Paia Bay
Paia, HI
Paia Bay sits right at the edge of town, close enough to walk to from Paia's shops and restaurants, with a beach break that draws a loose, sometimes clothing optional crowd at its far east end. Surfers and sunset watchers make up most of the regulars, and the vibe stays distinctly local despite the town's growing tourist foot traffic.
The walk to town access and surf break give it real local character, but the shorebreak and currents keep it from being a casual swimming beach for most of the year.
How we score beachesThe east end of the beach, past the rocky point, tends to be quieter and more clothing optional. The main stretch closer to town parking is the more conventional family scene.
Free street parking near Paia town and a small lot off Hana Highway serve the beach, tight on weekends given the town's popularity.
A short walk from town parking down a sandy path to the beach, flat but informal, with no facilities directly on site.
Winter brings bigger surf and stronger currents, while summer is calmer and better suited to swimming.
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