Mākena Landing is a South Maui favorite for snorkeling, diving, marine life, rocky lava formations, ocean views, and green sea turtles.
Overview
If you are looking for things to do in South Maui, Mākena Landing is a great spot to add to your Maui itinerary. Located south of Wailea along Maui’s south shore, this small coastal area offers something very different from the island’s wide stretches of sandy beach. Instead, you will find a rocky shoreline, lava formations, a small grassy area, a boat launch, ocean views, and access to an underwater world filled with marine life.
Mākena Landing is also known as Mākena Landing Beach, Mākena Landing Beach Park, and Five Graves. The area sits within the broader stretch of South Maui coastline often associated with Turtle Town, making it a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving.
The underwater landscape around Mākena includes lava arches, underwater caves, reef habitat, colorful corals, tropical fish, green sea turtles, and other marine life. Divers may also encounter reef sharks and less-common creatures such as frogfish.
Mākena Landing is not a traditional sandy beach, however. The shoreline is rocky, the entry can be uneven, and ocean conditions can change quickly. Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety recommends swimming at lifeguarded beaches, paying attention to posted warnings, swimming with a buddy, and staying aware of changing ocean conditions.
If you plan to snorkel, dive, kayak, or swim, check the conditions before entering the water rather than assuming that calm conditions from shore mean the water is safe.
History
Mākena has a long history that goes well beyond its modern resorts, vacation rentals, beaches, and snorkeling tours. The area is part of Honuaʻula, a traditional district, or moku, on Maui.
For generations, the land and surrounding ocean provided food and resources for people living in the area. Mākena later became an important commercial landing and port.
Maui County historical planning documents explain that a government landing was established at Mākena, while a second private landing was established at Mākena Bay around 1850. The landing became one of the busiest leeward ports on Maui during the 19th century, with steamers stopping at Mākena as they traveled around the island.
The landing was also important for ranching and agriculture. Cattle from ʻUlupalakua Ranch were transported from Mākena Landing, and historical accounts document the landing’s role in moving agricultural products and livestock.
Today, the setting is much quieter, but the name Mākena Landing remains a reminder of the area’s connection between the land, ocean, ranching, agriculture, and interisland transportation.
Mākena Landing Plan
When we visited Maui, Hawaii, we wanted to see as much of the island as possible rather than spending the entire vacation at one resort or beach. We planned our South Maui sightseeing with several stops around Mākena, and we made sure Mākena Landing was on our list because it offered something different from the larger sandy beaches nearby.
With snorkeling, rocky lava shoreline, underwater formations, ocean views, and the possibility of seeing green sea turtles and other marine life, Mākena Landing was an easy addition to our Maui adventure.
It also worked well with several of our other favorite places in the area, including Mākena State Park, Big Beach, Oneuli Beach, Little Beach, and the coastline around Maluaka Beach.
Getting There
Location
Maui is one of the major islands in the Hawaiian Islands and is located in the central Pacific Ocean. The island is known for its beaches, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, rainforests, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures.
Mākena is located on the southwestern side of Maui, south of Wailea and Kīhei. This section of Maui’s south shore includes a mixture of resorts, beaches, lava formations, rocky coastline, vacation rentals, and undeveloped areas.
Mākena Landing is located along Mākena Road, also referred to in some directions as Mākena Alanui Road or the Mākena-Keoneʻōʻio Road. From nearby Wailea, you generally follow Wailea Alanui Drive south toward the Mākena area before continuing toward the landing.
The area is convenient to several nearby attractions, including Grand Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani, Mākena State Park, Mākena Beach, Big Beach, Little Beach, Oneuli Beach, Maluaka Beach, and Nahuna Point.
Best Time to Go
Maui is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit Mākena Landing depends heavily on the ocean conditions if you plan to get in the water.
For snorkeling, look for calm conditions and good visibility. Early morning is often a better time to explore South Maui’s snorkeling locations because the ocean can become rougher later in the day. Hawaiʻi’s boating and diving information notes that the waters around Five Graves and nearby Mākena sites are often calmer in the morning and can become choppy or rough later in the day. South or west swells can also reduce visibility.
The summer months can bring south swells to Maui’s south shore, while the winter months can bring changing ocean conditions from other swell directions. Rather than choosing a snorkeling day based only on the season, check the current conditions before entering the water.
If you are visiting Mākena Landing to take photographs, enjoy the ocean views, or explore the shoreline from land, you have considerably more flexibility.
Mākena Landing
Who Can Go?
Mākena Landing can be enjoyed by couples, families, photographers, snorkelers, kayakers, and experienced scuba divers.
However, enjoying the park from shore and swimming or snorkeling are two very different experiences. This is a rocky shoreline rather than a wide sandy beach, and the entry can be uneven.
Experienced ocean users may enjoy Mākena Landing as a dive spot or snorkeling location when conditions are appropriate. Beginners should be especially cautious about strong currents, large waves, changing visibility, boat traffic, and the rocky entry.
If you are traveling with children, evaluate the conditions carefully before allowing them into the water. Never assume that conditions are safe simply because other people are snorkeling.
Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety recommends using lifeguarded beaches whenever possible. Mākena Landing does not have a lifeguard station. The nearest lifeguarded beach in this part of South Maui is Mākena State Park, where lifeguards are listed daily from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
What You'll See
The underwater scenery is the main reason many people visit Mākena Landing.
