Maluaka Beach, Wailea: Address, Phone Number, Maluaka Beach Reviews: 4.5/5
Maluaka Beach
Maluaka Beach
4.5
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The area
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Restaurants
48 within 3 miles
Bubba’s Shack Maui
1
0.4 mi
Red Food Truck
12
0.5 miAmerican
Jawz Mexican Grill
225
0.7 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Seafood
Jazzy’s Kitchen
18
0.7 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Fast Food
Jaws Taco
5
1 miMexican
Gannon's
1,167
1.4 mi$$$$ • American • Contemporary • Hawaiian
Kō Restaurant
1,532
2 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Asian • Polynesian
Nick's Fishmarket Maui
1,592
2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Mulligans on the Blue
812
2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Irish • Bar
Kea Lani Restaurant
169
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
47 within 6 miles
Keawala'i Congregational Church
75
0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals
Big Beach
332
1 miBeaches
Oneuli Beach
50
0.5 miBeaches
Makena Beach
1,012
1.6 miBeaches
Wailea Beach Path
588
2 miBeaches • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve
248
2.1 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Polo Beach
318
2.1 miBeaches
Wailea Beach
1,934
2.8 miBeaches
Oneloa Beach
96
1 miBeaches
Keawakapu Beach
547
Beaches
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
383 reviews
Excellent
296
Very good
70
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
1
JillClardy
Redwood City, CA786 contributions
Family
Though we were staying in Kaanapali, we wanted to experience other beaches away from the crowds. Maluaka is easy to get to, with parking lots on each end. We parked at the north end, then hauled our stuff all the way to the other end so we could set up in the shade beneath a tree. Had we known that was the only shady spot we would have parked at the south end. Dad and the 6 year old enjoyed snorkeling and boogie boarding, though a few sleeper waves made it more exciting than the 6 year old was prepared for. We also did a little beach combing and climbed over a lava rock barrier to a protected little cove. A shower and restroom were up on the bluff just above us. It was a pleasant stay.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
alaskantravelnut
Anchorage623 contributions
Couples
This is a pretty beach that appears to be mainly used by people staying at the nearby resort. There is a free public parking lot at the southern end of the beach off Makena Keonoio Rd. From there you walk down a sidewalk to the beach. If you continue on the sidewalk, you can access the northern end of the beach where the sidewalk ends. There is also limited parking along Makena Rd. at the northern end. Where the sidewalk accesses the beach at the south, is a nice grassy shaded picnic area and a bathroom. The walking, swimming, and snorkeling are better at the southern end. The beach is steeper at the northern end. You have to negotiate a few rocks to get to the snorkeling at the northern end. The ocean drops off more steeply than at the south. The coral and fish are more abundant and closer to the surface on the southern end.
Written March 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nancy S
Flint, MI459 contributions
Friends
The beach is sandy and the view is spectacular. Big enough so you don’t feel crowded. Public restroom and picnic area available. If you don’t want to sun sit in the shade and people watch. Parking was plentiful. A bit of a walk to the beach.
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kathy G
Winnipeg, Canada27 contributions
Couples
On our recent trip to Maui, we visited Maluaka Beach several times. We visited a few other beaches but found Maluaka Beach met our needs with good parking ( if you are there early), good shade and calmer water for swimming. It also never became too crowded.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barb R
59 contributions
Family
The beach was great. We went snorkling there for the first time and saw a lot of different fish. My husband saw a turtle swimming near by but I missed him. Great beach for hanging out with friends and family.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jmryl2018
Dallas, TX62 contributions
Couples
We enjoyed this beach twice during our stay. A little hard to get there, but worth the effort. Parking lot is a short walk from the beach. Nice and clean beach area. Not very crowded. Surf was a little rough at times. Go early to avoid high surf.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dayna
192 contributions
Couples
Hiked from Oneuli Black Sand Beach on fairly treacherous terrain in flip flops. Almost turned back but ended up making it to Maluaka. Soft sand, clean beach in front of golf course and condos. Walked the road back to our car. Maybe 4 stars without the fun hike.
