Maui Snorkeling Guide
Big Beach & Little Beach
Big Beach is a very popular, beautiful beach, but is a poor Maui snorkeling spot from our experience. This beach is part of the Makena State Park lands.
As you can bet by the name, it is a big beach, long and wide, with beautiful sand, and some facilities. And some sources say it is a good snorkeling beach, but we have snorkeled it and found there to be almost nothing to see.
If you climb over the little hill on the north end of Big Beach, you will find yourself at Little Beach (see the picture on right and below). But don't be startled by the lack of clothing, and we mean any clothing, because Little Beach is a well known clothing optional beach.
Site Snorkeling Details - Big Beach & Little Beach
Maui Snorkeling
If you do want to snorkel Big Beach, the only area worth snorkeling is on the north end around the rocky point between Big Beach and Little Beach, when it is calm. But it is not very good. So we would not recommend you bother.
And be wary of breaking waves on Big Beach. We watched one poor guy who got caught unaware in a wave that was much bigger than anything that had been happening moments before, and he went away holding his arm and looking in some serious pain. The shoreline is steep on the north end, so time your entry and exits carefully.
Driving Directions - Big Beach & Little Beach
Maui Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Big Beach/Little Beach from Kihei
Head south on S Kihei Rd. Towards the end of the road, there is an intersection where you can veer left onto Okolani Dr, do this and go to the intersection with Wailea Alanui Dr and turn right. Follow this through the big intersection with Wailea Iki Dr near The Shops at Wailea. Keep driving through the intersection with Kaukahi St, the road you are on is now called Makena Alanui Rd. You will pass Makena Rd twice on your right and the entrance to the Maui Prince Hotel on the right as well. Go past the next Makena Rd on the right and also pass the dirt road on the right. The next two rights get you to Big Beach. The signs say Makena State Park. Park in the northern lot for the closest access to the snorkeling and to Little Beach.
See the next spot - 'Ahihi Cove
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