West Maui Vs. South Maui: Which To Visit? — Hawaii Ocean Rafting (2024)

FAQs

What is better, West Maui or South Maui? ›

Both areas have their own unique charm and attractions. West Maui is known for its historical landmarks, cultural entertainment and surf, while South Maui offers a more transient casual vibe, both with luxury resorts and pristine beaches. Each area also has its own distinct weather patterns and natural scenery.

The leeward side of Maui has the best beaches thanks to that side of the island being more sheltered from the trade winds. Both South Maui and West Maui are located on the leeward side of the island, where you'll experience more sun, typically calmer water, and you'll have a number of beautiful beaches to visit.

The leeward side beaches on Maui are the best for great snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and of course, sunset watching. Some of the best beaches on Maui's south shore include Wailea Beach, the Kama'ole Beach Parks, Keawakapu Beach, and Makena Beach.

Maui's leeward side inarguably presents the best beaches on the island—if by “best” you mean golden sand, perfectly-swimmable waters, outstanding snorkeling opportunities, lulling waves gentle enough for first-time surfers, and sunshine in spades.

Honolua Bay is not only the best wave in Maui, it is one of the best in the world. The northwestern coast of Maui is riddled with bays and crags that can produce all variety of great surf during the winter months, when the North Pacific is busy churning out storm after storm.

There's plenty of gorgeous water to be found at Maui's beach parks, but the clearest is in Honolua Bay, especially during the summer. Honolua is Hawaiian for “two harbors,” and the bay was originally used to receive ships and unload supplies.

Don't Swim in Brown Water

Brown water events happen due to many reasons: toxic storm runoff, forest fires, development waste, agricultural waste, contaminated wells, watershed to reef drainage and more. Brown water is seen close to the coastline. Brown water poses many threats to Maui's coral reef systems.

Pu'unoa Beach, also known as Lahaina's Baby Beach, is a great option if you plan on going to the beach with small children in West Maui. Often visited by local families, this beach is perfect for those of you who aren't serious swimmers or don't want to worry about waves knocking over your little ones.

The North Shore of Maui is less developed, less crowded, and has a great selection of less-touristy beaches. In a nutshell: The North Shore of Maui is less developed, less crowded, and has a great selection of less-touristy beaches.

Areas in West Maui that tourists should avoid include Lahaina, Napili, Kaanapali, and Kapalua, according to a press release from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Which side of Maui is less windy? ›

The northeasterly trade winds are very common on Maui. In fact, northern and eastern facing shores, like Kapalua and Paia, experience higher wind abrasion than south and west facing shores, like Lahaina and Wailea.

One of the most impressive things about Kaanapali Beach is its clear waters. Conditions are ideal for snorkeling, and there is a wide variety of aquamarine life just waiting to be discovered. The best place for snorkeling is Black Rock, located on the northern end of the beach.

So some people feel that the west side is the best area to stay in Maui. However, the south side has the advantage of slightly less rain in the winter. Kihei (the condo area on the south side) has more family restaurants than the condo area on the west side.

If you want a resort experience with world-class beaches, easy access to ocean excursions, and a few nearby hikes: West Maui is the perfect area to stay. If you have been to Maui before, and you want a more local, boutique experience, consider the North Shore (Paia) or East Maui (Hana).

The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do on Maui for many reasons. There is so much gorgeous scenery, and many stops where you can see waterfalls and check out some of the best, less-frequented areas.

Unless you are doing an extended stay on Maui, we recommend you pick South, West or Central Maui at Maalaea as your base of vacation operations. The main reason is anything you want to see or do on a different part of the island is easily accessible by car from each of these areas.

Wailea-Makena: A Scenic Destination with World-Class Resorts

Look no further than Wailea-Makena – the ultimate destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Take a walk along the Wailea Beach Path and soak in the breathtaking ocean views, or tee off at one of the area's championship golf courses.

The West Maui Mountains get an incredible amount of rainfall. The eastern side is much rainier and windy. The south side can be windy because the trade winds careen in and out of the large valleys here. The north side is also windy because it's in the direct line of the trade winds.