The two strongest draws of Honokowai Beach Park in West Maui are its kid-friendly setup and its appeal as a place to munch with an ocean view.
About midway between Kahana and Kaanapali, the 4.6-acre park lies off Lower Honoapiilani Road, where you’ll find a 27-space parking lot. You could also walk here from other points in the town of Honokowai. The park maintains restrooms and showers, and offers picnic tables, grills and grassy areas besides its soft sands. You won’t find lifeguards on duty, however.
There’s a nice beachfront playground here, one reason this is such a great choice for family beachgoing. And when the young ones aren’t playing on the swings or monkey bars, they’ve got some generally solid options for splashing around in the surf.
That’s on account of the nearshore reef at Honokowai Beach, which buffers the shallows right off the beach. This results in ideal wading and kiddo-snorkeling pools. There’s some limited snorkeling beyond the reef ledges, too. Sea turtles are sometimes spotted off this beachfront.
Be wary in wintertime, when the surf here can be on the rougher side. As always—and as anywhere in Hawaii—use your best judgment when getting in the water.
Besides the family-friendly amenities, Honokowai Beach Park tempts for oceanside al fresco eats. There are barbecue grills on hand at a number of the picnic tables. But, more importantly, you’ll find quite the plethora of takeout food joints within walking distance, from Ohana Tacos to the Honokowai Okazuya Deli. There’s also a food market close by, and coffee shops. So you’ll see many beachgoers bringing some tasty fare to Honokowai Beach Park to watch the waves while tending to their appetites.
That’s an especially attractive option come sunset, when the westward views are extra-lovely. A casual but unforgettable evening meal is just about guaranteed! (Just remember that no alcohol is allowed in the beach park.)
Honokowai Beach Park isn’t the area’s most spectacular beach: not for views, swimming, or snorkeling. But it’s really nice for kids, perfect for a beachside snack, and close to some truly first-rate beachfronts, such as Kahekili and Kaanapali to the near south. (If you’re not finding the snorkeling at Honokowai Beach Park too inspiring, for example, you’ve got Black Rock just a hop, skip, and a jump away.) It can definitely make an exceedingly pleasant place to spend an hour or three on your West Maui vacation!
Insider Tip:
Weekends can get crowded indeed at Honokowai Beach Park. Arrive as early as you can if you want to hit it up then. Better yet, consider a weekday morning if you’d like more elbow room at the playground and on the sand. Less widely known than Kaanapali Beach just to the south, Honokowai Beach Park is often relatively lightly visited during the week.