Po'olenalena Beach
Po'olenalena Beach
5
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Best nearby
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70 within 3 miles
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69 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
91 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
16
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
pdxdebbe
Portland, OR143 contributions
Apr 2021
We loved this beach! Super soft sand both on the beach and in the water. Both days we visited the water was calm and very easy to enter and play around in. My husband swam and said he saw fish at both ends around the rocks. I appreciated that it was the least crowded of the beaches we visited.
Written May 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emmmkk
Deer Park, TX15 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
We woke up early and went to Po’olenalena around 8:00am to snorkel and hopefully see turtles. We didn’t know where to go at first but soon saw a group of people come to snorkel. We waited and saw where they went, then followed. Wow we were not disappointed! We parked at a small parking lot just before makena surf condos and you can cut through the condos on the walkway they have for the public. You can also park a quarter of a mile before that at the po’olenalena parking lot, you will just have to walk a little farther on the beach. Either way, when you arrive at the beach go all the way to the left where the beach ends and there are large rocks. You will have to swim out along the rocks, not too close so the waves don’t slam you into them. The water will get deeper then as you start to get towards the end of the rocks, there is a wonderful reef around them to the left. You can swim all around there, it is a large area. It was very colorful and full of marine life. We saw two large turtles floating around as well. It is a lovely beach with very few people as well!
Written January 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kbailey1088
Columbia, SC142 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Amazing private beach right by turtle cove. We snorkels every day with a dozen or more sea turtles. The water was a bit stirred up due to the current but still amazing to see the turtles close. They would swim right up to us and float by as we took pictures
Written October 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lcarlson2001
Los Angeles, CA45 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
My husband and I went to this beach today. I stayed mostly on the shore to read, occasionally wading into the water but not beyond neck deep. Fantastic experience.
He went down to the south side to snorkel, around the rocks. The snorkeling was AMAZING - a few snorkeler boats disembarked there for a while - but then he got caught up and couldn’t get back around the rocks. He had a harrowing experience and ended up having to climb up the rocks and over, and made it back to me a bit beaten up. Be careful, especially if the sea is rough.
He went down to the south side to snorkel, around the rocks. The snorkeling was AMAZING - a few snorkeler boats disembarked there for a while - but then he got caught up and couldn’t get back around the rocks. He had a harrowing experience and ended up having to climb up the rocks and over, and made it back to me a bit beaten up. Be careful, especially if the sea is rough.
Written December 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trei Campbell
Berkeley, CA40 contributions
Aug 2022
Found a recommendation online to visit this beach. We saw 7 turtles while we were at this beach. Amazing! This we really enjoyed this beach, good size, some shaded tree spots and great swimming. Snorkeling on the north end was good. As the day got later the surf did get a bit rougher, but overall one of our favorite stops on Maui.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kos8890
Massachusetts75 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We picked this beach to have our wedding on. Checked the beach out the day before seen a couple of turtles on the shore. Seen some fish in the water swimming along the shore.Walk down the path to the right of the gate and it takes you to a nice spot. The wedding was at sunset and everything went great. Thanks for the applause from the family watching the ceremony. 🙏 It’s a great little beach has a good amount of parking a few holes on the way in.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine B
St. George, UT45 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Perfect beach for family, sand is not rocky, you can see sea turtles near rocks and fish swimming. Lots of shade,get here at 7 am to get perfect spot. Waves are good. Free parking with bathrooms. Sand gets hot so wear water shoes or sandals right to water.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lslyChicago
Chicago80 contributions
Mar 2019
My husband and I decided to renew our vows after 35 years. We wanted it to be just him and I, no ceremony. We hired a photographer and they suggested a few locations. But this seemed perfect at sunset and not a busy beach. It was picture perfect and as beautiful as the photographer had recommended. Beautiful sand with some rocks. Pretty isolated until you walk down towards the resort shown in the sample picture. would recommend stopping if you are in the area.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piero C
Annapolis, MD774 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
The beach at the parking lot is a wide expanse with beautiful golden sand and a relative emptiness apart from the sunset wedding ceremonies. But what makes this one of the best beaches on the island is the relatively hidden beach immediately to the north, accessible by a short trail, which is as glorious as beautiful Wailea beach without the hotels and massive tourist presence. Note: this is a clothing optional beach. No amenities except for a perfect sunset.
Written September 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman G
Longmont, CO24 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Each time we come to Maui my wife and I try different snorkeling areas based on recommendations from locals. We tried Po'olenalena this trip and it is now our new favorite spot. The rocky point on the south end of the beach has a wonderful reef, close enough to the surface that you can see the coral clearly but deep enough that you don't worry about getting scraped up by it. We saw several turtles (seems to be a good spot for honu cleaning - lots of fish eating the algae off the turtles' backs), many varieties of fish, and beautiful coral structures. There were a huge number of bright red "slate pencil" sea urchins, which made this spot one of the most colorful we've seen in Hawaii.
Written February 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any condos or places to stay close to this beach?
Written February 16, 2020
Closest rental units are at "The Champions" condo complex approx 5 minute drive to the east.
Written February 23, 2020
Turning off the road, the parking lot slopes down towards the beach. The lot consists of mainly hard dirt, gravel & some sand. I believe a wheelchair should be fine loading and unloading in the lot. The pretty beach is directly next to the parking lot. A wheelchair would have difficulty getting to the water but would easily be enjoyed at the edge of the parking lot where the sand meets the lot.
Written November 20, 2019
my fiancee and I are planning a weekday sunset wedding in March and are curious if this is a very busy time, also if it is pleasant weather-wise.
we understand Hawaii is popular for weddings and we will have to share, we are just looking for relatively low traffic and as sedately private as we can find on a public beach.
thanks!
Written April 13, 2018
Po'olenalena, would be perfect in terms of a more secluded, lower traffic beach. This is especially true as you go from the parking lot towards the water, to the right. I've witnessed one wedding there, as opposed to many at other more public beaches. What you need to be prepared for is that the path from the parking lot is a little rough, so I'm not sure how that would work with wedding attire. However, another option, that is more accessible is the more open stretch of beach adjacent to the parking lot. Option A and B ;0)
Written April 13, 2018
We are thinking of using this beach for a mid-November wedding ceremony. Is this a good location? It will be at sunset/dusk. I don't want to worry about a lot of people around or see buildings in the backdrop. Any input is appreciated.
Written September 4, 2017
There are many weddings on this beach, I've seen them myself. There must be a reason why they chose this beach! Lots of shade for folks. The photos can easily be taken without buildings in the way. It's a beach for all occasions It would be fair to say that the best beaches attract one and all but it's spread out so you would easily have your own space. There's a reason why they have buildings nearby for those who want a piece of Paradise to come to. Locals love it.
Written September 5, 2017
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