Perfect Day # 1 — Wailea Resort & Beaches

Under the right conditions, and at the right time of day, all of the beaches at Wailea Resort – (starting from north to south) Mokapu, Ulua, Wailea, and Polo – provide excellent swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing. Snorkelers will prefer Ulua Beach. Walk along Wailea’s Coast Walk and take your pick of beaches, lawns, gardens, views, picnic spots and relaxing places for lunch and dinner, snacks and drinks.

Add at least part of Keawakapu Beach to your Wailea Coast Walk, starting either at the north end of Keawakapu, at public parking near the Five Palms restaurant or at Mokapu Beach in Wailea. Bordered unobtrusively by private homes (including excellent albeit expensive vacation rentals), Keawakapu practically blends with Mokapu Beach.

Wailea can provide many Perfect Days without leaving the resort, including all of the shopping you might desire at the Shops of Wailea, almost two dozen restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, great golf at the Wailea Golf Club’s Blue, Orange and Gold Courses, both plexi-paved and grass courts at the Wailea Tennis Club, spa treatments galore, and more.

Ways to spend your Perfect Day at the south end of Kihei and the Wailea Resort might include:

• Stroll (or jog) along the Wailea Coast Walk (you’ll have plenty of company)
• Start the day sinfully with honey macadamia nut rolls and Kona coffee from Cinnamon Roll Fair (2463 S.Kihei Rd., downstairs from Denny’s, not a bad choice, either), breakfast or brunch (Sat. & Sun.) at the Pacific Grill, Four Seasons, the Café Kula or Grand Room at the Grand Wailea or Palm Court, Renaissance Wailea
• Drive to the Kihei Boat Ramp after booking your choice of boating activities, most of which include continental breakfast (see http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/kini.html and http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/snorkeling_maui.html)
• A gentle shore break at Keawakapu Beach, lots of sandy, shallow shoreline, tidepools and beach shells makes for good swimming, beachcombing and strolling in the afternoon
• As early as possible to avoid crowds and find parking, head for Ulua Beach and snorkel around the point at Ulua to Mokapu, follow the coral out to sea or follow the reef out to sea at the south end of Wailea Beach
• Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Maui Onion in the Renaissance Wailea Resort (delicious burgers & onion rings, anyone?), Bistro Molokini at the Grand Wailea, Hula Moon at the Marriott Wailea, Cheeseburger, Mai Tai & Rock & Roll, Longhi’s or Tommy Bahamas Tropical Café in the Shops of Wailea and, before or after lunch, window-shop at some of the more than 60 stores and outstanding art galleries
• Pick up a picnic lunch at Caffé Ciao in the Fairmont Kea Lani and have a picnic at picturesque Polo Beach or head further south to Malu’aka Beach (also see Perfect Days #3 and #4).
• Indulge yourself in the ultimate body and facial care at the Grand WaileaSpa, Four Seasons or Fairmont Kea Lani  (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/wailea_massage.html)

Wailea Dinner
Unsurpassed on Maui for dinner choices, here’s a sample of choices at Wailea Resort:

• Nick’s Fishmarket - superb fish meals are matched by the service at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort
• Spago - where Hawaii meets California in a unique cuisine, and Ferraro’s Italian gourmet-style dining, both at the Four Seasons
• Palm Court - buffets in the Wailea Renaissance
• Humu - every dish is masterful and the Polynesian ambiance adds to a wonderful dining experience, or splurge for Japanese cuisine at Kincha, in the Grand Wailea
• Sarento’s on the Beach - in the completely renovated Best Western Maui Oceanfront Inn on Keawakapu Beach, one of the best new restaurant additions to South Maui