Wailea Area Guide
Best Day Hikes Near Kihei & Wailea: South Maui Trail Guide
The morning sun crests Haleakalā and pours liquid gold across the lava fields south of Makena. A mongoose darts between the kiawe trees. The ocean, impossibly blue, stretches to the horizon where Molokini Crater punctuates the waterline like a crescent moon. You’re 12 minutes from your Kihei condo, and you haven’t seen another soul on the trail.
South Maui isn’t usually the first place people think of when they think “Maui hiking.” Haleakalā’s crater trails and the bamboo forests of the Road to Hana steal the spotlight. But the trails within a 30-minute drive of Kihei and Wailea offer something those destination hikes don’t: no long drives, no pre-dawn alarms, and no crowds. These are the walks you do before breakfast, the trails you stumble onto between beach sessions, the hikes that reveal a wilder, more ancient side of South Maui that most visitors never see.
The Hoapili Trail: where ancient lava meets the Pacific, just south of Makena
Hoapili Trail (King’s Highway): South Maui’s Most Dramatic Walk
Distance: 5.6 miles out and back | Difficulty: Moderate | Trailhead: La Perouse Bay parking area
The Hoapili Trail follows the remnants of an ancient Hawaiian highway built by King Pi’ilani in the 1400s—a hand-laid lava rock path that once connected the island’s coastal villages. Today, this path cuts through Maui’s most recent lava flow (1790), a surreal landscape of jagged ‘a’ā lava stretching from the foot of Haleakalā to the sea.
The trail begins at the end of Makena Alanui Road, where the pavement literally runs out and the lava takes over. For the first mile, you’ll pick your way across open lava fields—watch your ankles—before the path drops down to a series of hidden coves with crystalline water and zero development. The turnaround point at Kanaio Beach rewards you with one of the most remote shorelines in all of South Maui.
What makes this hike special isn’t just the terrain—it’s the silence. No roads, no buildings, no music. Just wind, waves, and the occasional splash of a spinner dolphin offshore. If you’ve been in busy Kihei for a few days, this trail feels like stepping onto a different island entirely.
Local’s Tip: Go early—before 8 AM. The lava absorbs heat like a cast-iron skillet, and by midmorning the trail becomes genuinely punishing. Wear closed-toe shoes with thick soles (no flip-flops or even trail sandals), bring twice the water you think you need, and apply sunscreen to your ankles. There is zero shade on this trail.
Wailea Coastal Walk: The Easiest ‘Hike’ on the Island
Distance: 3 miles out and back | Difficulty: Easy | Start: Mokapu Beach or Polo Beach
Calling the Wailea Coastal Walk a “hike” is generous—it’s a paved beachfront path that winds past five of Maui’s most beautiful beaches—but it earns its place on this list because of the sheer beauty per step. The walk connects Mokapu Beach in the north to Polo Beach in the south, passing through Wailea Beach, Ulua Beach, and the manicured grounds of Wailea’s resort corridor.
Between December and April, this is one of the best shore-based whale watching walks on the island—humpbacks breach and spout just a few hundred yards offshore, and the elevated sections of the path put you at the perfect vantage point. Even outside whale season, the path delivers sea turtles hauled out on the sand, tropical fish visible in the shallows, and sunsets that stop you mid-stride.
For more on spotting humpbacks from land, see our whale watching from shore guide.
Local’s Tip: Walk it at sunrise. You’ll have the entire path to yourself, the light on the water is otherworldly, and the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea grounds look like botanical gardens in the morning glow. Finish with coffee at one of the Wailea resort cafes.
The Wailea Coastal Walk: five beaches, one perfect morning stroll
La Perouse Bay Loop: Lava, Dolphins & Hidden Tide Pools
Distance: 2.5 miles loop | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Trailhead: La Perouse Bay parking
La Perouse Bay sits at the very end of South Maui’s paved road—the point where Makena’s green slopes give way to the black lava fields of Maui’s last volcanic eruption. The bay itself is a marine life hotspot: spinner dolphins feed here in the mornings, sea turtles rest in the shallows, and the rocky coastline hides tide pools teeming with crabs, urchins, and tropical fish.
The loop trail circles the bay’s perimeter, crossing lava shelves and passing through groves of wind-bent kiawe trees. It’s an excellent option for families—short enough for kids, dramatic enough to hold their attention, and the tide pools at the south end of the bay are a natural science classroom. For general ocean safety tips, especially around rocky shorelines, check our dedicated guide.
Local’s Tip: Bring snorkel gear. After the loop, wade into the bay from the sandy entry point on the east side. The coral is patchy but the fish life is incredible—butterflyfish, parrotfish, and if you’re lucky, a resting sea turtle. Just stay close to shore; currents can pick up around the rocky points.
La Perouse Bay: where Maui’s volcanic past meets a living marine sanctuary
Makena Trails: Kiawe Forest & Secret Shoreline
Distance: 1–3 miles (various routes) | Difficulty: Easy | Access: South of Big Beach
South of Makena State Park (Big Beach), a network of informal trails winds through kiawe forest and along the coastline toward Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve. These aren’t signposted, guidebook hikes—they’re the paths that locals use for morning jogs, sunset strolls, and quiet shoreline fishing.
