Ulua Beach
Wailea, HI
Ulua Beach sits behind a rocky point at the north end of Wailea's resort strip, a small, protected cove where the reef just offshore makes for some of the most reliable snorkeling on this side of the island. A short walk over the point connects to Mokapu Beach next door, and locals treat the two as one continuous stretch even though each keeps its own name.
Consistently good snorkeling in a protected, easy to reach cove, though the small size means it fills up fast once the resort crowd finds a sunny afternoon.
How we score beachesSnorkel the rocky point between Ulua and Mokapu rather than the open sand. That's where the reef structure and the fish concentrate.
A small free public lot sits off Wailea Alanui Drive between resort properties, tight but rarely impossible to find space in outside of midday.
A short, paved path from the lot leads to a small sandy cove, an easy walk though the beach itself is compact.
Protected from most swell direction, this cove stays calm and clear nearly year round, with summer bringing the best snorkeling visibility.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Ulua Beach
The main cove and public lot, with the best snorkeling directly off the rocky point at its south end.
Parking: A small free lot off Wailea Alanui Drive serves this entrance.
Local tip: Get here by mid morning before the resort snorkel crowd fills the point.
Get directions →Mokapu Beach
The quieter cove just north of Ulua, separated by the same rocky point, slightly wider sand and a bit more room to spread out.
Parking: Reached via the same Wailea Alanui Drive lot as Ulua, a short walk north over the point.
Local tip: If Ulua's sand is packed, walk the few minutes north over the point to Mokapu instead.
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