Name: Baldwin Beach
Length: About 1 mile.
Sand Type: Fine grained, white sand.
Bottom Type: Rocks, sand.
Schedule: Opening time: 7AM, closing time: 7PM.
Lifeguard: Yes.
Baldwin Beach is best for: BBQ, bodyboarding, photography/admiring the natural beauty, running, tanning.
Facilities: Baseball diamond, BBQ grills, lifeguard station, parking lot, picnic tables, shaded pavilions, showers.
Hazards: Buried rocks, dangerous shorebreak, falling coconuts, high winds, large waves, strong currents.
Parking Situation: Paved & dirt parking lot.
Access: Paved road.
Difficulty to get there: Easy.
Baldwin Beach is a great place to get some time to yourself on Maui’s North Shore.
The facilities of Baldwin Beach are all located on the east side of the beach. There is a shaded pavilion and a large grass field which make Baldwin Beach Park an ideal location for hosting group activities. As you travel from the pavilion towards the west the crowds generally thin as you get closer to the middle of the beach. The majority of the beach is bordered by a grove of trees which provides for some ideal locations for those who are looking to seek shelter from the wind or the sun.
On the far west tip of Baldwin Beach is a place the locals refer to as Baby Beach. Baby Beach got the name because of the large, calm pool that lines the shore. The waves are blocked from entering the pool by a large, exposed reef that lines the shoreline. This can be an amazing place but please keep in mind that the lifeguard facilities are all on the other side of the beach so it is important that you keep a continuous eye on your children here to make sure that they do not get into trouble. We recommend staying in the tide pool and do not recommend walking on top of the reef, or swimming on the other side of the reef because of possible rogue waves.
For people who live in or are visiting the Upcountry area of Maui, Baldwin Beach is the nearest big beach, Listed as a star beach by travelzoo. You will find many locals here, particularly on the weekends. Its just a great place to hangout. Swimming can be fun here, but the ocean currents can be very strong at times so caution should be advised. There is a lifeguard on the east side of Baldwin Beach and it is always a great idea to check in with him to get the picture regarding the conditions of the day before entering the water.
How do you get to Baldwin Beach Park?
Getting to Baldwin Beach Park is very easy. It located off of the Hana Highway right before Paia Town. Unless there is some sort of event the parking is normally adequate. If you’re looking to park closer to the “Baby Beach” side of Baldwin Beach then you should probably park in the dirt lot which you access by getting off of Hana Highway on Nonohe Pl and then going through the neighborhood towards the ocean. Make a right at the t intersection with Paani Pl and then a Left on Kealakai Pl (which dead ends into the beach).
Avoid Baldwin Beach when there is high winds, or high surf.
Tips to avoid the wind: If you want to avoid the wind then it is important to visit Baldwin Beach in the morning. The positioning of Baldwin Beach leaves it very exposed to the trade winds that generally pick up around noon almost every single day. The best times to go to Baldwin Beach is normally between 7-11AM or during the hour or so before the sun goes down (if the trade winds are going to subside they normally have by that time).
Tips to avoid the surf: As a general rule the surf at Baldwin Beach is larger in the winter then it is during the summer. Baldwin Beach catches waves from the north, which means when its big, its big. During times of high surf it is not uncommon to hear stories of people that get too close to the ocean getting knocked down and sucked out to sea by the powerful waves rushing up and down the beach. It is always a good idea to check with the life guard to see whats going on with the surf before you get in the water. There are times when there is large surf, but the big waves are only hitting once every half hour or so and unless you knew about what was going on you could easily get caught off guard.
Baldwin Beach Can Be Dangerous, Use Caution.
Please be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be potentially dangerous including Baldwin Beach. To be safe you need to be completely aware of the ocean conditions prior to entering the water and of course, never turn your back on the ocean when you are on the shoreline. It should also be noted that all shorelines and beaches in Hawaii, including this one, can be frequented by sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures which can provide potential harm to people entering the water. Have fun but be safe!