Po'olenalena Beach
Po'olenalena Beach
5
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5.0
91 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
16
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
kbailey1088
Columbia, SC142 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Amazing private beach right by turtle cove. We snorkels every day with a dozen or more sea turtles. The water was a bit stirred up due to the current but still amazing to see the turtles close. They would swim right up to us and float by as we took pictures
Written 4 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lslyChicago
Chicago79 contributions
Mar 2019
My husband and I decided to renew our vows after 35 years. We wanted it to be just him and I, no ceremony. We hired a photographer and they suggested a few locations. But this seemed perfect at sunset and not a busy beach. It was picture perfect and as beautiful as the photographer had recommended. Beautiful sand with some rocks. Pretty isolated until you walk down towards the resort shown in the sample picture. would recommend stopping if you are in the area.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trei Campbell
Berkeley, CA38 contributions
Aug 2022
Found a recommendation online to visit this beach. We saw 7 turtles while we were at this beach. Amazing! This we really enjoyed this beach, good size, some shaded tree spots and great swimming. Snorkeling on the north end was good. As the day got later the surf did get a bit rougher, but overall one of our favorite stops on Maui.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine B
St. George, UT45 contributions
July 2022 • Family
Perfect beach for family, sand is not rocky, you can see sea turtles near rocks and fish swimming. Lots of shade,get here at 7 am to get perfect spot. Waves are good. Free parking with bathrooms. Sand gets hot so wear water shoes or sandals right to water.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Piero C
Annapolis, MD769 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
The beach at the parking lot is a wide expanse with beautiful golden sand and a relative emptiness apart from the sunset wedding ceremonies. But what makes this one of the best beaches on the island is the relatively hidden beach immediately to the north, accessible by a short trail, which is as glorious as beautiful Wailea beach without the hotels and massive tourist presence. Note: this is a clothing optional beach. No amenities except for a perfect sunset.
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kos8890
Massachusetts76 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We picked this beach to have our wedding on. Checked the beach out the day before seen a couple of turtles on the shore. Seen some fish in the water swimming along the shore.Walk down the path to the right of the gate and it takes you to a nice spot. The wedding was at sunset and everything went great. Thanks for the applause from the family watching the ceremony. 🙏 It’s a great little beach has a good amount of parking a few holes on the way in.
Written 17 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman G
Longmont, CO24 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Each time we come to Maui my wife and I try different snorkeling areas based on recommendations from locals. We tried Po'olenalena this trip and it is now our new favorite spot. The rocky point on the south end of the beach has a wonderful reef, close enough to the surface that you can see the coral clearly but deep enough that you don't worry about getting scraped up by it. We saw several turtles (seems to be a good spot for honu cleaning - lots of fish eating the algae off the turtles' backs), many varieties of fish, and beautiful coral structures. There were a huge number of bright red "slate pencil" sea urchins, which made this spot one of the most colorful we've seen in Hawaii.
Written 24 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea F
Chicago, IL285 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We loved this beach. The snorkeling was awesome, immediately when we got in the water we saw turtles. We probably saw at least 10 turtles here when we were swimming and snorkeling. The current around the rocks can be rough so be careful. We also saw a huge manta ray here. The coral was also very beautiful. The beach itself was quiet and the parking was very easy.
Written 1 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee J
Everett, WA128 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
This is a nice beach that my family visited a few times during a recent trip to Maui. Wear thick soled shoes when walking from the parking lot to the beach! There are really thorny trees between the two. The trees aren't a problem except that small branches break off and you can step on their thorns. We've found a few deeply imbedded in our sandals on each visit.
The beach itself is great. Relatively uncrowded with mild surf. The snorkeling to the right is really good. We've seen turtles on each visit. The last visit we saw 4 - a couple of large ones and a couple of smaller ones. As with snorkeling anywhere, keep an eye on the surf. It's not bad here but once in a while you can get a random wave.
This is a popular beach for professional photos. We've had our family photos done here twice. This is the go to beach for the photographers we've used which has been fine with us! We've also seen a number of other wedding and other professional photography sessions being done there at sunset.
The beach itself is great. Relatively uncrowded with mild surf. The snorkeling to the right is really good. We've seen turtles on each visit. The last visit we saw 4 - a couple of large ones and a couple of smaller ones. As with snorkeling anywhere, keep an eye on the surf. It's not bad here but once in a while you can get a random wave.
This is a popular beach for professional photos. We've had our family photos done here twice. This is the go to beach for the photographers we've used which has been fine with us! We've also seen a number of other wedding and other professional photography sessions being done there at sunset.
Written 13 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy_in_Texas
Dallas, TX56 contributions
July 2019
Had family pics made here at sunset based on the photographer's suggestion. So glad we went to this side of the island. Truly GORGEOUS beach...loved the "secret beach" and the beautiful lava rocks. Highly recommend stopping by!
Written 31 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any condos or places to stay close to this beach?
Written 16 February 2020
Closest rental units are at "The Champions" condo complex approx 5 minute drive to the east.
Written 23 February 2020
Turning off the road, the parking lot slopes down towards the beach. The lot consists of mainly hard dirt, gravel & some sand. I believe a wheelchair should be fine loading and unloading in the lot. The pretty beach is directly next to the parking lot. A wheelchair would have difficulty getting to the water but would easily be enjoyed at the edge of the parking lot where the sand meets the lot.
Written 20 November 2019
my fiancee and I are planning a weekday sunset wedding in March and are curious if this is a very busy time, also if it is pleasant weather-wise.
we understand Hawaii is popular for weddings and we will have to share, we are just looking for relatively low traffic and as sedately private as we can find on a public beach.
thanks!
Written 13 April 2018
Po'olenalena, would be perfect in terms of a more secluded, lower traffic beach. This is especially true as you go from the parking lot towards the water, to the right. I've witnessed one wedding there, as opposed to many at other more public beaches. What you need to be prepared for is that the path from the parking lot is a little rough, so I'm not sure how that would work with wedding attire. However, another option, that is more accessible is the more open stretch of beach adjacent to the parking lot. Option A and B ;0)
Written 13 April 2018
We are thinking of using this beach for a mid-November wedding ceremony. Is this a good location? It will be at sunset/dusk. I don't want to worry about a lot of people around or see buildings in the backdrop. Any input is appreciated.
Written 4 September 2017
There are many weddings on this beach, I've seen them myself. There must be a reason why they chose this beach! Lots of shade for folks. The photos can easily be taken without buildings in the way. It's a beach for all occasions It would be fair to say that the best beaches attract one and all but it's spread out so you would easily have your own space. There's a reason why they have buildings nearby for those who want a piece of Paradise to come to. Locals love it.
Written 5 September 2017
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