Palauea Beach
Kihei, HI
Palauea Beach sits in the gap between Wailea's resorts and Makena's wilder coast, a long, undeveloped stretch of sand with no hotel in sight and noticeably thinner crowds than its neighbors on either side. Green sea turtles feed in the shallows regularly enough that snorkelers plan trips here specifically to find them.
Genuinely good turtle encounters and real elbow room compared to Wailea's resort beaches just north, held back only by a small, informal lot and no facilities at all.
How we score beachesThis is one of the more reliable spots on this coast to swim with turtles rather than just spot one resting on sand. Go slow and keep a respectful distance once you find one.
A small dirt and gravel roadside lot off Makena Road serves the beach, free but limited, filling up by mid morning on weekends.
A short, sandy walk from the roadside lot to open beach, flat but informal, without paved paths or facilities.
Calm most of the year on this protected stretch, with summer bringing the clearest water for turtle snorkeling.
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