Maluaka Beach in Maui (All around great beach!)

There are so many great beaches on the Hawaiian island of Maui that it is hard to choose which one to spend your time on. Some beaches offer great snorkeling but don’t really have nice sand to lounge on. Others offer both but are completely overrun with crowds due to a high number of hotels being really close.

There are some beaches that offer each of those but aren’t easy to access.

Shockingly, Maluaka Beach in Maui threads the needle by providing just about everything you would want in a top Maui beach. Maluaka Beach is great for snorkeling, families, swimming, and sun bathing.

It really is one of the best beaches in Maui!

Maluaka Beach Quick Tips

• Sand & water color: Light fine golden sand and turquoise blue water
• Best for: one of the island’s top snorkeling spots
• Known for: being an all around great beach – also, turtles are frequently spotted here
• Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic tables
• Swimming conditions: Usually calm, but be careful because at times the conditions can change
• Lifeguard: none
• Cost: Free
• Parking: Free public parking at a lot across from Keawala’i Church (short walk to the beach)
• Available tours: Turtle town snorkeling tours available in the area (best snorkeling on Maui)

Where is Maluaka Beach located?

Maluaka Beach is just south of Makena Landing with the area nearby known as Turtle Town. This area is famous for being home to some of the best snorkeling!

Parking at Maluaka Beach

There is a free public parking lot at the southern end of the beach off of Makena Keonoio Rd. There are not big signs designating the beach, so make sure you are paying attention to your GPS.

For simplicity, I recommend you put Keawala’i Church into your GPS. The free public parking lot is directly across the street from this church.

If I attended a church that was directly on this beach I know I would have a hard time focusing! Or maybe seeing such a beautiful view makes people so grateful they want to go worship to say thank you; regardless, the church backs directly up to the beach.

From there you walk down a sidewalk to the beach. Parking can fill up so I recommend you get there early or late in the day.

Maluaka Beach Snorkeling

The beach has some unique geography that generally make the conditions perfect for snorkeling. There are mountains that protect this beach from wind and help keep the waters calm.

Calm waters help keep the sea creatures out and visible.

There are a lot of boat and snorkel tours that head to this area. If you aren’t interested in booking a tour you can see a lot of similar animals by snorkeling here.

What else can expect at Maluaka Beach?

• Very clean beach and facilities.
• Great beach for families.
• It is big enough that you don’t feel crowded. 
• Great snorkeling with turtles and lots of colorful fish. (Make sure to use a reef safe sunscreen.)
• Big shade tree on the beach.
• Picnic area.
• Has a nice grassy patch incase you don’t want to get sandy. Nice added bonus.
• Less crowds since it isn’t a main resort area, though it is directly in front of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort

Swimming Conditions

Generally this beach is pretty good for swimming since it is protected from the worst winds. Like a lot of the beaches in Hawaii, there are times when the surf can get rough. So take caution.

This means that it is generally NOT a good beach for surfing or boogie boarding.

Make sure to use a reef safe sunscreen when snorkeling to preserve the coral reef.

Facilities

Pros and Cons

Pros 

• Not crowded, or way less crowded than other Maui beaches
• Free parking available
• Easily accessible
• Good chance of seeing turtles!
• Great snorkeling
• Good shade

Cons

• Not a good surfing beach
• Parking can fill up
• Not a lot of hotels in the area

Conclusion: Is Maluaka Beach worth visiting?

If you want to experience a beach away from the crowds that offers an all-around great experience, Maluaka Beach is it!

Things to do near Maluaka Beach

1. Big Beach – One of my favorite beaches in Maui.
2. Makena Cove – Secret cove
3. Oneuli Beach – Beautiful Black sand beach with amazing snorkeling.

What to Pack for Maui

• Quick Dry Travel Towel – This quick dry towel is amazing to travel with. It really will come in handy when you need extra room in your suitcase.
• Snorkeling gear – for obvious reasons.
• Hiking boots – I have two pairs of hiking boots that I love. My Columbia waterproof boots and my Salomon hiking boots. Highly recommend checking them both out!
• Sandals – LOVE these Teva’s! They are my new go to travel sandal. Shop my favorite Teva’s here. They are great to wear in the water snorkeling and also amazing for hiking in Hawaii.
• Dresses for Hawaii – Packing a few good dresses is essential for Hawaii. Dresses have become my go to on trips to help quickly put an outfit together. Revolve is one of my go to shops for beach dresses. ASOS also has great summer dresses.
• Shorts – Anyone who is traveling to Hawaii needs a good pair of shorts. Khakis are great for guys. For women, cute athletic shorts or denim shorts are perfect for a breezy summertime look. These Levi denim shorts are my current favorites! These high waisted athletic shorts have gone viral on instagram and for good reason, they are AMAZING.
• Sports bra – This SKIMS bra is the most comfortable sports bra you will ever wear! Trust me. I travel with 5 of them. Also, highly recommend checking out the SKIMS fits everybody bra is to die for as well.
• Agolde 90’s jeans – I actually can’t remember the last trip I have been on where I haven’t brought these Agolde jeans. I have them in multiple colors and sizes. Check out my full review here.
• Tank tops – Free people is my go to place to buy cute and affordable tank tops. I have this tighten up tank in almost every color.
• Hat – essential. Shop the newest hats at Nordstrom.
• Beach cover-up – Having at least one good cover-up is essential on any beach trip. I recommend ASOS, Nordstrom and Revolve as well.
• Tennis Shoes – I guess you could wear sandals hiking the trails in Maui but I would recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots. It can get narrow and slippery in parts. These New Balance shoes are amazing. Only problem is they sell out so fast! Blah. They look so cute with shorts too!
• Packing cubes – I always go to Urban Outfitters for my packing cubes. They have the cutest ones!

Planning a trip to Maui? Here are our best MAUI BLOG POSTS:

My husband and I have been to Maui a couple times and have written up more blog posts to help you plan your trip. These are my most popular blog posts and Hawaii travel guides to help you plan your trip. I hope it helps!

Maui general trip planning

• Where to stay in Maui
• 10 Cool Things to do in Maui Hawaii
• 10 Best Road to Hana Stops in Maui

Maui Beaches

• Guide to Visiting the Red Sand Beach– One of the best beaches in Maui!
• Hookipa Beach – (Best beach to see turtles in Maui)
• Makena Beach/Big Beach (One of my favorite beaches in Maui)
• Little Beach (also known as Oneloa Beach) – WARNING – nude beach.
• Oneuli Beach – Black sand beach
• Maluaka Beach – all around great beach
• Slaughterhouse Beach – (AKA Mokuleia Bay)
• La Perouse Beach (Bay) – great snorkeling tours here. Best if reached by boat.

Maui Hikes & Lookouts

• Sliding Sands Trail – (also known as Keonehe’ehe’e Trail) is one of the most unique hikes on Earth!
• Waihee Ridge Trail – Most Underrated Maui Hike
• Hoapili Trail – (Hike through lava fields in Maui)
• Dragon’s Teeth Hike
• Ohai Trail Loop – (Easy but Awesome)
• Leleiwi Overlook in Haleakala National Park – (Maui must see!)

Maui Waterfalls

• 6 Easily Accessible Maui Waterfalls – The Best and Most Easily Accessible Maui Waterfalls
• 7 Waterfalls in Maui That You Can Swim In – Must see!
• 13 WATERFALLS IN MAUI YOU CAN’T MISS

Everything else

• Nakalele Blowhole – (100 foot Maui blowhole)
• Olivine Pools in Maui – What you need to know before going