Kihei vs. Wailea: Which Coastal Walk in South Maui is Best?
Kihei vs. Wailea: Two South Maui Walks, Two Completely Different Vibes
If you’re planning to visit South Maui, you’ll quickly come across a choice many visitors make: Kihei vs. Wailea. These neighboring towns sit right next to each other along the same stretch of coastline, but they offer very different vibes. One of the best ways to experience this contrast is by exploring their coastal walks.
In Kihei, the beach walk takes you directly across golden sand, past locals setting up beach chairs, kids playing in the surf, and easy-to-access amenities like shave ice shops, coffee stands, and casual restaurants. Wailea, on the other hand, invites you onto a paved, landscaped path that winds through some of Maui’s most luxurious resorts, with ocean views at nearly every step and beautifully maintained grounds that feel like walking through an outdoor garden.
Both are stunning in their own way, and both make for about a three-mile stroll, out and back. The real question is: which one is best for you?
A Quick Look at Kihei and Wailea
Before comparing the walks, it helps to know the difference between these two South Maui destinations. Coastal walks aside, there are notable differences in Kihei vs. Wailea.
Kihei has a long history as a laid-back beach town. While it’s grown over the decades, it has an older, more lived-in feel compared to its upscale neighbor to the south. You’ll find plenty of vacation condos, family-friendly beaches, and casual spots to eat or grab supplies. It’s less polished than Wailea, but that’s part of the charm – Kihei feels approachable and easygoing, and it offers some of the island’s most accessible beach access.
Wailea, by contrast, is a master-planned luxury resort area. Here, you’ll find high-end hotels, manicured lawns, golf courses, and an overall polished atmosphere. Even if you’re not staying in one of the five-star properties, the Wailea Coastal Walk gives you a chance to peek behind the curtain and experience what it feels like to move through Maui’s luxury side – without the price tag!
Kihei Beach Walk
The Kihei beach walk can be done north to south, or south to north, depending on your preferred starting point. For this description, I’ll walk through it from north to south. Whichever direction you choose, if you walk all three Kamaole beaches in both directions, you’ll log about 2.5 miles.
Beaches Along the Walk
- Kamaole I: Wide, spacious, perfect for groups
- Kamaole II: More intimate, great for a quieter stretch
- Kamaole III: Grassy areas ideal for stretching or yoga, or even a picnic
The Route
Start your walk at Charley Young Beach, or the northern end of Kamaole I. If you’re driving, there’s a small parking lot at the intersection of South Kihei Road and Kaiau Place.
From Charley Young Beach, head south along the beach. You’ll cross Kamaole I, a beautiful stretch of beach, before crossing around the Royal Mauian Condo building (yes, go ahead and walk across the grass here!) to continue along Kamaole II.
Kamaole II is a shorter beach than Kamaole I, but just as stunning. We stayed across from Kamaole II on one visit to Maui and loved watching the sunsets from the beach – it’s a popular spot, and locals and travelers alike will line up along the road to watch from here!
Leaving Kamaole II, you’ll cross through a small park before dropping back down onto the sand at Kamaole III – the final beach of this walk.
Of the three Kamaole beaches in Kihei, I think Kamaole III is the most intimate. The nice thing about the Kamaole beaches is they each offer a slightly different vibe, depending on your preferences.
Kamaole III has a good-sized parking lot right in front of the beach (as well as restrooms). If you’re driving to do this walk, this can be a good place to start – just walk north instead of south.
Once you reach Kamaole III, you can either turn around and head back north to where you started, or you can continue along the Eddie Pu Trail through the Seabird Nesting Preserve just past Kamaole III. This adds about a half mile to your walk.
The preserve is a nesting sport for wedge-tailed shearwater birds (‘Ua‘u kani in Hawaiian). We found the preserve to be even more peaceful than the Kamaole beaches (with fewer walkers). Just be sure to stay on the path, especially if you’re walking during nesting months (spring to late summer).
Vibe and Experience
Walking along the Kamaole beaches in Kihei is all about being grounded – literally. Sand underfoot, waves along the shore, and the casual hum of beach activity make it feel like a true Maui experience. Families play volleyball, kids boogie board, and locals stroll with their dogs.
The walk is informal and flexible, allowing you to pause whenever a spot looks perfect for a dip in the ocean.
Amenities and Access
Public parking is available at each beach park, and you’ll be close to restaurants, convenience stores, and shops all along the route. Showers and restrooms are located at the Kamaole beaches, making it easy to plan a short walk or a half-day outing.
Best Time to Walk
Early morning is ideal for a peaceful start to your day, especially if you’re staying nearby. Sunset is also magical, with the skies glowing golden over the water. Midday can be hot, so bring water, sunscreen, and maybe wear a swimsuit to cool off along the way.
Kihei’s beach walk is perfect for travelers who enjoy casual, sandy strolls with easy access to the water and nearby amenities.
Wailea Coastal Walk
Wailea offers a different kind of experience from the Kihei beach walk along Kamaole I, II, and III. Developed as a luxury resort area, its beaches and paths are manicured and polished, giving the impression of walking through a carefully curated coastal garden.
