Wailea Beach
Kihei, HI
Wailea Beach fronts a run of resorts on Maui's sunny south shore, a half mile of soft sand and calm, protected water that stays swimmable nearly every day of the year. Hawaii law keeps every beach public to the high water mark, so the crowd here mixes hotel guests with locals who know exactly where the public lot is.
Calm, protected water that's easy for swimmers of any level, though the resort backdrop and the hunt for the free public lot make it feel less like a local beach than a hotel one.
How we score beachesThe public access lot between the Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons is easy to miss from the road. Look for the small beach access sign rather than either resort's main entrance, and get there early since the closest spots go first.
A free public lot sits between the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons resorts, with an overflow lot a short walk further if the first fills, which it often does by mid morning.
A flat, paved path runs from the lot straight to the sand, with restrooms and an outdoor shower right at the access point.
This stretch of the south shore stays calm and dry most of the year, with the biggest crowds and warmest water from late spring through early fall. Winter brings occasional south swells that add a little more shorebreak than usual.
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