20 Best Beaches on Maui for Sunbathing, Snorkeling, and Stunning Coastline Views

"Named for the goddess of canoe makers, Wailea Beach is as perfect and active as you'd expect. The wide, sandy shore is where you'll find beachgoers whale watching, boogie boarding, and reclining in beach chairs. This idyllic spot is tucked perfectly between the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the Grand Wailea, Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, and belongs on every beach lover's Maui itinerary."

"You may already be aware that there are beaches on Maui with white, gold, and even black sand-but what about red sand? This terra-cotta stretch paired with swimming pool-blue water makes a dramatic backdrop for any vacation snap. The remote cove near Hana was formed by lava that cooled above the sea instead of under it, resulting in the sand's unusual hue."

"The rust-colored crescent snatched from the lava cinder cliffs is ringed by a wall of black lava rocks and is a hop, skip, and jump from a Japanese cemetery. The water here is better for photos than swimming in-Kaihalulu translates to 'roaring sea' for a reason-and you're bound to see a few naked sunbathers."

Maui features 120 miles of coastline with varied beach options across windward and leeward shores. The windward side includes black-sand beaches and the town of Hana, while the leeward coast offers classic Hawaiian vacation scenery. Notable beaches include Napili Bay, Hamoa Beach, Kapalua Bay, and Makena Beach. Wailea Beach, named for the goddess of canoe makers, is an active, wide sandy shore between two major resorts offering whale watching and water sports. Kaihalulu Beach near Hana features distinctive red sand formed by cooled lava, creating dramatic photography backdrops with blue waters and black lava rock formations. Each beach provides distinct characteristics suited to different visitor preferences and activities.

Read at Travel + Leisure