Nestled on the South Shore, near the section where two circles of the large number eight that Maui is in essence connect, Kihei offers scenic beaches galore, easy access to shops and restaurants, open-air farmers’ markets and street fairs, and plenty of places to get away from the crowds.
Last updated: July 15, 2026
Welcome to Kihei
The crowds, according to Hawaiian standards, are inevitable in Kihei. The second most populous town on Maui, Kihei is a social hub, a place where many exciting excursions start. From easy beach walks and scenic hikes to excellent snorkeling, turtle watching, and exploring the underwater world of Molokini Crater, the city offers a wide range of activities for people from all walks of life.
Next to these busy sections dwell little pockets of serenity and tranquility where the complete or almost complete absence of crowds is not rare. For early risers or evening cherishers, you can even experience the busiest beach in Kihei without its regular audiences at the right time.
That said, Kihei is an essential part of your Maui experience and, despite its popularity, can be enjoyed both with crowds and without crowds. It’s up to you to choose the right time and pace for your adventures in the city and along the entire southwestern coast of the island.
THINGS TO DO IN KIHEI WITHOUT CROWDS
More than often, we prefer more authentic experiences with local flair. Kihei can be both: a busy tourist center and a place where locals congregate to celebrate Hawaiian culture and traditions.
For travelers like us, the city offers a comfortable ground to relax and recharge in between other time and energy-consuming adventures. Its predictable pace does wonders to your body after an adventure-infused day along the Road to Hana.
TIP: If you take a clue from “alarming” Hawaiian roosters and retire for the day soon after all the sunset colors fade from the sky, you can have many of the favorite, but normally busy places in Kihei all to yourself and not to worry about noisy crowds for a minute.
With that being taken care of, now it’s about time to explore Kihei at a slower pace and, in some cases, see the city through a local perspective.
1. Share a Beach with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
For once, we were looking for crowds in Kihei. But not traditional large groups of people, an image that instantly comes to your mind when you hear the word “crowd”. We were looking for bales of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
These Hawaii locals show up along the shores of Kihei during the quiet hours when the majority of beachgoers retire for the day or still snuggle in their beds early in the morning. Kihei and the surrounding South Maui are known as some of the best places on the island to see Hawaiian honu.
As fate would have it, we didn’t see any turtles on the beaches in and near Kihei. No matter how far or close we went and drove, the scenery was the same: beautiful oceanfront stretches of land with practically no people around, but also not turtles in sight.
According to locals and those visitors who were more fortunate, the best beaches to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles in Kihei include Kamaole Beach Park III Cove, Keawakapu Beach, and the smaller and less popular Kalepolepo Beach Park or Kaonoulu Beach.
READ MORE: Where to See Turtles on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
2. Visit Farmer’s Market Maui
Fruits taste better. Vegetables look irresistible. Baked goodies made by local artisan bakers smell divine. On top of that, you can always count on discovering a “treasure” while visiting the Maui farmer’s market.
In Kihei, you can find one of these open-air malls on Kihei Road. The farmers market is open Monday through Saturday from 7 am until 4 pm.
3. Shop and Dine at Kihei Kalama Village
For a more curated and upscale shopping and dining experience, stop at Kihei Kalama Village. This open-air shopping center boasts about a dozen restaurants, local boutiques and shops galore and is the center of attention at night.
With that said, Kihei Kalama Village is not the best place to escape the crowds in the city. Yet it has its own appeal and culture. You may want to experience it at least once when visiting or staying in Kihei.
4. Enjoy Sunset at Kaonoulu Beach
My brother told me that Kaonoulu Beach (or else known as Kalepolepo Beach Park) always hosts a bale of Hawaiian green sea turtles. Take a stroll by the ocean early in the morning, before or right after sunset, or as the sun sets below the horizon and enjoy the quiet company of wise honu.
Ironically, it’s one of the few beaches in Kihei we skipped. We assumed that the reptiles would stick to more isolated beaches farther down the coast. It couldn’t be further from the truth.
