Best Things to Do in Wailea
The short version
- Snorkel Ulua or Mōkapu early.
- Walk the Wailea Beach Path, use midday for the resort, spa or shops, and come back to the coast for sunset.
- No Wailea beach has a lifeguard; every one is public, but the public lots are small.
At a Glance
Our pick: Water Bike Tour in South Maui
A fun, low-stress alternative to kayaking or SUP: the stable water bikes require no balancing and follow the Mākena coast toward the black-sand shoreline of Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach).
Our pick: Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui
Best for first-time paddleboarders who want private coaching from Mākena Landing.
Wailea Beaches
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.
- Ulua: best first snorkel.
- Mōkapu: the easy alternative beside Ulua.
- Wailea Beach: the full resort setting, between Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons.
- Polo Beach: the quieter south-end resort beach.
- Keawakapu: the best long beach, just north of Wailea.
Every Wailea beach is public. What varies is parking capacity, access and resort density, not your right to use the sand. No Wailea beach has a lifeguard.
Several resorts run outrigger canoe outings straight from the beach, the easiest way to add Hawaiian ocean culture without a long excursion; for the offshore version, Molokini leaves from the Kīhei Boat Ramp or Māʻalaea.
Wailea Beach, Wailea. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Shore snorkeling ranked: South Maui snorkeling guide → The boat: Molokini Snorkeling Guide →
Wailea Beach Path
Wailea Beach Path. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
- Route: from around the Andaz and Mōkapu south past the major resorts toward Polo Beach.
- Full out-and-back: about 3.2 miles.
- Surface: paved, mostly level and exposed.
- Best time: morning for exercise; late afternoon for sunset.
- Stroller: yes, though resort transitions and crowded sections slow you down.
- Shade: limited.
The path is not a remote coastal hike. Its value is access: beaches, resorts, restaurants and views close enough together to make a car-free day. A twenty-minute section is just as valid as the full walk, and the path is the reason a Wailea stay can go car-free for a day.
The Shops at Wailea
- Polished shopping.
- Lappert’s ice cream.
- Tommy Bahama or Monkeypod for lunch.
- Easy cultural events with children.
- A midday break from the sun without leaving Wailea.
The Shops should complement the beach or dinner, not consume a full vacation day unless someone genuinely wants to shop. Cultural activities: Lei Poʻo Making on Wednesdays, 1:30–2:30 p.m.; Papa Hula, free, Fridays 4–5 p.m.; the Polynesian Show on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Nearby: the Wailea Village Farmers Market on Tuesdays, 8–11 a.m., and the Wailea Village Sunset Market on the third Thursday of each month, 4–7 p.m.
Spa
The major Wailea resorts all run serious spas, but book the property that fits the rest of the day. A treatment is more useful when your partner can use the same resort, beach, path or restaurant rather than waiting somewhere else.
Golf
Wailea’s Blue, Gold and Emerald courses make this Maui’s strongest resort-golf base. Reserve tee times at Wailea Golf Club (Website →) in advance, especially for early-morning rounds and holiday periods.
Lūʻaus
- Feast at Mōkapu: our South Maui choice for a more intimate, couples-oriented setting. Feast at Mōkapu →
- Te Au Moana: a strong alternative for South Maui families and Marriott guests who want an oceanfront lūʻau within their resort. Te Au Moana →
- Grand Wailea Lūʻau: our South Maui family pick, with an energetic production that works especially well for Wailea guests.
Choose by atmosphere and your group rather than trying to rank the fire-knife photos.
Feast at Mōkapu luau, Wailea. Photo: MauiBookIt
Every lūʻau on Maui compared: Best Maui Lūʻaus →
What People Get Wrong
- A resort address does not create lifeguarded water.
- Public beach parking is limited even though every beach is public.
- The path is hot at midday.
- Wailea loses value if every day is spent driving elsewhere.
- Reserve resort restaurants and activities before peak travel weeks.
North to Kīhei for a surf lesson at the Cove, Kalama Park or South Maui Gardens; south to Mākena for Maluaka, Big Beach, ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu or the Hoapili Trail. Both are half-days, not reasons to leave Wailea every morning.
Best Things to Do in Kīhei → Best Things to Do in Mākena → For two: South Maui for Couples → Where to stay: Best Places to Stay in South Maui → Where to eat: Best Restaurants in South Maui →
Before You Go
Public Parking Reality
Use the signed public beach lots for Ulua and Mōkapu, Wailea Beach and Polo Beach. They are legitimate public-access lots, but capacity is limited.
- Arrive before about 8:30 a.m. when snorkeling matters.
- Don’t assume a resort driveway provides public beach parking.
- Wailea Beach parking gets difficult around resort events and busy holiday periods.
- Polo is usually easier than Wailea Beach, but don’t treat it as guaranteed.
- If Ulua is full, don’t circle; move to another suitable beach.
Ulua Beach, Wailea. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
One Last Tip
Let yourself slow down. Wailea pays off when you stop driving: one beach, one walk, one dinner, and the car stays parked. Snorkel early, walk a section of the path, use midday for the resort, then come back out for sunset. The luxury is how little effort it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wailea Beach public?
Yes, every Wailea beach is public. Access is through designated shoreline-access lots and paths, and those public lots are small, so arrive before about 8:30 a.m. if snorkeling matters.
How long is the Wailea Beach Path?
About 3.2 miles out and back, from around the Andaz and Mōkapu south to Polo Beach. It’s paved, mostly level, stroller-friendly and exposed, so walk it in the morning or near sunset.
Which Wailea lūʻau is best?
Feast at Mōkapu for couples and a more intimate setting; the Grand Wailea Lūʻau for families; Te Au Moana at Wailea Beach Resort as the alternative for Marriott guests.
