Kapalua Coastal Trail

The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a 3.52-mile out-and-back between Kapalua Bay Beach and D.T. Fleming Beach Park, about 1.76 miles each way. Allow around two hours if you stop at the beaches and overlooks. This is a shoreline walk with a real change of character: paved resort paths, sand and dirt, a dune-protecting boardwalk, then a rough lava headland at Hāwea Point. Do it for the changing coast and wide ocean views; skip it if you want a remote wilderness hike, because resorts and golf-course edges are part of the scenery.

The public access comes through a short tunnel from Bay Club Place, then crosses the sand at Kapalua Bay. A gradual rise opens a view over Namalu Bay and the Cliff House. The southern stretch is mostly paved or sidewalk, with homes and resort grounds nearby. It is easy walking, but the built-up setting is part of the experience rather than something you leave behind.

Near the headland, pavement gives way to dirt and low grass, then uneven lava. This is the roughest and most exposed part of the route; rock near the edge can be wet, and the side paths to ledges and tide pools are not part of the through trail. Stay on the marked path and well back from the cliff edge and surf. The lava forms sharp, tooth-like shapes where old flows met the waves. For a photo, put the dark rock in the foreground with Pailolo Channel and Moloka‘i behind it.

Hāwea Point is a nesting area for wedge-tailed shearwaters, or ‘ua‘u kani. About 500 pairs have been reported nesting here in a year; stay outside the habitat cordons. From December through April, humpback whales visit Maui waters, and this open point looks across Pailolo Channel toward Moloka‘i. You may see a spout or breach, but sightings are never guaranteed.

The route follows ironwood-covered cliffs above Oneloa Bay to a windswept beach. A boardwalk carries the trail over the dunes; use it rather than walking across the sand vegetation. At the far end, turn right to continue on the marked coastal route. Oneloa makes a good turnaround if you want a shorter out-and-back and still want the boardwalk and beach.

North of Oneloa, the paved route passes through the Ritz-Carlton grounds beside the protected Honokahua Burial Site. More than 2,000 Hawaiian ancestors are buried there, dating from roughly 850 to the early 1800s. Remains were uncovered during hotel construction in 1987, and the project was moved; the enclosed site is reserved for Native Hawaiian entry. Stay on the trail and give this place quiet respect.

Access is from sunrise to sunset, and dogs are allowed on leash. Restrooms are listed at Kapalua Bay and D.T. Fleming Beach Park. Public parking is shown at Kapalua Bay, Oneloa and D.T. Fleming; free spaces near the bay can fill, and paid lots are also available. Much of the route has little shade, so start with water and sun protection. The named trail ends at D.T. Fleming; return the same way for the full distance.