Sugar Beach is a quiet, lesser-visited shoreline on the north end of Kihei. It is also the longest continuous stretch of sand in all of Maui, extending 2.5 miles from North Kihei to Haycraft Park.
The open space and lack of crowds make Sugar Beach the perfect place for an extended walk on the beach. Just be sure to wear beach shoes as the Kiawe trees that line its shores produce an extremely sharp thorn known for puncturing flip flops.
Find photos, descriptions, exact directions, and everything you need to know before visiting in this complete guide.
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Sugar Beach Photo Gallery
The slideshow above demonstrates the scenery you can expect to find on a visit to this quiet, secluded beach. As you will see, crowds are rare and beauty is plentiful.
EXPLORE MORE OF THE AREA:
Complete Guide to ALL 15 Kihei Beaches
Sugar Beach Overview
SERVICES
- Nearest Town: Kihei
- Parking? Streetside
- Public Bathrooms? No
- Picnic Benches? No
- Showers? No
- Grills? No
- Lifeguard? No
DESCRIPTION
Sugar Beach is hidden behind a few small resorts on the north end of Kihei. It extends 2.5 miles, making it the longest continuous stretch of sand on Maui.
Palm and Kiawe trees line the faded-golden shore. While the palms provide a tropical, aloha vibe, the Kiawes present a painful danger. These invasive pests yield an extremely sharp thorn known for puncturing thin-soled flip flops. Be extra mindful the further you journey north and ensure you have some beach shoes!
Sugar Beach ends at the northernmost of Kihei’s 15 beaches known as Maalaea Beach, though there is no distinguishable start and end between the two. However, you will find the beach slowly changing from soft, powdery sand to more coarse, rocky sand as you venture north.
Despite the thorns, this beach is one of the favorites in South Maui for walking the extensive coastline and is popular for wind surfing and kite surfing as well. If quiet serenity is the priority, this beach is worth a visit.
DISCOVER MORE OF MAUI:
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How to Get to Sugar Beach
There are many access points for Sugar Beach along North and South Kihei Road.
With Navigation: Enter “61 N Kihei Rd” into your navigation. Near here you will find a small parking lot for around 10 cars. If this lot is full, head south along South Kihei Road or north along North Kihei Road, where you will find some streetside parking.
General Directions: Heading north from Kihei follow S Kihei Road until you reach Kihei Canoe Club (opposite Ululani’s Shave Ice). Here there will be some roadside parking on the left. Or continue on until you see the green sign for Beach Access and turn left to remain on S Kihei Road. Here you will find some additional parking.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Sugar Beach is at sunset. The west-facing vista offers postcard-perfect views for that iconic Maui sunset. However, as with many of the west coast beaches, the wind can pick up in the afternoon. This can make walking much more comfortable, but sitting out a little less desirable!
Any time of day tends to be quiet, so beating the crowds is never a concern. If you plan on spending some enjoying one of the most secluded of Kihei Beaches, just be prepared for the lack of shade and services.
During the winter months, it is a great place for whale watching. You can also spot turtles on the beach here year-round, particularly early in the morning or later in the afternoons.
Other Relevant Maui Guides
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!
- HAWAII PACKING LIST: A printable essential packing list + 25 useful items to consider
- 5-7 DAY MAUI ITINERARY: How to see the entire island in one week or less
- WHERE TO STAY ON MAUI: The best places and areas to stay on the island
- PLANNING A TRIP TO MAUI: Step by step guide for planning your first visit to Maui
- ROAD TO HANA STOPS: The Top 25 places to visit on the Road to Hana
- ROAD TO HANA ITINERARY: How to plan for a 1-2 day self drive.
- BEST MAUI PHOTO SPOTS: 15 best places for photographing Maui
- SECRET BEACHES OF MAUI: The 10 most incredible hidden beaches on the island
- MAUI SUNSETS: The Top 10 places & activities for watching sunset in Maui
- KIHEI BEACHES GUIDE: Photos, locations, and descriptions for all 15 beaches in Kihei
- BEST SNORKELING IN MAUI: Best snorkel spots, tips, tours and more.
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