SOUTH MAUI: 15+ things to do near Wailea (mostly FREE + outdoors!) beaches + hiking 🌴 Maui Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

South Maui is all about seeing the beauty of Hawaii! (Okay so maybe all of Maui is like that.)

This includes beaches, trails, and scenic drives!

So…

What is South Maui?

Yes, South Maui is overall on the southern side of Maui.

But what is specifically known as South Maui is generally the western shores of the southern part of the island. If you’re looking at a map of Maui, it won’t include the entire area which you might consider to be the southern side of Maui.

As far as the road that you can drive, this translates roughly from Kihei onwards south along the coast. 

MAP: Kihei to Wailea and onwards south

Explore the map.

For this list below of things to do in South Maui, this will generally start right around the Wailea area. And then basically from there, it will take you as far south as you can go.

MAP: Wailea onwards south

Explore the map.

South Maui without a car: Getting to Wailea by bus

The Maui bus does go to Wailea.

The furthest south you can go by bus is basically to Wailea, and more specifically to the outdoor shopping mall called the Shops at Wailea. This can be your point of reference on a map if you’re trying to figure it out.

So this means that anything north of Wailea you can get to by bus. This means that you can get to Kihei, and the beaches between Kihei and Wailea Beach (there are many) no problem without a car.

How many things on this list you can do without a car depends on how far you’re willing to walk from the bus stop!

See more about how to take the Maui bus.

🌴

And now…

Things to do in South Maui

PHOTOS!

1. Mokapu Beach

This will be the furthest north beach on this list.

There are quieter parts on this beach if you walk a bit further along.

You can also make it a nice beach walk by walking across some lava rocks from Ulua Beach too. (Next on list.)

Where to stay if you want to be right in front of Mokapu Beach

• Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (Hyatt)

2. Ulua Beach

This is one of the top snorkeling spots in South Maui, and you can get here by bus. 

Where to stay if you want to be right in front of Ulua Beach

• Wailea Elua Village (Destination Residences Hawaii)

3. The Shops at Wailea

There’s an outdoor shopping mall in Wailea, called the Shops at Wailea. See the list of stores and restaurants.

There’s also a famous ABC store here, which is a chain of convenience stores that you’ll find across Hawaii.

4. Wailea Blue golf course

There’s a golf course in Wailea.

Where to stay if you want to be right near Wailea Golf Club

• Wailea Eloku Village (Destination Residences Hawaii)
• Residence Inn Maui Wailea (Marriott)

5. Wailea Beach

One of the famous beaches in Wailea, called Wailea Beach!

Where to stay if you want to be right in front of Wailea Beach

• Grand Wailea Maui (Waldorf Astoria)
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

6. Polo Beach

Another great beach in South Maui.

Where to stay if you want to be right in front of Polo Beach

• Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
• Polo Beach Club Maui (Destination Residences Hawaii)

7. Wailea Beach Path

Beach hopping in Hawaii, South Maui style! Or something like that.

You can walk from beach to beach to beach following the great coastal sidewalk of the Wailea Beach Path!

Or just go for a walk for the sweeping ocean views.

But if you want to make it a beach hopping kind of day, you can go from Ulua Beach to Wailea Beach to Polo Beach by walking the Wailea Beach Path. Walking from Ulua Beach to Polo Beach is around 1.5 miles one way.

Also if you are on Maui during whale season (generally speaking during winter months), then you might even see whales from shore as you are walking along the coastline! Maui is known to be one of the best (if not THE best) Hawaiian islands for whale watching.

More places to stay if you want to be along the Wailea Beach Path

• Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott)
• Wailea Beach Villas (Destination Residences Hawaii)

8. Makena Landing

This is another snorkeling spot in South Maui.

There’s a small beach area here, but it’s not much of a beach to hang out at. There’s a small parking lot.

9. Keawalai Church

If you want to see a cute Hawaiian church on Maui, you can see one here!

There is also a banyan tree on the church grounds.

10. Maluaka Beach aka Turtle Town

This beach area is also known as turtle town, and it’s a spot that known as a snorkeling spot and being able to swim with turtles! You might even see a turtle popping its head out of the water.

This is a beach you can hang out at.

See more about this South Maui snorkeling spot.

11. Oneuli Beach

This is known as a black sand beach in South Maui. This has been called the alternative black sand beach to visit if you don’t want to drive the Road to Hana where the famous Maui black sand beach can be found. 

Although this black sand is only kind of black (if you call it black at all), if you won’t be getting around to the other ones, then you might like this beach.

This is also a beach to go to if you’re looking for a quieter area. This is a beach you can hang out at, and there tend to be less people here.

See more about this South Maui beach.

12. Big Beach aka Makena Beach

This is a part of Makena State park, and it’s a large expansive beach that can be good for hanging out at. There’s a $5 parking fee here.

13. Little Beach

You’ll get to this beach from Big Beach. This is somewhat of a hidden beach, and there a path to it at the far right of the beach as you’re facing the ocean. It’s a clothing optional beach. In normal times, there’s a beach party held here on Sunday evenings.

14. Makena Cove

Makena Cove is also called “Secret Cove” and also called Paako Beach.

It might not be so much of a secret anymore, but if you didn’t know any better then you would likely drive right past the path to Makena Cove!

It’s pretty much hidden in plain sight. So if you’re looking for a smaller beach that’s also likely to be a more quiet beach than other popular South Maui beaches, then you might want to head to Makena Cove.

See more about this South Maui beach.

15. Ahihi Bay

This is a part of the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve, and it’s another top snorkeling spot in South Maui.

This snorkeling spot is located right off the road you will drive to get here. There are limited parking spots around. There is a very small beach area, but you pretty much walk straight from the road and into the water. This isn’t really a beach to hang out at.

16. Kanahena Beach aka the dumps

And yet another top snorkeling spot in South Maui! (The last one on this list.) And so, you see that you have a number of choices for where to go snorkeling in South Maui!

This is also a part of the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve.

This snorkeling spot once again isn’t a sandy beach to hang out at. In fact it’s a rocky beach, which means it will be a good idea to pack water shoes as part of your Maui snorkeling essentials. (Good to pack no matter what, actually!)

There’s a small parking lot here, and then you’ll take a short trail (maybe less than a minute) across a lava field to get to the beach.

There’s a sign for the best entry spot to get in the water, and that will be off to the left side as you’re facing the ocean.

See more about this South Maui snorkeling spot.

17. La Perouse Bay

If you drive down the main road in South Maui and go as far south as you can, you will end up at La Perouse Bay!

You will find grand scenic ocean views here, and you’ll also be driving past lava fields to get here.

18. Hoapili Trail

And for even more grand scenic views of the ocean and lava fields, you can hike the Hoapili Trail!

This starts from La Perouse Bay, and you will be hiking along the coast across lava fields.

This is among the best Maui hikes to do that can be perfect for your first trip to Maui!

See more about this South Maui hike.

19. Jawz fish tacos food truck

Fish tacos are a thing on Maui, and you might see a fish tacos food truck when you’re in South Maui. If you do, stop for some fish tacos! You can get it to-go (which really just means putting a foil over the plate) and then take it to your South Maui beach of choice!

See the menu for this South Maui food truck.

And those are some ideas of how to spend your time in Maui!

Get more ideas for how to spend your time on Maui outside of South Maui:

• Maui itinerary
• Best Maui hikes
• Best Maui snorkeling spots
• Best Maui waterfalls
• Best things to do on the Road to Hana
• How to spend your time in Haleakala National Park
• Best Maui campgrounds
• Black sand beaches on Maui

HAPPY VISIT TO WAILEA AND SOUTH MAUI!