Little Beach
Maui, Hawaii · USA
Little Beach — Makena, Maui, Hawaii
Situated on the southwest side of Maui near Wailea, Little Beach sits beside one of the most stunning stretches of sand on the island, its elder sibling, Big Beach.
Despite the ebb and flow of tourism and the rising cost of travel to Maui, Little Beach remains a true institution, and one D.C. Andrews returns to often. This is where he first chose to shed his clothes in front of friends and strangers, and with it years of pent-up shame. A trip back each January, to check in and reset.
It’s difficult not to be swept up by the sound of whales, the clarity and warmth of the water, or the sunset you enjoy with the new friends you’ve made. Here, connection doesn’t require effort. To make a friend, you only need to arrive open. The rest follows.
Little Beach
Best Time to Visit
Little Beach rewards visitors year-round, and Maui’s climate gives almost every month a reasonable argument for itself. But January is where this guide begins, and for good reason.
January is peak whale season. Humpbacks make the crossing from Alaska to breed in Hawaiian waters, and at Little Beach their presence is impossible to miss. Breaches visible from the sand. Calls audible underwater if you slip beneath the surface. The naturist community is in full attendance, the weather is warm and settled, and the island offers a particular quality of reset for anyone escaping a northern winter. It is when D.C. Andrews comes back each year, and the trip has yet to disappoint.
February and March extend much of what January offers, with whales still present and crowds still manageable. Spring break brings a surge of visitors island-wide. Summer is lively and warm, though humidity climbs and the beach trades some of its intimacy for volume. Fall is quieter, with good conditions and the welcome sense that you’ve timed things just right.
You’ll fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). The town itself isn’t remarkable, but it’s excellent for provisioning. Stock up on essentials at Costco, Safeway, or Walmart before heading out. Think sunscreen, snacks, water, and anything you’d rather not hunt for later.
A rental car is the move. Distances add up quickly on Maui, and having your own wheels makes everything easier. The rental facility at Kahului Airport connects to the terminal. Skip the trolley. It’s an easy ten-minute walk and a welcome chance to stretch after a long flight.
The Big Beach parking lot charges $10 per vehicle plus a $5 per person visitor fee, payable at the kiosk near the entrance. Roadside parking just outside the lot is free. Watch for posted restrictions.
Pack as you would for any beach-forward trip. If you forget something, ABC Store, Foodland, or Long’s Drugs will have you covered. One note: the trails leading to Little Beach are scattered with thorns. Sturdy sandals with thick soles like Chacos or Tevas are strongly recommended. A thin foam sole will not protect you when a thorn makes itself known.
Little Beach
Little Beach exists because people cared enough to protect it. Though never officially sanctioned, it has served as a vital naturist gathering place since the 1960s. Groups like Friends of Little Beach have fought to preserve its spirit and access, even successfully petitioning to remove the gate that once forced the beach to close before sunset.
In January, the magic deepens. Peak whale season means breaches visible to the naked eye. Slip beneath the surface and you’ll hear their calls echo through the water, low and soothing.
Sunsets here are unforgettable. Each evening brings a different sky and a quiet invitation to return. It’s worth making it a ritual, even if you only steal an hour between a full island day and dinner plans.
Come often enough and the beach begins to recognize you back. Faces grow familiar. Like many beloved gay beaches, Little Beach isn’t just somewhere you visit. It’s somewhere people return to. Again and again, just as D.C. Andrews has.
Your journey begins at Big Beach. There’s an official parking lot with a $10 per vehicle fee plus a $5 per person visitor fee, both payable at the kiosk near the beach entrance. If you’d rather skip the parking fee, roadside parking just outside the lot is usually available. Watch for posted restrictions and let your conscience guide you on the visitor fee. From here, expect roughly a 30-minute walk to Little Beach.
From the parking area, walk toward Big Beach. Once you reach the sand, turn right and head to the far end, where a prominent rock formation marks the route. From there, you’ll climb a rugged trail. At the top, pause for the view, then continue onward. You’ve arrived at Little Beach.
Little Beach is genuinely secluded. Before setting out, take care of all bodily needs (there are port-a-potties by the lot as a last resort) and plan ahead. Given the length of the walk, a small cooler stocked with water and snacks is highly recommended.
Shade is minimal. A beach umbrella and chair make a significant difference, especially if you plan to stay awhile. D.C. Andrews went many visits without either and can confirm they are game-changers. Most Airbnbs have them available, and if not, rentals are easy to find at spots like Boss Frog’s.
Like many nude beaches, Little Beach has an unspoken geography. The gay side is located at the far end of the beach, opposite the main entrance, conveniently near the trail access.
