Polo Beach
Wailea, HI
Polo Beach sits below the Fairmont Kea Lani at the southern edge of Wailea's resort row, a crescent of soft sand with calm, clear water and a public access lot that keeps it genuinely open despite the five star backdrop. Snorkeling around the rocky point at the south end holds up nearly as well as its more famous neighbors.
Soft sand and reliably calm water make it an easy recommendation, but the tiny public lot and resort crowd mean locals often save it for weekday mornings only.
How we score beachesWalk south along the rocky point toward Palauea when Polo itself feels crowded. The shoreline connects on foot at low tide for anyone willing to rock hop a bit.
A small free public lot sits off Kaukahi Street, modest in size and often full by late morning given the beach's popularity with resort guests and locals alike.
A short, paved path from the lot leads directly to wide, flat sand, an easy walk with no stairs.
This sheltered stretch of the south shore stays calm most of the year, with summer offering the clearest water for snorkeling the point.
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