White Rock Beach (Palauea) Review

Palauea Beach, also known as White Rock Beach, is what beach dreams are made of.

This lesser-known, quarter-mile-long sandy cove is the first beach past the Wailea resorts – no more than a one-minute drive from the Fairmont Kea Lani.

White Rock is great for families, with soft sand and good swimming – plus opportunities for snorkeling and boogie boarding when conditions allow. And it’s often far less crowded than Wailea’s busy beaches.

Let’s take an in-depth look at this beach.

About White Rock Beach

Location and Accessibility

White Rock Beach is located off Makena Road, only about a half mile from Polo Beach. The beach is almost invisible from the road – hidden by kiawe trees and multi-million dollar houses – so it’s easy to miss.

There is no parking lot here—only street and shoulder parking. Parking can be limited on busy days. Be sure to park completely off the road in legal parking only, not blocking any driveways or mailboxes. As we mentioned above, beachfront mansions surround Palauea, and some have private security. The last thing you want to do is park in the wrong spot and get your car towed!

To find the beach, look for a porta-potty, a trash can, and park rules signs. From here, there is a short, sandy trail through a kiawe grove that leads to the beach. Watch out for kiawe thorns! They can easily pierce through your slippers.

Amenities

White Rock is a county beach park, but it lacks many amenities – so plan ahead. The only amenities here are a portable toilet and a small trash can. No lifeguards, picnic tables, or freshwater showers.

We recommend taking your trash with you rather than leaving it in the trash can, as pickups are few and far between. We also suggest bringing some water to rinse away the salt and sand before hopping back in the car.

Beach Features and Activities

• Shade. There are few shady spots at White Rock – and they get claimed quickly. We recommend packing a beach umbrella.
• Crowds. Palauea is relatively quiet when compared to other beaches on Maui – especially on weekdays. It has its busy moments, but it is by no means the busiest beach on Maui. It’s a great place to go to escape the crowds of Wailea Beach. You’ll have plenty of elbow room here.
• Swimming. White Rock offers excellent swimming conditions on most days, thanks to its soft sand and gently sloping shoreline. The beach is pretty much rock-free, aside from the lava rock points on either side. Be cautious of shorebreak when there is swell in the water.
• Views. Palauea has incredible views – especially around sunset. Looking north, you’ll see a palm-studded point with the West Maui Mountains in the background. To the south, you’ll spot another lava rock point with Kahoolawe and Molokini just beyond that. After Po’olenalena, White Rock is one of the most popular South Maui beaches for small weddings and elopements.
• Snorkeling. White Rock doesn’t have extensive reefs like some other South Maui beaches, but there is still good snorkeling off both the south and north points.

More Snorkeling Info…

White Rock is essentially a large cove with lava rock points to the north and south. Both points offer top-notch snorkeling opportunities.

Off the north point, you can see coral formations and fish just a few meters off the beach. Snorkeling gets better the further out you go. However, we’ve noticed this side of the beach picks up current very easily – so visibility can deteriorate quickly.

We’ve found that the south side of the beach usually has better visibility, but you have to swim a bit farther around the point for the best snorkeling.

Always use caution when entering the water here, as there are no lifeguards, and conditions can change quickly.

Best Time To Visit

Mornings are the best time to hit the beach at White Rock. Morning conditions in South Maui are usually very calm. The wind typically starts blowing hard anywhere from 11 am to 1 pm.

Summertime south swells can create large surf and strong currents here. Wintertime usually yields the calmest conditions – plus opportunities for humpback whale sightings offshore. However, wintertime west swells or Kona storms can create unsafe conditions.

The Snorkel Report or Surfline are great resources for checking snorkeling conditions and swell and wind reports at Palauea.

Hazards

• Currents. The points at White Rock can pick up quite a bit of current. If you plan on snorkeling here, learn how to identify currents and what to do if you’re caught in one. And always snorkel or swim with a buddy.
• Shorebreak. The shorebreak can be especially fierce here when the waves are up. Avoid water activities when there is a large south or west swell, and always watch the ocean for a few minutes before getting in.
• Kiawe thorns. As we mentioned above, Palauea is hidden behind a kiawe grove – and kiawe thorns are absolutely no fun to step on. Wear your slippers when walking through the trees. Trust us on this one.
• Sharks. Sharks are known to frequent this area. (In fact, there are several ancient legends about sharks at Palauea. The residents of the Palauea ahupua‘a (land division) were said to have a deep spiritual connection to the many sharks in the area.) This information isn’t meant to scare you, but it’s always important to be informed. The chances of encountering a large shark are extremely low, but you can take precautions to avoid any potential danger.

Stay close to shore when swimming or snorkeling. The majority of Maui shark attacks and encounters happen 75-300 yards offshore. Also, avoid swimming or snorkeling at dawn or dusk and in murky water.

Weddings

White Rock’s stunning views and seclusion make it a popular choice for beach elopements. It’s not ideal for larger ceremonies due to the lack of parking and amenities, but you’ll often see intimate ceremonies and elopements going down here around sunset.

If you’re interested in getting married at White Rock Beach – or any Maui beach – be sure to familiarize yourself with the permit process and rules and regulations.

What’s Nearby

White Rock is just a stone’s throw from resorts like the Fairmont Kea Lani and restaurants like Gather on Maui and Mulligan’s on the Blue. It’s also just a short drive from the Shops at Wailea, Wailea Village, and Wailea Gateway.

Enjoy your beach day at Palauea!