Places to Visit

12 Best Beach In Maui Near Cruise Port For Swimming

Clear water, sandy beach and the tropical vegetation captured in a frame in Maui
Source : facebook

Best beach in Maui near cruise port are 1. Ho'aloha Park Beach 2. Kanaha Beach, 3. Lahaina Beach 4. Puunoa Beach and more.

Maui has two major cruise ports: Kahului Harbor on the north side and Lahaina Harbor on the west side of the island.

Port Kahului is Maui's principal seaport, serving both passenger and cargo ships. Sandy Beaches are located east of the downtown.

Similarly, Lahaina is a trending port on the island. Cruise vessels anchor at the Lahaina Harbor which also has a visitor's center across the harbor.

In this article, we have presented a list of the 12 best beache near cruise port in Maui Hawaii ideal for water activities.

1. Ho'aloha Park Beach

Best beach near cruise port in Maui Hawaii Ho'aloha Park Beach is located just 0.4 miles away from Kahului Harbor. The park covers an area of two acres.

Visitors can enjoy swimming in the clear blue water. If you are into beach sports, the property has a Sand Pit volleyball court and exercise facility. 

The clear view of the coastline from the Ho'aloha Beach
Source : beachsearcher

There is a picnic spot in this laid-back area with picnic tables available inside private Canoe Hales. Additionally, there are two outdoor showers and water taps.

  • Address: 1 E Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI 96732
  • Phone: 808 270-7232
  • Opening Hours: 7 am to 7 pm daily
  • Onsite Parking facility
  • ADA Accessibility

2. Kanaha Beach Park

Beaches near Maui cruise port Kanaha Beach Park is situated on a peaceful coastal expanse near Kahului Bay. The place features three beach volleyball courts.

This tranquil beach retreat makes for an ideal place to swim, play volleyball and enjoy kite and windsurfing. It also boasts plenty of picnic areas.

A watchtower and a rescue jet parked at Kanaha Beach Park
Source : facebook

Kanaha Beach covers an area of 40 acres filled with white sand and surrounded by trees. You can enjoy plenty of activities such as biking, camping, and canoeing.

  • Distance from Kahului Harbor: 2 miles
  • Google Rating: 4.6/5 based on 1,263 reviews
  • 4 Parking lots on site
  • Includes outdoor showers and water fountains

3. Paukukalo Beach

Maui cruise port beach Paukukalo Beach is located 2.7 miles away from Kahului Harbor. It is a small beach with an approximate length of 300 meters.

Located in an urban area and among the mountain, this beach is one of Kahului's settlements. The spacious coastline has turquoise water and grey pebble, which are its striking features.

Paukukalo Beach is suitable for different people of varying interests. This includes lonely travelers, relaxing getaway lovers, and swimmers.

A beautiful shot of the waves crashing at the shores at Paukukalo Beach
Source : beachsearcher

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also try some water activities. The coast is free, less crowded and easily accessible.

Nearby Attractions:

  • The Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Maui Arts and Cultural Center
  • Tin Roof Maui
  • Tante's Island Cuisine

4. Spreckelsville Beach

Best beach in Maui HI Spreckelsville Beach is a beautiful golden sand beach stretched over two miles. It is popular for excursions like fishing and windsurfing.

The home of the Maui Country Club, Spereckelsville Beach is located west of Paia and east of Kahului Airport. If you are seeking a natural beach adventure, this is the right place.

A turtle walking up the shores at Spreckelsville Beach
Source : tripadvisor

The most striking feature of Spereckelsville Beach is that it is divided into different sections. This includes Camp One, Sprecks Beach, Lobster Cove, Sugar Cove, and Baby Beach.

  • Distance from Kahului Harbor: 5.7 miles
  • Open 24 hours
  • Google Rating: 4/5 based on 8 reviews

5. Baldwin Beach

Nicest beach in Maui Baldwin Beach is a picturesque tree-lined beach cove just outside of Paia. Relax at the protected swimming areas with calm pools.

This wonderful sandy beach park is fully equipped with lifeguards, BBQ and picnic areas. Located on the northern shore of Maui, it is a favorite with local families.

The long and wide beach features picnic tables, and a covered pavilion. You can also take your little ones with you to this tranquil place.

An evening shot of the Baldwin Beach Park and people busy with water activities
Source : facebook

Baldwin Beach has a magical mystical feel in the morning which makes it a decent place for a morning stroll. In the evening, you will witness a spectacular sunset view.

  • Address: Baldwin Park, Paia, HI 96779
  • Opening Hours: 7 am to 8 pm daily
  • Distance from Kahului Harbor: 5 miles (approx.)

6. Kaulahao Beach

Kaulahao Beach is a famous seaside area in the Lower Paia settlement. The place is famous among visitors for watching green sea turtles.

