Wailea

Wailea is a master-planned resort enclave on the south-west coast of Maui. About 1,500 acres of hotels, condos, and golf courses fronted by five public beaches: Mokapu, Ulua, Wailea, Polo, and Pālauea (Polo and Pālauea are unmarked — local secret). The beaches are public by Hawaiʻi state law. The lawn chairs are not.

The reason Wailea exists in resort form is its weather. The south shore of Maui sits in the rain shadow of Haleakalā — about 12 inches of rain per year, vs Hāna's 80+. The beaches face southwest, getting morning shade from the mountain and afternoon sun. Wind picks up after 11 AM most days; mornings are glass.

Whale watching from Wailea is the best in Hawaiʻi, January through March. Humpbacks migrate to the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi to calve and mate — and most of them swim within sight of Wailea's beaches. Sit on the sand at sunset in February; you'll see spouts every few minutes.

The Wailea Beach Path is a 1.5-mile shoreline walking path connecting all five beaches. Free to use, lit at night, popular for morning runs. The hotels along the path each have an oceanfront restaurant or bar — most allow public access if you order a drink.