Distance from P410
~20 min drive
Lifeguards
No — plan accordingly
Best Time to Arrive
Before 9am weekends
Park Status
Makena State Park
The Wild South Shore
Maui's most dramatic beach
Drive south past Wailea, past the last resort, past the last restaurant — and you arrive at Makena. One of the longest stretches of undeveloped beach on Maui, flanked by ancient lava fields and a dramatic cinder cone called Pu'u Ōla'i. No hotels. No shops. Just beach, ocean, and sky.
There are actually two beaches here: Big Beach (the main event) and Little Beach (a smaller, sheltered cove tucked behind the cinder cone). Each has a completely different character. Both are worth your time — but they require respect.
Honest note: we haven't made it to Makena ourselves yet, so this guide is careful research rather than personal experience. What every source agrees on: this is not a calm family swim beach. The waves at Makena are powerful and the shorebreak can be sneaky strong. Come to walk the sand, watch the waves, and soak in the scenery — not to bodysurf unless conditions are clearly tame.
Best for
Walking · scenery · sunsets · photography · boogie boarding (experienced)
Caution
Powerful shorebreak · no lifeguards · rip currents possible
Makena State Park
Big Beach
Oneloa — "long sand"
Over half a mile of broad, golden sand. Pu'u Ōla'i cinder cone anchoring the north end. Clear, deep turquoise water. Zero commercial development in any direction. Big Beach looks exactly like what you imagine when someone says "tropical island."
The sand is coarse and the slope is steep — that combination creates the shorebreak that Makena is famous for. Waves here don't just roll in; they pitch and slam. On a big day, even experienced swimmers wade in cautiously. On a small day, it's exhilarating boogie board territory if you know what you're doing.
Shorebreak Safety
The shorebreak at Big Beach causes more injuries than any other Maui beach. Waves pitch suddenly in shallow water — never dive headfirst into breaking waves here, and never turn your back to the ocean. If you're unsure about conditions, enjoy the beach from the sand. There are no lifeguards. The beauty is real — so is the hazard.
Over the Cinder Cone
Little Beach
Pu'u Ōla'i Beach — the hidden cove
Tucked behind the Pu'u Ōla'i cinder cone on the north end of Big Beach, Little Beach is a completely different animal. A short scramble over a lava trail takes you from the main beach into a sheltered crescent bay with calmer water and a lively local scene — including a long-running tradition of some visitors treating it as clothing-optional, though it isn't legally so.
The cinder cone shelters Little Beach from some of the wave energy that pounds Big Beach, making the swimming generally more manageable. It's a popular spot with a longstanding community feel — drumming circles on Sunday evenings have drawn locals and visitors for decades.
Worth knowing: Little Beach is not legally clothing-optional — nudity is technically illegal on Hawaii beaches — though some visitors make that choice and the tradition has endured for years. Go with an open mind; it's one of the more interesting social scenes on the island.
Getting to Little Beach
Park at the main Makena State Park lot. Walk north along the beach to the base of Pu'u Ōla'i. Look for the rocky trail that climbs up and over the cinder cone — about a 5-minute scramble. Take your time on the lava; the footing is uneven. You'll emerge at the top with a view of both beaches before descending to Little Beach.
Water
Calmer than Big Beach · still read the conditions · no lifeguards
Sunday Vibe
Evening drum circle · local tradition · free · all welcome
The Landmark
Pu'u Ōla'i — the Cinder Cone
The 360-foot red cinder cone that anchors the north end of Makena is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the South Maui coastline. Formed by volcanic activity long after the main Haleakalā shield volcano was built, Pu'u Ōla'i (which roughly translates to "earthquake hill") is visible from miles away and serves as a geographic anchor for the entire Makena area.
The trail over the cinder cone (described above) is the only access to Little Beach — but if you want a real viewpoint, there's also a steeper use-trail that winds up the seaward face of the cone. The scramble is short but steep and the lava is loose; wear shoes with grip. The view from the top — both beaches sweeping away in either direction, open ocean ahead, Haleakalā behind — is spectacular.
Cone Trail Details
Difficulty
Moderate — steep, loose lava rock
Round trip
15–25 minutes to top, use-trail varies
Footwear
Closed-toe shoes strongly recommended
Reward
360° view of both beaches and open ocean
From Andrew & Cindy
Planning your Makena day
Go early — seriously
The main parking lot at Makena State Park fills fast on weekends, often by 9am in peak season. Arriving by 7:30–8am gets you cool morning light, calm waters, and your pick of the sand. A second smaller lot is further down Makena Road near the south end of Big Beach.
Bring everything with you
There are no shops, food trucks, or vendors at Makena. Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and lunch from Kihei before you leave. P410 has beach chairs, umbrella, and a cooler for exactly this kind of day trip. Load up at home and you'll be set for the whole day.
Check conditions first
Surf conditions at Makena change significantly day to day. Before heading out, check Surfline or the National Weather Service marine forecast. Swell over 3–4 feet makes Big Beach swimming inadvisable. On those days, Little Beach or simply a long beach walk is still well worth the drive.
Stay for sunset
Makena is west-facing with no development blocking the horizon. Sunset here is unforgettable — warm gold light on the cinder cone, Kaho'olawe and Molokini in silhouette, the ocean turning crimson. If you arrive early, stake out a spot and plan to stay. The drive back to Kihei is only 20 minutes.
Reef-safe sunscreen only
Hawaii law bans oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens — and the nearshore reefs around Makena are a natural preserve worth protecting. Pick up reef-safe mineral sunscreen at Longs Drugs, Whole Foods, or Costco in Kihei before heading out. Apply before you leave — not on the beach.
Watch for monk seals
Hawaiian monk seals — one of the world's most endangered marine mammals — occasionally haul out on remote South Maui beaches including Makena. If you see one resting on the sand, give it at least 50 feet and do not approach. The seals are federally protected and local volunteers sometimes set up a perimeter to help.
Logistics
Getting there from P410
Head south on South Kihei Road, then transition to Wailea Alanui Drive through the resort corridor. Continue south past the Shops at Wailea and the Grand Wailea — the road becomes Makena Alanui. Follow it south past the Makena Beach & Golf Resort. The state park entrance and main parking lot appear on your right after the road curves around the base of Pu'u Ōla'i.
Total distance from P410: approximately 9–10 miles. Drive time is typically 20–25 minutes depending on traffic through Wailea.
Parking tips
Main lot: north end of Big Beach at the base of Pu'u Ōla'i — fills first
Second lot: continue south on Makena Alanui — less crowded, accesses south end of beach
Do not park on the grass, lava, or road shoulders — parking citations are issued
Your South Maui Basecamp
Makena is 20 minutes from P410
Staying in South Kihei means Makena is an easy day trip — not a full expedition. Grab the beach chairs and umbrella from P410, stop for groceries or sandwiches on South Kihei Road, and you're set for a perfect Maui beach day.