Best South Maui Beaches for Kids
At a Glance
Most popular on Maui
Central Maui
Maui Snorkeling Adventure to Molokini and Turtle Town
Visit Maui's famous snorkeling and diving destinations Molokini Crater and Turtle Town on a snorkeling catamaran, with visibility of 100 feet or more.
South Maui
Feast at Mokapu Luau in Wailea
Discover Hawai'i's most authentic luxury luau at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort — a curated cultural evening with a three-course plated dinner on Mokapu beach.
South Maui
Gilligans' Island Luau in Kihei
An intimate luau experience and the only luau in Kihei — less than a quarter the size of the average Maui luau, so every seat has a great view of the show.
Road to Hāna
Small-Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup & Lunch
Watch the waterfalls, black-sand beaches and rainforest go by without anyone in your group behind the wheel.
Upcountry
Majestic Haleakalā Sunrise Tour with Pick-up
Ride to the summit for sunrise above the clouds, then unwind over a hot breakfast on the way back down.
West Maui
Original Sunset Cruise with Open Bar from Kaʻanapali
Sip an unlimited open bar while the sun drops behind Lānaʻi, with pupus and live music twice a week.
Central Maui
Small Group Waterfall and Rainforest Hiking Adventure
A guided rainforest hike to East Maui waterfalls, with time to swim beneath the falls and a trail lunch included.
South Maui
Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei
A two-hour beginner lesson in calm South Maui water — board, gear and instruction all included.
Upcountry
Maui Pineapple Farm Tour in Haliimaile
Tour a working pineapple farm and packing house upcountry, with tastings and a fresh pineapple to take home.
Kamaʻole II + III: The Two That Decide Most Family Days
They sit next to each other, but they solve different problems.
- Best straightforward swim — Kamaʻole II when calm
- Best whole-day setup — Kamaʻole III
- Best when the paved lots are restricted — Keawakapu or come after 10 a.m.
Where: South Kīhei Road.
Kamaʻole II is the swim-focused choice: lifeguard, restrooms and shower, with street parking. Kamaʻole III adds a much larger park setting, lifeguard, showers, playground and broad grassy areas that keep the outing working after the kids are finished with the sand.
The paved Kamaʻole I and III lots use PARK MAUI. On weekends and County holidays they are resident-only before 10 a.m. Both areas generally still have parking options nearby, but do not plan on working around the resident-only rule.
All landscaped areas at Kamaʻole II are open again.
Kamaʻole II, Kīhei. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Charley Young Beach
An easy Kīhei family option that deserves more attention.
Charley Young is the northern end of Kamaʻole I with its own access and parking area on the ocean side of South Kīhei Road, so you do not have to cross traffic with kids and beach gear. There is a loading zone and shower near the beach, but no full restroom facility.
It is a useful backup when you want Kamaʻole-style sand without defaulting to the busiest entrances.
Keawakapu
Our favorite longer South Maui beach for mixed-age families.
Keawakapu has plenty of sand, room to walk and easy access between Kīhei and Wailea. Older kids can swim or snorkel when the water is calm, while adults can take a real beach walk without leaving the family behind.
There is no lifeguard, so use it differently from Kamaʻole II or III. Morning is the easier time for the water.
Keawakapu, Kīhei. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Ulua + Mōkapu
The next step for older kids who are ready to try snorkeling.
These neighboring Wailea beaches have sandy entries, public parking, restrooms and showers, with reef close enough that kids do not need a long offshore swim.
There is no lifeguard. Keep inexperienced swimmers within arm’s reach, and stop while the snorkeling is still fun. Twenty happy minutes is a successful first snorkel.
The lots can fill by mid-morning on a strong beach day, so go early.
Wailea Beach
The easiest resort-family beach day.
Wailea Beach works especially well when breakfast, bathrooms, a pool reset and lunch are all close by. You can make the beach part of the day rather than the whole production.
There is no lifeguard.
If Your Kids Hate Sand
A grassy ocean view can be the better family setup.
- Kamaʻole III — broad grass, shade and a playground above the beach.
- Keawakapu by the Mana Kai — set up on the grass or walk north toward the Kihei Surfside lawn.
- Mākena Landing — shaded grass over the bay with parking close by.
- South Maluaka — a beautiful shady lawn above the beach; the parking walk is longer, but the spot is worth it.
Big Beach
Take kids for the sand and the scale — not because you feel like you need to swim.
Big Beach is one of Maui’s most dramatic beaches, but its shorebreak can become powerful with little warning. The State Park warning is the central fact here.
If the water looks questionable, “if you’re in doubt, don’t go out.” Watching the waves and enjoying the beach is still a great stop.
Big Beach, Mākena. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Practical Tips
- Use lifeguarded beaches when you can. In South Maui that means Kamaʻole II and III.
- Go early. Water is usually calmer and parking easier.
- Pool confidence is not ocean confidence. Keep young kids within arm’s reach.
- Bring dry clothes, snacks, shade and water. The reset often determines whether the next stop goes well.
- Bright rash guards make kids easier to track.
- Do not drive across Maui chasing the “best” kids beach. A good beach close to where you are staying usually wins.
One Last Tip
The beach that makes the whole family relax beats the one that wins the beauty contest.
Kamaʻole II when the water is calm, Kamaʻole III when you want the park attached, Keawakapu when everyone is old enough for a longer beach day — and any of them only when the ocean matches your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kamaʻole II or Kamaʻole III with young kids?
Kamaʻole II is the swim-focused choice: lifeguard, restrooms and shower, with street parking. Kamaʻole III adds a much larger park setting, lifeguard, showers, playground and broad grassy areas that keep the outing working after the kids are finished with the sand. Both are lifeguarded, and they are the only two in South Maui.
What is Charley Young Beach?
It is the northern end of Kamaʻole I, with its own access and parking area on the ocean side of South Kīhei Road, so you do not have to cross traffic with kids and beach gear. There is a loading zone and shower near the beach, but no full restroom facility. It is a useful backup when you want Kamaʻole-style sand without defaulting to the busiest entrances.
Are Ulua and Mōkapu suitable for kids learning to snorkel?
They are the next step for older kids who are ready to try it: sandy entries, public parking, restrooms and showers, with reef close enough that kids do not need a long offshore swim. There is no lifeguard, so keep inexperienced swimmers within arm's reach and stop while the snorkeling is still fun. Twenty happy minutes is a successful first snorkel.
Should I take young kids to Big Beach?
Take them for the sand and the scale, not because you feel like you need to swim. Big Beach is one of Maui's most dramatic beaches, but its shorebreak can become powerful with little warning. If the water looks questionable, “if you're in doubt, don't go out” — watching the waves and enjoying the beach is still a great stop.
Which Kamaʻole parking is restricted, and when?
The paved Kamaʻole I and III lots use PARK MAUI, and on weekends and County holidays they are resident-only before 10 a.m. Both areas generally still have parking options nearby, but do not plan on working around the resident-only rule. Keawakapu, or simply coming after 10 a.m., is the alternative.
Where can kids who hate sand still enjoy the ocean?
Kamaʻole III has broad grass, shade and a playground above the beach. Keawakapu by the Mana Kai lets you set up on the grass or walk north toward the Kihei Surfside lawn. Mākena Landing has shaded grass over the bay with parking close by, and south Maluaka has a beautiful shady lawn above the beach.
