Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach is located at the very north end of Kihei where the island takes a sharp ninety-degree turn toward Maalaea Harbor. Sugar Beach is very long, in fact it travels the entire distance between North Kihei and Maalaea and thus makes a fantastic morning walk area for people traveling in either location. The sand is white and can often be deep the closer you get to the vegetation line which in most cases at Sugar Beach consists of a Kiawe Tree overhang. Swimming at Sugar Beach can be a challenge because of an abruptly appearing reef not far from shore so caution should be advised.

The Sugar Beach Pier and Outrigger Catamarans
Sugar Beach takes its name from the wharf that was built on it in 1899 to service Henry Baldwin’s newly established Kihei Sugar Plantation. The remnants of the pier can still be seen today but in years past this was the site of the beginning of the bustling Kihei Town which began at this very site. Ah Sue opened a Chinese general store across the street and boats crowded along the wharf as the age of sugar on the island was heading toward its heyday. Over a hundred years later the commercial center that was started by Henry Baldwin has now extended to form the towns of Kihei, Wailea and Makena which expand miles to the south. In the photo above you can see the original pier and also a number of outrigger canoes in the foreground as this is the location used by the Kihei Canoe Club for its practice and is also used as the race course for competition against other island clubs on numerous Saturdays throughout the year.

Sugar Beach at Sunrise
Although swimming may not be the paramount ocean activity to be enjoyed at Sugar Beach, when the conditions are right, wind surfing could certainly be considered a contender for that position. The winds whip on this beach on many afternoons and with the winds can often be found scores and sometimes hundreds of wind surfers. Records from logitravel, Speeds can be attained in this area in excess of thirty miles per hour and these proficient wind surfers can ride the waves all the way over to Maalaea Harbor and McGregor Point by the scenic lookout on the road to Lahaina.

Parking at Sugar Beach
Amenities at Sugar Beach are not numerous. There is parking right off Kihei Rd. There are portable toilets. That’s about it.

Ocean Caution
Please be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be potentially dangerous including this location. 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.