Perfect Day #4 — Palauea Beach to Malu’aka Beach

Makena beaches -- (north to south) Palauea, Po’olenalena, Makena Landing/ 5 Caves, Malu’aka, Onuoli, Little Beach and Big Beach – are as good as beaches get on Maui and they’re all different and less crowded than Wailea beaches. The drive starts on Wailea Alanui Road but the journey starts on Old Makena Rd. just past the Polo Beach Club and the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Large-scale development along the inland side of Old Makena Rd. has dramatically changed its character. Likewise, construction of luxury homes on the beachside. But Palauea Beach still is worth visiting, especially for snorkeling and diving around Haloa Point with its extensive underwater rock formations, caves, crevices, arches, reef fish turtles and maybe even a white tipped reef shark. Po’olenalena Beach still is comparatively undeveloped and offers excellent snorkeling when the water is calm. Small parking areas along the street make access to both beaches fairly easy and to transport gear and picnic items.

Continue on Old Makena Rd. to Makena Landing/Five Caves for a picturesque bay, only a tiny dark sand beach and excellent snorkeling and kayaking. Five Caves, only accessible by experienced scuba divers, is found underwater off the north side of Chang’s Point, accessible from Makena Landing. With a park and a small boat landing, Makena Landing has plenty of parking. Getting kayaks in and out of the water here is easy except when the landing is heavily used by commercial kayak companies.

It’s understandable that kayak excursions gravitate to lovely Makena Bay that used to be one of our favorite scenic spots on Maui for picnics. But unless you’re launching a kayak, don’t settle in here until you have seen the beautiful white sand of Malu’aka Beach and its crystal clear waters not far from parking across from picture-postcard Keawala’i Church.

Perfect Day #4 actually can be divided into several Perfect Days or parts of Perfect Days:

Palauea Beach to Po’olenalena Beach. Park at Palauea Beach (just past the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel and Polo Beach Club) and walk along the beach around Haloa Point to Po’olenalena Beach and return.

Malu’aka Beach. Drive to Malu’aka Beach in front of the Maui Prince Hotel for a morning of snorkeling, picnic on the grassy knoll at the south end of the beach and enjoy the great views of Molokini, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe and Pu’u ‘Ola’i (Red Hill) and take advantage of picnic tables and nearby public showers and restrooms.

Pu’u Ola’i (Red Hill) and Little Beach (Pu’u Ola’i) or Big Beach (Oneola Beach). Drive to public parking for Big Beach in Makena State Park and, for hikers, head up the steep trail to the crater rim of Pu’u Ola’i for a view of Big and Little Beach. Return to the base of Pu’u Ola’i between Big and Little Beach and take your choice of beaches. If you don’t mind a nude beach, swim, sunbath and picnic at Little Beach or swim, body surf, boogieboard and picnic at Big Beach. Either way you can snorkel between Big and Little Beaches.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner suggestions:

• Start the day with baguettes or cinnamon rolls, eggs benedict or other delicious dishes at Longhi’s in The Shops at Wailea
• Once again we suggest that, if it’s Sunday, don’t miss (at least once) Chef Gregory Gaspar’s legendary Sunday brunch at the Maui Prince Hotel (9:30am – 1pm, 875-5888, reservations recommended)
• Have a late, casual, take-out lunch on the terrace under the trees at Caffé Ciao at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel
• For an informal and memorable dinner, try Joe’s Bar & Grill at the Wailea Tennis Club (reservation recommended, 875-7767). Experience Bev Gannon’s American-style home cooking with a gourmet twist like white-truffle Yukon mashed potatoes and, after a tough day at the beach, spoil yourself with Bev’s fabulous chocolate cake.