A mile or so south of the Makena Prince Hotel, parking at Makena Beach’s lots fills up early, but even so, circle a few times, as many people just drop by for a quick look and leave. A lunch wagon or two will be in the area if you’d like to purchase food or drink.
Big Makena Beach (seen on the right in the aerial photo) is a world- class watery playground, but to reach Little Makena (seen on the left), you have to take the trail over the rocky point at the north end. On the other side, just a 2 minute journey, you’ll discover hidden Little Makena, a crowded compact paradise of freedom. The gay area of the beach is at the farthest end.
Although nudity is officially illegal —in direct opposition to Hawaiian culture— but the cops only bother those who venture into the brush in search of an adventure.
Makena Alanui (Road) TRAVELS SOUTH FROM THE WAILEA RESORT and skirts past distinctive Pu`u `Ola`i Crater and an unmarked and very rough and deeply rutted dirt spur road through the trees to Oneuli Beach, an unremarkable dark sand beach with no facilities. Beyond, a surprise to those who have not visited this area in a few years, is a large paved parking lot at the northern end of Big Beach. There is foot trail access to CLOTHING OPTIONAL Little Beach from here.
Little Beach is also one of the best beach-access scuba diving spots on Maui (depth: 45'/14m). Enter the water near the right/far end of the beach and swim out. Currents are not usually a problem unless, of course, seas are stormy. The underwater topography is varied and rewarding. Pick up a free --and excellent-- guide to snorkeling and scuba areas on Maui at any Maui Dive Shops location.
Big Beach, officially called Oneloa Beach, is one of Hawaii's most fabulous strands. Even at two thirds of a mile long and 100 feet wide, with transparent waters, the place is surprisingly popular, considering how out of the way it is.
There are two more parking areas for Big Beach beyond the first one. The third parking area may not be open. We have found this unpaved lot sometimes open and sometimes closed. This part (the southern end) of Big Beach draws surfers and body boarders, making for an interesting crowd and some fancy board work in the surf. Big Beach is justifiably famous and well worth a visit.
An interesting cloud condition often develops overhead at Big Beach, sometimes lasting from late morning until mid afternoon, which shades only part of Makena from the sun while everywhere else along this coast the sunshine brightly blazes down. It can be frustrating for those who want to just lie in the sun and get a tan at Big Beach, since the cloud can stubbornly just sit there for hours, blocking the sun's rays in an otherwise totally blue sky. Or for those wanting to enjoy the beach yet minimize exposure to the direct rays, it might just be the perfect option. As you reach the sand from the first parking area, look to the right to see the bluff you'll be climbing over to reach Little Makena Beach, photos below:
