Many, wrongly, see Hana as the destination for the Hana Highway, the real destination is the journey itself, however, so when they arrive in this quaint little backwater and find relatively nothing to do and only a murky brown beach, a few shops and some low-end eating establishments, they feel pretty disappointed. It begins as a steep scramble down a heavily eroded bank with exposed tree roots and many trip hazards mixed with loose soil or greasy mud, depending on rainfall. Ocean entry can be dicey unless very calm we tend to sit and watch the waves rather than play. Copyright 2019 Hawaii News Now. (I would definitely not take the suggestion of other guidebooks and use that trail right next to the cemetery any longer.) The trailhead is near the cliff edge of the shoreline at the end of Uakea Road. It starts off an easy hike- down the hill, over the tree roots. At the end of this path is a short drop down onto the beach. Theres truly nothing better! Find maps, images, and more specific information in this guide. If you end up at the Japanese Cemetery, you need to back-track to one of the paths that go downhill. Hana is a very quiet and sleepy backwater and besides being the Destination of the Road to Hana there is very little for tourists to do in the town. You just cant understand some people. 7-8AM Daily, All Hotels. Please take EXTREME CAUTION Id you decide to embark on this journey. Another reason is that weve heard that the trail is on private land. The day, I hiked here, the trail was dry. In total about 23 feet. Hey, its Hawaii! So this hike is really not that bad, we did it today and Im 5 months pregnant. It is in fact a nude beach. The instructions above are perfect for finding the beach. i hope i can get an answer at once since we are planning in about two days to go to red beach sand thank you! which runs on the ocean side of Hotel Hana Maui, parallel to Hana Hwy. It is indeed very dangerous; the adults on our trip decided to follow us as far as the last rock wall; but the climb up and down to the red shore is daunting to say the least. Trails are closing all the time because tourists are not using common sense and are going places they shouldnt be and not doing any research. At the Hana-Maui, you can select from a handful of elegant rooms or deluxe private bungalows. Really appreciate it! The trail is covered in loose sand, and some sort of round seed pods, which make it easy to slide off the side. There are other red sand beaches on Maui that don't cross private property. Red Sand Beach on Kaihalulu Bay is a pocket beach on the island of Maui, Hawaii on Kauiki Head.LocationKaihalulu bay and Red Sand Beach lie at, on the side of Ka'uiki Head, which is a cinder cone just south of Hana Bay, on the eastern coast of Maui island. 1. (The jungle grows quickly, so this could change!) You may need to poke around a bit. Have you heard about Kaihalulu Beach, which is more commonly known as the red sand beach on Maui? But the good news here is there is a huge amount to see along the highway and much of it is in the vicinity of Hana. Today I'm walking into the red sand beach located at Hana, Maui Hawaii. im 58 years old but with manageable body and energy. For fit, sure-footed people accustomed to hiking non-maintained trails this is a fairly accurate comment. Yes, Red Sand Beach is one of the most dangerous beaches to access on Maui. See all photos from Joyce T. for Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Useful Funny Cool Daniel O. San Antonio, TX 55 61 46 6/13/2022 2 photos This made the Road to Hana worth it for me. But it truly is a sight to see a beach full of coral and shells unpicked by beach combers; so if you require a memento; take the sand, not the shells :P. (most people will still tell you not to take the sand. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE, Hookipa Beach Park What to see and do At Hokipa Beach, DT Flemming Beach Guide, West Maui, Hawaii, Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. Really cool red sand beach. Many kids will find the trail far easier than adults, after all, they are the ones out playing in parks and playgrounds while you sit at home watching Netflix! People falling to serious injury and death are not rare occurrences here. We did not mind but wanted to add a word of caution to those that may not be aware. This is a sacred site to the Hawaiian people. I was letting the grandma pass me and then all the sudden the ground came out from under her and she FELL 40-50 feet onto rock, we all ran to her rescue and called 911. Youll be surrounded by hazards, from the cliffs to the waves. Is it a unique beach? There is another trail that takes you down to the shoreline which is safer, walk along the shoreline and then climb back up to the trail beyond the narrow/slide section. Walked over to the red sand beach from our bungalow at the Hana-Maui. That said, the trail is short, so opportunities to tempt fate are short in duration; fairly experienced hikers may find these risky points somewhat trivial. Only a handful of legal roadside parking spots exist. Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. BE CAREFUL!!!! Hawaii is famous for its mesmerizing black, green, and pink sand beaches. All purchases or bookings made through We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the reader. The first stop on the officially-designated Road to Hana is a small waterfall known as Twin Falls. Follow your intuition the rest of the way, down and along the shore into the bay where the beach is. it is a rough track clinging onto the side of the cliff but the drops are low and the safety margins pretty high, hug the cliff, stay away from the edge and you will be fine. Below are some phones from the trail, shoreline, and from the skies above Red Sand Beach. Being on the edge of the cliff. Its very much worth your time to take this short drive off the road to Hana. The Hana-Maui's 66-acre property has 74 rooms and suites, including those with full kitchens and oceanfront locations. Towering red cinder cliffs surround the bay, and the blue ocean. If I hadnt been directed by a local, I dont think I would have found the trailhead on my own as it was hidden behind a pile of yard waste. The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. It was fine at the beginning, but about halfway into the trail we encountered the narrow, slippery and really dangerous part. That would be the only solution. Uakea Road and Hauoli Road, which you can find on Google Maps easily. Its the perfect place to snorkel, sunbathe, and birdwatch on one of the islands most secluded stretches of shoreline! If you are driving the road to Hana for just the day, your time is very limited. HANA, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Maui fire officials rescued a man who suffered serious injuries Wednesday after falling 15 feet at Red Sand Beach near Hana Bay. Where did you end up parking? Minuses: The short hike to the beach is hazardous. We went and it was worth it .. but im terrified of heights and the hike there was very scary for me. ), Find the yellow gate with a small dirt walking trail beside it and walk across the empty grass field. What did you think? The Final section drops you down from this headland onto the sands, it is narrow, very rough, and has a lot of trip hazards. Okay, by now, weve let you know that the trail to the red sand beach can be a little dangerous and you might see nekkid people. Shaka Guide Maui "Classic" Road to Hana Audio Maui "Loop" Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour, Maui "Reverse" Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour. Kaihalulu Beach in Hana, HI, is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. The trail to get to the beach was kind of tough but well worth it. There was a homeless man camped out there when we went- and it is a clothing-optional beach. While you are here youll likely see 'iwa and Koae Kea as they ply the sky above the cliffs looking for prey below. The small cove at Kaihalulu is surrounded by a . U.S. Sens. Heading down toward the water, youll have to cross a field, which is private property. In fact, outside of a been there tick box and other-worldly good looks the beach is pretty poor. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We prefer the morning as later on people tend to hang around and numbers do not always tail off as fast, and the chance of nudity rises steeply. It is one of the most unusual beaches found anywhere in the world and considered one of Hawaiis most beautiful beaches. Book your tickets online for Red Sand Beach - Kaihalulu Beach, Hana: See 789 reviews, articles, and 579 photos of Red Sand Beach - Kaihalulu Beach, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 33 attractions in Hana. This is the problem with people that ruins it for others. It is truly beautiful and be sure to stop and appreciate the views! 