Kamaole Beach Park II Kihei: Snorkeling, Swimming, HPH

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Kamaole Beach Park II

A 1,600-foot stretch of golden sand on South Kihei Road, Maui, fronted directly by The Hale Pau Hana.

1,600 ft
Beach length
8 – 4:30
Lifeguard hours
~40 yd
Reef offshore
300+
Sunny days a year
0 mi
From HPH lanai
Calm morning at Kamaole Beach Park II in South Kihei, Maui, with golden sand and clear water

Kamaole Beach Park II is a 1,600-foot stretch of golden sand fronting South Kihei Road in South Maui, between Kamaole I and Kamaole III. Locally called "Kam II," it features the calmest swimming conditions of the three Kamaole beaches, county lifeguards on duty 8am to 4:30pm, restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic facilities, and protected reef snorkeling at the rocky points on its north and south ends. The Hale Pau Hana, at 2480 South Kihei Road, is the only condominium property fronting Kamaole II directly, with full oceanfront lanais on every unit.

Key takeaways

  • Kamaole Beach Park II runs roughly 1,600 feet along South Kihei Road in South Maui, between Kamaole I to the north and Kamaole III to the south.
  • County lifeguards are on duty daily from 8am to 4:30pm, the same hours as the Maui Ocean Safety program at the other Kamaole beaches.
  • Snorkeling is best at the rocky points framing both ends of the beach, with a reef system roughly 40 yards offshore between Kamaole II and Kamaole III.
  • Public amenities at the beach park include restrooms, outdoor rinse showers, picnic tables, grassy areas, and free street parking along South Kihei Road.
  • The Hale Pau Hana, a 1970-built oceanfront condominium with 80 units across four buildings on two acres, is the only condo property directly fronting Kamaole Beach II.

Where is Kamaole Beach Park II?

Kamaole Beach Park II sits on the leeward southwest coast of Maui along South Kihei Road, at the southern end of central Kihei. It is the middle of three sequential beach parks, all called Kamaole, that stretch roughly half a mile of South Kihei Road. Driving south from Kahului Airport (OGG), the airport is 11.2 miles north, about an 18-minute drive. The Hale Pau Hana property line ends at the sand on the south end of the beach.

Distances from The Hale Pau Hana to nearby beaches

Beach Direction Distance from HPH Walk time
Kamaole Beach Park II On property Direct frontage 0 miles 0 minutes
Kamaole Beach Park I North 0.3 miles 6 minutes
Charley Young Beach North (north end of Kam I) 0.4 miles 8 minutes
Kamaole Beach Park III South 0.3 miles 6 minutes
Keawakapu Beach South 1.0 mile 20 min walk · 4 min drive

Why is Kamaole II the best beach in Kihei for swimming?

Kamaole II has the clearest water and most consistently calm shore break of the three Kamaole beach parks. The bottom is sand, with a gentle slope and no sudden drop-offs near shore, which is why local guides recommend it for first-time snorkelers and families with small children. Mornings are the calmest. By afternoon a small shore break can develop, which is fun for boogie boarding but still safe for confident swimmers. Lifeguards monitor the beach from 8am to 4:30pm.

Is Kamaole II good for snorkeling?

Yes, the snorkeling at Kamaole II is concentrated at the two rocky points, one on each end of the beach. The southern point, between Kam II and Kam III, has a reef system roughly 40 yards out where you can spot tropical fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. The ocean floor near the points is covered in finger coral, rice coral, and branching coral. Visibility is best in the morning before the wind picks up. For more advanced snorkeling, Turtle Town is a 10 to 15 minute drive south and accessible by tour boat.

What is the difference between Kamaole I, II, and III?

The three beaches are sequential along South Kihei Road and share similar sand and water quality. The differences are in size, layout, and what each is best at.

Beach Length Best for Parking Notable feature
Kamaole I (Kam I) ~1,200 ft Long beach walks, sunbathing Dedicated lot at north end Charley Young Beach is its sheltered north end
Kamaole II (Kam II) ~1,600 ft Swimming, family snorkeling, calm water Street parking on South Kihei Rd Clearest water, fronted by The Hale Pau Hana
Kamaole III (Kam III) ~300 ft Boogie boarding, picnics Largest dedicated lot Largest park area, playground, grassy field

For a deeper comparison see Kamaole Beach I vs II vs III.

