Keawakapu Beach North

Keawakapu Beach in southwest Maui is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of some of the more crowded beaches nearby. Also as it’s wider than its sandy sisters, locating the perfect spot to sit back and soak up the sun won't be an issue. Impressive beach houses, restaurants, apartments and hotels line the beachfront while palm trees are dotted along the shore, providing shade for those who like to venture out in the early morning to do some yoga on the cushiony sands.

There are numerous tide pools on the beachfront that are alive with sea creatures. These naturally occurring mini aquariums can be great fun for kids and those who are still children at heart. Colourful fish and crustaceans bide their time waiting for the tide to come back in and taxi them out to sea. The waters near the lava rock formations are perfect for snorkelling. Morning is the best time to see all kinds of fish and coral and you might just catch a glimpse of a sea turtle floating by. During the winter months, migrating Humpback Wales can be spotted off shore rising up from the depths for a breath of fresh air.

Scuba diving is also popular here. Only 800 metres out to sea lies a man-made reef, created in 1962 to stimulate the local marine environment. Surprisingly made up of 150 cars, it's a spectacular and equally unusual sight to behold. These submersed cars have become homes for a plethora of sea creatures. Diving enthusiasts can examine the coral while vintage car lovers can peruse the rusty relics.

Keep in mind that at certain times of the day this beach can be quite windy leading to short sporadic sandstorms. This can be the perfect time for a break for some food. The restaurants inland offer a wide variety of cuisine, but there is also a green area just off of the beach to the north where you can enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine as the sun begins to set over the sea.