Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

"Oneloa" — a 1.5-mile undeveloped beach in South Maui state park land. Shore-break can be powerful (broken-bone reputation in winter). Less developed than the Wailea resort beaches just north; clothing-optional Little Beach is over the lava-rock headland.

Great day for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 6.9ft waves · 79°F water

Full NWS forecast for Sunday

Isolated rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 85, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind around 3 mph.

Weather

  • 85°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

  • 79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

  • UV 12 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
  • 6.9ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
  • NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 12 at 3:10am hst until july 13 at 6:00pm hst by nws honolulu hi
48 /100
ok
18 Swim
75 Sunbathe
81 Walk
81 Photo

Best for walking today

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 12 at 3:10AM HST until July 13 at 6:00PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI

NWS · In effect through Jul 14, 4:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...East winds, except in Maalaea Bay where winds will be north, 20 to 25 kt with higher gusts. * WHERE...All Hawaiian waters. * WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Air Temp
85°F
Cloudy
Wind
3 mph
SW
Rain
17%
Sunday
UV Peak
12 Extreme
High 10 AM–02 PM · burn in ~17m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Water Temp
79°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
9:05 PM
1.0 ft · in 5.8h
Wave Height
6.9 ft
8s · NE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (HIZ049)

The HFO office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • HIZ003 Kauai n/a
  • HIZ006 Oahu n/a
  • HIZ017 Maui n/a
  • HIZ052 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
  • HIZ053 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
  • HIZ054 Big Island Windward and Southeast n/a
  • HIZ023 Big Island Leeward n/a

NWS SRF · HFO · Issued Jul 12, 1:25 PM

Sunrise
11:52 AM
Sunset
1:09 AM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Time Type Height
6:17 AM Low -0.5 ft
2:10 PM High 3.0 ft
9:05 PM Low 1.0 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 1615680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Jul 12
85°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
82
Mon Jul 13
84°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
80
Tue Jul 14
83°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
81
Wed Jul 15
85°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
80
Thu Jul 16
86°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
80
Fri Jul 17
86°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
80
Sat Jul 18
86°

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

17%
78
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 12 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 79°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

State park lots, $5 HI resident / $10 non-resident vehicle.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited (Hawaii state park beach).

Entry Fee

$5/HI resident, $10/non-resident vehicle + $5/non-resident adult.

Address

Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack truck (seasonal)
Is it safe to swim at Big Beach (Makena State Park) today?

Big Beach (Makena State Park) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Big Beach (Makena State Park) dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited (Hawaii state park beach).

Is there an entry fee at Big Beach (Makena State Park)?

$5/HI resident, $10/non-resident vehicle + $5/non-resident adult.

Are there lifeguards at Big Beach (Makena State Park)?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Big Beach (Makena State Park) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Big Beach (Makena State Park)?

Amenities at Big Beach (Makena State Park) include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack truck (seasonal).

When is the water warmest at Big Beach (Makena State Park)?

Hawaiian water is consistently 75-82°F year-round, with the summer peak in August-September. Swimming comfortable every month; rip currents and shore-break hazards drive the safety picture more than temperature.

Where is Big Beach (Makena State Park) located?

Big Beach (Makena State Park) is in Maui County, HI, at Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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