Best South Maui Beaches for Kids
The short version
- Kamaʻole III for the whole-family setup; Kamaʻole II for the simple guarded swim.
- Keawakapu for space; Ulua for the first snorkel with older kids; Maluaka for the Mākena morning.
- Big Beach, Pāʻako, Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach), ʻĀhihi and La Pérouse are not kids’ swimming beaches.
- PARK MAUI lots: $10/day for visitors; residents first before 10 on weekends.
At a Glance
Our pick: Maui: Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei
Best for first-time surfers who want a small lesson at Kalama Park; groups max at 6 and most beginners get standing quickly.
Our pick: Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)
Best for beginners and families who want Turtle Town by clear kayak, not boat.
The Ranking
If you’re staying at a resort or condo on the beach, the beach right out front is often the best one for you; try the others when you want a change.
- Kamaʻole III: best entire family setup.
- Kamaʻole II: best simple guarded swim; open again since 11 August 2026, restrooms included.
- Kamaʻole I and Charley Young: best central alternative. Charley Young has its own ocean-side access, so nobody crosses South Kīhei Road with kids and gear.
- Keawakapu: best space and mixed-age beach day; no lifeguard, so the adults are the lifeguard.
- Ulua: best first snorkel for older kids.
- Mōkapu: best Ulua alternative.
- Wailea Beach: best resort-front family beach.
- Maluaka: best family beach-and-snorkel morning in Mākena.
- Polo Beach: best quieter resort beach.
- Mākena Landing: best grass, shade and guided paddle access.
Keawakapu, Kīhei. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
At Ulua and Mōkapu keep inexperienced swimmers within arm’s reach and stop while it’s still fun: twenty happy minutes is a successful first snorkel.
If your kids hate sand, a grassy ocean view works better: Kamaʻole III’s lawn and playground, the grass by Keawakapu, the shaded lawn over Mākena Landing, or the shady lawn above south Maluaka.
Wailea Beach works best when breakfast, bathrooms, a pool reset and lunch are all close by. On Fridays, Papa Hula at The Shops at Wailea at The Shops is a free hula workshop for all ages, 4 to 5 p.m.
Kamaʻole II vs Kamaʻole III
Choose Kamaʻole II when the plan is simply to swim, rinse off and leave.
Choose Kamaʻole III when the beach is only part of the outing. The larger grass, playground, restrooms and room to reset make it the better choice for a longer family morning.
Kamaʻole II, Kīhei. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Beaches to Treat Carefully
- Big Beach (Oneloa): visit for scenery and sand; swimming depends entirely on the shorebreak. It is lifeguarded, and that does not make the shorebreak gentle.
- Pāʻako (Secret Cove): too small and parking-dependent for a reliable family plan.
- Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach): rocky, hot and less forgiving.
- ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu: not a beginner or young-child snorkeling site.
- La Pérouse: a lava-coast outing, not a family swimming beach.
Big Beach, Mākena. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Before You Go
Parking Note
PARK MAUI charges nonresidents $10 a day, $50 a week or $150 a month at participating lots (checked Oct 2026). The paved Kamaʻole I and III lots put residents first before 10 a.m. on weekends and County holidays.
Don’t plan on working around the resident-only rule: on a weekend morning use Keawakapu if the water is calm, or come after 10.
Every South Maui beach: Best Beaches in South Maui → The whole family trip: South Maui with Kids →
Snorkeling with children: Snorkeling on Maui with Kids → Island-wide: Best Beaches on Maui for Kids →
One Last Tip
Make it easy on everyone. Lifeguard, lawn, restroom, shade: Kamaʻole III has all four, and that’s why it wins with kids. The beach that lets the whole family relax beats the one that wins the beauty contest, and a good beach close to where you’re staying beats driving across Maui for the “best” one.
Check before you go: Surf and wind warnings (NWS) · Brown-water advisories (DOH)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kamaʻole beach is best for kids?
Kamaʻole III for a long morning: lawn, playground, restrooms and a lifeguard. Kamaʻole II, open again since 11 August 2026, when the plan is simply swim, rinse and leave. Kamaʻole I and Charley Young are the central alternative.
Are there lifeguards at South Maui beaches?
Yes, at Kamaʻole I, II and III in Kīhei and at Big Beach in Mākena. No Wailea beach has a lifeguard, and neither do Keawakapu, Maluaka or Mākena Landing.
Is Big Beach OK for kids?
For sand play well above the waterline, yes. It isn’t a young-child swim: the shorebreak lands directly on the sand and can turn powerful with little warning, even with a lifeguard on duty.
