Hawaii's Makena State Park Is Home To A Volcanic Cinder Cone And Two Beautiful Beaches
By Megan Shute|Published August 23, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From cascading waterfalls and the inviting turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean to lush rain forests and mountain peaks, breathtaking natural beauty abounds on the Hawaiian Islands. And nowhere will you find more breathtaking scenery than within Hawaii’s countless incredible parks. With more than 50 state parks, waysides, recreation areas, monuments, and historic sites, there are countless Hawaiian parks to choose from, but this is one of our all-time favorites. Featuring a volcanic cinder cone and two breathtaking beaches, this 165-acre park is like something from a dream.
Found on the southwestern coast of Maui, Makena State Park measures in at 165 beautiful acres and is home to two breathtaking beaches separated by a 360-foot-tall volcanic cinder cone known as Pu’u Olai.
A 360-foot-tall volcanic cinder cone, Pu’u Olai is one of Maui’s most famous landmarks. A 2.2-mile hike meanders its way around this natural wonder, and the views are seriously unreal.
South of Pu’u Olai is Big Beach, a magnificent stretch of sand that measures in at two-thirds of a mile long and 100 feet wide. Big Beach is one of the longest beaches on the island, and, due to its sheer length, hardly ever feels crowded.
Little Beach, on the other hand, is often packed. Nestled on the northern side of Pu’u Olai, this beach measures in at a mere 660 feet. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in ethereal beauty. We should warn you, however, that though it is technically illegal, Little Beach is the most famous nude beach on Maui.
Nestled between black lava outcroppings, these beaches offer protection from the trade winds and are easily two of the most well-known hangouts on the island.
Also known as "breakneck beach," the shore break at Makena can be quite dangerous — especially if you aren’t used to swimming at Hawaii beaches. If you’re an experienced bodyboarder, however, Makena is pure paradise. Even if the waves are too massive to swim, Makena is worth a visit alone based on sightseeing standards.
The promise of sparkling blue waters and fine, white sand will draw you in, but the ample parking, lifeguards on duty, plenty of picnic tables, and food trucks nearby will make Makena State Park your family’s go-to anytime you’re on the southwestern coast of Maui.
And if Makena’s natural beauty isn’t quite doing it for you, you will also find outstanding views of the neighboring islands of Kaho’olawe and Molokini from shore.
Oh, and did we mention that the sunsets seen from Makena Beach are truly second-to-none? You’ll regret not sticking around as the sun slips into the horizon.
Makena Beach is one of those dreamy postcard-worthy destinations many people only dream of visiting, and if you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?
This picturesque park is open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Have you ever visited the untouched beauty that is Makena State Park? Share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments below!
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