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Makena (Big Beach) Review

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All Hawaii National Parks

Makena (Big Beach)

Address: Off Wailea Alanui Dr., HI, 96753 | Map It

Category: Beaches
Location: The South Shore

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Fodor's Review:

Locals successfully fought to give Makena—one of Hawaii's most breathtaking beaches—state-park protection. It's often mistakenly referred to as "Big Beach," but natives prefer its Hawaiian name, Oneloa. This stretch of deep-golden sand abutting sparkling aqua water is 3,000-feet-long and 100-feet-wide. It's never crowded, no matter how many cars cram into the lots. The water is fine for swimming, but use caution. The shore drop-off is steep and swells can get deceptively big. Despite the infamous "Makena cloud," a blanket that rolls in during the early afternoon and obscures the sun, it rarely rains here. For a dramatic view of the beach, climb Puu Olai, the steep cinder cone near the first entrance. Continue over the cinder cone's side to discover "Little Beach"—clothing-optional by popular practice, although this is technically illegal. On Sunday, free spirits of all kinds crowd Little Beach's tiny shoreline for a drumming circle and bonfire. Little Beach has the island's best bodysurfing (no pun intended). Skim-boarders catch air at Makena's third entrance. Each of the three paved entrances has portable toilets.

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