La Perouse Bay(Lava Fields)

Located on the south shore of Maui Island, La Perouse Bay has a rocky shoreline.  The bay has several small coves that have unnamed coral-rubble beaches with very little sand and sharp lava rocks.  La Perouse Bay is situated within the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve, and it was formed during the last volcanic eruption of Maui's volcano, Haleakala, around 1790. The Hawaiian name for La Perouse Bay is "Keone'o'io Bay," which means "true beauty." 

La Perouse Bay does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.  Dogs are not allowed here, and it is open from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. 

La Perouse Bay offers several fun activities including tidepooling, snorkeling, and hiking.  If you like tidepooling, there are tide pools near the beach that can be explored during low tide.  If you are planning to go into the water near the beach, we recommend being careful as during periods of storms and heavy surf, the water inside the coves can become very turbulent.  Snorkelers can explore coral reefs and see a large variety of colorful tropical fish as well as Hawaiian marine life, especially on the northern side of La Perouse Bay, popularly known as Kalaeloa (Aquarium), and Mokuha (Fishbowl).  It is important to note that the bay is a protected nature preserve, and it is against the law to harass or approach any marine life or to remove or damage any rocks or coastal plants.  Hikers can explore the nearby Hoapili hiking trail, but we recommend wearing sturdy shoes due to the presence of jagged lava rocks.  La Perouse Bay is an excellent place for exploring barren lava rocks, coral beaches, lava fields, and watching waves crashing against the cliffs.  Also, the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve is occasionally closed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to let the ecosystem recover from overuse.

Getting to La Perouse Bay is easy - it has a free dirt parking lot located near Mile Marker 7, at the very end of Makena Alanui Road.  After parking, you will need to walk a few minutes to the bay.  It is important to note that you should not park your vehicle on any lava rock due to the risk of getting a flat tire.

As an interesting fact, La Perouse Bay is named after a French naval officer and explorer named Jean-François de La Perouse who was the first European to set foot on Maui in 1786.  The entrance to La Perouse Bay is marked with a monument constructed of lava rocks dedicated to the French explorer Jean-François de La Perouse. 

There are many attractions near La Perouse Bay.  Ahihi Cove is a protected cove within the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve that offers amazing snorkeling opportunities - visitors can explore coral reefs, see a large variety of colorful tropical fish, as well as Hawaiian marine life.  There is no sand here, the ocean bottom is rough, and the only way to get to the ocean is to climb over some lava rocks.  Ahihi Cove does not have lifeguards, and pets are not allowed here.  It is important to note that marine life, corals, or rocks are protected by state and federal law, and harming them can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and possible imprisonment.  Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater that forms a small, uninhabited islet, and it is home to around 250 species of endemic fish and marine life.  Some of the more common fish include yellow tangs, Moorish idols, parrotfish, black triggerfish, bluefin trevally, raccoon butterflyfish, moray eels, ornate octopus, manta rays, and whitetip reef sharks.  Visitors may spot humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, and spinner dolphins in the water.  If you like bird watching, many coastal birds, including nene (Hawaii’s official state bird), myna, Bulwer’s petrel, wedge-tailed shearwater, chukar partridges, red-crested cardinal, tropical Java finch, spotted dove, cattle egret, and Hawaiian stilts, can be seen here.  Molokini Crater also offers many fun activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  If you are looking for another attraction near La Perouse Bay, Makena Landing Park is a small beachfront park that offers many fun activities including kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, diving, and picnicking.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near La Perouse Bay.  Humble Market Kitchen is an upscale restaurant that serves incredible salads, sashimi, seafood, ribs, steaks, pork dishes, poultry dishes, and local Hawaiian cuisine - also offers vegetarian dishes. Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman-Wailea offers amazing pizzas, salads, tacos, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, desserts, and local Hawaiian cuisine.  Manoli’s Pizza Company is an Italian restaurant that serves delicious salads, pizzas, pasta, garlic bread, seafood, and desserts.  Maui Tacos-Kamaole Beach Center is a Mexican restaurant that serves burritos, rancheros, tacos, salads, nachos, salsa, quesadillas, seafood, and churros.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near La Perouse Bay, Jazzy’s Kitchen Mexican Food Truck serves incredible tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, hot dogs, enchiladas, shakes, smoothies, and shave ice.

If you are looking for a hotel near La Perouse Bay, there are many great nearby options.  The 5-Star Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux is 20 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a fitness center with yoga classes, a golf course, an outdoor pool with cabanas, a hot tub, a Mediterranean restaurant, and complimentary weekly canoeing excursions.  Another upscale option is the beachfront 4-Star Wailea Beach Resort-Marriott, Maui which offers many amenities including a spa, a fitness center, outdoor pools, hot tubs, golf courses, four restaurants, and two coffee shops.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Mana Kai Maui Resort which offers many amenities including a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, barbecue grills, beach equipment rental, and a restaurant with outdoor seating.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near La Perouse Bay, the 2-Star Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront offers several amenities including a fitness center, a restaurant, and a barbecue grill facility.