Kamiloloa Beach
Kaunakakai, HI
Kamiloloa runs along the shoreline in front of Hotel Molokai, a couple miles east of Kaunakakai on the south shore. A wide barrier reef offshore keeps the water calm but shallow and murky close to the beach, so this ends up being more a place to fish or watch the sunset than to swim.
A convenient stop near town with genuine sunset views, but the shallow, rocky bottom rules out swimming or snorkeling for most people.
How we score beachesThe hotel's oceanfront restaurant is open to non guests, so this doubles as an easy dinner stop after an evening on the sand.
Roadside parking along Kamehameha V Highway near the hotel serves the beach, free and generally available.
A short, flat walk from the road reaches the shoreline, with no stairs or major obstacles.
Maui County's countywide leash law applies to this stretch of shoreline.
Conditions stay fairly consistent year round thanks to the reef, though south swells in summer can occasionally stir up the shallow water close to shore.
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