Written January 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LGB-Local
Lakewood, CA142 contributions
This beach is located in front of Makena Beach Resort (formerly Prince Hotel). I almost hate to disclose this quiet uncrowded place. Sorry locals. Be gentle with the reef...don't touch or step on coral, or bother the green turtles.
The beach is clean with gentle waves and vegetation at north end offers shade. Reefs at both ends of the cove offer good snorkling, but south end is much clearer due to prevailing current. Saw a dozen turtles at both reefs and even at the large rock just off the beach in the center of the cove. South end has the most turtles.
The beach can be accessed from Makena Road from either the north or the south (the road dead ends on either side of the resort). From the north, take Honoiki Street off of Makena Alanui and turn left onto Makena Road. There is a free public parking lot across the street from Keawalai Church with showers and restrooms (a couple hundred yards north of the beach). From the south, go beyond Makena Beach Resort and take a right onto Makena Road (marked dead end) from Makena Alanui after a big sweeping right hand curve in the road straigtens out. Parking at the south end of the beach is limited to roadside off-pavement spots.
The beach is clean with gentle waves and vegetation at north end offers shade. Reefs at both ends of the cove offer good snorkling, but south end is much clearer due to prevailing current. Saw a dozen turtles at both reefs and even at the large rock just off the beach in the center of the cove. South end has the most turtles.
The beach can be accessed from Makena Road from either the north or the south (the road dead ends on either side of the resort). From the north, take Honoiki Street off of Makena Alanui and turn left onto Makena Road. There is a free public parking lot across the street from Keawalai Church with showers and restrooms (a couple hundred yards north of the beach). From the south, go beyond Makena Beach Resort and take a right onto Makena Road (marked dead end) from Makena Alanui after a big sweeping right hand curve in the road straigtens out. Parking at the south end of the beach is limited to roadside off-pavement spots.
Written September 19, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jgawth
Victoria, Canada110 contributions
Family
If you find the surf too strong and high at Big Beach, and your vehicle can't negotiate the rutted Indiana Jones-like "road" to Black Sand Beach, then your family will appreciate Maluaka Beach, the first main beach north of the above, in the Makena area. There are two ways of accessing this beach. The southern access, via Makena Road, is a long walk to the beach from the parking lot. Instead, you might want to use the access from the north end. From the main Wailea-Makena highway, turn down Honoliki Street to a T-intersection at the bottom, and turn left (south). A short way down you will see a cute little church, Keawalai, across from which is the second parking lot. If you have gear to drop off, continue a short distance and find a small turnout right at the north end of the beach, where drop-off is permitted. You can bring your vehicle back to the parking lot and if you arrive in early to mid-morning you can find parking there. Bonus: there are washrooms and foot-showers at the lot entrance.
The beach has lots of sand for kids and families and great bodysurfing/boogieboard surfing. There is a reef at the north end with great snorkeling, at least in the morning. The water depth is good in that the reef is not too close to the surface. We saw the odd sea turtle, many varieties of tropical fish, moray eels, even octopus. As you step into the water to snorkel the reef, watch for rocks close in, often obscured by wave-tossed sand.
The beach has lots of sand for kids and families and great bodysurfing/boogieboard surfing. There is a reef at the north end with great snorkeling, at least in the morning. The water depth is good in that the reef is not too close to the surface. We saw the odd sea turtle, many varieties of tropical fish, moray eels, even octopus. As you step into the water to snorkel the reef, watch for rocks close in, often obscured by wave-tossed sand.
