🏝 Polo Beach (Maui): The Complete 2024 Guide!

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Written By: Adam Marland
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Polo Beach Maui blog post cover image. Text overlaying a photo of Polo Beach at sunset taken from the Fairmont Kea Lani resort.

Polo Beach is a picturesque, gold sand beach on the southwest coast of Maui. It is one of many beautiful beaches along the Waiea-Makena coastline.

Visitors will find this idyllic patch of paradise directly in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani and Polo Beach Club. However, you do not need to be a guest at either to enjoy it! All beaches in Maui are public and this is no exception.

Discover images, directions for parking and access, and all services for Polo Beach in this complete guide.

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📸 Polo Beach Maui Photo Gallery

Discover what makes this area so special with a collection of photographs taken from the shores of the Fairmont Kea Lani, one of the most romantic hotels in Maui! As you will soon discover, Polo Beach Park is a fantastic place to end the day, particularly during the winter whale season.

A whale breaches during sunset from Polo Beach Maui.
Palm Tree park at Fairmont Kea Lani
Palm Tree park at Fairmont Kea Lani
The view of the Fairmont hotel from Polo Beach
The view of the Fairmont from the beach
Polo Beach from the waters edge
From the waters edge.

🏖 Polo Beach Park Overview

🌺 SERVICES

  • Nearest Town: Wailea
  • Parking? Yes, parking lot.
  • Public Bathrooms? Yes.
  • Picnic Benches? Yes.
  • Showers? Yes.
  • Grills? Yes.
  • Lifeguard? No.

🍹 DESCRIPTION

Large palms and golden sand create the idyllic tropical scenery at Polo Beach.
Large palms and golden sand create the idyllic tropical scenery at Polo Beach.

Located at the southern end of the Wailea Coastal Walk, golden sand and lava rock decorate the shoreline while whales splash about the waters at Polo Beach. Tall palm trees sway overhead, adding to the aloha vibes.

Polo Beach Park is comprised of two crescent-shaped beaches, as well as a small grassy park with ample facilities. The northernmost beach is located at the base of the Fairmont Kea Lani hotel and the southern end is in front of Polo Beach Club. However, you do not have to be a guest at either to enjoy it! You will find a public parking lot just a few hundred feet away.

This is a family-friendly destination and one of the most popular options for a day in the sand in the Wailea-Makena region. It is also an excellent place for snorkeling when the ocean is calm, particularly around the rocky outcrop at the northern end of the beach. Conversely, when the sea is a little choppier, it is the perfect place for bodyboarding.

Discover more:
TOP 20 HONEYMOON HOTELS IN MAUI

📍 How to Get to Polo Beach Maui

Satellite map of the Wailea-Makena region of Maui.
The beach is located right next to the Fairmont Kea Lani and Polo Beach Club off of Wailea Alanui Drive.

With Navigation: Input “Polo Beach” into your navigation and look for the public parking area located just before the beach. If your nav doesn’t find it, use the directions below.

General Directions: To find the parking for Polo Beach Park, take Wailea Alanui Drive and turn onto Kaukahi Street. You will find ample street parking and a public beach parking area near the end of the road.

🌅 When to Visit Polo Beach

A humpback whale slaps the water during a fiery Maui sunset from Polo Beach.
A humpback whale splashes in the water during a fiery sunset from Polo Beach.

Sunset is a magical time to visit Polo Beach, particularly if your visit coincides with whale season. If at all possible, try to spend at least one of your vacation sunsets at this beautiful spot.

From November-March and even into April, it is not uncommon to see whales passing through or even playing in the water nearby. If you happen to be here over these dates, grab a cocktail and a beach chair and you may just see some whales splashing around nearby!

Many of the Wailea beaches, including this one, are listed in the Top 10 places for watching sunset in Maui.

🍍 More Maui Beaches & Travel Guides

A swimmer walking the shore of Red Sand Beach, Maui.
Don’t miss any hidden gems during your visit!! Check out our 5-7 Day Maui Itinerary for all the best stops.

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Before you go, you may want to skim some of the titles for other relevant Maui guides below to ensure you do not miss any epic beaches, sunset destinations, or noteworthy things to do during your visit to the Valley Isle!

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Photo of author
Written by
Adam Marland
Adam Marland is a professional travel blogger and landscape photographer from Oregon. After over a decade of experience as a freelance travel photographer, Adam found national acclaim when he became the National Park Foundation's “Chief Exploration Officer” in 2021.
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