Maui’s beach culture is all about accessibility: there are no private beaches in Hawaii, and south Maui has expanded its shoreline paths and access in recent years. You’d never know it from Kihei Road, but you can walk right along the ocean all the way from Kalama Park four miles to the incredible Wailea Resorts, with only a short detour to Kihei Road in the early stage of the walk.
Catch the beginning of the walk at Kalama Park across the street from Foodland. There is no official boundary line between North and South Kihei, but locals put it roughly here. The paved path winds into left field on one of the most picturesque recreational baseball diamonds on the planet, along the park and directly in front of ‘The Cove’ surf break. It connects to local favorite Charley Young Beach, and winds along the three Kamaole beaches. You hike a hard sandy trail on the other side of Kamaole III Beach (a sea turtle hangout) to the quaint Kihei Boat Ramp, then cut across the brilliant green lawn of the Kihei Surfside. Magnificent Keawakapu Beach, possibly the best walking beach on the island, bridges South Kihei and the Wailea Beach Path at the Andaz. Catch your breath and bask in Wailea’s elegant, sun-drenched vibe at one of two beachfront cafes offering healthy snacks, lunch and specialty coffee drinks.
