South Maui Guide (Wailea, Kihei & Makena): The Wailea Beach Path, Turtle Town & Big Beach

Shielded from northeast trade winds and rain clouds by the 3,055-metre bulk of Haleakala Volcano, South Maui, stretching from condo-lined Kihei south through manicured Wailea to wild Makena State Park, receives less than 250 millimetres (10 inches) of rain a year. Under Hawaii state law, every beach in Hawaii is public up to the vegetation mark, and every resort in Wailea provides a free public beach-access car park with showers and toilets.

1. Walk the Free 2.4-Kilometre 'Wailea Beach Path' & Morning Shore Snorkelling

Park for free in the public beach lot at Ulua and Mokapu Beach (next to the Andaz resort; arrive early for easy parking) or at Wailea Beach and Polo Beach:

• The 2.4-Kilometre Wailea Oceanfront Boardwalk: winds along the lava-rock bluffs between five resort lawns (Andaz, Marriott, Grand Wailea, Four Seasons and Fairmont Kea Lani) and five golden-sand beaches, with views of offshore Molokini Crater, Kaho'olawe and Lana'i. From December to April, humpback whales spout and breach right off this footpath.
• The 3 Best Morning Shore-Snorkelling Spots in South Maui:
  1. Ulua Beach (North End of the Wailea Path): easy sandy entry; swim along the rocky lava reef point dividing Ulua and Mokapu Beaches to see parrotfish, butterflyfish and sea turtles.
  2. Maluaka Beach ('Turtle Town' in Makena): park at the free public lot on Makena Road and swim along the southern coral reef edge, where resident Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) gather at underwater cleaning stations.
  3. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve: a protected marine reserve surrounded by black 1790 lava fields at the end of the road.

2. Kihei's 'Kamaole Beach Parks I, II & III' & Wild 'Makena Big Beach (Oneloa)'

• Kihei's Kamaole Beach Parks I, II & III (South Kihei Rd): three family-friendly golden beaches with lifeguards, grassy picnic lawns, free parking and nearby poke and shave-ice shops.
• Makena State Park, 'Big Beach' (Oneloa Beach): an undeveloped 1-kilometre-long, 30-metre-wide ribbon of golden sand framed by cinder cone Pu'u Ola'i. Ocean Safety Warning: Big Beach has a steep shorebreak where heavy waves slam onto shallow sand; admire the waves from the beach or wade only when flat.