Red Sand Beach - Hana, Maui

A remote beach, Ka'ihalulu or Red Sand is very beautiful and peaceful, protected by a lava barrier from wave action. The burnt-red sand against turquoise waters, blue sky, and black lava is a fantastically vivid feast for the eyes. There are four different types of lava: basalt, andesite, dacite and rhyolite. The olivine is only found in basalt and andesite.

The trail itself was about a 7 minute walk but quite slippery in places with loose cinder cone, ironwood needles and crumbling bluff. At the end of it all, we were greeted by the stunning view of the red colored sand beach, getting its hues from the reddish cinder ash nearby. But if you want to try the crumbling, closed trail down to the beach, there's something else you may wish to have: good hiking shoes. Can you also put up with some occasional gusts of wind? The sand gets its red-black color from the crumbling cinder cone hill that surrounds the bay. Swimming is poor except when the ocean is very calm.

The toughest part of the trail is covered with small lava rocks on which it's easy to slip and fall the 30 feet. The path also is washed out at places, requiring you to hold on to the trees not to fall. The land is scattered with dusty earth and lava rock, resulting in a moon-like landscape. Yet here and there, hardy vegetation grows lush and wild, as if in denial of the harsh climate surrounding it. The lava outcropping protects the bay and makes it safe for swimming. Snorkeling is excellent, and there's a natural whirlpool area on the Hana Bay side of the cove.

Just outside of the beach is a lava sea wall that keeps the inside water less turbulent. Some homeless have taken over this area at night and don't care to share it for those of you who'd like to camp there. That was really neat, and while it probably didn't do the actual lava tube justice, it's a nice reminder of what I actually saw. Lava outcropping protects the bay making it safe for swimming.

The black lava cliffs at land's end have three canoe winches bolted to weathered scaffoldings. The sea is stunningly blue in the equatorial light, smashing in huge blue swells against the land. The exotic looking beach is often protected from the strong ocean currents by a large, jagged lava rock barrier that forms a natural sea wall. The only access to the beach is from a narrow, eroded cliff-hugging trail above the ocean. This large beach is set among lava cliffs and the sand is actually small, smooth, lava pebbles. A small sea arch, sea caves, and seaside lava tubes are located in the beach area.

Naked people?!! Yes! Ka'ihalulu or Red Beach is pretty nude. We found almost everyone laying out in the sun and a few in the water totally naked. So, be advised when you trek down there with the kiddos.

The turquoise blue waters, protected resolutely by tall jagged pillars of solidified lava rock are calm and welcoming compared to the frothy turbulence outside the bay. It's a bit tricky to get there, you must traipse down a steep path beside a Japanese cemetery then walk along a narrow wooded path before the bay opens up before you. The beach gets its red sand from lava cinders off Ka'uiki. The quickest way to access this beach is to take Ua'kea road past Hana Bay to where it dead ends at Hauoli Road. You'll experience a stunning array of climate zones as you pass through pasture land, exotic flower farms, and fragrant pine trees to reach the summit covered with lava flows. Then the magic begins, a 12 mile hike through the largest dormant volcano in the world.

Hana Black Beach - Hana, Maui

For most Maui tourists, the 210 kilometer round trip to Hana is an all-day adventure. If you are staying in Kaanapali or Lahaina, it's about a 50-kilometer drive to reach it. I am going to give you a breakdown of what I feel is one the best beaches in Maui. You may feel differently. The Hana side of Maui is considered the tropical side of the Island. This is a rain forest and rain can occur daily.

At the end of the Hana Highway, on the lush eastern coast of Maui, is the legendary Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa, where tranquility is a way of life. The AAA Four Diamond luxury resort has long been known as a favorite Hawaiian vacation retreat for generations of travelers seeking a serene and enchanting escape. If you are determined to go to beach trails around Hana Beach, ask at the Hotel Hana-Maui. And ask about conditions on the trail (which drops several stories down to the ocean rocks).