The biggest difference between the Kihei vs. Wailea walks is that in Wailea, you’ll be on paved trails (sidewalks) the entire walk. If accessibility is a concern, you’ll find Wailea to be a better walk than Kihei for this reason.
If you’ve walked the Kapalua Coastal Trail, you’ll find this walk to be familiar in feel, as both weave between coastline and resort properties.
Still, the Wailea walk is similar in distance to the Kihei beach walk (about 3 miles out-and-back). Like Kihei, you can start at the southern end and walk north, or vice versa. For this description, I’ll once again describe the route from north to south.
Beaches Along the Walk
- Mokapu Beach: Scenic, though can get rough on windy days.
- Ulua Beach: Calm waters, great for snorkeling.
- Wailea Beach: Iconic South Maui beach in front of the Grand Wailea Resort.
- Polo Beach: Smaller, more intimate, ideal for a quiet break.
The Route
Starting the Wailea coastal walk from the north, Ulua Beach offers ample public parking, as well as restrooms and showers.
Ulua Beach is our favorite along this route, for its intimacy – it’s the smallest of the ones on this route.
Continuing south, you’ll follow the path along the coast past a Marriott resort before reaching Wailea Beach, the widest beach along the walk. As you walk the path through Wailea Beach, you’ll see the Grand Wailea (Waldorf Astoria) and Four Seasons – that’s right, we’re in fancy hotel-land.
Between Wailea and Polo beach, you’ll find the coastline becomes a bit more rugged, with beautiful views of lava rock and tide pools below – a taste of “real” Maui along this nicely groomed walking trail.
Finally, you’ll reach Polo Beach at the southern end of the Wailea coastal walk. There are restrooms here if you need them, and there’s also a parking lot if you decide to do the walk from south to north first.
From here, you’ll loop back, enjoying the views to the north as you complete your out-and-back walk along Wailea’s oceanside.
Vibe and Experience
Walking the Wailea path feels more refined. You’ll pass landscaped gardens, lava rock outcroppings, and the grounds of some of Maui’s most famous resorts. While it’s accessible to the public, the walk offers a peek into the luxury side of Maui without the need to stay in one of the resorts. Quiet benches and shaded grassy areas provide places to pause and enjoy the view.
Amenities and Access
Public parking is available at Ulua Beach and Polo Beach, as well as the shopping area behind Wailea Beach. Unlike Kihei, there are fewer casual cafés along the walk. There are resort-side cafés or snack shacks, and full-service restaurants further inland, but expect much higher prices than in Kihei.
The path itself is paved and well-maintained, offering a smooth walking experience without the uneven sand of the Kihei walk.
Best Time to Walk
Like Kihei, mornings and sunsets are ideal. Morning walks are calm, with cooler temperatures and quieter beaches. Sunset is stunning, with the golden light hitting the ocean and the manicured gardens of the resorts. Midday can be warm, so carry water and wear sun protection.
Wailea’s walk is perfect for travelers who want paved paths, accessible trails, and a glimpse at Maui’s luxury coastline. Even if you don’t stay at a resort, the walk lets you enjoy the views and the experience of this polished side of the island.
Kihei vs. Wailea Coastal Walks: Best Time of Day & Tips
South Maui is warm and fairly dry year-round, so either walk can be done any time of year. Summer will generally be warmer, but the ocean breeze generally makes it comfortable enough, especially if the trade winds are in.
The time of day for walking, however, makes a big difference:
- Morning (especially before 8am) typically offers fewer crowds, cooler temperatures as the sun has yet to rise too high. The soft light of the morning is especially calming, too.
- Midday can be hot – and the UV index strong – especially during the summer months. Bring water and apply plenty of sunscreen, and consider wearing a swimsuit for dips to cool off.
- Evening offers lower sun and, if you stay long enough, often a breathtaking sunset.
Can’t Decide on Kihei vs. Wailea Walks? Do Both!
If you can’t decide whether to walk the Kihei vs. Wailea coastal walks, there’s an easy solution – do both!
The Kihei and Wailea walks offer complementary experiences: one casual and sandy, the other polished and paved. Doing both gives you a full picture of South Maui’s coastline.
Together, they make a perfect active day of walking, especially if you want to combine walking, swimming and snorkeling, and a little sightseeing.
Final Thoughts: Kihei vs. Wailea Coastal Walks
Choosing between Kihei vs. Wailea really comes down to what kind of walk you’re after. Kihei is casual, local, and sand-based; Wailea is refined, landscaped, and paved.
Both walks are roughly three miles round-trip, offer stunning views, and are accessible to anyone staying in South Maui. Whether you go barefoot on Kihei’s beaches or stroll past Wailea’s resort gardens, you’ll find yourself captivated by Maui’s beauty, energy, and the unique charm each area offers.
Heading to Maui? Check out our complete guide to swimming on Maui – full of information on top beaches, what to look for in the water, what to pack for a day at the beach, and more.