South Maui Summer Beach Crawl: Five Beaches, Five Ways to Play 🌴🏖️
Looking to make the most of your sunny South Maui time? Pack your beach gear, load up on snacks, and get ready for a South Maui Summer Beach Crawl!
From Makena to Kihei, we’ve handpicked five of the most beautiful beaches in the region and matched each one with its best beach day activity—snorkeling, SUP, boogie boarding, relaxing, and even beginner surfing. Whether you’re a solo traveler, family adventurer, or a beach-loving couple, this is the ultimate way to play your way through paradise.
🤙 Pro Tip: Conditions in South Maui are usually best in the morning, before 12pm. So, it will probably be best to spread your beach crawl out over a couple of days. You won’t want to rush any of these epic spots anyway!
🏄♀️ Stop 1: Cove Park — Best for Beginner Surfing
Begin your South Maui Summer Beach Crawl with some wave riding at Cove Park, one of the best beginner surf breaks on the island. Shallow waters and slow rollers make this a go-to spot for surf schools and first-timers. The morning light here is golden, and the vibe is always fun.
To Ride The Waves: Book a surf lesson online with Auntie Snorkel and head into the waves with confidence. Or rent soft tops from Auntie Snorkel!
🐢 Stop 2: Kamaole I Beach Park — Best for Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Next, head south to Kamaole I Beach Park. This wide, sandy beach has a gentle slope and generally calm surf, making it perfect for stand-up paddleboarding. The reef near the southern end offers nice sights below the surface, and the expansive shoreline gives paddlers plenty of room to cruise.
SUP Tip: Auntie Snorkel rents SUPs for just 2 hours to full weeks, plus straps for your rental car if needed!
🕺 Stop 3: Keawakapu Beach — Best for Boogie Boarding
Time to turn up the fun! Keawakapu Beach has a long shoreline and usually playful shore break, making it perfect for boogie boarding. It’s also one of the more peaceful beaches in South Maui, with a more spread out crowd and beautiful clear water.
Whole Family Bonus: Keiki will love chasing waves while grownups lounge in beach chairs under a beach umbrella.
🌺 Stop 4: Po‘olenalena Beach — Best for Relaxing
After all that action, it’s time to slow things down. Po‘olenalena Beach is a spacious gem with golden sand and great afternoon shade. Bring your favorite beach read, kick back, and take in the sounds of the ocean.
What to Bring: Beach chairs, umbrella, snacks, and maybe an ukulele if you’re feeling the aloha spirit.
🐠 Stop 5: Maluaka Beach — Best for Snorkeling
The last stop in our South Maui Summer Beach Crawl will really turn up the excellence on your day with calm, crystal-clear waters and a likely encounter with honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Maluaka Beach, also known as part of “Turtle Town,” offers excellent early morning snorkeling conditions in a picturesque setting. The rocky points at either end of the beach will offer your best chance at spotting marine life.
Gear Tip: Rent a snorkel set (and floatation!) from Auntie Snorkel before you go! Our Kihei shop opens bright and early at 7:30am every day.
📍 Bonus Tips from Auntie Snorkel:
- Check our Maui Beach Guides for directions, parking tips, live webcam views and current surf/wind conditions.
- We rent everything you need for your beach crawl: snorkel sets, boogie boards, SUPs, surfboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and wagons to haul it all!
- Stop by our shops in Kihei or Lahaina to gear up—or book your rentals online for easy pickup!
Whether you’re going all-in on activities or simply cruising the coastline, the South Maui Summer Beach Crawl is a fun and flexible way to explore the island’s best beaches. With one perfect stop for every kind of beachgoer, your Maui memories are just a sandy footprint away.
See you out there…cheehooo! 😊🏖️🤙
