The sunniest, driest corner of the island — Wailea and Kihei on the south shore, with a string of beautiful golden beaches, calm clear water superb for snorkelling, the launch for Molokini, luxury resorts and condos in Wailea and a livelier, better-value strip in Kihei. Sun-soaked, beachy and relaxed; the base for travellers who want reliable sunshine, the best snorkelling and a choice of upscale or easygoing. Maui at its sunniest. Gorgeous and easy.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
$600–1400
typical per night in United States
You pay for the postcode
One of the pricier addresses in Maui.
Where it sits
The circle is Wailea & Kihei and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Haleakala sunrise & summit60 min taxi19.9 km
- Iao Valley & the Needle72 min taxi23.9 km
- Hookipa: windsurfing & turtles86 min taxi28.5 km
- Whale watching95 min taxi31.7 km
- The Road to Hana105 min taxi34.9 km
- A Hawaiian luau109 min taxi36.2 km
- Kaanapali & Kapalua (beach)111 min taxi36.9 km
- Kaanapali Beach & Black Rock111 min taxi37.0 km
- Waianapanapa black-sand beach141 min taxi47.0 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 3.Snorkelling at Molokini Crater — The best snorkelling in Maui, and one of the finest in Hawaii — a boat trip out to Molokini, a crescent-shaped sunken volcanic crater rising just offshore, whose sheltered inner bay holds astonishingly clear water (visibility often 45m+) teeming with hundreds of species of tropical fish, coral and turtles, plus reef sharks and rays. Snorkel or dive inside the crater in the calm early morning, then usually stop at 'Turtle Town' on the way back to swim with green sea turtles. A magical, essential day on the water; go early before the wind and crowds. Breathtaking underwater. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (it's the law).
- 6.Wailea Beach & the resort coast — The south shore's golden run of beaches is Maui at its most sun-soaked and beautiful, and Wailea is the jewel — a crescent of soft golden sand and calm, clear turquoise water backed by luxury resorts, with a gorgeous coastal path linking a string of equally lovely beaches (Polo, Mokapu, Ulua) and superb snorkelling off the rocky points. It's reliably sunny, calm and swimmable, perfect for a relaxed beach day, a sunset stroll along the boardwalk and a mai tai at a resort bar. A gorgeous, easy beach highlight on the island's driest coast. Beautiful and serene. Wonderful for families.
- 12.Makena 'Big Beach' — The most spectacular stretch of undeveloped sand on the island — Makena (Big Beach) in Makena State Park, a vast, wild sweep of golden sand nearly a kilometre long and gloriously wide, backed by kiawe trees and cinder cones, with brilliant blue water and no resorts in sight. It's stunning for sunbathing, bodyboarding and sunsets (though the shore break is powerful — take care swimming), and a short scramble over the rocks at the north end leads to the clothing-optional Little Beach. Come for the raw, open beauty and the space. A gorgeous, unspoilt beach highlight. Bring water and shade — there's little there. Respect the strong surf.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Wailea & Kihei; flights via Google Flights.