5. Enjoy the Beach Life at Kamaole Beach Park III Cove
One of the favorite beaches in Kihei, Kamaole Beach Park III Cove is not to be missed for several reasons. The place features a lava tube on the southern edge and is located right across the road from shops and restaurants that may come in handy if you plan to spend the entire day sunbathing and swimming in the ocean.
If you long to see Kihei the way locals enjoy it without the hordes of visitors, take a walk along the beach and enjoy the show performed by the rising sun early in the morning. If you are lucky, you may even see Hawaiian green sea turtles lazing on the sand.
6. Hike the Eddie Pu Trail
Above and slightly to the side of Kamaole Beach Park III Cove runs the easy Eddie Pu Trail. The short path winds over volcanic cliffs between Kamaole Beach Park and boat launch. It’s a quick way to get away from the crowds while giving some stretch to your legs.
The Eddie Pu Trail is a prelude to the natural abundance of Maui. Apart from the dramatic views of Molokini Crater, you can easily spot turtles – when the timing is right – on the beach below.
The trail was named after Eddie Pu, a native-born Hawaiian and the first interpretive ranger for the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park known for his cultural pilgrimages around Maui.
7. Take a Snorkeling Tour
Kihei is a playground for all snorkeling escapades. Whether you return to explore the underwater world of the Kihei coast on your own or look for services from a local tour operator, you’ll be pleased with the tropical fish abundance. Sharing the underwater space with unhurried turtles is another thing to look forward to.
Snorkeling tours from Kihei range in duration, the areas they cover, and the size of participants. You can join a small group or enjoy the intimate underwater experience during a private tour.
The majority of shorter Kihei tours include a snorkeling adventure in Turtle Town. Longer tours take you as far as the rocky walls and the rich underwater world of Molokini Crater. Some guided tours even accommodate first-timers and non-swimmers. I highly considered the latter option but opted out of it in the end.
8. Explore Turtle Town
As the name implies, Turtle Town is the domain of Hawaiian green sea turtles. It’s also one of the most secluded places in Kihei where crowds of visitors and locals are rare. Schools of fish and bales of turtles, however, prevail.
There is a good reason why not so many people make it to the hidden Turtle Town. The place is located underwater, a short swim off the Kihei coast.
The majority of the snorkeling tours in Kihei include this stop in their itineraries. Yet if you are an accomplished swimmer and diver, you can reach this secret underwater town on your own.
Turtle Town is quite easy to find. You can access it from Maluaka Beach, nicknamed the “Turtle Town” as Hawaiian green sea turtles are regularly spotted near the reef.
TIP: If you plan to swim to the real Turtle Town, be sure to arrive early. The ocean is normally calm, the visibility is greater, and parking is easy to find before 10 am.
9. Seek Morning Solitude at Makena State Park
Makena State Park looked pristine, like an unspoiled secluded speck of land far outside of the radar of regular Kihei crowds on the last morning of our Maui trip.
We started our continuous search for Hawaiian green sea turtles not long after dawn. By the time we reached Makena State Park, the sun was high up in the sky. Yet it was still early for a crowd of beachgoers to spoil this morning tranquility.
Give Makena State Park a few more hours and it will be teeming with beachgoers, surfers, and divers.
We had seen the “madness” around this area the day before while driving to the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Cars parked bumper to bumper on both sides of the road near the entrance to the park. I suspect that a paid parking area right in front of the beach didn’t have any empty spots either.
10. Snorkel at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve
One of the farthest points you can reach by car in South Maui, the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve is the island’s true hidden gem. The entire shoreline consists of black rugged lava rocks. There is no sandy beach and hardly any visitors. Yet it’s one of the best snorkeling places near Kihei. Furthermore, it’s home to the only recorded reef in the area that isn’t declining.
Once you make it to this secluded tip of South Maui, park in a paid area, use two portable toilets to change in your swimsuit if you haven’t done it yet, and enjoy the scenic corner of the island without any noise and disturbances.
11. Watch Birds at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Some 5 miles north of Kihei lies another beautiful place, not hidden, but certainly avoided by many. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is equipped with a winding boardwalk that runs across a coastal salt marsh habitat and offers an up-close view of local wading birds.