What facilities are at Kamaole Beach Park II?

The beach park is operated by the County of Maui and includes:

  • Public restrooms
  • Outdoor rinse showers
  • Picnic tables and grassy lawn
  • Lifeguard tower with personnel on duty 8am to 4:30pm
  • Free parallel street parking along South Kihei Road, no dedicated lot
  • ADA-accessible beach entry

Note: Maui County's Park Maui program is rolling out in summer 2026 and will introduce a paid parking fee for non-Hawaii-resident vehicles at all three Kamaole Beach Parks.

Where can guests stay directly on Kamaole Beach II?

The Hale Pau Hana, an oceanfront condominium property at 2480 South Kihei Road, is the only condo property fronting Kamaole Beach II directly. The property was built in 1970, has 80 units across four buildings on a two-acre oceanfront parcel, and every unit has a private oceanfront lanai. Configurations range from one-bedroom suites at 702 square feet up to a three-bedroom, three-bath unit at 2,824 square feet. The grounds include a heated pool, oceanfront grass lawn with loungers, BBQ grills, and on-site free parking. See available units or book direct.

Frequently asked questions about Kamaole Beach II

Are there lifeguards at Kamaole Beach Park II?

Yes. Maui County Ocean Safety lifeguards are on duty at Kamaole Beach Park II daily from 8am to 4:30pm, year-round. The lifeguard tower is at the central beach access point. Outside those hours the beach is unstaffed, so swimmers should be experienced with ocean conditions, watch for shore break in the afternoon, and pay attention to posted flag warnings.

Is parking free at Kamaole Beach II?

Currently parking at Kamaole Beach II is free, with parallel street parking along South Kihei Road. There is no dedicated lot for Kam II as there is for Kam I and Kam III. Maui County's Park Maui program, which rolls out in summer 2026, will charge non-Hawaii-resident vehicles for parking at all three Kamaole Beach Parks. Hawaii residents with valid ID will continue to park free.

Can you snorkel from the beach at Kamaole II?

Yes. The best snorkeling at Kamaole II is at the rocky points on the north and south ends of the beach. Enter from the sand, swim along the rocks, and look for tropical fish, eels, and green sea turtles. The reef between Kam II and Kam III sits about 40 yards offshore. Conditions are clearest in the morning. Bring your own gear or rent from one of the snorkel shops along South Kihei Road.

Is Kamaole II safe for kids?

Yes. Kamaole II is widely considered the safest of the three Kamaole beaches for children. The bottom is sand with no sudden drop-offs, the shore break is small in the morning, and lifeguards are on duty all day. Restrooms and rinse showers are within steps of the sand, and the grassy lawn behind the beach offers shade and picnic space. Many families return to Kam II year after year specifically for these conditions.

How long is Kamaole Beach Park II?

Kamaole Beach Park II runs about 1,600 feet, just under one third of a mile, from its north point to its south point. It is the longest of the three Kamaole beaches, with Kamaole I at roughly 1,200 feet and Kamaole III at roughly 300 feet. The Hale Pau Hana property fronts the southern third of Kam II.

Can you walk from Kamaole II to Kamaole I or III?

Yes. All three Kamaole beach parks are connected by walkable shoreline and sidewalk along South Kihei Road. From Kamaole II you can walk north along the sand and sidewalk to reach Kamaole I in about six minutes, or continue another two minutes to Charley Young Beach at the far north end. Walking south from Kam II reaches Kamaole III in about six minutes by sidewalk.

What time does the sun set at Kamaole Beach II?

Sunset at Kamaole Beach II ranges from about 5:50pm in mid-December to about 7:15pm in mid-July, with the longest light in late June. The beach faces west, which gives it a clear, unobstructed sunset view across the channel toward Lanai and Kahoolawe. Many guests at The Hale Pau Hana watch sunset from the property's oceanfront lawn, where loungers and chairs are set out daily.

Stay oceanfront on Kamaole Beach II

The Hale Pau Hana fronts the beach directly. Every unit has an oceanfront lanai. Book direct, pay no OTA fees.

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