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Short answer: Maluaka Beach has two parking areas: a small lot by Keawala‘i Church on Makena Road with a drop-off turnaround, and a larger lot on Makena Keoneoio Road. No fee is listed. Maui’s paid beach parking program covers Kama‘ole I and III in Kihei, not Maluaka.
Maluaka Beach in Makena is the beach for “Turtle Town” snorkeling, and it is easy to confuse with Big Beach next door, which charges visitors. Here is how parking works.
Is Maluaka parking free?
No fee is listed for Maluaka. The County of Maui’s paid beach parking program, Park Maui, currently lists only Kama‘ole I and III in Kihei. Big Beach (Oneloa) is different: it is in Makena State Park, which charges non-residents $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle. If you drive past Maluaka and into the state park lots, you are in the paid area.
The two Maluaka lots
- Keawala‘i Church lot: a small lot toward the southern end of Makena Road, by the church. There is a turnaround at the end of the road where you can drop people off close to the sand, which helps if anyone in your group has trouble walking. Hawaii-Guide.com notes the restrooms and showers are at the lot across the road from the church.
- Makena Keoneoio Road lot: the larger lot, a few hundred yards before Makena State Park. Access to the beach from this side involves stairs.
To reach the church side, drive south on Wailea Alanui, take the turnoff toward Keawala‘i Church and Makena Landing, and keep left toward the church where the road splits.
Before you go
- There is no full-time lifeguard at Maluaka. If the surf is up, stay out.
- Parking is limited at both lots. Arrive early.
- Keep valuables out of the car, especially in the quieter church lot.
More South Maui parking
Heading to Kihei instead? The Kama‘ole beaches are the ones in Park Maui. Wailea: see Ulua Beach parking. West side: Kaanapali Beach parking. Planning the island: how long it takes to drive around Maui, and pickup at the Kahului Airport rental car guide.
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Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Researched and written by Neo Pecorro. Facts on this page were checked against Park Maui (County of Maui) and Hawaii State Parks, plus the other sources linked above. Hawaii rules change often, so confirm on the official page before you go.
Last updated: October 19, 2026.