It’s no secret that Maui is one of the most desirable locations for a wedding in the whole wide world. Awe-inspiring views and outstanding, world-class beaches make the Valley Isle one of the most popular destinations for your wedding ceremony, and Happily Maui’d is here to give you a guided tour of our favorite beachfront locales to hold your wedding extravaganza!

For the most part, Maui’s best beaches for a wedding can be broken down into both south shore and west shore locations:

South Shore beaches

• Polo Beach: Located in the heart of Wailea, Polo Beach sits in between the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort and the Maui Polo Beach Club, offering splendid views of both Molokini Crater and mighty Kaho’olawe in the distance. A long, crescent-shaped beach nestled with palm trees and beset by sparking clear water, it’s a wonderful location for either morning or sunset ceremonies. Location has both showers and bathrooms on site, as well as ample onsite parking.
• Palauea Beach: Palauea, or White Rock, is one of the best beaches on all of Maui. Situated close to the resorts of Wailea, rain and strong winds are extremely rare at this location due to the bay’s recessed location. Featuring captivating light-gold sand and awe-inspiring sunsets, this beach is tailor-made to host the wedding of a lifetime. Keep this one in mind for all your post-wedding snorkeling as well! Keep in mind that Palauea does not have facilities on site other than a Porta-Potty.
• Po’olenalena Beach: Po’olenalena Beach goes by many names: Love Beach, Paipu Beach, Pepeiaolepo Beach, and even occasionally Makena Surf Beach. A rose by any other name, Po’olenalena is a perennial favorite for weddings, owing to its captivating views and alluring ambience. Long considered to be a local’s beach in the otherwise tourist-heavy Wailea area, this beach is nearly half a mile long and comprised of two distinct areas: Po’olenalena is the larger and more widely-known section, whereas the more-secluded southern alcove is known as Chang’s Beach. Easily accessible and with plenty of parking, Po’olenalena is sure to be a hit for larger wedding parties.
• Secret Cove: Few locations on our list embody Maui’s beauty more than Pa’ako Beach/Makena Cove Beach, also known as Secret Cove. Situated behind a rock wall in an otherwise-residential neighborhood, it lies on a beautiful pocket of sand and offers up a breathtaking view of both Molokini and Kaho’olawe. Secret Cove is perfect for smaller weddings of 8 or fewer guests and has long been one of the most-popular destinations for wedding ceremonies on the Valley Isle. There are no facilities onsite and few places to park, though Big Beach and its Porta-Potties are just to the north.

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West Shore Beaches

• Kapalua Beach: One of Maui’s most well-known and attractive beaches, Kapalua Bay features a shore accented by lava rocks and palm trees inside a pristine enclave. Highlighted by sparkling waters and gently breaking waves, this intimate beach is an ideal spot for wedding ceremonies and striking photography. The world-famous Merriman’s Restaurant is located right off the south end and makes for a romantic choice for a post-ceremony meal or reception. Kapalua Bay has a large parking lot and many facilities onsite, in addition to a fantastic lawn area for staging.
• Ironwood Beach: North of Ka’anapali and Kapalua Bay, Oneloa (Ironwood) is a white sand beach that features dramatic lava rock formations at each of its endpoints. Surprisingly uncrowded most of the time, Ironwood features an idyllic boardwalk for both easy access and charming photo opportunities. Located close to many resorts and restaurants, this beach is sure to provide an impressive backdrop to your ceremony. Best for groups of 10 or less, with very limited parking and occasional winds.
• D.T. Fleming Beach: Located in front of the Ritz-Carlton in Northwest Maui, D.T. Fleming Beach is a wonderful choice for your ceremony and holds a variety of options for your wedding celebration. From a grove of Ironwood trees to a lagoon, this long sandy beach is sure to dazzle with unparalleled natural scenery. Named for the man who introduced pineapples to the west side of the island, D.T. Fleming Beach also has public restroom and shower facilities. Passing rain showers can be more frequent in this location, along with some winds.

Let Happily Maui’d design the beach wedding of your dreams and the celebration of a lifetime. Get in touch with us today!