MAUI Beach Hazard Ratings

Oahu | Maui | Beach Hazard Ratings

Maui, South Maui (Kihei Coast)

The Kihei Coast extends for 25 mi from La Perouse Bay to McGregor Point. The shoreline generally faces west towards Kaho'olawe and the more distant Lana'i, curving at the northern Ma'alaea Bay to face south. The islands provide protection from west swells and some south swells, resulting in usually low waves at the shore, averaging about 1 ft. In the south between La Perouse Bay and Makena State Park, relatively recent lava flows and cinder volcanoes dominate the shore, which is mostly rock with few beaches. From Makena Bay north, sandy beaches dominate the shoreline with the longest beaches on the island forming much of the Ma'alaea Bay shoreline. Rocky basalt shore again dominates the coast from McGregor Point west. The entire coast contains 37 beaches and is readily accessible off Makena Road in the south, Kihei Road in the center, and Pi'ilani Highway in the north. The town center of Kihei is located towards the northern end of the shore, with tourist and residential development dominating most of the 10 mi of shoreline between Makena Bay and Kihei.

Big Beach

Big Beach, Maui