Kealia Beach
Kihei, HI
Kealia Beach sits where North Kihei's long sand run meets the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, a windier, wilder stretch than the beaches further south, with a beach break that draws bodyboarders and beginner surfers on the right swell. Native waterbirds work the adjacent wetland while surfers work the shorebreak, an odd but genuine pairing.
A solid, uncrowded beach break with the wildlife refuge as a genuine bonus, but the wind and exposed shorebreak keep it from being a casual swimming spot.
How we score beachesThe boardwalk through the wildlife refuge just inland is worth the extra twenty minutes, especially in the early morning when the resident stilts and coots are most active.
A small lot serves the boardwalk and beach off North Kihei Road, free and usually available outside of weekend mornings.
A flat, sandy walk from the lot onto open beach, with a separate paved boardwalk through the adjacent refuge for anyone who'd rather stay dry.
Summer's south swells bring the most consistent surf here, while winter tends to be windier with a rougher shorebreak.
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