LITTLE BEACH
Maui, Hawaii
Located just a 10-minute drive from five-star beach resorts and some of world’s most expensive real estate, Little Beach is a quiet oasis where families mingle with surfers, couples, and an eclectic group that seems like refugees from the 1960s.
Many believe this small nudist cove on Maui’s southern coast is the best nude beach in North America and possibly the world. It’s only 170 yards wide, but rock formations on either side provide boundaries that not only make it cozy but shield it from those who might stumble upon it accidentally from the adjacent non-nudist Big Beach.
The water at Little Beach is crystal clear and those with goggles and snorkels will notice tropical fish swimming alongside. Though the (free) parking lot at Makena State Park opens after sunrise and closes before sunset, it’s possible to view both spectacles by parking alongside the main drag outside the gates.
It’s common for first-time visitors to Little Beach to quickly start considering how they might relocate permanently to Maui, what with the dazzling sunsets, flower-scented breezes, laidback style of life, and friendliness of Maui residents. Though such atmosphere can be enjoyed throughout the island in Hana, Lahaina, and Kaanapali, it’s perhaps never more evident than at Little Beach.
Nudists vacationing in Maui should consider accommodations in Wailea or Makena. That way, they’re centrally located to explore the island and just a short drive to Little Beach.
The beach has its origins in 1969, when hippies began showing up on Maui and creating settlements with colorful names such as Banana Patch, Soul Acres, and Trouble Gulch. Police cracked down on nudity and the hippies but eventually a nudist foothold was established at Makena’s more remote beach, Little Beach, which is separated from Big Beach by a steep lava outcropping (the tip of Puu Olai).
The journey over to Little Beach requires just a modest climb. With many of the nudist swimming holes along the famous Road to Hana inaccessible or difficult to reach, Little Beach is the best nudist attraction on Maui, if not all of Hawaii. It’s not unusual to find couples and families lounging on towels from expensive nearby resorts.
Good weather is almost a guarantee at Little Beach since that side of the island receives just seven inches of rain annually. Though some bring surfboards to Little Beach to surf naked, the beach has neither the waves nor the room to enjoy Maui’s favorite pastime. More fun is swimming the length of the beach.
Little Beach retains ties to its hippie roots, especially on Sundays, when there’s a large sunset celebration featuring a circle of drums and other instruments. The fire dancing continues into the night and is one of the more memorable Maui experiences for any vacationer.
Friends of Little Beach have worked for years to keep this famous beach opened to nude use and maintain the up-to-date Web site.
Information taken from AANR.com/nude-beaches