The trail down to this beach has loose footing and should be walked with caution. At the bottom of the trail here you will find a sign which states "use at your own risk". Take a 15 minute walk down towards the ocean and then take a scenic walk towards the waterfalls. Be sure to bring a bathing suit so you can take a plunge! You can walk along the shore, but be cautious of the ocean at all times large waves can appear out of nowhere. Another short safari awaits just up the road at the Keanae Arboretum, which offers a tranquil stream and swimming pond, as well as an easy walk through lush gardens and into the rain forest.

You will first came to a very gravely area, but kept walking until you see the beach around the corner. The steep walk down from the road is very treacherous, and many accidents have occurred here. Many locals refuse to make the trip. In Hana proper, shopping and restaurants are close by (within walking distance). Hale Pau Hana has three buildings with a total of 77 units (70 one bedroom units, 6 two bedrooms units, and 1 three bedroom and den penthouse).

There are a ton of ocean activities including kayaking and sailing. The beach is very exposed to high surf during the winter. Swimming is poor except when the ocean is very calm. The path to the beach is slippery due to the crumbling cinder and pine needles from the ironwood trees.

The deep brown of the rocks that litter the shoreline, the white of the stretches of sands, the blue of the pristine ocean and the green of the trees, all elemental colors juxtapose to create an amazing ambiance. And there's a Secret Beach which can be accessed by a 15 min hike from a trail at the end of a red dirt road off Kalihiwai Road. I heard rumors of a red rock beach, just a small "hike".

More Hana Beaches right here - check the ALL out!

Hamoa Beach Park - Hana, Maui

Hamoa Beach is on the west side of Maui near Hana, a less-developed part of this popular island. Hamoa Beach has sea cliffs and lush vegetation; the public beach shares some facilities with the Hotel Hana Maui. For a beach vacation that never lets up - Hamoa Beach is where you need to be. Hamoa Beach is a must visit if you plan to visit East Maui. As you approach the beach from the main road, you'll walk past colorful plants and palm trees surrounding Hamoa Beach.

Hamoa Beach is a short walk away. It faces the open ocean so Hamoa Beach is often swept with powerful rip currents. The surf breaks offshore and rolls ashore. Know what you're doing when you step in the water here.

With views of Alau Island and tropical foliage all around, Hamoa Beach is a favorite of anyone who visits it. Hamoa has been rated as one of the best body surfing beaches in Maui.

The Hana side of Maui is considered the tropical side of the Island. This is a rain forest and rain can occur daily. Hamoa is very beautiful in its own right, with its sandy white beaches visible from high above the cliffs on the Hana Highway. However, many surfers and sun worshipers flock here so it is much more crowded than the Waianapanapa beach and much harder to find a parking spot. The beach is about a 10 minutes drive from the town of Hana and isn't hard to find at all. It's a great drive too with lots of beautiful scenery on the way.

Although affiliated with the Hana Hotel, the beach and most of its amenities are open to the public. The beach itself is a crescent of black and gold sand backed by a grass area, palm trees, and cliffs. We not only survived the road to Hana, but I survived my swim at Hamoa Beach. Could it have been my "amakua" watching over me, the beautiful green sea turtle called a "honu". The beach is two miles long, 125 feet wide, and bordered by the Hanalei River to the east and the Waipa River to the west. The ocean bottom slopes gently to overhead depths, and there are large coral reefs at both ends of the bay.

East Maui offers few beaches along the Hana Highway, but makes up for it with a beautiful black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park. Plus, beyond Hana town there is world renown Hamoa Beach (voted one of the finest anywhere). The beach is surrounded by private property owned by the Hotel Hana Maui. Most of the facilities are for the guests of the resort, but the Hotel Hana Maui is gracious enough to allow the use of some of the facilities. People like to jump into the water from the Hanalei Pier, the entry point for scuba divers heading for the spectacular reefs offshore.

If you'd like to read more about Hamoa Beach, voted the number 5 beach in the USA this year, hop on over to our blog right here. You'll find there more beaches and vital information about making plans for your trip to Hana.