South Maui

Description:

La Perouse Bay, part of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Preserve, is located at the end of Makena Alanui Road. Many tourists do not drive all the way out to La Perouse Bay because they head to Big Beach and then turn around. La Perouse Bay is about 15 minutes past Big Beach. The drive out to the bay is quite scenic, as there is really no plant life that grows on that side of the island. Black lava rock dominates the landscape.

It is advised that you have an off-road vehicle or at least a car with high undercarriage clearance because the paved road does turn into a gravel road near the entrance to La Perouse Bay. Bring your snorkel gear because there is an amazing collection of fish and reefs.

Our Local Expert Says:

The insiders' hangout and a must-see for the scenery, surf and people. Remoteness, high surf and ocean vistas are found here. The first of its three parking lots adjoins "Big Beach," which is separated from "Little Beach" (known for nudity and raves), by a rocky outcrop. Use caution!

Description:

Makena State Park, south of Wailea, includes "Big Beach" and "Little Beach" nearby. "Little" is known for its nude sunbathers. Big Beach, or "Oneloa Beach," is perfect for sunbathing and body boarding. Little Beach, or "Pu`u Olai Beach," is a short hike away, over a steep lava outcrop. On Sundays, you can join the crowd here for drumming and fire dancing.

Our Local Expert Says:

Beautiful white sand, lots of visitors and big resorts.

Description:

Wailea Beach lies on East Maui's leeward shore. It is backed by the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea resorts. The beach is wide and sandy with an easy slope into the water. When the water is calm, this is a good beach for swimming and snorkeling. A cluster of rocks at the southern end of the beach is used for snorkeling. Bodysurfing is also good at this site. Facilities at Wailea Beach include: restrooms, showers and parking.

Our Local Expert Says:

This editor's favorite swimming spot, with seemingly endless white sand.

Description:

Located behind the Mana Kai Maui Hotel on the border of Wailea and Kihei, this beach is small but still fairly popular. It offers spectacular sunning and great facilities. Beach parking is also available. The half-grass, half-sand beach is less than a minute's distance from the parking lot. As far as swimming goes, this is a good place to get refreshed, but not particularly good for water sports. There's a great deal of lava rock just below the surface, and although the waves tend to be small, getting knocked against the rock is still a danger.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fronting the Makena Prince Hotel, this is one of the best beaches. And don't miss the weddings at sunset and the little oceanfront church.

Description:

Maluaka Beach lies on the leeward shore of East Maui south of Kihei. It lies in the southern portion of Makena Bay. The beach is wide and slopes gently into the water. There are rock outcropping to the north and the south of the beach area. Snorkeling and swimming conditions are good in the morning before the winds begin to blow. The southern end of the beach contains a variety of coral and fish. The high surf brought by the afternoon wind also brings good conditions for body surfing and boogie boarding.

Description:

This shop is located just across the street from Kihei's popular Kamaole Beach Park. You can literally wander in wearing a swimsuit and flip-flops. Chances are, you'll fit right in. There is a fairly extensive menu of specialty cocktails and alcohol-free juices. The burgers are delicious, if a little pricey considering the beach-shack atmosphere. But the live music is really the key here. For information about musical acts, visit their website.

Description:

Under the same ownership as Kapalua's Plantation House Restaurant, SeaWatch is a good choice from morning to evening, and it's one of the more affordable stops in tony Wailea. You'll dine on the terrace or in a high-ceilinged room, from a menu that carries the tee-off-to-19th-hole crowd with ease. From breakfast on, it's a celebration of Island bounty: Crab-cake eggs Benedict or smoked-salmon Benedict is a great way to start your day. Lunch has a range of sandwiches (fresh fish, mango barbecue kalua pork, and traditional burgers), salads, and entrees (blackened fresh catch, stir-fried vegetables with grilled basil chicken). Dinner, with that fabulous ocean view, features five different preparations of the fish of the day, roasted New Zealand lamb, Muscovy duck, and free-range chicken breast.

Description:

Stella Blues gets going at breakfast and continues through to dinner with something for everyone -- vegetarians, kids, pasta and sandwich lovers, hefty steak eaters, and sensible diners who go for the inexpensive salad of fresh Maui greens. Grateful Dead posters line the walls, and a covey of gleaming motorcycles is invariably parked outside. It's loud and lively, irreverent and unpretentious. Sandwiches are the highlight, ranging from Tofu Extraordinaire to grilled chicken to Mom's egg salad on a croissant. Tofu wraps and mountain-size Cobb salads are popular, as are large coffee shakes with mounds of whipped cream. Daily specials include fresh seafood. All of the home-style meals are made from scratch, down to the pesto mayonnaise and herb bread. At dinner, selections are geared toward good-value family dining, from affordable full dinners to pastas and burgers.

Description:

Artist Ken Loyd has a style that's all his own: part modern, part abstract, part Maui. There's definitely an element of fun in all of his works; it's meant to be enjoyed as well as studied. His paintings, whether they be still lifes, landscapes or surrealist studies, all utilize bright colors, undulating shapes and an overall feeling of whimsy. Loyd's art can be seen in various galleries aside from his South Maui studio, among them Village Contemporary in downtown Lahaina.

Call for an appointment before visiting.

Description:

If you're in Kihei and looking for a healthy, delicious lunch at a rock-bottom price, it's worth hunting around for Joy's Place. This tiny hole in the wall has humongous sandwiches (turkey and avocado, tuna salad), wheat-free wraps, fresh salads, hot items (falafel burger, veggie burger), soups, and desserts. Most items are organic. There are a few places to sit inside, but the beach is just a couple minutes' walk away.

Description:

Action Sports Maui is Maui's original kiteboarding center, and is your source for all levels of Kiteboarding, Surfing and Windsurfing lessons, tours and adventures. Their instructors are full-time, well trained professionals that are dedicated to their sports, including many highly qualified instructors and instructor trainers. They utilize the latest developments in each sport to give our students every advantage. They have three schools running simultaneously to provide the best location for each activity. Action Sports' comprehensive range of programs can take a beginner all the way through to extreme sports athlete.

Description:

The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui likes to ensure that its guests never run out of things to do- besides the usual hotel amenities, it offers activities like snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, and inland excursions. If these are not your cup of tea, head to the Spa Kea Lani, one of the hotel's major attractions. Choose from the Awapuhi Ginger Treatment, Ili'Ili Stone Therapy, Oxygenating Vitamin C Facial and many other services. You can also avail of the package deals available, wherein you receive a combination of two or three treatments. The spa is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.