Best Maui Beaches for Families -

Maui is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Soft sand, crystal-clear water, excellent snorkeling spots… you’ll find it all on Maui. But which Maui beaches are the best beaches for kids? Here are my top picks for the best Maui beaches for families, complete with descriptions of what is so great about each one.

For those of you looking for more adventure, be sure to check out my post where I list the Best Stops on the Road to Hana in Maui. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, be sure to check out these amazing restaurants in Maui.

Baby Beach (Pu’unoa Beach) in Lahaina – One of the best Maui Beaches for Families

Baby Beach is high on the list of best Maui beaches for families

If you’re looking for a calm beach for your youngest swimmers, Pu’unoa Beach is the spot. Also known as Baby Beach, Pu’unoa Beach has a barrier reef offshore that keeps this beach wave-free. You’ll find crystal clear water here, and the water stays shallow for a very long time, making it the perfect spot for your littles to safely splash around. There also tends to be a lot of natural shade at this beach.

Cons: There are no showers or restrooms at this beach, so plan accordingly. Parking is also limited here and can be tricky.

Baby Beach, Paia

A second Baby Beach is located on the North Shore of Maui, just before the town of Paia. A stretch of reef creates a calm lagoon for kids to play in. It’s also a good spot for those looking to swim laps in the ocean. The water here isn’t as calm as the Baby Beach in Lahaina, but the sand area is larger, making it easier for your entire family to snag a beach spot.

Cons: Unfortunately, this Baby Beach also doesn’t have a bathroom or showers available, nor does it have a parking lot. This beach is in a residential area, so it’s street parking only.

Kapalua Bay – Beautiful and One of the Best Family Beaches in Maui

Kapalua Bay is one of the best Maui beaches for families

Not only is Kapalua Bay one of the best family beaches in Maui, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Maui and was voted “America’s Best Beach” in 2018. Located just north of Lahaina, this crescent-shaped beach has a little something for everybody. The beach is calm here, there’s good snorkeling, and there’s plenty of beautiful white sand to spread out on for the day.

This beach does have bathrooms, showers and a parking lot, but the lot tends to fill up quickly, so arriving early gives you the best chances of finding a good spot. Street parking is available as well, if the lot is full. While you’re on this side of the island, I recommend you venture a little more north and hit up the Nakalele Blowhole as well.

Ulua Beach

Ulua Beach, in Wailea, is another great spot for the kids to play in the water and snorkel. It’s a smaller beach, but we tend to find this one a bit less crowded than some of the others. And the kids love exploring the rocks and tidepools at this beach. You’ll also find bathrooms and a parking lot when visiting Ulua Beach.

Wailea Beach – Another of the best Maui beaches for families

Enjoying one of the best Maui beaches for families

Located in front of the luxurious Grand Wailea Resort, Wailea Beach is a beautiful beach to take the kids to. We love grabbing sandwiches in Kihei and taking them to Wailea Beach for a lunch picnic. There are small, gentle waves here for the kids to boogie board or body surf in, and there’s good snorkeling here as well. This beach has bathrooms, showers and lots of free public parking.

Because the beach is situated between the Grand Wailea Resort and the Four Seasons, it’s unlikely you’ll have this spot to yourself. While you’re on this part of the island, you can check out the best things to do in Kihei.

Napili Beach

Calm, turquoise waters and beautiful white sand help make Napili Beach one of the most popular beaches on Maui. And it’s one of the best Maui beaches for families for a variety of reasons.

This is a great snorkeling spot, and the calm waters make it a top beach for the little kids as well. We often see sea turtles here too, which is an added bonus.

This beach does not have bathrooms available and the street parking can get tricky, so be sure to plan ahead. Napili Beach and Kapalua Bay are very close to one another, so you can easily hit them both in one outing, or go to whichever one you can find parking at.

Where to Stay In Maui

Check out my blog post where I list the most kid-friendly resorts in Maui (with the best pools!) that the whole family will love.

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Best Maui Beaches for Families