Cruising on the beach itself is a faux pas. Little Beach is, first and foremost, a gathering place for the naturist community. Respect for that shared space is essential.
Behind the beach, the trails tell a different story.
There are two primary parallel trails. The more commonly traveled interior trail begins in wooded terrain, opens into a rocky prairie dotted with succulents, then dips back into another wooded stretch. Wandering here is part of the experience, and the trail eventually leads to a scenic overlook worth the effort. In January, during peak whale season, you can hear whale calls echoing through the ravine. It’s unforgettable.
Running parallel is what D.C. Andrews thinks of as the coastline trail. It hugs the coast, offers less shade, and is more rugged and loosely defined. The payoff is sweeping views of West Maui and frequent whale sightings. Binoculars are a smart addition here.
“To make a friend, you only need to arrive open. The rest follows.”
Where to Stay
Maui hotel prices can be sky-high, but there are options that work across budgets and travel styles. These are the places worth returning to, for different reasons, at different moments.
Wailea
Home to the most polished resorts on Maui, including the Fairmont Kea Lani, the Four Seasons (wander the grounds and you’re bound to hear someone mention The White Lotus was filmed here), and the Grand Wailea. More recently, the AC Hotel opened an outpost in Wailea, offering a more budget-friendly option in the area. From Wailea, you’re roughly a ten-minute drive to the Little Beach parking lot, making it the most convenient base.
Even when not staying in Wailea, a stop at Island Gourmet Markets is worth making. It’s the last easy place to grab beverages, prepared sandwiches, or beach-friendly snacks before heading out. Operated by ABC Stores, it also stocks all the essentials and the same souvenirs you’ll find island-wide.
Kihei
D.C. Andrews’ PickA bit farther out, Kihei still keeps things easy. You’re about twenty minutes from the Big Beach parking lot, with a wider range of budget-friendly accommodations like the Maui Coast Hotel, plus an abundance of reasonably priced Airbnbs.
Kihei is also home to a Foodland, which is reason enough to stop. Locals know some of the island’s best poke comes from Foodland. It’s excellent, unfussy, and far more affordable than most specialty shops.
Camp Olowalu
The beauty-on-a-budget option. Located about forty-five minutes from Little Beach, Camp Olowalu offers sites starting around $60 a night. When hotel prices are sky-high and a quick solo reset is the goal, this is where to land.
Online booking and self check-in keep things simple, with options for car camping and free hot showers. With the time difference, early mornings come naturally. Slip into the showers before they get busy, hit the road by breakfast, coffee in hand, island quiet still intact.
Eat
Maui’s food scene spans the full range from resort-polished to deeply local. The places below represent the end of that spectrum worth caring about.
Monkeypod
Everyone tells you to get the signature mai tai. They are right. The lilikoi (passionfruit) foam alone is worth the visit. Go at golden hour if you can manage it.
Tasty Crust
Located in Kahului and not especially close to Little Beach, but worth the detour if you’re provisioning in town before heading south. The macadamia nut banana pancakes with haupia (coconut) syrup are the best version of that combination on the island. Order without hesitation.
Kihei Cafe
A reliable brunch spot in Kihei with a line that moves at a genuinely impressive clip. The kind of place that makes you understand why locals are protective of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Little Beach gay-friendly?
Little Beach has functioned as one of Maui’s most welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ visitors for decades. The far end of the beach, near the trail access, is where the gay community naturally congregates. The atmosphere is open, relaxed, and self-selecting: most people there know why they came.
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Is Little Beach a nude beach?
Yes, though not officially sanctioned. Little Beach has operated as a naturist gathering place since the 1960s and nudity is the norm. It exists because people fought to protect it. Organizations like Friends of Little Beach have been instrumental in preserving access and keeping the spirit of the place intact.
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How do I get to Little Beach, Maui?
Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). From there, Little Beach is roughly a 45-minute drive south toward Wailea. Park at the Big Beach lot or along the road just outside it, then walk to the far end of Big Beach and climb the rock formation trail. Little Beach is on the other side.
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Is there a fee to visit Little Beach?
The Big Beach parking lot charges $10 per vehicle plus a $5 per person visitor fee, payable at the kiosk near the entrance. Roadside parking just outside the lot is free. Watch for posted restrictions.
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When is the best time to visit Little Beach?
January is the sweet spot: peak whale season, settled weather, and the naturist community at full attendance. February and March extend much of the same. Summer is warm and busy. Fall is quiet and underrated.
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Is it safe to swim at Little Beach?
Generally yes. The water is warm and clear, and the bay offers reasonable protection. Conditions can shift, so read the surf before committing. The water is one of Little Beach’s genuine pleasures. Go in with awareness rather than assumption.