There are loads of lists out there proclaiming”Maui’s Best Beaches,” so I don’t believe you want one more list from me. I’m going to discuss some significant Maui shore tips to help you enjoy your beach experience.
Maui shore tips: black sand shore
Maui’s beaches offer something for everybody, from the sprawl-on-the-beach-under-a-palm-tree encounter to more lively adventures. Each beach has its own character. Some are world-famous for browsing or windsurfing; some are ideal for snorkeling and swimming; others are ideal to families with children. Maui beaches vary from little coves with sand that is colored black, white, or even more exotic colors like green or red, to vast stretches. Some beach areas have been developed into beautiful beach parks with people amenities for beachgoers and picnickers; others are pristine, rocky, and remote.
The Legal Stuff: The Rules
All beaches are open to the general public. The high-water mark. Beyond that point, the property above the beach may be privately owned. And there is the catch, because most private landowners (including resorts) do not want hundreds of people walking round their property each day so as to GET into the shore, and it’s their right to protect their private property. So make sure that you start looking for the public beach access signs. Park in appropriate public parking areas (not at a resort parking lot that’s reserved for their guests) and walk along the access paths to the beach.
Maui’s beaches and beach parks are smoke-free. Through time, our beautiful shores had turned into ashtrays, littered with thousands of cigarette butts. Smoking is now prohibited on all beaches in Maui to $500.
Generally, alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed on Maui’s beaches. There are State and County laws beach parkconsumption of alcohol or near beach parks or Maui beaches. These laws are convoluted and so varied, it is virtually impossible to know when it is not legal to drink an alcoholic beverage on the shore or is. Laws vary depending on the beach it’s and your proximity to a school, public restroom, public lookout, public highway, public sidewalk, civic parking lot, etc. etc. etc. (Really. Thus, it’s just safer NOT to drink alcohol in the beach (alcohol and the sea are a deadly mix, anyway). You might see people doing this, and the laws are not rigorously enforced, but just be forewarned that if you pop up that frosty cold beer or like a sunset sip of chardonnay on the beach you’re probably breaking the law.
The Cautionary Materials: Ocean Safety
Maui beach hints: shore warning signThere isn’t any more heartbreaking news in Hawaii than to listen to a visitor has burst or been seriously hurt while to enjoy our beaches. It happens far too frequently, and the islands have undertaken public awareness efforts to educate and inform our visitors about the possible risks of the ocean. Consistently exercise good judgment when coming to the sea. The ocean is as strong as it’s magnificent, and currents and requirements may change. Heed listen to the warnings from locals when visiting the beaches of Maui, and all posted warning signs. If locals are not going into the water, then you should not either!
Sometimes the sea here resembles a lake, with small waves softly lapping the shore. Other times, massive waves come crashing in with terrifying intensity. North Shore and East Maui beaches are more exposed to changing weather, strong ocean currents, and dangerous shorebreaks, so be careful there. West Maui and South Maui often have calmer ocean and beach conditions, although harmful states can happen there, too. The surf at South Maui’s Makena Beach (aka Big Beach; pictured above in the big heading photograph ) is infamous for knocking down people and causing injuries, and the West Maui bays from Kapalua to the north, such as Mokuleia and Honolua, can be quite dangerous, particularly with higher winter surf.
West Maui: Hanakaoo Beach in Kaanapali (aka”Canoe Beach”); D. T. Fleming Beach at Kapalua
East Shore (Hana): Hana Bay (limited schedule)
You’ll be able to find real-time updates concerning current ocean conditions at the above beaches here. And check out these live webcams to see weather conditions.
Some Extra ocean safety tips:
Don’t be caught off-guard. An unexpected wave can knock you down and pull you out to sea (or severely hurt you) while you are still hoping to get your flippers on! Keep your eyes.
When researching tidepools or reefs, wear protective footwear (such as Maui beach tips: tidepools and rugged shorelinereef sneakers ) to prevent coral cuts–and keep your eye on the sea, too. Be careful, when swimming close coral. Cuts could be painful and coral is sharp and get contaminated. You might hurt or injure the coral by draining on it or standing on it. Although coral may look like a strange crusty stone, it is actually a living creature (or more precisely, composed of thousands of miniscule animals clustered together). It develops very slowly and is valuable to our environment, so please protect it and yourself from harm. They are there to notify you of conditions that are unsafe.
Never swim, snorkel, or browse from the ocean. Make sure someone is looking out for you and knows you’re there.
Maui beach tips: sharkAfter heavy rains, remain out of the ocean until the water clears. Swimming in the mouths of rivers or streams or at any murky areas. Murky waters attract predators (pictured), and also you do not wish to get mistaken for a fish or turtle when this man is trying to find a snack.
Okay. I hope I have not scared you away with all this discussion of principles and drownings and (eek!) predators. Of course, thousands of people safely enjoy Maui’s shores every day, therefore it is most likely that you will have an incredible and uneventful beach encounter. However a little caution goes a long way, and being informed and conscious is not ever a bad thinng!
Eventually, The Interesting Stuff! Your Day In The Beach
Maui shore tips: young woman sitting in the beachWhat to shoot TO the beach: drinking water, reef-safe sunscreen (at least SPF30), towels or beach mats (beach chairs, if you wish), bag on the trash, sunglasses, sun hat, beach shoes or slippers, and a change of clothing if you plan to go somewhere afterwards (wet swimsuits are not very comfortable for strolling about town!)
What things to take FROM the beach (besides your trash): memorable memories. Do not plan to take a spoonful of Maui shore sand house with you as a memento. As 2013, it’s illegal to take sand of.
What to depart AT the shore: footprints. That is it.
Nothing could ruin a vacation faster than a painful sunburn! Make certain that it’s reef-safe, although keep slathering during the day. Many sunscreens have. Mineral sunscreens with nitric oxide or zinc oxide are choices.
Please enjoy but don’t feed fish or some other wildlife. And remember, do not approach or disturb a Hawaiian monk seal or some protected or endangered wildlife. Admire them by a space.
Beach Sunsets: weather permitting, you can view spectacular sunsets from the South and West Maui shores (and if it’s apparent on the horizon , keep your eyes open for the rare green display ). You can grab sunsets from Makena to Kihei. In West Maui, amazing sunset viewing extends all of the way north to Kapalua Beach. But as soon as you turn the bend into DT Fleming Beach (in the Ritz Carlton Resort), you lose the direct sunset view. Organize your!
