Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Big Beach is one of Maui's most picturesque beaches. If you close your eyes and imagine what a tropical beach looks like, chances are your mental image will look a lot like Big Beach. For this reason, people come from all over the island to relax and enjoy this majestic stretch of sand.

Unlike most of the beaches in South Maui, Big Beach is fairly protected from afternoon winds, so this is a nice beach to visit any time of day. The park gate officially opens at 7 a.m., but if you arrive early there is plenty of roadside parking just outside the gate. This will give you a good shot of getting the beach all to yourself. And, since this beach doesn't back up to a resort, it can have a more natural, park-like feel.

Rocky outcrops frame the north and south ends of Big Beach. If you decide to poke around and explore these areas, keep a watchful eye on the ocean. Rogue waves can sneak in and knock you right off your feet.

When the seas are calm, this is a great swimming beach. When the shorebreak is more powerful, this is a popular place for bodyboarding and skimboarding. If you're not into playing in the water, it's a nice spot to watch others ride the waves.

This is also the access point for Pu'u Ola'i / Red Hill and Little Beach.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Perfect golden sand. Shaded areas for picnicking.

Cons

Can get crowded.

Features

Picnic tables
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Comments

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