Wailea lies on the southeast coast of Maui Hawaii and is home to some of the most beautiful spots on the island. Continue reading to discover the best places to go and things to do in Wailea and the surrounding area!
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8 of the best things to do in Wailea, Hawaii
Table of Contents
- 1. Take an Outrigger Canoe and Snorkel Tour
- 2. Hang out at Makena Beach State Park
- 3. Discover a secret beach
- 4. Snorkel at Ahihi-Kinau Reserve
- 5. Go shopping at The Shops at Wailea
- 6. Eat the best fish tacos in Maui
- 7. Stop at the sunflower fields
- 8. Eat farm-fresh dishes at Monkeypod Kitchen
1. Take an Outrigger Canoe and Snorkel Tour
Spend the morning on the water with a Hawaiian Ocean Sports Outrigger Canoe and Snorkel Tour!
The tour begins on the shore of Wailea Beach where you’ll learn some fascinating Hawaiian history and culture.
Kevin, the owner of Hawaiian Ocean Sports, is passionate about educating visitors.
He shares an account of how early native explorers used the stars, sun, wind, waves, water temperature, and even birds to navigate thousands of miles from the Pacific Islands to reach these very shores.
It was so interesting and made the experience so much more meaningful.
He ends the brief presentation with a beautiful ceremonial ritual asking permission to enter the water and a blessing to watch over us.
We then worked together to push our traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe into the ocean. We paddled in unison around the bay while our guide, Cruz found the perfect snorkeling spot.
He took us to Turtle Town where we were able to swim alongside sea turtles, which was such a surreal experience.
As we continued to snorkel around the area, Cruz would spot creatures on the ocean floor then dive down to retrieve them.
We were able to hold two different octopuses, and consequently got inked on by the octopuses which the boys thought was equally fascinating and disgusting-ha!
Cruz holds a wealth of knowledge about the ocean, stemming from his years as a free diver and commercial spear fisherman.
We witnessed an octopus change color and camouflage before our eyes and learned about how they will eat their own limbs then regenerate them if no other food source is available.
We also held sea cucumbers that molded into our hands and sea stars that looked like rocks. It was a real-life science lesson they’ll never forget!
It was such a fun and educational morning, we absolutely loved experiencing the beauty of both the Hawaiian culture and its surrounding waters.
We got so much more out of this tour than we would have if we just rented kayaks and snorkeled on our own!
*Disclosure: We received a complimentary tour in exchange for our honest review. All opinions are our own.
2. Hang out at Makena Beach State Park
Makena Beach, also known as Big Beach, is a beautiful stretch of golden sand extending almost two-thirds of a mile.
Makena is one of the largest beaches in Maui, as a result, it rarely feels crowded.
Depending on the conditions of the water, this beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. Lifeguards are on duty during park hours.
However, this beach is not safe for boogie boarding. It is known by the locals as “Break Neck Beach” due to the dangerous shore break. We didn’t find that out until after we went boogie-boarding here.
Thankfully we didn’t get injured, but I wanted to pass along the information so that others can avoid potentially serious or even fatal injuries.
Ample free parking is available and amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, and food stands.
The island of Kaho’olawe, the smallest of the eight main Hawaiian islands, can be seen about 7 miles off in the distance.
This small island is punctuated by the dormant Pu’u Moaulanui volcano and Lua Makika crater.
Kaho’olawe was once used as a training ground and bombing range during World War II and several decades following.
Today it is sparsely populated due to the lack of fresh water and is used only for native Hawaiian cultural and spiritual purposes.
The Molokini Crater can also be spotted in the distance. This mostly submerged volcanic crater is a hot spot for snorkeling with several tour options departing daily.
3. Discover a secret beach
Just south of Makena Beach, you’ll discover a hidden cove that is aptly named Secret Cove. It is also referred to as Little Beach, as it is separated from Big Beach by only an outcropping of lava rocks.
To get to Secret Cove, follow Makena Rd about a half-mile south of the Makena Beach parking lot.
You’ll come to a residential neighborhood where you’ll see a stone wall. Keep your eye out for this cute aqua blue door.
Just to the right of this door, you’ll see a short pathway leading to the beach.
You’ll know you’re getting close when you see cars parked along the road. As you find a parking spot, pay attention to ‘no parking’ signs and be respectful of the residents.
The short pathway will lead you to a pristine beach bookmarked by lava rocks and palm trees.
This small cove is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Maui.
The beach is not ideal for swimming, but my kids had the best time jumping the waves which were funneled through the small channel of rocks.
There are also small tide pools in the lava rock that are a fun spot to search for crabs.
It is also the perfect beach to just bring a book and relax under the shade trees while the kids dig in the sand!
If you are traveling with kids, just be aware that nudists can sometimes be found at this beach.
And for another Maui hidden gem, be sure to check out the Makamakaole Falls located in the West Maui Mountains!
4. Snorkel at Ahihi-Kinau Reserve
You’ll quickly notice that the beach at Ahihi-Kinau Reserve is laden with jagged lava rock and is not the usual idyllic palm tree lined stretch of sand.
However, this coastal lava field is the remains from the last eruption of Haleakala about 200-500 years ago and offers a unique kind of beauty.
