Baldwin Beach Park
Paia, HI
Baldwin Beach Park stretches along a wide, golden run of sand just outside Paia, popular enough with local families that weekend mornings fill the grassy park behind it with soccer games and birthday parties. A protected pool called Baby Beach sits at the west end, calm enough for toddlers even when the main beach has real shorebreak running.
A real neighborhood institution with something for every age thanks to Baby Beach, though the main beach's shorebreak causes real injuries most winters and shouldn't be underestimated.
How we score beachesSkip the main beach's shorebreak with young kids and walk to Baby Beach at the west end instead, a shallow, reef protected pool that stays calm nearly year round.
A large free lot serves the park off Hana Highway, generally able to handle weekend crowds better than most Maui beach parks.
A grassy park with pavilions and restrooms leads onto wide, flat sand, an easy walk for strollers, though the main beach shorebreak can be strong.
Winter brings bigger, more dangerous shorebreak on the main beach, while Baby Beach at the west end stays calm regardless of season.
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