Written July 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
katica k
Brownstown Township, MI2 contributions
Family
The beach was clean and a beautiful site. I give it that! But it was always cloudy here or rain every time I came to this side of the island. I thought it would be a little more private with upper class people here or family friendly like the other side of the island with beaches! I was under the impression that I could get beautiful wedding pictures here on the beach, since I just got married here. Disaster, disaster, disaster all the way around! The beach was crowded for the sunset! Tons of 20 year old kids that were disrespectful. Plus the tons of people, would not move out of the way for our wedding pictures. They gave us dirty looks, like we had no right to be here! Wow, me and my husband were shocked with our kids , we are Christians and never been treated like that before. We ran into a lot of drunk people. No compliments out of their mouths! I WOULD NOT recommend this beach for lovers or happy Christian families with small children or even just getting married pictures ! Very, very bad experience here!!! God bless, thank you for hearing what is in my heart!
Written December 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rebecca S
Hawaii
Aloha, My family is a resident on the road accessing Maluaka Beach. Our family is part Hawaiian with property passed down.
Residents have rights too such as for PEACE and quiet especially at night so there are legal signs posted no parking allowed after 8pm which is well after dark. Legal signage also states no parking before 7am for the same reason. I truly believe people do not realize the noise that is carried back from water inland including road noise. We hear EVERYTHING. Conversation, screams, crying, arguments, drunks cursing, car engines, car doors, car horns when locking the cars, car horns when they set off their alarm, trunks slamming, blasting music with open windows, scooters buzzing, motorcycles roaring and even worse the straight piped motorcycles that stop all conversation until they are gone. Then after dark we experience headlights shining into our home/bedroom as people prefer to turn around in the road rather than drive a few yards to properly turn around in the culdesac. There is a severe issue with speeding on this tiny curvy road with constant pedestrians, bicyclists and pets. Not only is this a safety issue but the faster one goes, the louder the sound. What's the rush? My cat was hit breaking her pelvis and recently I buried a feral orange tabby I had been feeding killed on the road. Over the years we have witnessed a shift in attitude. Not with all people but more and more it seems a disrespect and lack of consideration for the aina, the residents, well anyone around them. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" I'm sure we all desire PEACE and privacy in our homes. It's definitely a challenge here in Hawaii with open homes. Our old Hawaii home windows are screened without air conditioning so we cannot close out noise and light. It became so bad at night we made our storage room into our bedroom as it's behind the house plus we run a box fan to drown out car/people noise to have uninterrupted sleep. ALL that is being asked is to obey the law which is posted parking allowed between 7am and 8pm. aloha and mahalo nui loa
SRL1975
El Paso, TX121 contributions
I truly respect that and agree with you. It was a privilege to be on that beach and even while there, I had a sadness to think that its pristine quiet will soon end with development that's encroaching.
I can only imagine your frustration.
canter2u
Beaver Dams, NY424 contributions
can someone give me directions to parking? We would like to snorkel at the south end. Thanks!
Lisa M
Clearfield, UT29 contributions
We just Google mapped Turtle Town Maui and it took us straight to the maluaka beach parking lot. We went once in the morning and once in the afternoon, both times we found a parking spot. There's a bathroom house on the left side of the street with an outside shower next to it. Once parked, continue walking down the street that you were driving on (less than 5 min) and there's the beautiful beach. We snorkeled around the coral on the right side of the beach and saw a lot of turtles both times we went. Good luck
Frequently Asked Questions about Maluaka Beach
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- Hotels near Maluaka Beach:
- (0.35 mi) Makena Makai - 3 Bedroom Oceanfront villa--from $1050.00/night
- (0.97 mi) Makena Surf
- (0.40 mi) Makena Bay House - Beautiful Views, Oceanfront!
- (0.40 mi) Spectacular Oceanfront Home! Watch turtles from deck while relaxing in the spa!!
- (2.29 mi) Hotel Wailea
- Restaurants near Maluaka Beach:
- (0.36 mi) Bubba’s Shack Maui
- (0.68 mi) Jawz Mexican Grill
- (1.42 mi) Gannon's
- (2.85 mi) Honolulu Cookie Company
- (1.99 mi) Kō Restaurant