition of a family owned and operated shop. I answer the phones and work the shop along with my family. When you shop with us you're supporting my ohana and for that I thank you!! Why go anywhere else? We're the friendliest, fastest, cheapest and our location is the most epic! Mahalo and Aloha”. ~Mark Noble (Owner & Maui Fun Expert)
★★★★★ Outstanding Experience with Auntie Snorkel – Highly Recommend!
From the moment we walked in, Auntie Snorkel exceeded all expectations! The shop is well-organized, the gear is top-quality and meticulously maintained, and the entire team is friendly and knowledgeable.
A huge shoutout to Dave, who went above and beyond to help us. He took the time to understand exactly what we needed for our day on the water, fitted us perfectly with snorkel sets, a biggie board (boogie board), and life jackets, and even shared some fantastic local tips on the best snorkeling spots and safest areas for the kids. His patience, enthusiasm, and genuine aloha spirit made the whole process fun and stress-free.
We felt confident and safe with the equipment, and everything performed flawlessly. Renting from Auntie Snorkel turned a good beach day into an unforgettable one. If you're heading out to snorkel or play in the waves, do yourself a favor and visit them – ask for Dave if you can! We'll be back every time we're on the island.
Mahalo, Auntie Snorkel team – you guys are the best!
Gabriel R.
★★★★★ Outstanding Experience with Auntie Snorkel – Highly Recommend!
From the moment we walked in, Auntie Snorkel exceeded all expectations! The shop is well-organized, the gear is top-quality and meticulously maintained, and the entire team is friendly and knowledgeable.
A huge shoutout to Dave, who went above and beyond to help us. He took the time to understand exactly what we needed for our day on the water, fitted us perfectly with snorkel sets, a biggie board (boogie board), and life jackets, and even shared some fantastic local tips on the best snorkeling spots and safest areas for the kids. His patience, enthusiasm, and genuine aloha spirit made the whole process fun and stress-free.
We felt confident and safe with the equipment, and everything performed flawlessly. Renting from Auntie Snorkel turned a good beach day into an unforgettable one. If you're heading out to snorkel or play in the waves, do yourself a favor and visit them – ask for Dave if you can! We'll be back every time we're on the island.
Mahalo, Auntie Snorkel team – you guys are the best!
Angela C.
Great experience renting the snorkel sets and GoOro. Cali (the super kind lady, I hope I got her name right) was very helpful. She helped with our renting, and shared lots of great info to help us find the perfect snorkeling spot. The return experience with Jake was very smooth and pleasant. I will definitely come back if I return to Maui for snorkeling!
Liz Mazur- T.
Did a little last minute search today and found this spot had great prices. I rented some chairs and umbrellas today to take to Wailea Beach. Placed my order online, stopped in and picked them up. Headed off the to beach for a few hours and then dropped everything back off just as easy when we were done! Kyle was super helpful and kind checking out and in too. I would highly recommend auntie snorkel.
Casey W.
Burton helped us to get all the equipment we needed.
