Located in the southern part of Maui, Mokapu Beach Park - also called Mokapu Beach and Mōkapu Beach - is a large beach that has light brown sand, a few rocks, and many nearby palm trees in the resort community of Wailea. This beach is one of the northernmost beaches in Wailea. The area around the southern end of the beach is rocky - this rocky area is composed of lava rocks. The beach’s name "Mokapu" is actually derived from the Hawaiian words "Monu Kapu" which means sacred island - this designation actually refers to an island which was earlier present in the water near Mokapu Beach. However, this island was destroyed during a practice bombing session during World War Two. Although Mokapu Beach Park does not have lifeguards, it has many other amenities including restrooms, showers, a nearby grassy area, a walking path, and benches. Dogs are allowed in Mokapu Beach Park. Getting to Mokapu Beach Park is easy - from the southern end of County Road 31, you need to turn towards Wailea Ike Drive and then towards Wailea Alanui Drive. From Wailea Alanui Drive, you need to turn towards Ulua Beach Road. There is a free parking lot for Mokapu Beach Park near the end of Ulua Beach Road - you can easily walk to the beach from this parking lot via a walking trail. We recommend visiting this beach early as this parking lot fills up quickly. If this parking lot is full, you can park at the southernmost parking lot of another beach named Keawakapu Beach - the free southernmost parking lot of this beach is near the southern end of South Kihei Road. Once you park here, you then need to walk to Keawakapu Beach. Once you reach Keawakapu Beach, you need to walk a quarter-mile south along the shoreline to Mokapu Beach Park. The beach is open between 7 am to 8 pm.
