Little Beach

Drive Makena Alanui Road past the Wailea resorts to Makena State Park and use the first (northern) Big Beach entrance. Non-residents pay $10 per vehicle plus $5 per person (kids 3 and under free); Hawaii residents are exempt. From the north end of Big Beach, a rocky trail of roughly 0.3 miles climbs over a lava outcrop on the side of Pu'u Ola'i and drops to Little Beach; it is steep and slippery in places, so wear shoes. Park hours are 5am-7pm weekdays and 5am-4pm weekends. No public transport; not wheelchair accessible.

Visitors love the scenery, the clear water, and the relaxed mix of naturists, honeymooners and locals; many say it was their first nude beach and felt easy and friendly. Common complaints are the crowding on a small strip of sand, the scramble over the rocks, early weekend closing with officers clearing the beach around 4pm, and the lack of toilets or water. Some miss the old Sunday drum circle, while others prefer the calmer atmosphere since 2021. Reviewers advise afternoon visits for sun and caution in the shore break.

Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.

Public nudity is illegal in Hawaii and Makena State Park has signs prohibiting nudity, alcohol and fires; nudity remains common and is rarely the focus of enforcement. DLNR closed the beach temporarily in January 2021 over parties, drugs and alcohol, then reopened it in March 2021 with earlier weekend closing times.

Naturism at Little Beach sits under United States's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.

Full country law: United States public nudity guide.

Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.