Mākena Landing sits near the area commonly called Turtle Town, a South Maui snorkeling area known for green sea turtles and abundant marine life. The underwater landscape includes lava formations, reef habitat, arches, overhangs, and caves.
Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources boating guide describes Five Graves as an area with lava ridges, reef fish, green sea turtles, lava arches, overhangs, and colorful coral growth. Divers may also encounter whitetip reef sharks, frogfish, pipefish, and cleaner shrimp.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are one of the most exciting animals you might encounter. If you see a turtle while snorkeling, admire it from a respectful distance. Never touch, chase, feed, or attempt to ride a turtle.
You may also see tropical fish, reef sharks, rays, coral, lava formations, and other marine life. Depending on conditions, the area can also be used by tour boats, small boats, kayaks, and divers.
Above the water, Mākena Landing has a rugged beauty that is very different from the broad white-sand beaches elsewhere in South Maui. The dark volcanic rock, crystal-clear waters, blue Pacific Ocean, and coastal views make it a beautiful place for photographs.
You may even spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins or other wildlife offshore, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
What to Bring & Wear
For a day at Mākena Landing, pack for both the beach and the ocean.
- Swimsuit
- Rash guard
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkel gear
- Water shoes or sturdy reef footwear
- Towel
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Waterproof phone case or camera
- Dry bag
- Change of clothes
- Plenty of drinking water
Water shoes are especially helpful because Mākena Landing has a rocky shoreline rather than the broad sandy entry found at beaches such as Mākena Beach or Big Beach.
If you are planning to snorkel or dive, bring your own snorkel gear or arrange your equipment before arriving. Kayaking tours and other guided activities may provide their own equipment.
There is also no reason to bring more than you need. Keep valuables secure and avoid leaving important belongings unattended while you are in the water.
Where to Go
To get to Mākena Landing, drive south through Wailea and follow Wailea Alanui Drive toward the Mākena area. The road continues toward Mākena Alanui Road and Mākena Road as you travel farther south.
Look for signs for Mākena Landing and the access road near the shoreline. The landing is on the ocean side of the road.
The public-access portion of Mākena Landing Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The parcel surrounding the parking lot, restrooms, and lawn is privately owned by ATC Mākena but is available for public recreational use through a Parks Agreement with the County of Maui.
The area includes a small parking lot, restroom facilities, a grassy area, and access to the shoreline. Parking can fill on busy days, so an early morning visit can make access easier.
Be especially careful about private property. The shoreline immediately south of the Mākena Landing Park parcel is accessed through a separate state-owned parcel, while the land between the shoreline and Mākena Road in the adjacent parcel is private property and is not open for public access.
Follow posted signs and use established public access routes rather than crossing private property.
How Long Does it Take?
You can see Mākena Landing in about 30 minutes if you are primarily stopping for the scenery, photographs, and ocean views.
If you plan to snorkel, give yourself at least an hour or two so you aren’t rushing. A longer visit gives you time to check the water, get comfortable with the conditions, explore the shoreline, and enjoy the scenery.
Keep in mind that a long swim is not necessary to appreciate the area. The underwater landscape begins near the shoreline, but conditions, currents, boat traffic, and visibility should determine how far you venture.
If you are planning a full South Maui day, Mākena Landing works especially well as one stop among several nearby attractions rather than as an all-day beach destination.
You could combine Mākena Landing with Mākena State Park, Big Beach, Oneuli Beach, Little Beach, Mākena Beach, or Maluaka Beach.
Mākena State Park is home to Oneloa, commonly called Big Beach, Oneuli, or Black Sand Beach, and Puʻu ʻŌlaʻi, near Little Beach.
Cost
Mākena Landing is different from Mākena State Park, so don’t automatically apply the state park fees to Mākena Landing.
The public-access portion of Mākena Landing Park is available for recreational use, and current public information does not list an entrance fee or parking fee for the landing.
Mākena State Park, however, has separate fees. As of the current state park information, non-Hawaiʻi residents pay $5 per person, with children age 3 and under free, and non-residents pay $10 per non-commercial vehicle. Hawaiʻi residents with valid identification are not charged.
That means you should treat Mākena Landing and Mākena State Park as two separate destinations when planning your South Maui budget.
Always check current access, parking, and park information before heading out because local conditions and policies can change.
Tips for Mākena Landing
- Check ocean and surf conditions before getting in the water.
- Consider visiting in the early morning when conditions are often calmer.
- Remember that calm conditions can change quickly.
- Do not snorkel during strong surf, poor visibility, or unsafe ocean conditions.
- Wear water shoes for the rocky shoreline.
- Bring your own snorkel gear if you plan to explore underwater.
- Stay aware of tour boats, kayaks, small boats, and divers.
- If you want to swim near a lifeguard, Mākena State Park has a staffed lifeguard station.
- Keep a respectful distance from green sea turtles and all marine life.
- Never touch coral, turtles, fish, or other wildlife.
- Do not attempt to enter lava arches, caves, or other cavernous areas when conditions are rough.
- Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety specifically warns visitors to avoid climbing onto rocks, ledges, crevices, and cavernous shoreline areas because waves can sweep people into the ocean.
- Stay on public access areas and respect private property.
- Pack out everything you bring with you.
- Visit early if you want an easier time finding parking on busy days.
- Visit Big Beach, Little Beach, Oneuli Beach, Mākena Beach, or Maluaka Beach while you're in the area.
- Remember that Mākena Landing is known for rocky lava formations and underwater scenery rather than a large sandy beach.