It is one of the lesser-visited beaches on the North Shore of Maui. This makes it one of the least crowded and serene seaside places in Hawaii.

Green sea turtles walking upto the shores at Kaulahao Beach
Source : facebook

The number of people doesn't determine the actual quality of the place. Kaulahao may see fewer visitors, but it has many wonderful things to offer.

Commonly known as Kuau Beach, it is situated just beyond the town of Paia on the Hana Highway. Its shore gives sanctuary to green sea turtles.

7. Pu'unoa Beach

Pu'unoa Beach falls in the category of the best beaches to visit with children. It is home to a natural lagoon always tucked out of the wind.

The water here is calm and features shallow coral heads. These aspects make Puunoa Beach an ideal place to take your young ones swimming. 

A beautiful shot of the accommodations on the Puunoa Beach
Source : facebook

The shallow coral means it is not the right place if you are looking to snorkel. Even during the summer, the waves aren't big enough to surf. 

Puunoa Beach is within walking distance of Front Street. Relaxing on a floatie, and watching the sunset are the standard activities you can carry out here.

8. Ukumehame Beach Park

Ukumehame Beach Park is a popular place among morning surfers. Covered in white sands, it covers roughly an area of 3.5 acres. 

On weekends, it sees a carnival of trucks, fishing poles, EZ-up tents and coolers packed with green bottles. This beach provides an unblocked view of the ocean.

Things to do at Ukumehame Beach Park include several water activities surfing, sunbathing and kayaking. The place is easily accessible and it can be spotted from the road.

The waves climbing up the sandy shores at Ukumehame Beach Park
Source : tripadvisor

Enjoy a family picnic along with a gentle breeze and gradual swells. You can wade into the cool water for a good distance since the tide is not so strong.

  • Address: Ukumehame Beach Park, 615 Honoapiilani Hwy Lahaina, HI 96761
  • Open 24 hours
  • Limited onsite Parking available

9. Ka'anapali Beach

Best beach in Kaanapali Maui Ka'anapali Beach is three miles long with white sand and crystal clear water. It is only 4.1 miles away from the Lahaina Harbor.

Kaanapali is the first planned resort in Hawaii which became a model for resorts around the world. There are five hotels and six condominiums facing this beach.

People enjoying swimming and sunbathing at Kaanapali Beach
Source : facebook

One of the best beaches in Maui, Kaanapali hosts a daily cliff diving known as Pu'u Keka'a. There is a zipline tour to soar above the Kaanapali coastline.

Onsite amenities include:

  • Parking: $2 for 30 minutes
  • Easy access to the restrooms
  • Lifeguards on watch
  • Shopping places nearby

10. Kahekili Beach Park

Kahekili Beach Park is situated directly in front of the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. It has long and soft sands and plenty of amenities.

It offers a quieter beach-going experience compared to the bustling Kaanapali Beach. It is not exactly a serene place but you will find plenty of room for yourself here.

A panoramic view of the sandy beach at Kahekili Beach Park
Source : tripadvisor

Swimming is undoubtedly a fabled experience here along with other beach activities. Apart from that, do take a walk on the soft sand and enjoy the ocean view.

  • Distance from Lahaina Harbor: 5.1 miles
  • Onsite Parking available
  • Restrooms available

11. Honokowai Beach Park

Honokowai Beach Park in Napili-Honokowai Hawaii has a shallow swimming area. It is situated 6.3 miles away from the nearest cruise port Lahaina Harbor.

The Honokowai Beach Park is a waterfront gathering place. This place has a play structure, picnic tables, shade trees and many amenities.

A beautiful scenery of the ocean and the mountain from Honokowai Beach Park
Source : tripadvisor

The Park covers an area of 4.6 acres with nine picnic tables and a BBQ grill. There is one outdoor shower and multiple water taps at the comfort station.

This kid-friendly beach park has two playgrounds for children of age 5 to 12 years. You can bring along your kids to this Park and have a great time together.

  • ADA Parking available
  • Alcohol consumption is forbidden

12. Pohaku Park

Pohaku Park is a beach in Napili-Honokowai located near Kapalua Airport. This place is famous among surfers and swimmers.

The waterfront park, also known as S-Turns, sits on an area of one acre. There is an ease of access to swimming and surfing for the visitors.

The waves at Pohaku Park aka S-Turns and a couple of eager surfers
Source : facebook

This is a small laid-back spot to enjoy the walk on the sand and take a quick dip. One of the best times to visit this park is during the whale season to watch them breaching offshore.

Onsite amenities at Pohaku Park are:

  • A Parking area
  • Picnic areas for families
  • One outdoor shower
  • Portable Restrooms on site
  • Distance from Lahaina Harbor: 7.3 miles