22. You can easily find the location on Google Maps, so it's easier to find now. Physically capable and conscientious hikers should have absolutely no difficulty accessing the beach. As we explain the route below try to understand the risk, and the difficulty, and if the trail is right for you, dont be fooled by the shortness of the trial, it is the terrain and exposure that carry the risk. The sand on Koki beach is full of pebbles, so it's best to keep your sandals on while on the beachunless you like "Ow "ing every time you take a step, but the color is amazing. A hike to the red sand beach near Hana. Ka'uiki head is a cindercone, rich with iron. No ethical Hana resident will give tourists directions to Kaihalulu. We really only use it as a stopover and base to explore the surrounding areas. Before you go, you may want to skim some of the titles for other relevant Maui guides below to ensure you do not miss any epic beaches, sunset destinations, or noteworthy things to do during your visit to the Valley Isle! Getting Around Maui without a Car Guide to Mauis Public transportation, What Food to Eat in Hawaii? For her, the Red Beach is just not worth the effort of a very rough and hard-going trail. Like others have said, the beach is stunning. At least one reported tragedy occurred as a result of a hiker taking a dangerous route, unable to find instructions on locating the proper trail. Our Hawaiian Food Guide to Hawaiis Must Try Foods, Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii Our Ultimate Maui Beach Guide, How To Visit Maui on a Budget Saving money on your Maui, Hawaii Vacation. The beach seemed really touristy now; and i was guided by following the other groups of people who were exploring it. Itll likely take longer if the Hana Highway is crowded with cars. I had a terrifying experience, to say the least! The simple answer is IF the conditions on the day allow you to take the bottom route and the terrain is not a big deal for you, and this varies from person to person, then yes, it is absolutely worth it. Worth the hike, be careful and good shoes. When is the worst time to visit Hawaii on vacation? I must have been too focused on staying on the trail that I didnt think to snap photos of it. Red Sand Beach, or Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaiian, a dramatic and beautiful hidden cove in any language! Last Updated: January 23, 2023 Kaihalulu Beach, better known as Red Sand Beach, is a natural marvel forged by volcanoes and hidden away on Maui's famous Road to Hana. But this is just the new danger. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was never really tolerated by locals but we hardly ever see anyone undressed here anymore. For. However, few rival the incredible beauty of Kaihalulu Beach. It is basically in Hana town, and the parking for the red sand beach is actually around many of the Hana community recreation areas.. Getting to the red sand beach is also one of the great hikes on the Road to Hana.. Dont expect a nude beach haven in the time I was there, one guy showed up and snorkeled in the buff. HANA, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Maui fire officials rescued a man who suffered serious injuries Wednesday after falling 15 feet at Red Sand Beach near Hana Bay. The main reason is Access. Ive never seen more than a marker down here, but I do know gravity doesnt pick and choose what falls. First of all let me just start off by stating it is not as dangerous as people have made it out to be. The Iwa are significant birds and masters of wind currents, and in this out-of-this-world setting look like pterodactyls cruising over a prehistoric sky. Please enjoy this video I recorded with my iPhone. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. In the photos n this page I got up when it was still dark, ran to the trailhead at daybreak, and still passed a few people on the trail. (Hawaii vacation budget calculator), 9 Proven Strategies for Finding the Lowest Airfares to Hawaii. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. There is an unmarked trail at the end of a grassy knoll near the dead end road of Uaukea that will bring you through a tropical forest straight to Red Sand Beach after 0.5-miles. The Eternal Question, and a tough one to answer and a question that doesnt have one answer as conditions and tides have an effect. The trail is made of loose cinders and covered with ironwood pine needles. A better alternative for rough surf days and for those who cant manage the trail is Koki Beach. means roaring sea in Hawaiian) but theres a protected cove thats suitable for snorkeling and wading. It is perfect for cooling off but little more. Follow this trail 0.5-miles to Red Sand Beach. Not too bad. The entire hike takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes. Aloha! Also the closest hospital is 2 hours away, and the local medical center/clinic, while they gave me amazing care, are simply not equipped to treat severe traumas. The main trail currently goes over a pretty gross heap of rot; im not sure if it was intentional; or if the new trail just spawned where someone happened to dump a huge pile of palm tree/coconut waste. Harder to find than Wally, but much more satisfying. Fidel and his wife took the early, Subscribe to our Hawaii travel newsletter. