Ukumehame Beach Park is a popular coastal area for locals and visitors alike in West Maui. Its unique combination of natural beauty and roadside access make it a fun recreational destination for beginning and intermediate surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers, and families gathering for a day at the beach.
Ukumehame Beach Park is just a 15-20 drive south from Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
Parking and Access
There is a small parking lot at Ukumehame Beach Park, but it is frequently full on a beautiful day, so an early arrival is best. Otherwise, park on hard pack sand on the beach, or parallel on the beach side of the road. Just be sure you’re fully off the road way and not blocking anyone else.
Once you’ve parked, you’re already at the beach!
Facilities and Amenities
Ukumehame beach park has minimal facilities, which include a pair of portable toilets. Be prepared to bring everything you need for a day at the beach and pack out all your opala (trash).
Snorkeling is possible here on calm water days, but not the best. Olowalu Mile Marker 14 just to the north is a much more spectacular spot for the snorkelers in your group.
This beach park is more well known for surfing. The surf spots known as “Ukumehame” and “1000 Peaks” are actually 2 distinct areas with different surf and crowds.
Ukumehame is straight out from the parking lot, and largely a right-hand reef break. More experienced local surfers frequent this spot, usually on longboards. The lineup generally works like a point break, so be aware of your etiquette. The inside of this break is very shallow and can be dangerous. This can be a soft, fun, long running wave but can also become quite large and powerful depending on the swell and conditions. Always check with local surf reports before going out.
1000 peaks is everything else – almost literally 1000 peaks! There are lots of spread out peaks breaking right and left all down the beach. This can be a fun playground for beginning and intermediate surfers alike. There is a shallow area of rocky and reefy patches between the sandy shore and the waves. So, use caution paddling out, paddling in, or catching a wave to the inside. This is a fun family surf area on knee to waist high waves. On larger swells, this area generates powerful close-out waves that are not suitable for beginners.
On calm water and calm wind days, this is a beautiful stretch to stand-up paddle board. Wind can pick up suddenly and strongly here, so stay relatively close to shore and go out early for best conditions.
Always be aware of the local forecast, your abilities, and your immediate surroundings in the water.
Environment and Seasonal Variation
The beach is characterized by a mix of soft golden sand and rocky areas. It offers clear waters and is known for its stunning views of the West Maui Mountains and the neighboring islands of Kaho’olawe and Lanai. The scenic beauty of the location is a notable feature of this beach park.
Summer south swells bring the most waves to this area, while winter will have more calm water days. This is a great spot to whale watch from shore during the humpbacks’ winter migration!
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 Ukumehame Beach Park and 1000 Peaks by leaving no trace and following any posted rules and regulations. Ukumehame Beach Park and 1000 peaks is a fun, family friendly beach destination on Maui. It provides opportunities for lots of activities such as surfing, paddle boarding, picnicking, and enjoying the spectacular coastal and mountain views.
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)
Amazing experience all around! Seamless experience renting the equipment online and when we arrived at the shop to pick up the gear it was super smooth. They also have so many other things you can buy so you’ll be covered if you need anything else. Great vibes and great service, I highly recommend!!
Eunice A.
2 days ago
You can order your snorkel gear online which so helpful (I did mine in bed as soon as I woke up) and the pick up is easy. Cali was there today to help us - super friendly and gave us good tips about where to snorkel.
🌺🐓✨🫶🏼🐋
Tyler G.
2 days ago
Jay is the best! Super helpful and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend using this snorkel shop.
Monica T.
2 days ago
Great price, friendly staff. Deserving of 5-star rating!
Heath L.
3 days ago
Our Maui family vacation was centered around surfing, snorkeling, and boogie boarding, and from start to finish, Mark, Dave and the crew at Auntie Snorkel were fantastic! They answered so many questions from me from booking to asking about conditions and best places to go. When we checked in, Dave adjusted some of the gear we had rented online to better suit our needs, and these tweaks were solid gold! You couldn’t deal with a more friendly, helpful group of folks. I can’t recommend them enough!
