Ulua BeachUnited States Beach Guide

Ulua Beach is an easy drive from central Kihei, roughly 10 minutes by car. A shared parking lot serves both Ulua and Mokapu Beach; it fills early on weekends, so arrive before mid-morning. Starting in early 2026, the Park Maui program will charge visitors $10 per day, $50 weekly, or $150 monthly — Hawaii residents with a valid ID park free. The path from the lot to the sand is sandy and straightforward, though lava rock entry points into the water are uneven, so pick your footing carefully.

The lava rock reef between Ulua and Mokapu is the main event — strap on a mask and you're likely to spot sea turtles without going far from shore, and nearby Turtle Town, just 1.3 km away, extends that underwater experience. For a broader Maui snorkel or dive adventure, Molokini Crater — a partially submerged volcanic crater and marine reserve — is accessible by boat about 8 km out and is a celebrated snorkel and dive destination. Back on land, the Wailea Beach Path starts just 0.3 km away, a paved 2-mile coastal walk connecting the resort beaches that's perfect for an early-morning stroll before the day heats up.

Morimoto Maui is a short 0.2 km walk from the beach, making it the most convenient option for a post-snorkel meal. Further along the resort strip, around 0.5 km out, you'll find Tommy Bahama, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and Longhi's — enough variety to cover a relaxed lunch or a proper dinner without needing a car.

The nearest hotels are clustered about 1.6 km from the beach — Best Western Maui, hotel maui, and Days Inn Maui Oceanfront all sit within that range. If you prefer something closer to the broader Wailea area, Maui Beach Resort is roughly 9 km away.

The lava rock point between Ulua and Mokapu makes a striking foreground in the early morning, when the crystal-clear water catches the soft light and the resorts behind you are still quiet. Late afternoon is ideal for shooting the white sand and the cove's calm surface, where the protected curve frames the scene cleanly.

No dogs are permitted on Maui county beaches, glass containers are banned on the sand, and fires are strictly prohibited — respect these rules or face fines. Entry over the lava rock reef requires water shoes; bare feet on that surface is a bad idea. Watch out for Kiawe trees near the north side point — they drop thorns onto the sand, so keep shoes on until you reach the waterline. Summer south swells can produce a shore break that's hazardous for weak swimmers, and winter months (December through February) bring rougher overall ocean conditions, so those months are best avoided.