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. One of the best stops on Road to Hana is Honokalani Beach. DO NOT be tempted to take sand. Shares. Why? Remember to park in legal spots only, unless you dont mind the ticket, which an officer says starts at $35. each morning of your stay. Kaihalulu Beach is accessible via the Hana Highway. Lava Rock is a pretty fascinating but complex topic, and all you need to know is the eruption here produced large amounts of red rock. He said the patient was in a rescue basket secured to a rescue rope, with a rescue technician attached, and taken by Air One to the Hana Ball Field before being transferred to a medevac helicopter for transport to Maui Memorial Medical Center. Just put a mark@ in front of this website domain name to get a hold of me . The only signs you will see will be telling you NOT to ask for directions to the beach. The town of Hana *does* have cell service in most spots. The trail now becomes pretty well-defined and worn. Do this at your own risk. Keawa Pl (at Uakea Rd/State Hwy 360) 7.5 Required fields are marked *. They clearly have missed the whole point of the highway, but while on the face of it Hana is pretty dull, there are a few diamonds to be found in the town, not least the Stunning Red Sand Beach. But to many families and people just coming to check red sand beach off their tour bucket list of Maui. 10 Hrs. I would say the trail is pretty well defined now as mentioned above. Also, getting here can be quite dangerous for those who are not sure-footed enough to recover from inevitable a cliff-edge slips on the loose cinders. The icing on the surreality cake are the nudists and eccentric characters who also frequent this beach. By: Admin (David Miller) The Red Sand Beach (a.k.a Kaihalulu) Trail in Hana, Maui, Hawaii, is a moderate 0.6 mile out-and-back hike over to the hidden cove of turquoise waters and red sand beach, Kaihalulu. As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. The bright blue ocean water contrasts in a striking way against the c The Beach used to be very secluded and people with a clothes aversion swarmed to the beach to take in nature in a state of nature. All that said, the Red Sand Beach is one of the most unique, memorable stops you can make on the Road to Hana. Finding parking is another fun challenge. But all in all, it misses some of the more exposed parts of the path. While some talk of a curse, and stories of people having to return the sand to break a run of bad luck, we tend to lean on the side of hearsay. Tucked behind a forest of ironwood trees and flanked by steep red cliffs, Koki Beach is one of Maui's most unique hidden beaches. 12. Firefighters and medics provided emergency medical treatment and packaged the patient so she could be airlifted out of the area, Giesea said. The victim, aCaucasian male in his 30's, was unconscious but still breathing when emergency crews arrived. Come to find out this has happened to many others as well. As long as you are healthy and you pay attention to where you are stepping then you can do this trail. But there are a few that are a little more magical such as the Red Sand of Kaihalulu Beach and the amazing Black Sand of Wainapanapa State Park. Firefighters arrived to find the woman, a visitor, had slid about 30 feet down a high-angle slope, landing on rocks near the shoreline, said fire Capt. Snorkeling varies from poor to pathetic. The worst part about getting here is the long waste of time on the road to Hana. Though not very safe or easy to reach, many make the trek to find out that the beach is not made of sand at all, but instead consists of small red cinders. Kaihalulu Beach is one of the stops on Mauis Road to Hana, which is no longer a secret. Still, its not easy to get to, so its often uncrowded. Do you have what it takes to hike to Kaihalulu Beach? Maui 's fiery history is best represented at Hana 's Kaihalulu Bay a stretch of scarlet-inflamed sand within echoing distance of Queen Ka'ahumanu's birthplace. We stayed at the Hotel Hana Maui for a night earlier this year, and our attempts to find this beach were unsuccessful. Start planning your trip to Hawaii and find out! A couple makes their way up to the first view of the beach. Its free and there is quite a bit of parking. Up for an adventure? I was surprised to see so many people getting into the water fully clothed, never mind a bathing suit! Koki Beach, Hana, Maui. Plus, on the Road to Hana in general, watch out for wildlife. Tip: Swimming is not recommended here because the water is rough (Kaihalulu means roaring sea in Hawaiian) but theres a protected cove thats suitable for snorkeling and wading. Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaii. What to Eat in Chicago, Illinois? From the relative peaceful. But many malahini (visitors) who visit these places leave them altered. Known as the Red Sand Beach, Kaihalulu is on the opposite side of Hana Bay Beach Park, right in the town of Hana itself. PHOTOS: Proof you cant have rainbows without the rain! People say that even sand is inadvisable to take; but since the red sand is replenishing from the overhanging red rocks; taking sand here has less of an impact than non replenishing sand colors; like black and green. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter, Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook, or Instagram. If you found one of our travel guides invaluable in planning your next trip and would like to show your appreciation to the authors, please consider buying us a cup of coffee! Even on Kaihalulu Beach the ocean is not really a place to swim, so if you are looking for a beach to swim or surf then head to Hamoi Beach. The real reason is simply that access is dangerous, and no one wants the liability. dont take it). But before getting into driving to the red sand . Top ways to experience Red Sand Beach - Kaihalulu Beach Recommended Tours & Sightseeing Transfers & Ground Transport Private Full-Day Waterfall Beach and Jungle Tour of Maui 50 Recommended Day Trips from 41,688.88 per adult (price varies by group size) Shaka Guide Maui "Classic" Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour 51 Recommended Full-day Tours from 5. Top ways to experience Red Sand Beach - Kaihalulu Beach and nearby attractions VIP Private Road to Hana Tour with Pick Up 110 Recommended Adventure Tours from 17,641.63 per adult Private Full-Day Waterfall Beach and Jungle Tour of Maui 42 Recommended Day Trips from 29,194.25 per adult (price varies by group size) Simply head all the way down until you reach the Hana Community Centre on your right. What is the Weather Like in Chicago, Illinois? Part of the hillside has washed away, so avoid that and continue down onto the rocks by the water. do you think i can make it? Had place nearly to ourselves. To get to the red sand beach, you must navigate a narrow and sometimes slippery path that hugs a cliff edge. The red sand beach is located in Hana, Maui. One of the best road to Hana tours is our half-fly and half-drive option. It was the most surreal moment. A trail leads you into the trees, and a path develops down toward the beach. The commentators here who minimize the risk are not doing anyone any favors. Aloha Friday Photo: Wailua Falls, East Maui, Aloha Friday Photo: Haleakala Pre-Sunrise Edition, How much for a trip to Hawaii in 2023? Looking for more of the best Maui beaches? Speaking of eccentrics, if you are among the chosen few awaiting the Mothership, local hippie lore has whispered in my ear that this is where she will pick up her children. We have been to Hawaii over 8 times and have made this beach every time. Red Sand Beach will be our first stop. So the Kaihalulu red sand beach is one of the great colored sand beaches on Maui!. You sound like the type that ruins all of these special places for us locals that have lived here our whole lives. Please take the warning seriously and dont make the wrong kind of vacation memories. After an exciting day, come back to one of our beautiful accommodations and unwind. Great care should be taken when visiting and swimming here. In fact, state law prevents any beach or beach access from becoming private property. Visitors should also keep in mind that there are no facilities at Red Sand Beach. Kept safe from the rough ocean waves by an offshore reef, the beach's calm waters make it perfect for swimming, though it's the lack of crowds that is an attraction for most. Perhaps that direct angle of the sun washed out some of the color. To get to Kaihalulu Beach, you must traverse a fairly treacherous hiking trail. Absolutely! Head down there. Sitting on the beach is not as present and the coarse grains just get everywhere. Many topless females but more bottomless males doing snorkling and swimming. Show more Travel to OAHU in VR. I dont recommend taking young kids because it is right by a drop off and can be slippery. Even for me, the upper trail is too sketchy. Literally meaning "roaring sea," the iron-rich beach receives its ruby-orange hue from Kauiki Head, a cinder cone smack dab on the water that, much like Papakolea's .