The Ahihi-Kinau Reserve is also one of the best places to snorkel in Maui, and our personal favorite.
in 1973, Ahihi-Kinau was the first area in Maui to be designated as a Natural Area Reserve.
This conservation district encompasses 1,238 acres, including 807 underwater acres. The purpose of the preserve is to protect the fragile marine ecosystem that has become a nursery and refuge for a variety of marine life.
As a result, testing has shown that the reef within the reserve is the only test site that is not declining. In an effort to continually protect the reef, please only use reef-safe sunscreen and never step on the coral.
The thriving coral is home to an abundance of marine life, much of which can be seen just off the shore.
You’ll find informational signs directing you to the safest points of entry into the water. Just look for the yellow fish signs!
Getting out of the water can be a bit of a challenge with all the lava rocks and incoming waves, so use caution.
There is also a walking trail along the shore, just be sure to wear tennis shoes as the sharp lava rock can be unforgiving.
To discover more of the best snorkeling beaches, be sure to check out our guide to the Best Beaches in Maui!
5. Go shopping at The Shops at Wailea
Maui really does have a little bit of everything for everyone! If you want to take a break from the beach and do some retail therapy, then head to The Shops at Wailea.
This upscale outdoor mall features over 70 shops and restaurants, including high-end retailers such as Gucci, Prada, Tiffany.
You’ll also find a collection of surf shops and local Hawaiian specialty shops. Be sure to stop at Lappert’s for a Lava Tube Volcanic Sundae!
The Island Gourmet Markets is also a fun grocery store. Here you can find unique Hawaiian treats that are great to take home as gifts.
My kids especially love the novelty Hi-Chew flavors which you can only find here, like acai, lilikoi, and mango.
*Related Post: Discover the Best Things to do in the West Maui Mountains, an underrated Maui gem!
6. Eat the best fish tacos in Maui
Coconut’s Fish Cafe is an unassuming little cafe located in a strip mall that serves some of the best fish tacos on the island!
This laid back family-owned cafe opened in 2009. It was a favorite among locals and word quickly spread.
Today the restaurant has expanded to include locations throughout Hawaii and even in California and Arizona!
The restaurant has received accolades from Zagat and Travel + Leisure, and was even listed in the “Top 100 Seafood Restaurants in the World” by CNN.
There really is something special about their fish tacos.
They use 17 different ingredients and 7 different textures that complement each other perfectly and meld together to create the most mouthwatering dish.
We had a chance to talk to the owner, who is such a friendly and humble guy that just so happened to be helping out with dishes that night.
His mission is to not only serve the best fish tacos around, but to also make each customer feel like family!
The original location is in the Azeka shopping center at 1279 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753.
It is tucked in between Wow Wow Lemonade where you can get fresh-squeezed lemonade to go with your taco, and Peggy Sues, a retro diner where you can get an old-fashioned milkshake for dessert!
*Related post: What is the Best Island to Visit in Hawaii?
7. Stop at the sunflower fields
The sunflower fields are a welcome surprise while driving through central Maui’s dry and barren landscape.
This 115-acre sunflower farm was planted by Pacific Bio-diesel to be used for bio-diesel fuel.
When coming from the airport, you can spot the sunflower field just off the side of Kuihelani Hwy before it intersects with Honoapiilani Hwy about 20 minutes north of Wailea.
There is a small pull-out where you can park and snap some photos of the sunflowers. Just be respectful and do not pick or damage the flowers.
8. Eat farm-fresh dishes at Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod Kitchen is from the same creators behind the upscale Merriman’s Maui.
This farm-to-table restaurant creates dishes using locally grown and sourced produce and meats. Everything is fresh, including the fish that is caught daily.
Our table ordered the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli, Waipoli Farm Baby Romaine Salad, Fresh Caught Fish Tacos, Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburger, and fresh-cut fries. Everything was delicious!
The portions are a little small for the price, but you can definitely taste the high quality ingredients.
If you visit during happy hour from 3-5 pm they have $10 pizza and many of the menu items are half-price!
*Related post: If you’re looking for more restaurant recommendations, be sure to check out our guide 11 Best Places to Eat in Maui!
A few more things to do in Wailea and the surrounding area:
- Molikini Crater: Take a snorkel tour to this underwater wonderland located within the crescent of a partially submerged volcanic crater.
- Cove Beach Park: Kihei Cove Beach Park is a great little cove perfect for surfing or paddleboarding. Rentals are located in a shop just across the street.
- Po’olenalena Beach: This expansive beach is a favorite among locals and is less crowded than other tourist hot spots. It is a great beach for snorkeling and watching the sunset.
- Ali’ikula Lavendar Farm: Take a self-guided walking tour of this hillside lavendar farm. Guided tours, gourmet picnics, and the farm treasure hunt are currently not available, but check the farm website for updates. Admission is $3, or a canned food donation. It is located about 45 minutes from Wailea near the base of Haleakala, so it is a bit of a further drive.
- Kula Country Farms: This local farm offers seasonal u-pick strawberry fields, pumpkin patch, and a farm stand with fresh produce available for purchase. It is located only a few minutes from the Ali’ikula Lavendar Farm.
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I hope this guide has helped you discover the best places to go and things to do in Wailea!
*And if you’re planning a trip to Oahu, be sure to check out all of our Oahu Travel Guides!
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