Things to do in Wailea and Makena

5-kilometre coastal path and anchored by The Shops at Wailea. The beaches in front of those resorts are public by Hawaii law, with marked public access points, whatever the landscaping suggests. South of the resorts, Makena turns wilder: Big Beach (Oneloa) is a wide stretch of sand with a shorebreak strong enough to injure swimmers every year, so it is not a spot for young children or weak swimmers.

The road continues past Makena to the 18th-century lava flow at La Perouse Bay, where pavement ends. Offshore, the sheltered waters of Turtle Town draw green sea turtles, seen most reliably on morning boat trips. Expect resort parking fees running several tens of dollars per night, on top of the roughly 18 percent combined state and county lodging tax.