The kiawe trees provide welcome shade, their twisted branches creating a canopy that filters the South Maui sun into dappled patterns on the trail. Through gaps in the trees, you catch flashes of blue ocean and the silhouette of Kaho’olawe on the horizon. The shoreline sections reveal rocky coves where waves crash against ancient lava and the occasional monk seal hauls out to nap.
These trails pair perfectly with a morning at Big Beach—hike first in the cool hours, then reward yourself with what many consider one of the best beaches in Maui. Pack a picnic and make a half-day of it.
Local’s Tip: Watch for kiawe thorns! These gnarly spines punch right through thin-soled shoes. Trail runners or hiking sandals with thick soles are essential. And never walk these trails barefoot, no matter how beachy the vibe feels.
Makena’s kiawe forest trails offer shade, solitude, and surprise ocean views
Bonus: Day-Trip Hikes Within 30 Minutes of South Maui
If you’re willing to drive a short distance from your South Maui vacation rental, several world-class trails open up. Our comprehensive best hikes in Maui guide covers the full island, but here are the closest options to Kihei and Wailea:
Kamaole Beach to Kealia Pond (2 miles, easy)
This flat, coastal walk follows the shoreline from Kamaole III northward past Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, one of Hawai’i’s most important wetlands for endangered waterbirds. During winter, the pond fills with Hawaiian stilts, coots, and migratory ducks. The boardwalk section keeps your feet dry and offers elevated views of both the pond and the ocean.
Iao Valley Trail (0.6 miles, easy — 15 minutes from Kihei)
A quick drive through Wailuku brings you to ‘Iao Valley State Park, where the iconic ‘Iao Needle—a 1,200-foot moss-covered pinnacle—rises from the valley floor. The paved trail climbs gently through tropical vegetation to several lookout points. It’s short but visually stunning, and you’ll be back on the beach by lunch.
Sliding Sands at Haleakalā (variable, moderate-strenuous — 90 minutes from Kihei)
Yes, it’s farther than 30 minutes, but Sliding Sands is arguably the most otherworldly hike in Hawai’i, and South Maui is the closest coastal area to the summit. Even descending just the first mile into the crater gives you a Mars-like landscape that defies description. Check our family hiking trails guide for easier crater-area options suitable for all ages.
Local’s Tip: Keep a day pack pre-loaded in your rental car or vacation rental closet: water bottle, sunscreen, hat, trail snacks, and a thin long-sleeve layer. The best South Maui hikes are spontaneous—you’ll wake up one morning and just feel it. Having gear ready means you’re on the trail in five minutes.
What to Wear & Pack for South Maui Hikes
South Maui’s hiking conditions differ from the lush, muddy trails on Maui’s wet side. Here’s what to bring—and for a comprehensive overview, our Maui packing list covers everything you’ll need for your trip.
Closed-toe shoes with thick soles (lava rock and kiawe thorns demand it)
At least 1 liter of water per person per hour (no water sources on any South Maui trail)
Reef-safe sunscreen and a wide-brim hat (SPF 50+; the South Maui sun is intense)
Lightweight long sleeves for sun protection on exposed lava trails
Snorkel gear if your hike ends at a beach or cove (La Perouse, Hoapili)
Phone with downloaded offline maps (cell service can be spotty past Makena)
Light snacks—trail mix, fruit, energy bars
Where to Stay: Your South Maui Hiking Base Camp
Every trail on this list is within a 20-minute drive of Kihei and Wailea—most are closer. That’s the beauty of choosing South Maui as your home base: you get Maui’s best weather, closest proximity to the airport, and quick access to trails, beaches, and restaurants without the long drives that eat into your vacation time.
A Luxe Maui Properties vacation rental gives you the space to spread out your gear, the kitchen to prep trail snacks and post-hike smoothies, and the outdoor shower to rinse off the red South Maui dust before sinking into the couch. Our Kihei vacation rentals put you steps from the trailheads, while our Wailea properties offer the perfect blend of adventure and luxury.
Browse South Maui vacation rentals →
South Maui: your hiking base camp for every trail on this list
Quick-Reference Recap: South Maui Day Hikes
Hoapili Trail: 5.6 mi, moderate, dramatic lava fields + hidden coves (go before 8 AM)
Wailea Coastal Walk: 3 mi, easy, paved beachfront + whale watching (sunrise is best)
La Perouse Bay Loop: 2.5 mi, easy-moderate, dolphins, tide pools, snorkeling
Makena Forest Trails: 1–3 mi, easy, shaded kiawe forest + secret shoreline
Kamaole–Kealia Pond: 2 mi, easy, coastal walk + birdwatching
‘Iao Valley: 0.6 mi, easy, iconic Needle viewpoint, 15 min from Kihei
Essentials: closed-toe shoes, 1L water/hour, sunscreen, hat, reef-safe SPF
Best time: early morning for all trails (cooler temps, fewer people, better light)
South Maui’s trails are waiting. Lace up, step out, and discover the wild side of your vacation.