Waiʻānapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
Hāna Highway, East Maui
Maui's Famous Black Sand Beach — Reservation Required
Waiʻānapanapa State Park, along the Hāna Highway, is home to one of Maui's most photographed spots: a black sand beach (Honokalani) framed by lava rock, sea caves, a natural stone arch, and a dense coastal ironwood forest. It's a highlight stop for most Road to Hāna itineraries.
It's also more of a look-and-explore beach than a swim beach. Rip currents can be dangerous when surf is up, the shoreline lava rock is sharp and uneven, and there are no lifeguards. The park also holds real cultural and legendary significance in Hawaiian tradition.
All non-Hawaiʻi residents must reserve and prepay online before visiting — both park entry and parking — through Hawaiʻi's state parks reservation system. Reservations open 30 days ahead, release daily at midnight HST, and must be booked by the day before your visit (no same-day booking). Fees are $5/person and $10/vehicle for non-residents; entry is in fixed time windows (7–10 AM, 10 AM–12:30 PM, 12:30–3 PM, 3–6 PM), and arriving more than 30 minutes late can mean being turned away.
Current status (checked October 10, 2026): DLNR's park notices dated October 5 and October 8 say Waiʻānapanapa's water was back on and that it would reopen on September 29, but the October 8 notice repeats that wording, so it is unclear whether the park has actually reopened. Camper-van camping reservations are unavailable through March 2027 for comfort-station construction. Check gostateparks.hawaii.gov before booking your timed entry.
Why Roamwise recommends this
A genuine Road to Hāna highlight — plan the reservation ahead, and treat it as a scenic/exploring stop rather than a swimming beach.
Best for: photography, the short coastal walk to the sea caves and blowhole, a Road to Hāna stop. Swimming only when conditions are clearly calm, and even then with real caution.
Insider tip: book your time-window reservation as soon as your Road to Hāna date is set — slots release 30 days out and fill quickly, and same-day booking isn't possible.
- Hazards / conditions:
- Dangerous, sometimes unpredictable rip currents that strengthen when surf is up — the ocean floor drops off close to shore and there's no outer reef to blunt wave force, so this is not a reliable swimming beach. Sharp, jagged lava rock along the shoreline and around the sea caves is a real trip/cut hazard, especially in sandals. No lifeguards.
- Safety notes:
- DLNR's Oct 8, 2026 notice still says Waiʻānapanapa 'will reopen on 9/29' — confirm it is open before booking. Camper-van camping is unavailable through March 2027.
- Weather sensitivity:
- Swimming is only reasonable here when the ocean is genuinely calm — rip currents form readily whenever surf picks up.
- Avoid if:
- Travelers wanting a reliable swimming beach; anyone without sturdy footwear for the lava rock areas
- Cost:
- Non-residents: $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, and a timed reservation is required. Hawaiʻi residents are free. (checked October 2026)
Reviews: Google MapsYelp
Local tips
- •Reserve your entry time window online at least a day ahead — same-day reservations don't exist, and slots release 30 days out.
- •Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reserved window or you may be turned away.
- •Wear real shoes, not just sandals, for the lava rock sections near the sea caves.
- •Don't swim if the surf looks up at all — this beach's currents are a real, documented hazard.
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